SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
Impressive Barnies run riot in big win against CYMS
FIRST-HALF BLITZ SEES EMUS CRUISE PAST ORANGE CITY
A dominant first-half display saw Emus cruise past Orange City 31-5 in Round 14 of the Blowes Cup on Saturday afternoon at Endeavour Oval. The Emus were too clinical for their rivals, extending Orange City’s winless streak to 14 games. After last week’s spirited performance against Forbes Platypi, Orange City came into this derby clash with the hope of potentially causing an upset and recording their first win of the season. But, the orange-and-green couldn’t keep up with Emus’ free-flowing and aggressive rugby. The Emus got the ball rolling when club legend Keith Howarth scored the opening try in the first five minutes. This was Howarth’s 250th game for the Emus Rugby Club, making him the most seniorcapped player in the club’s history. Around 10 minutes later, the home side extended their lead with a try from Louis Monro-Carr with Sam Greatbatch opening the Orange City defence up
and offloading for Monro-Carr to score. This time, Nigel Staniforth successfully converted the kick to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Emus a 31-0 lead.
With the Emus playing an expansive game, the hosts soon found their third try in the 24th minute through Angus Roberts storming past City’s backline and crossing the line near the posts. The Emus continued their first-half scoring spree by grabbing another try five minutes later to pull out to a 26-0 lead at the break.
In the remaining 30 minutes of the contest, the Emus took their foot off the accelerator and decided to defend their comfortable lead. With nothing to lose, Orange City started to shift the ball and play with more freedom in the opposition half. As a result, the Lions eventually cracked the Emus defence and scored their first set of points through a well-worked try from Darcy Holmes, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
Inside the first 10 minutes of the second period, Orange City looked to have tightened things up in the backline. Their improved defending forced several Emus errors, especially when the hosts couldn’t string a couple of passes in their attacking plays.
Despite the improvements and close battle in the second half, it’s another bitter defeat for this young Orange City side. The Emus’ attack was just far too clinical in the opening stages, which was enough to take the sting out of the contest.
But, following a brief period of encouraging signs, Orange City’s defence buckled and eventually conceded a fifth try. Simon Uphill muscled his way past some of City’s defenders and gifted the
With this eighth victory of the season, the Emus have cemented third spot in the standings before this weekend’s tricky encounter with competition leaders, Cowra Eagles.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 11 — 17, 2022
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Barnstoneworth United thumped Orange CYMS 8-0 in last Saturday’s Round 18 derby clash at Jack Brabham Park. The inconsistent CYMS side struggled to get out of first gear, ultimately paying the price against Barnies’ ruthless forwards. After losing 2-0 to Panorama FC in the previous round, Barnies were desperate to bounce back with a win over their local rivals , who too were licking their wounds from a 2-0 loss to Dubbo Bulls. The green-andgold, however, entered this match-up with a depleted side due to a large list of injuries, so it was always going to be a tough assignment to hold-up one of the Western Premier League’s most clinical sides. Barnies started well by playing a pressing and aggressive style of football, backing their opposition into their own half. The attacking diamond plays and intelligent runs helped the red-and-whites score four unanswered goals in the first half, taking a comfortable 4-0 lead into the break. Things didn’t improve in the second 45 minutes for CYMS as Barnies kept their foot on the accelerator when pushing forward. By using the width and playing a one-touch passing system around the 18-yard box, Barnstoneworth bagged another four goals to put on an unassailable 8-0 lead. Barnstoneworth’s star attackers, Dylan Hallz and Tim Dowler, each bagged a hat-trick in the goal-scoring frenzy with Jarvis Marat scoring one goal while Kenny McCall’s long-range drive capped off a stellar Barnies’ performance. Barnies goalkeeper, Brock Logan, couldn’t have been any prouder of his side’s incredible victory. “It’s a massive win and a complete performance; we didn’t give CYMS a chance. Being clinical in the entire match, showed that our attacking combinations are working, so it’s a positive with the finals approaching. Scoring four goals in each half also showed that we meant business and didn’t take our foot off the accelerator,” said Brock. With the finals around the corner, Brock highlighted the importance of winning this derby to boost his team’s morale. “It’s a good confidence booster for our push to the finals. We know we can beat any team on our day, but it’s important to play with the same intensity for the full 90 minutes each week,” Brock said. Barnies have now jumped into the third position in the standings with 32 points, two points off second-placed Panorama FC. The red-and-whites travel to Parkes to take on the Cobras in Round 19. CYMS have conceded 16 goals and scored once in their last three fixtures, so they will quickly need to regroup to avoid another heavy defeat when they host Panorama this weekend.
