SPORTSCAM WITH HENRY DEROOY
sport@oclife.com.au
hawks VS kws OC Life caught some of the final-round junior netball action at the Anzac Park Stadium on Saturday where the Hawks defeated the KWS Giants.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 1—7, 2022
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SPORTSCAM
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
S E I N BAR O BB U VS D
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ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 1—7, 2022
SPORT
with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
sport@oclife.com.au
Emus’ late strike books an eighth consecutive decider A late blitz by the Emus was enough to beat the Cowra Eagles 21-15 in last Saturday’s Blowes Cup preliminary final clash. As a result of eliminating the competition’s minor premiers, the Emus will play in their eighth consecutive grand final this weekend when they take on the Bathurst Bulldogs. After surviving a tricky test against the Dubbo Roos in the elimination semi-final, the Emus travelled to Cowra with hopes of causing an upset against the strong Cowra Eagles side. The Eagles, still licking their wounds from the loss to Bathurst Bulldogs in the major semi-final, were hoping to book a grand final appearance in front of their home crowd.
Barnies secure top-four spot after thrilling draw with Dubbo Barnstoneworth United have secured fourth spot in the Western Premier League after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Dubbo Bulls FC in the final regular round on Saturday at Jack Brabham Park. After a 2-0 win against Mudgee in the previous round, Barnies were looking to conclude the regular season with a solid performance to ensure top-four safety before the finals. A win would guarantee a third-place finish, while a draw would be enough to hold out the fifth-placed Dubbo Bulls. But given the Bulls’ high goal-scoring form in the last couple of rounds, it was always going to be a tough assignment for the Barnies backline to preserve a clean sheet. The home side started on the front foot, with their high-pressing football creating some early golden opportunities inside the opening minutes. But, after a strong start by Barnies, the Dubbo Bulls stunned their opponents in the fourth minute by scoring from a wellexecuted corner kick. From this point on, the visitors failed to provide any genuine
threat in front of goal when in possession. Despite trailing, Barnstoneworth continued to play attacking football with sequences of passes from wide areas to the central position in the final third. This quick ball movement provided several goal-scoring chances for Barnies attackers, keeping the Dubbo Bulls goalkeeper busy between the posts. Even though the Bulls were under relentless pressure, some good fortune and disciplined defending, ensured the visiting side led 1-0 at the break. After the interval, Barnies ramped up their attack to chase the essential equaliser. Five minutes after the restart, their pressing attack yielded results when passes around the 18-yard box found the feet of Duncan Logan, who rifled a shot that hit the left post and rippled into the net. Barnies then scored their second goal through Rowan Edwards in the 59th minute. The right-winger latched on to a delicate through-ball, confidently striking it into the bottom-left corner to give his side a vital lead.
Barnies’ lead didn’t last long, however, as Dubbo Bulls pulled back an equaliser just six minutes later. A lapse in concentration allowed the Bulls to cut through Barnstoneworth’s backline, with a wide attacker putting the ball on a plate for his team-mate to score in front of an empty net. With a top-four spot on the line, Dubbo was desperately chasing a winner in the last 25 minutes of the contest. As for Barnies, they were content on defending the 2-2 result to maintain their top-four status. In the end, a draw was a fair reflection of this exciting battle. Both teams have qualified for the 2022 Western Premier League finals, and given their final placing at the end of Round 22, Barnies and Dubbo will face each other again in the first week of the finals series this Saturday. Finishing in fourth spot means that Barnies will host their elimination semifinal game against Dubbo Bulls on the Bernie Steadman Field. The game kicks off at 3pm this Saturday.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 1—7, 2022
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As anticipated, both sides started the game with great intensity and aggression. After five minutes of play, Cowra was first to get on the scoreboard after successfully converting a penalty goal to put them ahead 3-0. But in the 12th minute, the Emus levelled things up with a penalty goal of their own. With the Emus starting to play some explosive rugby and growing in confidence, the visitors finally cracked the home side’s defence in the 29th minute. Ollie Harvison muscled past a pack of the Cowra defenders to score the opening try and give his side an 8-3 lead. The Emu’s extended their lead to eight points on the cusp of halftime when Angus Roberts kicked another penalty goal. Coming into the second half, the Eagles immediately put pressure on the visitors, scoring their first try just three minutes after the restart. The Emus held on to their slim lead for the next 25 minutes, but Cowra’s attacking pressure eventually paid dividends when they crossed the line for a try, in the 68th minute, to capture the lead. Under increased pressure, the Emus were treading in dangerous territory heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest. An aggressive charge up the field from the Emus saw Charlie Steele-Park, who crossed the line to score his side’s second try, successfully converted by Angus Roberts from the sideline to give Emus a precious 18-15 lead. Another penalty in the final four minutes saw Angus Roberts again put the ball between the posts, extending his team’s lead to six points and securing another grand final appearance for the Emus. Orange Emus will now face Bathurst Bulldogs in a big showdown for silverware this weekend at Ashwood Park, Bathurst. Both clubs boast 29 Blowes Cup premierships between them, which should make this weekend’s contest an exciting affair.
