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2009 Bondi Tens Tournament Report Woollahra Colleagues hosted another very successful Bondi Tens competition on 13/14th February. Twenty four teams in the main competition, plus the Singapore Wanderers over-35’s, who played a couple of games against a BOBS Invitation +35’s. On Day 1, the six pools of four teams contested a round robin. In Pool A, Bali Legends were cock-a-hoop after they gained maximum points in a pool that contained Colleagues, KB’s and newcomers White Line Fever. In Pool B, Gents Club, past winners of a couple of tournaments, were too strong for Ramrod from Quirindi, first timers NSW Crows and Convicts and, by collecting a massive points difference, looked good for the knockout. In Pool C, unknown quantity Brothers (from other Mothers) were held to a draw by a strong British Lions team, and headed the pool by beating Misfits and Landmark Lemurs. NSW Country Barbarians were held to a surprise draw by the Toucans in Pool D, but headed the pool with good wins against Silver Bullets and newcomers Landmark (QLD). Silver Bullets, an inaugural team, won their first competition point in 5 years, against Landmark; and more, much more, was to come. In Pool E, Cougars won the battle of newcomers against Wagga Waratahs and Knox OB’s, and old faithfuls Fire Brigade. In Pool F Tattersalls, who always look good on paper, were too strong for new entrants Maccabi, UTBNB and last, but not least, BOBS from Queensland. Find photos of the tournament at http://flickr.com/photos/35768566@N04/ Day 2 was the knockout competition. Pool winners Bali Legends, Gents, Brothers, NSW Country, Cougars and Tattersalls were joined by top- ranking Toucans and British Lions in the Bondi Tens Cup. Cougars got away to a quick start against Bali Legends and were never caught; NSW Country and Toucans had fought for a draw on Day 1 but Country were too strong in the knockout. Likewise, Brothers and Lions drew on Day 1 but Brothers prevailed; and Tattersalls, perhaps surprisingly, beat Gents Barbarians. In the semi-final, NSW Country comfortably disposed of Cougars while Brothers, who were becoming favourites, knocked out Tattersalls. The Cup Final was hard fought battle and scoreless until the final seconds when NSW Country Barbarians dropped a goal against a valiant Brothers team and so finally won their long-sought Bondi Tens Cup.
2009 Winners New South Wales Country Barbarians In the Plate, Maccabi and UTBNB were scoreless at full time, with the Cowra team winning with a golden point. KB’s beat a depleted Colleagues, who had most of their players playing for visiting teams. Knox OB’s beat a Wagga team who might have found the standard a bit higher than they expected; Misfits, who lived up to their name, just beat Quirindi Ramrod in a close game. In the semis, KB perhaps surprisingly beat UTBNB while Knox OB’s were too good for the Misfits. In the Bondi Tens Plate Final, KB’s, who had never played more than one game on Day 2, finally ran out of puff and were well beaten by Knox OB’s. In the Bowl, Fire Brigade were too strong for Landmark Lemur; White Line Fever comfortably beat Landmark (QLD); Silver Bullets had their second revelation when they beat BOBS; and NSW Crows dismissed the Convicts. In the semi-finals, a rejuvenated Fire Brigade were too strong for White Line Fever and, wait for it, Silver Bullets beat NSW Crows. The final between Fire Brigade and Silver Bullets was scoreless for almost 40 minutes when Fire Brigade scored a scintillating try to win the Bondi Tens Bowl Final with a golden point. The Challenge competition was a popular initiative whereby the losers in round one of the knockout played off in a mirror of the Cup, Plate and Bowl. In the Challenge Bowl Final, after a busy tournament, in which most of the team played in two over 35’s games, BOBS were too strong for a depleted, gallant Landmark (QLD) (who had previously knocked off Landmark Lemur (NSW)); Ramrod beat Maccabi with a late try to win the Challenge Plate Final; and British Lions declined Bali Legends offer to settle the matter with a sculling contest only to manage a draw in the Challenge Cup Final. The over -35’s realised their age in a couple of games in which the Wanderers were a little too strong for the BOBS-but it didn’t matter. Everyone had a great time, despite the gloomy weather, and all threatened to return, especially after experiencing the spectacular Bondi Rodeo After-Party. A big thank you to the NSW Referees, 18 of whom were on duty on Friday and 22 on Saturday. All the games were played under the new Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) and it is to their great credit that this innovation ran seamlessly. Thanks to our Sponsors, particularly Landmark who were our sole Gold Sponsor this year. As ever, the Woollahra City Council presented the grounds in immaculate condition; and to Lisa Kinny at Subbies for assisting teams with registration. In excess of $20,000 were collected for charities, most of which will go to the Victorian Bushfire appeal, via the Red Cross, and Beyond Blue.
Download 2009 Report
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© Woollahra Colleagues RUFC 2004 - 2009 |