SPORTSCAM with CEC TILBURG
Emus v Orange City Derby Day The stiff, bitterly cold wind didn’t slow down the rugby action at the Emus Rugby Club home ground in Woodward Street on Saturday for the cross-town derby with Orange City. The Emus women’s team were too strong for their Orange City rivals, the final score 22–5. It was a similar tale when the men’s 1st Grade squad took to the field, Emus defeating Orange City 31-5.
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 11 — 17, 2022
SPORTSCAM
with EDITHMAY GOWING
Orange United clinch vital derby win over CYMS Orange United walked away with bragging rights after defeating CYMS 2-1 in a thrilling derby last Saturday at the Orange Hockey Complex. Both sides came into this contest with plenty of confidence and fine form. CYMS, who recently defeated league leaders Panthers and Parkes, were eyeing their third-straight victory to jump their local rivals in the standings. But United also came into this derby clash on a high after causing a massive upset against Lithgow Panthers. With fourth place up for grabs, the stakes in this battle were high. But, Orange United found the extra edge in this intense showdown to claim the victory and all four points to hold onto fourth place. CYMS still have a chance to snatch fourth spot off United this weekend in the last round before the finals, but they need to ensure victory over Bathurst Souths and hope United lose to Parkes.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 11 — 17, 2022
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AROUNDTHEGROUNDS with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
BARRACKER THE
SPEAR-TACKLE EVOKES LEAGUE’S BAD OLD DAYS The recent five-week ban for Penrith Panthers’ star Nathan Cleary’s “horrible” spear tackle on Parramatta’s Nathan Brown, highlights how one of the hardest of all sports, grapples with the violence that is only ever just below the surface of “the greatest game of all.” For professional footballers, and the teams they represent, there is a fine line indeed between “a good hit” and sin-bins, send-offs, and match bans, that can mean the difference between a season, or even a career, of success and failure. But there was a time in league where open violence seemed to be at the centre of the game’s ethos, appeal, and player codes of conduct. One of the most brutal and physically demanding sports at the best of times, for decades, major games also used to include a so-called “softening-up period” where forwards would lay into each other with shoulder charges, head-high tackles, knees in the back, and raised elbows, all with only the slightest disapproval from the referee. Illegal acts would almost invariably lead to wild, “all-in” brawls involving most players which the fans, and even the ex-player television commentators themselves, would defend as harmless and fun “biff ”. Players in those “good old days” who finally went too far and were “sentoff ”, could expect only a two or threeweek spell on the sidelines before returning to commit more mayhem, often indulged, and sometimes openly approved of, by coaches and club officials. Facing a panel of former players to mete out penalties for foul play each Monday night, incredibly, there was no consideration for previous conduct, so a repeat offending “enforcer”, got the same ban as a 10-year veteran who had never previously committed an illegal act in his footballing career. This lassie faire attitude to violence culminated in the 1973 grand final between hot-favourites and defending premiers, Manly-Warringah and underdogs Cronulla-Sutherland, who were playing in their first decider. Seeming to decide as a premeditated strategy, that winning the fight would also win the title, Cronulla’s lead players, Englishmen Cliff Watson and captain-coach Tommy Bishop, took on the whole of the Manly pack, no slouches themselves in the violence
stakes, in a running brawl for which the result was almost incidental.
This infamous match, however, was only one shining star in a galaxy with many constellations. Even by the late 1970s, violence was still so prevalent in many teams — with the notable exception of sides managed by supercoach, Jack Gibson — that Western Suburbs players happily featured in a club-approved 60-Minutes segment slapping each other in the face before games to increase aggression and, occasionally, even brawling amongst themselves in the sheds. Changing societal standards regarding sporting violence and improving broadcast technology highlighting the seeming tolerance to brutality on the field, saw mounting concerns that the game’s 1950s attitudes to bloodshed, could kill rugby league. This all changed with the appointment to the judiciary in 1980 of respected solicitor and war hero, Jim Comans, who rubbed out Wests second-rower Bob Cooper for 15 months, effectively ending his career, after a vicious all-in brawl with the Illawarra Steelers. Ten and nine-week bans followed — with Australian player, and all-round head case, Les Boyd given 12-month and 15-month bans that also ended his playing days here — until the worst kind of open violence was eventually eliminated from the game. League followed other football codes with banning outright punches on opponents after Sharks tough-guy, and now professional boxer, Paul Gallen, nailed Queensland hard-man Nate Miles in Game One of the 2013 State of Origin series. Developments in neurology and the science of the brain — as well as the landmark case against the National Football League in the United States which in 2016 saw former players win a $1.3 billion damages case for longterm damage caused by concussion — now sees even the most innocuous face-slaps receive penalties and even sin-bins. Cleary’s tackle, which harked back to the bad, old days when players would have their shoulders and collar-bones destroyed on impact, or even worse, from being upended and “dumped”, shows that, even now, the cleanest of footballers can make “horrible” decisions in the heat of battle.
