Blayney Bears vs Bathurst St Pats

First Grade

By Matt Findlay

Fifteen years, one month and eight days.

That's how long it had been, prior to Sunday, since Blayney tasted victory in a Group 10 premier league finals match - 5517 days to be exact.

The Bears romped home in Sunday's top grade elimination final, winning 37-10, in the club's first post-season win since the turn of the century when Blayney defeated Orange CYMS 18-6 in the qualifying final at King George Oval on July 16, 2000.

The Bears finished third that year, but, upsettingly for the town and the competition, it was the last time the Bears played in top grade until 2013, when they won the wooden spoon.

They followed it up with the wooden spoon in 2014 as well.

But thanks to some shrewd off-season recruitment and a wealth of hard work from a plethora of committed souls, the Bears have finally re-established themselves as competition heavyweights in 2015.

And in Blayney skipper Dane Howarth's eyes, Sunday's win was about more than just keeping his side's season alive.

He said it was about somewhat repaying anyone, and everyone, who had put their time and effort into helping the Bears back to the top end of the Group 10 ladder.

"For the club it really is huge," Howarth beamed after the win.

"The whole club, our secretary, president, committee, volunteers, they work around the clock to help us players out, and really help us out.

"They organise us, get us to the physios and help keep us on the paddock, they really do a lot for us.

"And the town too, you only have to be at King George for a home game to see how the fans get behind us. It [was] the same [on Sunday]."

Despite the conditions - King George Oval was hit by a downpour that had a number of fans calling Noah to rent his ark for the day - the Blayney faithful turned out in force to see the Bears march on.

Thanks to the win, Blayney will finish inside the top four in season 2015, although Howarth says his side is gunning to go much deeper into the finals series, and that starts with Mudgee this weekend.

"We'll go back at have a big week of training in the lead up," Howarth said.

"[Sunday] is the first game everyone has pulled through without injury too, which is great."

Blayney travels to Mudgee's Glen Willow Sporting Complex on Sunday to take on the Dragons in the minor semi-final.

Ladies League Tag

The Blayney Ladies League Tag side were beaten in their qualification Final at King George Oval last Sunday by Bathurst St. Pats and now face Mudgee in an elimination final next Sunday.

Against a well drilled Bathurst side, Blayney were on the back foot for a lot of the game and found it hard to breach the St. Pats defence.

They played some better football in the second half and showed what they are capable of but werent quite good enough on the day.

St. Pats opened the scoring after 8 minutes with a try out wide for a 6-0 lead, and went further ahead 10-0 just before halftime.

The score remained unchanged until the break, although St Pats were dominating field position and threatened to go further ahead a number of times.

5 minutes into the second half, St, Pats increased their lead to 16-0, however Blayney were in shortly after when halfback Olivia Bird stepped her way past the St Pats defence to score next to the posts.

She converted her own try to make the score 16-6 with 15 mins to go.

St Pats then put the game out of reach with a try 5 mins from the end to bring up the final scoreline of 22-6.

Blayneys best were Olivia Bird, who had a strong game at half, along with her halves partner Grace Mooney, while Sophie Stammers and Laura Funnel looked dangerous when they got a bit more possession in the second half.

Overall, the girls were probably weren't at their best but they did show glimpses of form to indicate they are still a big chance in the finals.

Netball

Our Grandfinals will be played this weekend.

The teams all have a healthy respect for each other and both the Junior and Open matches will be tough encounters.

All teams are reminded to be in their full team uniform.

Team members are to have the same coloured shirts, skirts, dresses or shorts.

Jumpers or hoodies are not permitted unless they are the colour of your uniform shirt, tracksuit pants of any colour are permitted.

Fingernails are to be short and hair tied back.

Our Presentation Night is Friday September 4 at the Blayney Golf Club at 6.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased from the Blayney Netball Clubhouse.

Cost is $10 per child (K-6), $15 per adult or $50 per family (maximum 2 adults).

A meal will be provided, however people are welcome to bring their own nibbles (please, no nut products).

Our Annual General Meeting is Monday September 7 at 6.30pm at the netball clubhouse, everyone is welcome and we would love to see some new members.

Results from last weeks games are:

Netta: Smurfettes def. SuperStars (19-5); Bumblebees def. Ladybugs (10-5).

Netta Players of the Week: Smurfettes, Holly Davies; SuperStars, Molly Iffland.

Junior: Final, Candy Crushers def. Bubblegum Ninjas (7-6).

This game was the match of the day.

These sides have tussled all season and the Final was no different.

Candy Crushers put some great passages of play together, displaying great footwork and passing skills.

Bubblegum Ninjas lifted their intensity to match their opposition with some great defensive work.

Both sides battled all game with the result coming down to the dying seconds of the match, with Candy Crushers scoring in injury time.

Congratulations to both sides on playing such an entertaining game.

Open: Final, Twisted def. Pulse (50-30).

Twisted started solidly and took the early lead, with Pulse having to work hard in the circle to gain shooting opportunities.

As the match progressed Twisted put some solid play together through the centre court cementing their lead, eventually taking the match.

Draw for this Saturday:

9am Netta: SuperStars vs. Ladybugs; Bumblebees vs. Smurfettes.

9am Junior: Grandfinal, Fluro Nights vs. Candy Crushers.

10.15am Open: Grandfinal, Battlers vs. Twisted.

Junior Rugby League

The draw for the Major Semi Finals at Orange next weekend are:-

Under 10's vs. Mudgee at Wade Park at 9am

Under 14's vs. CYMS at Norton Park at 12.45pm

Wishing both teams the best of luck.

If any player still has a Perpetual Trophy can you please drop it off at King George this Thursday between 4pm and 5pm.

We need them back ASAP so that we can organize trophies.

Don't forget the Junior League Raffles are now on every Friday night at the Royal Hotel at 6.30pm.

If parents & supporters can make an effort and help out for a couple of hours as sellers & to scrunch tickets it would be greatly appreciated.

We are holding the Mod/ International Grand Finals at King George on the September 12 so we will need as many helpers as we can get for that day.

Please let us know if you can lend a hand even if it is for an hour.

Also being held on the 12 Sept is our yearly sponsor's night at the Royal Hotel.

The theme for the night is to wear something Pink or Purple. So come on parents get out your pink and purple gear and head on down to the Royal.

There will be a DJ on the night as well.

Our Presentation Night will be held on Thursday, September 17 at the Community Centre at 6.15pm.