AROUNDTHEGROUNDS with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
BARRACKER THE
CANCELLING SPORT TO SAVE FIELDS, PUTS GRASS BEFORE KIDS’ WELFARE
Another wet weekend, another day of washouts for much of our local football (soccer). We all know the term, “helicopter parenting”, but how about “helicopter sporting”? Time was when kids would play football in almost all weathers. I recall watching my own children 20 years ago running around playing football in Central Tablelands’ winters in the snow and sleet and rain, all of us absolutely freezing, and making memories to last a lifetime. Yet in recent years, it seems that more weeks of football have been cancelled or postponed than played. We do get it… playing on soaking wet fields damages the grass which takes months to repair. But isn’t that what the fields are there for? It’s not Old Trafford or the Melbourne Cricket Ground, our sporting fields are largely untouched for much of the warmer months, so what’s more important, the grass, or kids’ health and wellbeing? My son’s game, set down for sunny Cudal but unilaterally called off by the local football association, eventually went ahead after negotiations with the local club, on a dry, firm field in beautiful 140C weather. Later, after a great run-around and fantastic match, we went to the local community centre for afternoon tea put on by the local ladies. These are the types of experiences that make country footy so much fun. While we’ve “enjoyed” (if a farmer), or endured (if not), three relatively wet winters in Orange, it’s not as if the cold and sleet and rain of the past three months have been exceptional. June, July, and August are our coldest and most humid months with maximum temperatures below or at 110C. We have an average of 16 days rainfall in August and 94mm of rainfall; July has 19 days of rain with, on average, 75mm precipitation; with 17 days of rainfall and a mean 66mm in the gauge each June. Add to this the fact that we have been, and remain, in a La Nina (wet cycle) climate event, since early 2020, and one can see that we have
more than our fair share of the proverbial wet weekends.
For children playing sport, however, continuity is one of the central ways for them to remain engaged and invested in the process. One only has to have a child sick for a couple of weeks, or, two or three games cancelled due to weather, to see how little enthused they become at the thought of running around a soggy field in the winter wind, chasing a leather ball. Some of my greatest memories are of playing football in the rain, getting soaked, and then coming home to homemade soup and a hot fire. This was also playing in the rugby codes in the forwards, where you definitely get down and dirty in the mud as the game progresses. With soccer, unless goalkeeping or unsure of foot, there’s no reason why a child should get any muddier than in a game on the school oval in their school uniform at lunchtime. It’s no great revelation to say that Australians generally, and our sports administrators in particular, have become many times more riskaverse than their predecessors. No one wants to see children getting injured on slippery fields, but how much damage can a 12-year-old really do, slipping and sliding around Brabham Park for an hour or so each Saturday? As we’ve found out over the past few years, every decision you make has consequences, nothing is without a series of other impacts. The effect of continually stopstarting sporting seasons because of wet fields, and then trying to have two-game catch-up weekends, is to dispirit and unsettle young sportspeople. For them, competitive games remain one of the few remaining physical activities that have not been eroded by our increasing and unfettered attachment to the new technologies that have seemingly taken over so much of our lives. Cancellations for local sport should only be because of perceived physical danger to the participants, not to save the grass that grows back in the summer anyway.