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sport@oclife.com.au
Western Premier League Action
probably caused some psychological damage to the greenand-gold, a weakness their opponents will be looking to
Waratahs overpower Mudgee Wolves to stay top of competition
exploit in the first week of the finals.
Waratahs cruised to a 3-0 victory against Mudgee Wolves last Saturday at Waratahs Sports Ground. It’s the Tahs’ fourth consecutive victory, making them the most in-form side in the league. Adam Scimone’s men are back to playing mesmerising football, and not just in attack. While the Sky Blues lead the goal-scoring charts with a whopping 59 goals, they also boast the best defensive record conceding just 15 goals. As a result, Waratahs look like one of the strongest sides heading into the finals, and they intend to keep up this fine form in the next couple of games against other top four sides Dubbo Bulls and Panorama FC.
Rugby League: Peter McDonald Premiership Round 16 action
Woodbridge Cup: Orange United Warriors defeat CSU Mungoes Orange United Warriors charged home to beat CSU Mungoes 34-26 last Saturday afternoon at Wade Park. With this crucial win, the Warriors finished in sixth place with 14 points and secured a finals spot.
Westfund Ferguson Cup: Emus Ladies claim derby win over Orange City Ladies The Emus Ladies defeated Orange City Ladies 22-5 in last Saturday’s derby at Endeavour Oval. After losing the reverse fixture, the Emus Women showed tremendous fighting spirit to get revenge on their cross-town rivals.
Orange Junior Netball Gala Day Action
Orange Hawks win in Cowra but fall short of finals spot The Orange Hawks came agonisingly close to securing a finals spot in the last regular round of the Peter McDonald Premiership. After beating Cowra Magpies 22-20 last Saturday, the Hawks were sitting in fourth spot with 18 points. Clinching the win in Cowra, the Two Blues needed Lithgow Workies to beat Bathurst Panthers 24 hours later. But the Workies failed to deliver this favour, as they lost 52-18 against a confident and calm Panthers team. As a result, the Panthers snatched fourth place in Group 10 and the last finals spot by just one point. This setback will sting the Hawks players and faithful, knowing this young side could have played a massive part in the finals series of the new-look competition. After starting the season with some wins under their belt and recording the famous derby victory against Orange CYMS last month, it’s a shame we won’t see any more of this exciting footy side in 2022.
Ruthless Mudgee Dragons teach Orange CYMS a lesson before finals Mudgee Dragons cruised to a stunning victory after thumping Orange CYMS 56-16 on Sunday afternoon at Wade Park. The loss leaves CYMS in second place, while Mudgee top Group 10 with 28 points. Daniel Mortimer’s men hoped to extend their impressive run in the closing stages of the season. Yet, this heavy defeat now raises a few eyebrows on whether CYMS are ready for the first round of the finals this weekend. Despite scoring the first try, the CYMS defence soon completely capitulated whenever the Dragons stormed forward. Conceding 11 tries in front of the home fans has
Last Sunday, the Orange Netball Association hosted a Netball Gala Day for all the mixed junior divisions at Anzac Park. With the weather holding up, teams and players from across the region travelled to the Colour City for an enjoyable day of non-stop netball.
8/9’s division The OPS Orange Blossoms won the 8/9’s division, finishing first with 15 points. In addition, the Blossoms remained unbeaten in their category with five wins.
U10s division The OPS Oreos were champions in their division, going on an undefeated run of five wins. The rest of the competitors were in a tight fight till the end, with only two points separating second from fifth.
U11s division Yellow Lightning topped their competition after winning all of their five games. Second-placed Purple Power came close, but they only missed out by two points.
U12s division Pool A: CYMS Peppermint Chicks won Pool A, finishing with 12 points ahead of OPS Obliviators and Cafe Latte. Pool B: OPS Orions claimed top spot in their group with 16 points, two points ahead of Cowra.
U13/15’s division Pool A: Cowra 13’s topped their group in comfortable circumstances, finishing the day with 12 points from six wins. Pool B: Cowra 14’s won their group with six wins and maximum points.
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | AUGUST 11 — 17, 2022