Your finest sporting moment

[legend]

I'd like to know what everyones finest sporting moment was. It doesn't have to be Rugby League related as a lot of us a better spectators and critics than players, except me of course. But even if you excelled in another sport and you have a few memorable moments, let's hear it. Hopefully, we can get some interesting stories. I'll go first.

In 1991, I was playing footy for State Rail in the Tertiary Cup and we travelled to play Charles Sturt University at Bathurst and Bathurst was a graveyard for us. We had never won there and this was my first year with the Railies so I wan't sure what to expect. We won the game 26-0 and I scored three tries whilst playing at outside centre with my last the finest try of my illustrious career. I made a break and with only the fullback to beat I did a chip n chase, something i'd never done before and with the result beyond doubt, I thought it was worth a punt. To my total amazement, I chipped the ball so perfectly I only just cleared the fullbacks head and as I ran around him to regather, the ball bounced fortuitiously straight into my arms and I scored under the posts untouched to cap off a great individual effort. I also converted my own try as we went on to finish as undefeated minor premiers only to do a Parramatta/ St George and lose the Grand Final in extra time to Hornsby TAFE.

So there you have, a bit of showboating and bragging but i'm sure my story will pale in comparison to some of the stories you guys have.

Moffo, you should have the odd story to tell i'm sure.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Welllllllllllll, where shall i begin??

lol, well as for rugby league memories of a 'professional' nature, can't go past being at the 98 major semi final against the Eels. We were down 18-2 with 9 minutes left andthe eels fans were giving us shit from a great height. Unfortunately, id say at least a quarter of the dogs fans had walked out (or at least headed for the exits) before we got our first try in the 71st (i think it was Talau or Polly). From there on, we were totally unstopable. We had seats right behind where the ball landed after Halligans last kick to even the scores. Everyone was in raptures, plenty of stranger hugging was going on during that day (and it wasn't a bad thing, mind u...plenty of well groomed ladies support the dogs lol). The ride home was awesome, it came after a last ditch win in extra time against the Knights, as well as memorable wins against St George and in the rain against the Bears at NSO the week before. Probably the best year i have had so far in following league.

The experience is what makes it. Going to NSO that night, it was wet and raining, we got in late and stood right at the back of the hill, with a limited view. It wasa bit muddy, and umbrellas were definitely not allowed, and anyone who put themup got shouteddown (as it blocked our views).But it was bloody well worth it, telling the bears fans to piss off to gosford afterwards (unfortunately, they never did). A great evening, made following league great!

Non professional definitely had to be about 5 years ago, playing league for the school. We were down for the count, down by 10 with about 10 mins left. Playing at centre, the ball was flung out wide, and there was a 2 on 1 overlap. I faked a dummy to the winger and ran straight through, came up to the 20metre line and the fullback was there, put a chip over his head, regathered and got a try in the corner. We got another one after that and ended up winning by 2. Also was memorable for pulling off a textbook tackle on their winger from behind when he was about 5 out. He was odds on to score!

Neways, there were a million bad league playing memories to go along with that, so that can be for another thread

Moffo

 

[Kiwi]

My best memory was during a social game of league. I had to give up playing on a weekly basis after I broke my wrist and tore the ligamanets to pieces.

Basically had a wee bit of a fued going with a guy from the other team. He decided that he was going to run up the middle, my territory, and I cleaned him up with a great hit over the top as a team mate grabbed his legs. He went never to be seen again, at half time it filtered through to our team that their 6 foot plus fijian monster they had playing for them was gonna get his mate some pay back, so up he came as well. I knocked him out in a one on one tackle and for the last 30 minutes of the game he never ventured back up the middle of the field and no one else did either. I was a hitting machine that day.

