Brothers won the 2003 A grade title when they beat St Marys in the grand final. Brothers regrouped after losing 52-24 to the Saints in the major semi final. Brothers had won both round clashes. They were best served by hard man Jason Barton and speedy half Darren Baker.
Baker, a former understudy to Andrew Johns at the Knights took out the Hawkesbury Radio award as best A grade player for the season. The junior league award went to another halfback, Hare Te Rangi, the only non-NRL player to play for the NZ Maori in the 2000 world cup. Te Rangi was one of three bartercard players brought over by HLCP in 2002. He was quickly pulled out of A grade to play the remainder of the season in the Penrith 1st Division side but did not join the Cougars this season. He played with St Clair, and while the Comets where a level below the top 4 sides, Te Rangi was able to dominate his team's plays.
The Reserve grade grand final saw minor premiers St Marys again fall at the final hurdle - dejavu for captain Jason Turnbull. Of interest was the presence of Kirk Ingram in the losing Saints reserves team. In the previous two years Ingram has battled against the Sydney Bulls in the metro 1st grade grand finals, but could not establish a spot in the Saints top grade this year.
A Penrith JRL under 18 team has just completed a tour of England. Ben Rogers was amongst the tourists. Ben played with Penrith flegg early in the season and then with the Cougars and quickly impressed to be selected in the Jim Beam Colts team that played against Emerging States. He then played several games in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see if he plays flegg again this year or startes in Premier League.
Doonside have signed Val De Bono as A grade coach for 2004. De Bono was in charge of St Marys metro reserves for several years and was a trainer with Ryde Eastwood in 2002. The Roos have been unable to break through over the past two years despite the fact that they have fielded 5 players with 1st grade experience and another 4 that have recently represented NSW Residents and/or combined Sydney Metros. Doonside have the financial backing of Adams Tavern and dont have to contend with salary caps or any other restrictions on players. They claim to have signed many new players for 2004.
Windsor A grade commence training on 13 January. The Jim Beam side has been going for 5 weeks. Although the Wolves could win only 3 games in A Grade last year, the club had the satisfaction of seeing most of these guys holding their own when selected in the Jim Beam team.
Baker, a former understudy to Andrew Johns at the Knights took out the Hawkesbury Radio award as best A grade player for the season. The junior league award went to another halfback, Hare Te Rangi, the only non-NRL player to play for the NZ Maori in the 2000 world cup. Te Rangi was one of three bartercard players brought over by HLCP in 2002. He was quickly pulled out of A grade to play the remainder of the season in the Penrith 1st Division side but did not join the Cougars this season. He played with St Clair, and while the Comets where a level below the top 4 sides, Te Rangi was able to dominate his team's plays.
The Reserve grade grand final saw minor premiers St Marys again fall at the final hurdle - dejavu for captain Jason Turnbull. Of interest was the presence of Kirk Ingram in the losing Saints reserves team. In the previous two years Ingram has battled against the Sydney Bulls in the metro 1st grade grand finals, but could not establish a spot in the Saints top grade this year.
A Penrith JRL under 18 team has just completed a tour of England. Ben Rogers was amongst the tourists. Ben played with Penrith flegg early in the season and then with the Cougars and quickly impressed to be selected in the Jim Beam Colts team that played against Emerging States. He then played several games in the Premier League. It will be interesting to see if he plays flegg again this year or startes in Premier League.
Doonside have signed Val De Bono as A grade coach for 2004. De Bono was in charge of St Marys metro reserves for several years and was a trainer with Ryde Eastwood in 2002. The Roos have been unable to break through over the past two years despite the fact that they have fielded 5 players with 1st grade experience and another 4 that have recently represented NSW Residents and/or combined Sydney Metros. Doonside have the financial backing of Adams Tavern and dont have to contend with salary caps or any other restrictions on players. They claim to have signed many new players for 2004.
Windsor A grade commence training on 13 January. The Jim Beam side has been going for 5 weeks. Although the Wolves could win only 3 games in A Grade last year, the club had the satisfaction of seeing most of these guys holding their own when selected in the Jim Beam team.
