SPORTSCAM with CEC TILBURG
“Old School” look as Orange Tigers AFL celebrates 40 years Celebrating the club’s 40th anniversary with a Heritage Round on Saturday, July 16, Orange Tigers took to the field wearing replicas of their original 1982 orange and black guernseys. The nostalgia of the occasion didn’t dampen the competitiveness of the Bathurst Bushrangers, the final score 81-44 in their favour.
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | JULY21 — 27, 2022
sport@oclife.com.au
SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
AFL CENTRAL WEST: All Orange Tigers action from the Old Boys/ Heritage Round The Orange Tigers celebrated their 40th anniversary last Saturday, hosting three senior games against the Bathurst Bushrangers at Waratahs and capping off the day with an Old Boys dinner event at the Waratahs Sports Club. Tier 2: Orange Tigers and Bathurst Bushrangers slug it out in thriller The Orange Tigers Tier 2 side kicked off the Round 10 match-day action at 11am and, thankfully, it was in reasonable weather conditions. The reserves lost to the Bushrangers 51-41 in a tense contest. The Tigers got off to a slow start, trailing 16-0 at the end of the first quarter. Then, in the second quarter, the Tigers finally kicked a couple of goals and a behind to get on the scoreboard. But their defence still couldn’t stop the Bushrangers’ dangerous attack inside the 50-metre arc. After the break, the Tigers came out with more intensity to reduce the deficit to five points. The hosts kicked another two goals and also prevented their opponents from scoring a goal in the entire third quarter. At 32-27, it looked like the Tier 2 Tigers were mustering an incredible comeback in front of the vocal home crowd. The reserves scored some crucial goals in the last quarter, keeping their opponents on their toes until the final siren. But, with some quick movement, the Bushrangers kicked three goals to run away with a hard-fought 10-point victory. Senior Women: Clinical attack helps Bushrangers overcome brave Tigers The Orange Tigers Women were the second senior highlight of the day, going down 39-8 against the Bathurst Bushrangers Women. Despite enduring their 10th defeat of the season, the scoreline in this recent game wasn’t a fair reflection of the Tigers’ brave efforts. During the first half, the Tigers put in a brilliant shift in the backline. Their tight defence continued to frustrate the Bushrangers, who only managed to kick
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three goals despite all their dominance in possession. Trailing 19-7 at the break, the Tigers were doing an incredible job of staying in the contest and keeping their hopes of victory alive. But in the last two quarters, the Bushrangers’ quick movement and attack finally got the better of this brave Tigers side. In the end, the Bathurst side secured a 31-point victory. Tier 1: Last quarter rout sees Bushrangers down Tigers After upsetting Bathurst Giants in the previous round, the first-grade Orange Tigers were heading into their Round 10 clash with plenty of confidence. But, despite their heroics in the first three quarters, the hosts crumbled in the final stages as the Bathurst Bushrangers claimed an 81-44 victory. Both teams were in a tight tussle in the opening exchanges, setting up a fascinating battle for the spectators. The Tigers, who were donning the replica 1982 guernseys, were doing a phenomenal job in going toe-to-toe with the competition leaders. At the end of the first half, the Orange side only trailed by 10 points. Their forwards seemed to be firing on all cylinders during this match, possibly inspired by the club’s 40th-anniversary celebrations. The Tigers kept up the intensity in the third quarter, defending well in the back and creating more golden opportunities inside their 50-metre arc. The final quarter seemed destined for a classic, but the Bathurst Bushrangers had other plans. A lapse in concentration by the Tigers allowed the visitors to pounce on their mistakes and kick six unanswered goals to run away with a 37-point win.