 

[st ted]

I've been a bit lucky.
Coached a local footy side to a premiership(amateur league)
Hole in one at then 6th hole ( magpie glen) at Nth Ryde
first century in cricket, exactly 100 and then i lost the plot.
9 for 23 in another game and I ran the other bastard out!!!
Being at the SCG in '77 and watching Saints smash Parra 22 blot.( Also saw the 9 all draw, what a let down, felt as flat as a tack, GF and no result.)
Playing cricket at Punt Rd.

 

[ali]

I've also been a bit lucky. I must admit i have won so many team competitions that i have realised winning is not everything. (Which is a good attitude for a Sharks fan).
I played 5 years of junior rep cricket for Sutho, of which we won 4 competitions, and lost the final in the other year.
Most of my other highlights involve cricket aswell. In year 8 we won the state indoor cricket championships beating Westfields Sports high in the final. In year 10/11 we made the final of the Davidson Shield cricket and were this time defeated by Westfields. I could also say this was a lowlight as I was hammered quite severly by current NSW player Michael Clarke and also opened the batting and came off with a duck.
Besides for cricket my best highlight would be inspiring a comeback in soccer where we trailed 3-0 early in the second half, before I moved from left back to right wing. Setup the first, scored the second, and then helped in the equaliser and winner to keep us in with a chance of making the semis. For pure addrenilan nothing beats scoring in soccer.
I also have a hole in 1 on the 10th at Woolooware and an Oz tag championship under my belt.
But as i said winning isn't everything to me and these days i probably get a greater thrill for captaining my park cricket team to a win. Unfortunately i will have to wait until next year for this to happen again.

 

This message has been deleted by the manager or assistant manager.

 

[Willow]

I played with Miller High School in Sydney's west after going through the small Sadlier comp. I had a bit of speed in those days and found the try line a few times.. I was safer for the team if I played on the wing but the coach would sometimes make the mistake of chancing me at halfback. I once played against Peter Sterling when we were about15. Far from my greatest sporting moment, it will probably go down as my worst. We were slaughtered and there was nowhere to hide. I took note of Sterlo'scareer and after that and wasnt satisfied until he played for Australia.

In the Shire, I ended up getting injured and opted for the softer round ball game. Its not much but I did end up as the captain coach of the Cronulla High School soccer team. This was more because no one else wanted to touch us with a barge pole. I was the only one in the team who played soccer outside of the school.

As winger, I did score three goals for the lower grade Woolaware Seagulls once and it won us the match. We were down 3-nil at half time and looked gone for all money - we ended up winning 4-3. Good feeling and I even got a mention in the club newsletter...!
I have to confess though, one goal was complete arse of a shot and the goalie, whohad earlier been flattened,slipped over.

Like Ted, I was at the 1977 Grand Final and Grand Final replay. Still remember it like it was yesterday. The drawn grand final was weird to say the least. The 22-0 thrashing of Parra the following week was one of the best footballing moments imagineable.

 

[Willow]

I almost forgotto mention... my greatest sporting moment was sinking 4 balls off the break at the Native Rose Hotel in Chippendale in 1986.
In the same year and in the same pub, I thrashed all before me and in front of a stunned audience, I posted and unbeatable high score on the 'Trail Blazers' pinball machine...!
As far asI know, the score was never bettered.

 

[imported_Roopy4246]

It wasn't exactly a fine sporting moment in that I did well, but it is a 'reflected glory' thing.

I was captain of my high school soccer team. To qualify for the soccer team at my school you actually had to try out for the League team and be dropped from the squad and told you had to play soccer instead. That sounds pretty odd, but that's how it was because no one would show up for a try out for soccer.

Anyway, we were matched up against a highschool from a few miles north, Booragul High. They had players like Joe Senkalski, Peter Tredenick, Brett Cowburn and a few other guys who went on to play for the socceroos. This was the first round of the statewide high school soccer comp, I think it was called the Tasman cup. They had won the cup the year before and were favourites to win again. Needless to say, we weren't expected to do very well.

