The boys played hard, it was such a close game…
Convicts 1 vs. New York Gotham Knights LOSS 18-15

The boys have played the Washington Renegades, who they played yesterday losing 3-0.
Today they won

The boys played a confident game leading on the scoreboard for the entire match. Up by 10 points at half time, they held the Renegades scoreless till the final second.

The final score was 10-7 WIN. (Tries: Mark S, with all other points by Aaron F, aka twinkle toes, aka Sharon

Convicts 2 vs. Chicago Dragons
WIN 29-0

Convicts 1 vs. San Francisco Fog
WIN 3-0

The second day of competition for Bingham 2010 started with Convicts B up against Washington B to decide the winner of the pool. Both sides were expecting a torrid encounter, having both soundly beaten their Day 1 opponents. The Convicts pack struggled early with both the Washington pack and the referee over some law interpretation issues, with early penalties keeping Sydney in their own half.

The penalty count began to take its toll, and, realizing that the Convicts weren’t giving an inch in defence, Washington opted for a kick at goal, going to a 3-0 lead. Matters were made worse with a yellow card just before the break for a technical foul. As soon as the sin-binned Convict was back on the pitch, another was sin-binned for the same offence, then another just before full-time. The Convicts started to make some headway in the second half with some encouraging runs down the sideline by both Andy and Eric, but found the Washington defence too solid despite spending the last ten minutes camped in the Renegades’ defensive quarter.

The Washington A side also proved a challenge for the Sydney A squad, similarly spending most of the first half in the Convicts’ half. The Convicts despite this held their line, withstanding sortie after sortie by the Renegades. Finally some poor discipline by Sydney was called by the referee and the Renegades opted to take some points, going up 3-0. The Convicts regrouped after the re-start, desperate to avenge the narrow defeat of the B squad. After sustained pressure on the Renegades line and several near-misses from forward-passes and knock-ons within 5 metres of the Renegades’ line, the momentum finally resulted in a forwards try by Captain Steve and a conversion by Charles from the touchline. The remainder of the match was scoreless, seeing the Convicts through to the Cup Quarter-finals with a 7-3 win.

Despite the morning’s loss, Sydney B squad was to have a second bite at the Bingham Bowl by virtue of a bonus point for the narrow loss against the Renegades (awarded for a loss by a margin of less than seven points). This saw them pitted against the Atlanta Bucks, who had suffered a 74-0 loss against Sydney A on Day 1. The Bucks were strong in the forwards and were determined to brute-force their way over the Convicts’ line. This strategy almost worked early in the match, but the Convicts pack had learned from their experience against the Renegades and were more disciplined in defence, eventually gaining some possession by forcing the Bucks to spread their pack to thinly. The Convicts backline used the change in momentum to great effect, spreading the ball wide and exposing some disorganized defence in the Atlanta backline with four tries, eventually claiming the match and a place in the Bingham Bowl semi-finals with a 22-3 victory.

Convicts A then faced the Manchester Village Spartans, coincidentally their rivals in the bid for hosting rights to the 2012 tournament. The match started out scrappy, with dropped balls on both sides, but the Convicts were quick to settle and reorganize, with Jay C finding some holes in the backline defence, running in the first try of the match. The Convicts went into the break 12-0 up, and never looked back, running out the winners with a 29-0 victory with two more tries by J, and one each to Smurf and Deano.

Day 2 Results
Pool Games
Convcits B vs. Washington B: Loss - 3-0
Convicts A vs. Washington A: Win - 7-3
Quarter Finals
Convcits B vs. Atlanta Bucks: Win - 22-3
Convicts A vs. Manchester Spartans: Win - 29-0

The sleepy Midwest town of Minneapolis was invaded today by 500 or so Rugby Union players, in town for the 5th bi-annual Bingham Cup. Countries from all over the world, including Australia, America, Canada, France, England and Ireland are bringing hundreds and hundreds of hours of planning and training into three days of intense football action. They’ve gathered at the National Sports Centre to play for the first day of the cup.

The Convicts A side, reigning champions having successfully defended the Bingham Cup in Dublin in 2008 had two convincing victories on the first day of competition, over the Chicago Dragons, 84-0, and Atlanta Bucks 74-0, seeing the benefits of a vast advantage in experience with the backs taking good advantage of a bounty of possession.

