2002 has been a vintage year for the Hunter's Hill Rugby Union Golden Oldies aka The CATS. During the summer the CATS had a team in the Ryde Eastwood touch comp. We came a creditable third last in third division, that's not the point though, this competition gave 15 blokes a weekly opportunity to heap shit on each other. We'll be there again this year.
After a 10 year absence the Revue's were held at Ryde Bowling Club in May. What a success, we raised a litter full of cash to support the Gold Coast Tour, well done Hibbo, apart from forgetting to put the Pope's hat on when you were supposed to be the Pope. The show stealer for mine was Kegs and his stiff dicks sketch. Two more revues are scheduled for late November to help us and the Ryde Saphires netball team raise funds.
Ever been on a bad rugby tour? Me neither. The 'ask no questions' tour to the Gold Coast was sensational. Greenmount resort was in walking distance from 4 surf life saving clubs and sundry other drinking ( and eating ) establishments, what a beauty. The tour was relatively incident free until Sylvester was cat napped by the Brunswick Heads Bucaneers rugby club. We drew the game 17 all, we got the cat back, then Lucy stole their Pirates Cap which Sly proceeded to wear for the rest of the tour, a little childish perhaps but then again - from there on in things deteriorated. Saturday nightís court case, Why should Shagger be called Shagger?, was almost sidetracked by Ralph and Muggo, god knows what they were on.
Of course Shagger was subsequently found guilty of being Shagger. In an unrelated incident Muggo's face had a run in with some concrete later that night, ouch.!! Tony Warren also had a blinder on Saturday night, I don't know how else to put it. By Sunday things had quietened down and lawn bowls and lunch at the Cudgen Rugby League Club was just what the cat ordered. Thanks to Keating for organising the flights, Tiny for crowd control, Browny for the wine, Macka the money man, Kegs for technical support, Vince for his multi media presentation and well done Groucho, unanimously voted Tourist of the Year.
The Eastwood Charcoal's gala day was as always enjoyable, two 17 all draws was a fair result. The CATS bought home more silver ware by being voted the first and best dressed team to occupy the public bar, time 10.29am, one minute before opening.
A highlight of the year was Polly's 500th game against the Catholics at heaquarters. Great to see old cats and new cats crammed into Burt's Cellars listening to, but not understanding, Whitey's pre match gee up. Great effort Pol.
The CATS AGM was held at Putney Tennyson Bowling Club on 27 October. The executive positions were voted on a 'job for life' motion, well done Macka and Bairdy, and hence it will be the same old faces in 2003. Mind you Hibbo thinks he can rise from the middle management ranks. His maiden policy speech at the AGM was to donate proceeds from the Revues to a Children's charity, this was well received by most members.
Not so well received was the charge of someone being a blabber cat on the Gold Coast tour. In very short time the black flash from Bowraville, prosecutor Johnny Glennon had three suspects, Keating, Mostyn and Southy - the later being found guilty because he was the only one not at the AGM to defend himself. The wop turned up late with Sylvester and I am afraid to say the Cat has gone missing again. Lawn bowls post the AGM was well attended and it was great to hear about Johnny sing about his family at the BBQ afterwards.
Good luck to all Hunters Hill footballers in 2003 and I commend the efforts being made to bring the Juniors, Seniors and Golden Oldies closer together, only good will come of that.
Yours in Rugby,
TC
Recent Cats Cruise, See the Photographic evidence that beer affects people's thinking at high altitudes. Check out the photos from the recent "Cats" tour of Northern NSW. Check out the evidence. (Should these people be let out alone??!!) as with all such trips there is NO tour report to protect all concerned.
But...... from informed sources, the quote of the tour can be attributed to Tony Brunsdon. Virgin Airlines have great hosties, most of whom appear to be around 25 years old. On the flight up everyone was having a good time and had a chat to the hosties who were really friendly and happy. In conversation Brunno asked one of them "Can I have your mothers phone number". Check out the June newsletters for some more.
Some of you guys already know about this, for some it may be the first time that you have heard about it and for others it may help you remember that we did tell you this was on about a month ago and also sent out an invitation.
A Hunters Hill Rugby Club reunion is being held on SAT JUNE 30TH. This is a reunion for ALL past, and some present, players, supporters, hangers on, officials, friends, etc, etc. There is a good reason for the reunion as in 1981 we smashed Colleagues in the grand final, reversing the drubbing (6 carted off and 1 sent off - Geoff Foster - if I remember correctly) that they gave us in 1980.
This was also the year that Peter Miles kicked a 75 meter field goal in the semi final (Andrew Mostyn was so sure that this took place in 1980 that he bet Tony Brown $200, and lost, while we were away on the golf weekend at Brownies pub up in Cessnock).
But the reunion is not just for 1981, it is for EVERYBODY who has had anything to do with the football club.
The agenda is:
Sometime before 2:00pm - Wander down to Ryde Oval (50 meters) to watch Hunters Hill v Old Ignations.
But wait there is more - On SUN JULY 1ST there is the Eastwood Charcoals Golden Oldies Rugby Day at Eastwood Oval - Starts at 10:00am - We normally play one of the first games so that we can finish early and have a drink - just what will be needed after Saturday - Do the reunion and the gala day and make a weekend out of it.
If you are in contact with any other guys who are not on this mail list please forward this information on to them (copy Michael McNamara mcnamara@au1.ibm.com so that he can add their address to his email list for any future messages, information, etc).
If you have not already done so please confirm back to Macca immediately that you will be attending (Reunion and / or Gala Day). Maybe best to reconfirm if you think that you have already advised somebody else to ensure that we have everybody down. Need to know this information now so that we can finalise catering numbers.