I started the game at sweeper.
We were two nil down after about two minutes. Both goals came from the right winger going for a run and dropping perfect crosses into the centre.
When the ball went back for the next kickoff I called the fullback from that side and told him to really mark the guy. He told me he was trying, but the guy was too good. We decided to swap places to give me a go at him.
When I got over there I noticed his mother was there on the sideline yelling instructions to him. I recognised the mother as a local music teacher, Mrs Johnston. This guy was tiny, probably no bigger than 5' and 40kg, but he had incredible speed andskill with his footwork. He made me look completely silly, so I decided on a new plan. I decided to use my 90 odd kg frame to run over top of the little bugger. Every time a pass was coming towards him I ran straight at him, bugger the ball, I was going to at least tag him once (by this time we were about 6-0 down). I never got near him, but my moment of triumph came when he started just kicking the ball away when it came to him and his mother yelled, 'Craig, what are you doing' and he turned back and yelled 'look at the size of him'.
Little Craig Johnston went on to score the winning goal inan FA Cup final forLiverpool, and I had the satisfaction of knowing that better men than me had tried to tag him, and failed.

 

[ali]

By the way Willow, our great comeback in soccer was actually at Woolooware, against Cronulla seagulls.

 

[Willow]

Ah yes... I stand corrected.Thank you ali.
We were indeed the Cronulla Seagulls.

We trained at Woolaware parkon the Kingsway (if memory serves me correctly)...Butit was 25 years ago...

 

[Willow]

ali... I just re-read your post... I wasn't aware that you hada goal scoring episode as well that was similar to mine. Incredible coincidence.
As well, I used to get switched from left to right wing regularly. I was comfortable on either side and with either boot.

I used to enjoy Woolaware golf course. Very relaxed place to be and very inexpensive for young blokes. Never came close to a hole in one though.

May have been years apart but it seems that we have something in common.

Well, I'm off to format my hard drive.. I mean my PC...although my memory might need a clean out as well.

 

[imported_Gorilla]

3^rd place (swooped from the clouds) in the U/15 City of Sydney chess competition – 1973 5^th place 3 years running in the finals of the 50 metres F/S NSW PS age championships – always beat Mark Kerry (olympian) 5 tries for the Moss Vale U/8 Dragons (go Willow !) against Picton in front of the regional selectors - didn’t get picked as not a team player Selection as prop for the Cooma Monaro U/18 at age 15 – got hammered game after game Runing out for the Monaro U/18s at Seiffert Oval 1976 – played for the Woden Valley Rams Representing ACT waterpolo for about 5 years – never, repeat never, lost a start of quarter swim-off for the ball. Coached the ACT womens waterpolo (swimmers worn unfortunately!) in 1980 – my small contribution to the last second win by the Oz womens team at the 2000 olympics Averaged 65 as opening bat for the Deakin Cricket Club 2^nd grade Goz

 

[imported_Gorilla]

Oh, and let in 8 goals as goalkeeper for the Moss Vale primary school soccer team.
Goz

 

[imported_Mystery_Man]

