Over the June long weekend our Juniors fielded 2 teams in the NSW Juniors Rugby State Championships – the teams are our Under 11s & Under 12s.
Our U11s had their tournament at Kierle Park, Manly with 15 other Districts across NSW taking part. Seeded in the higher ranking, our team was placed in Pool A with some tough opposition such as Manly, Eastwood and Gordon. Despite a winless first day on Saturday, the boys rallied on the second day to a win and a draw, and carried that momentum to win their final match in the Play Offs on Monday to finish the tournament on a high. The standard of rugby was very high with some exceptional talents seen throughout the tournament. The U11s played: 5 games – 2 Losses: 2 Wins: 1 Draw. Congratulations to the team and thank you to the Coaching Staff: Charles Carter, James Caterson, Heni Albatoori, Alexis Tasker and Wade Gudgeon for his technical coaching sessions.
Our U12s played their tournament at Camden Rugby Club – a wonderful setting for some very top notch rugby witnessed over the weekend. There were 17 Districts taking part in this tournament where our U12s were placed in the top seeded pool with last years’ champions Manly. We fielded a strong side with an exceptional back line and a vastly improved forward pack from last year, there are some exceptional talent in this group and I believe the future looks bright for this age group if we can retain the core players. Our U12s played 6 games: Won 4: Loss 2.
Despite losing their first game to defending champions Manly (21-10) on the first day they finished the day strongly by defeating Central West (26-7) and Hunter (17-7). On Sunday they then won their first game to Warringah (14-7) and despite a valiant effort in what was a very fast and exciting game they lost the Quarter Final match to Randwick (26-19). Testament to the teams resolve the players arrived on the final day on Sunday with determination to finish the tournament on a high and won their last game in the Play Offs against Eastwood (14-7) and finish on a high.
Congratulations to the team and thank you to the Coaching Staff: Peter Jorgensen, Fergus Duncan and to Ivan Pomare (Juniors Development Officer) for his attendance and feedback to the coaches.
I would like to thank also James Caterson and Mal Matoe for providing the teams with tents during the tournament, and to all the parents and families who turned up each day to support the teams a big thank you, lastly a big thank you to Miriam Volkman and the Samoan mums in the U12’s who cooked and handed out yummy lunches to the whole team.
U11 Team:
Jake Tonna
Jonathan Cahn Tum Tong
Hwan Inverso
Edmond MaDonagh
Ferhus Fisher
Albert Alcock(Captain)
William Burraston
Max Philips
Bilal Abdelwhahab
Christian Woulf
Oliver White
Max Jorgensen
Angus Sutherland
Theo Kidd
Jett Whaite
Jay Jay Taetuli
Oliver Gadja
U12’s Team:
Oliver Mclean
Rory Plummer
Sione Lea’aetoa
Malachi Matoe
Wilkinson Papalii-Afoa
Dante Patelo
Mathew Madgwick
Patrick Musillo
Jake Jorgensen
Gordon Cahn Kum Tong
Nathaniel Brown-Ifobo
Ronald Volkman (Captain)
Saohong Duncan
Harrison Henson
Tyler Afoa
Sullivan Kepu
Josh Tamotu
Stefan Moscarello
Malakai Manoa
Aiden Clark
Alexander Campbell
Fiyan Leaver
Jordan Swann