AROUNDTHEGROUNDS with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
BARRACKER THE
REDEMPTION STORY IS STILL ON HOLD FOR BRAT KYRGIOS Australian Nick Kyrgios’ seemingly charmed Wimbledon run that saw him get an honourable runners-up against seven-time winner, Novak Djokovic has gone some way to redeeming his patchy reputation. Known more for his obvious talent, sometimes churlish on-court behaviour, and tendency to drift in and out of matches depending on his level of motivation, Kyrgios gave Australian tennis fans hope for that great sporting dream, “the redemption story”. Showing however, that the old Kyrgios is still there, deep inside, his always-fragile sporting composure threatened to once again unravel after he was slapped with a code violation for swearing during the third set of the final. Describing the umpire’s code decision as “a joke”, he then angrily demanded that the “drunk out of her mind” heckler be kicked out. Being such an individual sport, just how far do we forgive our tennis heroes — some of the best-paid athletes on the planet — their singleminded pursuit of victory, so as to enjoy the sweet glow of reflected glory? While Romanian tennis player, Ille “Nasty” Nastase, was World tennis’ first “bad boy” regularly blowing up, cursing umpires, and breaking racquets around the circuit in the innocent days of the 1970s, highlystrung Jimmy Connors was the first top-rated player to make court misbehaviour his seeming trademark. His usurping in the World Rankings (and in the title races) of mildmannered Australians like John Newcombe, Rod Laver, and Tony Roche, and fellow Americans, Arthur Ashe and Stan Smith, heralded a new brash approach to what had been considered up until then, a gentlemen (and ladies) game. But if Connors with his neversay-die ferocious determination to win, was the “John the Baptist” of a previously unknown aggressive approach to the sport, John McEnroe
was the Messiah. A hugely talented, utterly spoilt New Yorker, he brazenly bullied umpires, linesmen and women, referees, and other players, in a seven-times grand-slam winning record. From a fiery Irish-American background, there seemed, however, to be an element of design and malice in his conduct, often blowing up at seemingly straightforward calls that went against him, after which his opponent would often lose focus, and the match. That he later became judge, jury, and executioner on the reputations of players whose on-court behaviour, and off-court opinions, he did not approve of, (such as those of Margaret Court), shows something of his malevolent egotism. Out of the Australians until recent times, Pat Cash’s “fiery” court demeanour was the closest we came to an ill-tempered hot-head. Scaling the seating in the stands after his epic 1987 Wimbledon victory over World No. 1 Ivan Lendl to embrace his father, was about as wild as we got. Until Bernard Tomic and Kyrgios showed that we can create tennis brats, as well as the best of them. Internationally though, the women may have taken longer to get the new competitive taste for tantrums, but have slowly been catching up. Second-highest grand-slam winner, Serena Williams, now seemingly at the end of her career — from bullying umpires, allegations of coaching (illegal in tennis), to illconcealed petulance when losing big matches — has displayed much of the egotistical self-centredness, that so blights this great game. Our women players, like our men, however, have traditionally been seen as some of the fairest competitors in the world, from Court to Evonne Goolagong (Cawley) to Ash Barty, they’ve generally been an ornament to our sporting landscape.
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Western Premier League: Incredible scenes in Round 15 Confident Orange CYMS take down Macquarie United Orange CYMS have done it again! The greenand-gold secured their second consecutive victory of the season after defeating lastplaced Macquarie United 2-0 in Dubbo. CYMS were flying high after last round’s 1-0 win against Mudgee Wolves, so it’s no surprise they have also defeated the battling Dubbo team during this impressive run. With the recent win, this young side has now jumped Mudgee Wolves, moving them into ninth spot in the standings.
Orana Spurs stun leaky Waratahs Orana Spurs pulled off a stunning victory against one of the competition’s favourites. The Dubbo side secured a 3-2 win over Waratahs in Orange, causing significant changes at the top of the standings. Ever since the 2-0 loss to Barnies, the ‘Tahs have struggled to sort out their defensive issues. This problem has caused the Sky Blues to lose two of their last three games. Waratahs may still sit in second, but they are now only three points away from dropping outside the top four.