In 1988 I played five-eighth for the Southern Suburbs Magpies JRLFC under 11 B side. I’d never played league before but had become a big Broncos fan and decided that I was to become the next Wally Lewis. I joined the team a few weeks into the season and was greeted by the news that the team had lost their first two matches by over 40 points. Team morale was obviously low as there were a few fights at my first training session. This would continue throughout the season, highlighted by a stoush at half time in the dressing shed between two of my team "mates". After a few games, our team suffered an injury and I took over the goal-kicking duties. Unfortunately, I wasn’t given the opportunity to kick a goal until much later in the season. We got flogged by between 40 and 60 points each week, with the biggest defeat being a 65-0 thrashing at the hands of the Wests Panthers. I was awarded our team’s man of the match for that game. Our biggest match of the season was against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls as we had been told that they were as crap as we were. We were actually ahead of them on the table courtesy of the bye. However, it soon became clear that we were out of our depth when they scored three tries in the first 15 minutes. It was then that I decided to step up. About thirty meters out from their try line, I, being the team’s chief playmaker, spotted an overlap. I threw a beautiful spiral cutout pass to the winger who sped over for our first try of the season. Everyone in our team was euphoric - everyone, that is, except for the centre who I had cut out with my pass, and who proceeded to complain to me that I should have passed him the ball. Anyway, my moment of truth had arrived. After hours of practicing goal kicks over the top of my backyard monkey bars, I would finally get to kick a real goal. So nervous was I, that my hands were shaking as I put the ball on the mound of sand. After composing myself, I lined up the ball and prepared to take the kick around-the-corner style. Doing my best Michael O’Conner impersonation, I went in and kicked the ball perfectly, watching with pride as it went over the black dot. The parents on the sideline went crazy, my father later telling me that they were in a state of disbelief that somebody had actually shown something resembling skill. My most heartbreaking moment was soon to follow, though. We actually managed to score another try, and I, full of confidence and feeling invincible, walked up to take the kick. However, the referee informed me that I was not allowed to take the kick as everybody in the team had to take one. Devastated, I trudged back to my bewildered team mates and informed them of the bad news. The centre, still seething from the cutout pass, volunteered to take over the duties. As he lined up to kick, our team realised that something was amiss. He was lining up the ball the old-fashioned, Mal Meninga style, which was not a problem in itself. The problem was that he had the ball facing the wrong way, with the tip of the ball facing directly into the ground. Despite our protestations, he proceeded to take the kick, which, predictably, dribbled straight along the ground. We would end up scoring another try in that match, but lost by about 44-14. It was our best performance of the season. I wouldn’t get to have another conversion all year as we never scored again. The only event of significance, for me, for the rest of the season, was getting jumped by three Stradbroke Island players, as I was on my way to buy an ice cream, before our match against them. At the end of year awards ceromony I had the great honour of being named player of the year and was awarded an Adidas tracksuit for my efforts. Despite this, and after much deliberation, I decided to walk away from the game. Despite my coach pleading with my father for me to come back the next season, I didn’t really enjoy getting beaten by an average of 50 points to 2 on a weekly basis, and his pleas fell on deaf ears. I retired from rugby league without ever getting a win, but I was, perhaps, the only specialist goal kicker in the history of the sport to have a 100% success rate. My place in rugby league folklore is secure.

 

[imported_midas]

Very unlucky not to have represented Australia in both Cricket and League.Unfortunately the selectors in both sports discriminated against me on the grounds of lack of ability.I think in this litigious age I could probably mount a successful case of discrimination

 

[imported_eels fan...]

What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key...

Sorry, but as much as I like reading this thread I cant seem to shake the whole Wonder Years feel it has...

 

[Hass]

I've almost certainly had greater sporting moments, however the one that I feel stands out the most was a performance in Senior School Cricket.

The Downing Shield competition was a knockout involving all boys schools from Sydney. It was played as One-Day Matches with 50 overs a side.

We went in to bat and collapsed to 7-30 after about 15 overs. I was next in, and with my place in the team certainly not related to my batting, I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough the next wicket falls and it is 8-40 with our wicket keeper down the other end our last recognised batsmen.

I came to the crease with one purpose- to block. We managed to produce a partnership of around 60 runs with my contribution being all of about 3 runs. So at 9-100 we had the No. 10 and No. 11 at the crease. Once again I played the role of blocking the ball. I slowly increased my score to 7 off a tick over 50 balls. In the meantime my batting partner managed to slog 3 or 4 sixes out of the park. We managed to get the score up to 132 before I finally decided to play an agressive shot down the ground. I was clean bowled.

Nontheless I was out there for longer than any other batsmen, holding my place for about 15 overs. The only other player to last 15 overs was our top-scoring keeper. I also had a higher score than most of the top-order.

We lost the match ny 8 wickets and I ended up only bowling one over for 8 runs coming off it, but that batting performance that day was my gutsiest effort and a moment of which I was most proud.

Cheers.