Match Report:
Right back into the winners circle, we traveled to Epping for what was to be a somewhat comical game in the first half. With 14 players and no jerseys, the play was a little unflattering to say the least. With a rare try to the unstoppable jumbo we began to get on track only to give up the softest of tries to let the Epping boys back in. With great work from Dale at the breakdown (whether he realised it or not) it was a standout show of commitment and effort that kept us on top.

With Fuzz making it finally to the game at half time we were jerseyed up and ready to go!

With a call to arms from Stevie to tighten up and put these guys away, the typical Convicts response wasn’t far away. With classic tries to ‘a try a game’ Josh, Jay and James it was merely a case of showing a bit of class to finish it off. Dave Collins (2) excelled on the wing and Mala (3) controlled well as usual rounding off the points with Dale ‘killer’ Gurney (1).

In truth, not the most impressive of games for the Convicts but in many ways a necessary adjustment back from the high pressure environment of Bingham. With a big game against Mosman this week we’re set to mark up again and show the other contenders why we’re still top of this table

Game this weekend:
Convicts Vs Mosman
Kick-off Midday (Players there for 11AM)
Rawson Park (Mosman Main Ground - NOT Balmoral Oval) Cross Street, down Bradleys Head Road (as if you were heading to Taronga Zoo).
We will be listing players who are playing this weekend so make sure you let us know if you can’t play.
Last week we only had 15 players - from half time - we have over 60 players in the club. We were hoping to field 2 teams post Bingham but this currently can’t happen unless we get a much better turn out to Thursday training and Saturday games - particularly from our victorious Bingham seconds team.

Melbourne Tour:
So we’ve only just returned from a trip to the US - but we already have another tour in the planning. You should have all seen the email from Chris Mowbray, please respond and hopefully in the affirmative. It will be a great weekend defending the Purchas Cup (last played for against the Brisbane Hustlers) against our great friends the Chargers.

Training:
Guys training is critical to keep your skills and fitness up. Tuesday fitness with Jono and Sam was great tonight and will be on next Tue 6:30PM so get one down. Thursday’s was “the most fun ever” according to Jumbo so get on down.

Cheers,

Charlie

A fast, hard and entertaining game on Saturday. A high octane first half when a lot of defence by the Convicts - in fact I think that we were happy to only be 3-0 at half time. The second half started similar to the first however over the next 10mins the Convicts did get on top and managed to score a brilliant try from a wide move where Charles broke the line and put in a perfectly weighted grubber for a brilliant Junrey who beat everyone to the ball for a fantastic try. Convicts leading 5-3, and that is how it stayed for the next 15 minutes. Colleagues then upped the ante and a number of attempts at the line were diffused (brilliant defence from Lukey). However eventually pressure finally gave and Colleagues finally scored with a couple of minutes to go. The final score 10-5.

Here’s a thought. Rotten posession, worse territory, uncontested scrums and we lose by 5 to a last gasp try. Not too bad all things considered. Bring on the rematch.

Player Points:
Smurf - 3 points
Macel - 2 points
Levi - 1 point

Tuesday Fitness Training
Fitness now 6:30PM - taken by Sam M & Jono. See you all at Rushcutter’s Bay tomorrow.

Thursday Training:
Lets get down on Thursday - there are still not enough guys to book a second game this weekend. We have to have enough at training before we can commit the club.

Saturday Game:
Convicts Vs Epping
Kick-off 9:50AM (players there for 8:50AM)
Sommerville Oval, details to follow

Major Prize Draw:
Everyone that sold any tickets - make sure you remember to ensure you have your stubs in a month or so

Cheers,

Charlie

Game Vs Blue Mtns
Some commentators might call it finding form but we all know it was really just a return to Convicts rugby as we know it. The debacle of last weeks scrape home a distant memory, we blew away a few early minute cobwebs to notch a strong 32-3 win against Blue Mountains.

In fact it was the Mountains Boys that snatched an early lead through a penalty goal after realising they had little chance of crossing our line, despite early field position and pressure. That was about all they were to see of our defence zone throughout the match with an overall strong performance. Big Girl’s storming runs led to the first try and handed us the ascendancy, along with super centre Jayson Down with strong running of his own… Clearly the… fullest figured centre pairing in Convicts history.

With Chris M and Junrey holding the backline intact beautifully and a standout performance with boot and running from Josh that we’ve come to expect, a depleted backline led well by Mala and Smurf got it together, well done boys.

Not to be outdone however, the forwards get in the action losing only one lineout all game (most on opposition throw) and dominating the scrum. The old pins on Charlie were called into action with 3 massive runs, and 3 tries of the 6 to forwards. Good work from Kev, Billy and the ever present Gump made sure this was a well rounded team performance, and how could we forget the return of Andy T and super Aki!!!

All fluff and bubble aside, this game was not without some tactical, technical and organisational issues, plenty of stuff to work on come Thursday nights training. As the masses return from overseas, injury, and more general recovery, this shapes up as an exciting finish to the season. Competition for spots, playing with new team mates and embracing the more simplistic fun of rugby and Saturdays with the boys away from the pressure cooker of Bingham is set to ignite the end of this year.

Skipping away at the top of the table sees us well placed to rake in our second piece of silverware for the year. Bring it on boys, see you Thursday

Fitness Training ON
Guys, fitness is always crucial and Sam Marian and Jono Davey will continue to take fitness tonight.
7PM at Rushcutters Bay. Get on down and keep fit

Training this Thursday of course at Colleagues - 6:30PM.

Game this Saturday
The game this Saturday will be against the second place team on the Halligan Table - Colleagues. Therefore it will be a home game and probably around midday - exact details TBC at training on Thu.

Tri- Nations
Saturday 24th the Wallabies Tri-nations start. Over the next month or so we will be watching the games at Bar Cleveland. The first Wallabies game is on the same night as Bronnie’s 40th so organise as you need. Paulie will send out reminder emails closer to the time.

Dates to keep free:
There will also be a final Back to Convicts day on our last home game which will include team + club pics & BBQ - date TBC
End of season trip - TBC but we are in discussions with the Chargers and possibly the first weekend of September
End of Season Dinner - TBC confirmed but probably Saturday 18th or 25th October
AGM - TBC probably Sunday 21st November

Sydney Convicts Documentary
You may remember Dirk (German guy) who was making a documentary on the club. He has finished the documentary but it hasn’t yet been released but below is a link to the YouTube trailer. I’ve been lucky enough to see the fantastic final version of which there is a couple of copies in the club.

Check out the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb4bNHcgM-M

Cheers,

Charlie

For our first game back from the Bingham Cup tour, it wasn’t too bad though all that played i am sure will be happy for the run since it was a rusty game. That said to come away with a win was great - 5-0 and a great try by Josh and how Aki’s try wasn’t allowed was beyond me.

So to get the rustiness out of our systems we should be getting down to training this Thursday. Tommy took a fun session last Thu but this week I am sure will be ramped up a bit especially due to our opposition.

Training Tomorrow
Guys the best way to get the rustiness out is to get to training - 6:30PM tomorrow night at Colleagues.

Game this weekend:
Vs Blue Mountains
Lapstone Oval, Lapstone (just over the Nepean from Penrth - M4)
11AM Kick-off (Players there for 10AM)

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lapstone+oval&ie=UTF8&hq=Lapstone+Oval&hnear=Lapstone+Oval,+New+South+Wales&ll=-33.768517,150.648737&spn=0.026542,0.038581&z=15

Cheers,

Charlie

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 1 vs. San Francisco Fog
WIN 3-0

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.