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defeat sees the red-and-whites remain outside the top-four, while Workies now go four points behind seventh-placed Orana Spurs.
Basketball: Spalding Waratah 2 Youth Men Round 15 action Inner West Bulls end Orange Eagles’ hot streak Orange Eagles’ three-game winning streak ended after losing 101-94 to Inner West Bulls White in a nail-biter. It was an open contest, with either side unable to take hold of the game. But the Bulls, sitting in second place, found the extra quality from the three-point line to edge out a resisting Orange Eagles side. Despite the defeat, the Eagles remain in sixth spot.
Central West Premier League Hockey: Round 10 action Women’s division: St Pat’s edge past brave CYMS Last Saturday, St Pat’s defeated a resilient CYMS 2-1 in a thrilling showdown. Despite sitting last in the standings, CYMS still put on a brave display against one of the competition’s title favourites.
Lithgow upset snaps Barnies’ three-game winning streak
Orange United upset Souths in emphatic fashion
Lithgow Workies caused one of the biggest upsets in this season’s Western Premier League, beating Barnstoneworth 2-1 at Marjorie Jackson Oval.
Orange United snapped their three-game losing streak after defeating third-placed Souths 3-1 at the Orange Hockey Complex, Davis Field.
After a dominant 3-0 display against Orana, Barnies struggled to find their feet in this encounter with eight-placed Lithgow. The
The impressive win sees United jump into fifth with 12 points, sitting only two points away from the top-four.
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | JULY21 — 27, 2022
SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
Orange Hawks snatch late derby win against CYMS
O
range Hawks caused a monumental upset over their cross-town rivals in the Indigenous Round of the Peter McDonald Premiership last Saturday afternoon. A try in the 77th minute gifted the Hawks a 20-16 victory over CYMS, sending the two-blues fans at Wade Park into euphoria. Both sides entered this contest with inconsistent form in recent weeks, making the match wide open and highly competitive from the opening whistle. After an impressive win against Group 11’s Parkes Spacemen in the previous round, the Hawks were hoping to get revenge on their rivals in this reverse fixture. CYMS pushed the action in the opening stages, with Marcel Ikinofo scoring two tries in the first 19 minutes. Patrick Williams made one of two conversion attempts to give Cyms an early 10-0 lead.
At this stage, it all looked to be going downhill for the two-blues. But 11 minutes later, the Hawks responded with a try from Alexander Prout, which was successfully converted by Ryan Manning. Looking more aggressive and confident with their passing, the two-blues found their second try in the 36th minute when Jesse Buchan crossed over the line. Another successful conversion by halfback Ryan Manning, saw the Hawks take a 1210 lead. But with the Hawks on the brink of going into the break with a two-point lead, CYMS stunned their opponents, crossing for a third try in the final minute. The failed conversion, however, only gave the green-and-gold a 14-12 lead going into the interval. After an action-packed first half, things only became more heated as play resumed. The Hawks desperately tried to peg back another try and break through the stubborn CYMS defence, but Daniel
Manning’s successful kicked a penalty from inside the opposition half, levelling the score 14-14. With five minutes to go, it looked like CYMS had stolen the victory when they slotted a penalty goal for a two-point lead. But the spirited Hawks side wouldn’t back down and Alexander Prout broke through the Cyms defence and crossed into the ingoal for a second time to secure victory.
...For 28 minutes, neither team could get on the scoreboard... Mortimer’s men were just as determined to secure the victory. For 28 minutes, neither team could get on the scoreboard but, after relentless attacking pressure, the Hawks’ Ryan
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This CYMS-Hawks game may go down in Group 10 Rugby League folklore, especially for the Hawks camp. It’s now two consecutive victories for the twoblues, who are making a late charge towards Group 10’s top-four. The Hawks will use this boost when they travel to Forbes this weekend to take on Group 11’s Forbes Magpies in their crossover fixture. As for CYMS, they will quickly need to regroup before hosting a tricky Parkes Spacemen match-up.