The Convicts B squad, bolstered by several players from the Melbourne Chargers was also able to capitalize on the inexperience of their first-day opponents, Seattle Quake B (47-0) and San Diego Armada (59-0), with many first-season players seeing the sunny side of the try-line for the first time. Although both squads left their opponents with bloody noses, the spirit of each match was friendly and in the best traditions of the tournament.

The second day of competition will see Convicts A up against Washington A and Convicts B taking on Washington B, followed by Quarter Finals in the afternoon. As in previous tournaments, the first day’s victories have not come without cost, with several players carrying injuries into the second day, however both squads are optimistic of their chances with Convicts A again being the team to beat and Convicts B hopeful of taking out the Bowl after the loss in the final of the Dublin Bingham Plate final.

Convcits B vs. Seattle Quake: Win - 47-0
Convicts A vs. Chicago Dragons: Win - 74-0
Convcits B vs. San Diego Armada: Win - 59-0
Convicts A vs. Atlanta Bucks: Win - 84-0

The Sydney Convicts boarded flights from cities around Australia, all bound for the United States. With 50 players, 4 coaches, 3 physios, 2 doctors and nearly 20 supporters. The boys are focused on returning home with the silverware which they’ve become quite accustomed to having in their trophy room.
The boys are devastated that their long-time mascot and team drag queen, Maxi Shield, will be unable to join them this year. Maxi sends all the boys her love and best wishes for their tournament
This year, the Convicts are excited to be joined by a number of boys from Melbourne Chargers. The Chargers are Australia’s newest gay rugby team and we’re very proud that they have been able to come along. Even better, they come with their own journalism student, who has been forced kindly volunteered to be our resident blogger while on tour. Thanks Steve.

The Convicts plan to bring regular updates once the tournament has begun, including photos as soon as they are available. Feel free to email mowbray@tpg.com.au. Till next time

Hey Guys,

Last weekend was a bit of a wet weekend though we managed to get an internal match and training session happening. Thanks to the coaches for getting organised so quickly

Later that night was Rugger Bugger XI - and what a fantastic evening it was with 3 brilliant performances. Thanks to Gus, Stu Fenton, Lawrence Stark (did the main show) and of course the dancers for all shows (Convicts guys who I know all had a great time…”I loved it, would love to do it next year” from one of the new guys) and Ralph and his back- up dancers….and our resident DQ Maxi (lets get her along by supporting the fundraiser) Awesome. We have raised slightly under budget but none the less a very impressive finish to the fundraising efforts in the lead up to the Bingham Cup.

Back to Convicts Day (Games this weekend)
Colleagues Convicts 2’s vs. Â Waverly, @ Waverley Park KO 9.30am (Players there for 8:30AM)
Colleagues Convicts 1’s vs. Colleagues @ Rosebay Kick Off 2 pm (Players there for 1PM)

There will be beers after the firsts game in the club house so still around before heading to Bondi for Maxi’s fundraiser (see below). We haven’t put on the full Back to Convicts Day due to the fact that that the likelyhoood of the game moving is probably 50%.

With the high possibility these games may change due to ground closures so keep an eye on email.

Sunday Tour Briefing Day & Training
Final training session, team bonding and briefing session (mandatory for all tourists but all encouraged)

When: 9AM to 1PM
Where: Home (Colleagues training grounds) - again if training grounds are closed we may move this location so keep an eye on email.
Cost: for team bonding session $5 ea (club has paid most)

Maxi to Mini
Fundaraiser to make sure we get our residetn Drag Queen to Minniapolis - see attached flyer. Lets make sure Maxi gets over with us!!

Where: BONDI FM - 143 Curlewis St
When: Saturday 5th June 6-10PM
Cost: $20

Bingham Cup
Guys some of you will receive emails asking for more information & about accomdation (who you’re bunking with) - this is usually becuase you haven’t filled in a survey. Please respond quickly for the tour management’s sake (lets say most evenings are taken up with this work by this fantastic team - Dunc, Steve E, Chris M, Jumbo, Chris W, Brett B & Brad R).

In regards accomodation think of who you want to bunk with and chat with them since we’ll be asking for room captains.

Contact me, Duncan or anyone on the Committee if you have any questions.

Cheers,

Charlie
President