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Western Premier League: Round 22 Action Waratahs crowned Western Premier League minor premiers Waratahs have claimed the WPL minor premiership. Despite losing 4-2 to Parkes Cobras in the final regular round, the ‘Tahs have finished top of the standings with 44 points. The Sky Blues knew they were minor premiers before heading into last Saturday’s game against Parkes, so this could be one of the reasons why the North Orange side didn’t play their best football on the night. On the other hand, the Cobras had to win if they were to snap up the last finals spot. After a tremendous season, Waratahs will look to continue their fine form going into the finals. The Tahs will host second-placed Panorama in a preliminary final on Saturday, September 10. Adam Scimone’s men will enjoy a break before battling it out for major silverware success.
sport@oclife.com.au
AFL Central West Youth Girls Orange Tigers Youth Girls fall short in grand final against Bathurst Bushrangers The Orange Tigers Youth Girls lost 27-14 to Bathurst Bushrangers in last weekend’s grand final at George Park. The Tigers started well in the opening quarter, kicking two goals to take a 12-0 lead into the second quarter. But, after a strong start, the Tigers’ healthy lead began to shrink when the Bushrangers got going in the second set of 15 minutes. Despite the concerning opposition comeback, the Tigers still led 13-11 at halftime. In the second half, however, the Bushrangers continued their push in attack and eventually kicked five more goals to take the sting out of the contest. As a result, the Tigers only managed to grab one point in the last two quarters before their opponents lifted the title.
Women’s Premier League Hockey
CYMS finish painful season on a positive note
Orange CYMS miss out on grand final after losing to Lithgow Panthers
Orange CYMS finished the 2022 campaign on a positive note after their 2-2 draw with Lithgow Workies last Saturday at the Marjorie Jackson Oval. The green-andgold finished in 10th spot with 10 points.
Lithgow Panthers defeated Orange CYMS 4-2 at Saturday’s qualifying final in Lithgow. The green-andgold put on a spirited performance, but it wasn’t enough to get past the minor premiers.
It wasn’t the fairytale return to the biggest footballing stage in the Central West, but it’s definitely a learning experience for this young team.
Division 1 Netball: Round 14 Action
Peter McDonald Premiership: Orange CYMS’ season comes to an end Forbes Magpies defeated Orange CYMS 42-30 in last Sunday’s entertaining preliminary final at Spooner Oval. Unfortunately, this means CYMS won’t be participating in this weekend’s Peter McDonald Premiership grand final. After defeating Parkes Spacemen in the elimination final, Daniel Mortimer’s men appeared to be playing their best attacking footy. But, while the former Group 10 premiers showed plenty of strength in this department last weekend, defence let CYMS down against this well-prepared Forbes Magpies outfit. In the other preliminary final, Dubbo CYMS beat Mudgee Dragons 34-4 to set up an all-Group 11 grand final with the Forbes Magpies.
Woodbridge Cup Finals: Orange United miss out on grand final after going down to Oberon Tigers Orange United Warriors lost 44-28 in their preliminary final clash against Oberon Tigers last weekend. After stunning Trundle Boomers in the semi-final, it looked like the Warriors could pull off another famous upset in Oberon to qualify for the 2022 Woodbridge Cup grand final. But despite their bravery, Orange United still fell short in their fight against the Tigers.
Group 10 Westfund Senior League Tag St Pat’s cruise past Orange CYMS in grand final to claim League Tag title Unfortunately, Orange CYMS lost 34-10 to St Pat’s in their league tag grand final last Saturday at Carrington Park. After a fantastic season, the last step towards silverware success proved too much for the green-andgold. With St Pat’s undefeated all season, it was going to take something special to defeat this well-drilled side along the way to the 2022 title.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 1—7, 2022
The regular season of Orange’s premier netball competition came to a close last Saturday. OCNC Craig Harvey Mechanical claimed the minor premiership, going on an impressive undefeated run for the entire campaign. The Vipers comfortably claimed second spot with 37 points, while OHS Hornets clinched third place with 30 points. LIFE STUDIO finished fourth with 29 points, only beating OCNC Our City Real Estate, on goal difference. The Hawks claimed sixth place with 22 points, while LS MID WEST EYES and KWS Firsts finished with 17 points at the bottom of the table. The Vipers cruised to a 69-29 victory against Hawks Marvasti Security. OCNC Craig Harvey Mechanical thumped LS MID WEST EYES 74-27, wrapping up the minor premiership. OCNC Our City Real Estate and LIFE STUDIO shared the spoils in a unique 48-48 draw. OHS Hornets survived a slight scare against last-placed KWS, with the former premiers coming through in their 44-31 win.
Do you have a sporting story you would like to share with the community, we’d love to hear from you. contact Anthony at
sport@oclife.com.au