Jim Beam trials

[Nfed]

Last saturday Windsor Wolves lost to Canberra Premier League 44-38 at Windsor.

Tomorrow there is a double header at Morrie Breen Oval. Kanwal. Sydney Bulls will play Erina at 2.30 and be followed by Cabramatta's stouch with Wyong. In other games north of Sydney, The Entrance are away to Raymond Terrace, Ourimbah are away to Toronto and Woy Woy take on Wollongong at Woy Woy.

Erina may be the only "stand alone" club on the central coast this year. Ourimbah will continue its arrangement with Wests, The Entrance is close to clinching a deal with the Roosters and Woy Woy is in discussions with Balmain - Ryde Eastwood.

 

[mightydragon]

Cabra played Asquith at cabramatta last week with cabra coming out on top.

 

[Nfed]

Was that on saturday mighty dragon? Asquith had a number of its stars playing for NZ Maori in the VB sevens and another playing with American Samoa.

In another trial played last sunday, Wests Premier League beat Ourimbah.

 

[mightydragon]

Yeah, it was last Saturday night at Cabra. Not a bad turnout either.

 

[Nfed]

Cabra looked good against Wyong last saturday, leading 4 tries to 2 at the final break before a run of penalties and a sin binning allowed the home team to finish 5-4. Wyong have Justin Ryder, Dean Amos and Troy Pezet in the backs and a useful pack. Cabra won the the reserve grade 8 tries to 4.

Cabra are solid despite the loss of Steve Jolly (Bulls), Willie Brown (Wenty), Robbie Payne (Collegians), Casey Ellis, Chris Weaver, Joe Swamy & Steve Hales (North Sydney) & Marty Sedgwick and Jason Thompson.

On the plus side they have signed Pat McKenzie (Wenty), Luke Branighan has returned after half a season with Balmain, where he got the award for best back, Tony Wignell has returned after 3 seasons with Ryde Eastwood & Balmain and Daniel Washbourne has returned after 2 seasons with Narellan. The Blues have also been boosted by the availability of Francis Betham who missed most of last season due to work commitments.

In the early game Sydney Bulls rested several of the players that have been playing 7's over the previous 4 weeks but with a dearth of forwards were easily defeated by Erina 8 tries to 3.

This week Windsor play Newtown on friday night, while on saturday Sydney Bulls take on Asquith in 3 grades at Ruse Park, Bankstown commencing at 3.30, Wenty travel to Nelson Bay for its first trial anf The Entrance play Lakes United at Belmont.

 

[Bluebag]

thanks Nfed for the update.

 

[mightydragon]

Cabra have also picked up Mat Brinkworth and Anthony Dalton (Wests Magpies) and Mat Lamb.

 

[Nfed]

Brinkworth played in the reseve grade trial and did a few good things. Is that Drew Dalton? I thought Wollongong Collegians had him.

 

[Angel Bear]

Anthony Dalton is Drew's brother. Drew Dalton is I believe over at Parra trialling at this time. Drew was at Collegians last year.

 

[mightydragon]

Brinkworth scored two tries and set up another before being banished to the sin bin.

 

[Nfed]

In other trials this week, Erina will trail against Wyong reserves at Wyong (Wyong playing Newcastle Souths in the top grade), Ourimbah will host Coogee Dolphins and Woy Woy will meet Macquarie Scorpions at Toronto. Woy Woy's game against Wollongong last week was called off when the electrical storms hit.

 

[Angel Bear]

Ourimbah with a few 1st choice forwards missing due to injury looked good defeating the Coogee Dolphins. Good team effort and good work by the halves Soper and Poisel.When all back on board and with those sent back by Wests should be a competitive team.

 

[Nfed]

thanks for that report Angel Bear.

Sydney Bulls had more players on deck on saturday night but the Asquith defence shut them out in the first half while the Magpies managed to pick up a few tries. A pep talk from James Pickering at the break seemed to get them going and Tippett, DeBartolo, Mosytn and Jolly began to finesse their way through the line and the quick men did the rest running in 8 unaswered tries.

The Bulls travel to windsor next saturday night to take on Big Bad Wolf Steve Ghosn and his troops.

Although Simon Friend played for Erina in the trial last week, he has been released to return to a contract in England, where he expects to make enough money to buy a house on his return to Australia.

 

[Dragon21]

What was the score with Asquith?

Do they look like a good side this year, or do you think they will fall short in the JBC?

 

[Nfed]

Bulls won 8 tries to 3. Asquith have some quality players. Apart from the bottom couple of teams, anyone can beat each other in JBC it just depends who is switched on on the day. Norths are about to prune its Premier League squad, Asquith could pick up some more players from that process.

 

[Dragon21]

Who would look like the early favourites at this stage?

Also, how are the bulls looking? Have they picked up any new players from Trials or Any other clubs?? If so, who?

Thanks

 

[Nfed]

The big signing for the Bulls is Steve Jolly from Cabra, Charlie Farah has come over from Balmain, George Azzi has returned after a year with Balmain, Mo Chahal has returned from Auburn Warriors and there is a new winger Joel Bushby.

The losses are Jasson Asplet, Mick Corrie and Dave Moffatt (retired), Shane Shackleton (Roosters), Epa Navale and Wes Naiqama.

They have a squad of up to 23 of JBC standard and a few more trialling for the final spots. I suspect Jolly's presence will mean that Elias Paiyo will be this year's victim of the points cap.

Wenty appear to be stronger - they have lost 2 centres- Pat McKenzie (cabra) and Scott Ella (work commitments) but signed 4 centres/wingers in Gordon Graff (Ourimbah), Matt Pethybridge (Balmain), Clint Flanagan (Woy Woy) and Chad Halliday. They have also signed prop Willie Brown from Cabra.

Cabra looked good against Wyong, and Windsor had a close loss to Canberra and I will check their form next week. Dont know how The Entrance are travelling but they had a kiwi prop at the 7's who looks like he has the goods.

 

[Nfed]

Big blow for Cabra - Branighan has signed on with Balmain for 2005.

 

[brook]

Big blow for Cabra - Branighan has signed on with Balmain for 2005.

imo that could prove to be a big blow for balmain as well...

 

[Nfed]

The good news for Cabra is that Willie Brown has decided to stay after initially taking Ian McCann's bait during the NZ tour.

On the weekend Erina upset Wyong 20-18 with both sides scoring 4 tries. Mark Miller and Ryan Gregory both suffered injuries for the Eagles and will miss the trial against Asquith at Tumbi Umbi on saturday.

Other trials this weekend are Newtown vs Parkes at Henson, Wenty vs Collegians at CV Kelly and Windsor vs Sydney Bulls at Windsor.

Windsor beat Belrose a couple weeks ago. The scores were fairly tight while both sides had their JB sides on the field.