Season 2001 Game Summaries

Hunters Hill after going down in the first semi final to St Ives, went down unluckily to Drummoyne 14-13 in a finals thriller.

Hunters Hill were rueing a missed penalty goal attempt from in front of the posts late in the match that would have snatched them victory in the preliminary final.

The Hillies led 10-0 at the half time break but had to run against the wind in the second stanza.

Ever reliable goalkicker Carl Bird gave Hunters Hill a 13-7 lead but the Dirty Reds hit back with a try under the posts. The Hillies rallied and looked certain to score in the corner when the referee awarded them a penalty in front of the posts for an offside tackle.

It's history now that with Bird off the field injured the Hillies missed the kick.

UPDATE: St Ives won the Kentwell Cup grand final 34 to Drummoyne's 20.

 HUNTERS Hill Rugby Club have captured the NSW Suburban Kentwell Cup minor premiership after  thumping victories over Forest and arch rivals Drummoyne last weekend.

 The Hills trounced Forest 65-13 and the Dirty Reds 61-13 in a deferred match at Boronia Park Oval to  chalk up back-to-back wins and serve notice that they're the team to beat for the trophy.

 It was a weekend to remember for the pacesetting Hills who turned on the style to produce a 20-try blitz.

 Hunters Hill gained an edge over the depleted Reds with strong performances from prop Mick Glew, half  back Chris Atkins, winger Matt Smith and the strong running Veresa Toma.

 The Club's annual Rugby Luncheon will be held on Friday September 7 at the Hunters Hill Club from 12 noon with guest speakers including Gordon Bray and Wallaby representatives. Inquiries Phil Shorten 0412 679 160.

Hillies Still Show the Way

Unbeaten Hunters Hill continued its march towards the first grade minor title with a rousing 8-10 win over Mosman.

Phil Murray, Jason McLachlan and Erik Brown starred for the Hills who outclassed their northern rivals. Billy Ranima (2), Rob Hartley, Chris Atkins, Loni Katoa and McLachlan all nabbed tries with Carl Bird booting four goals.

The Wheelhouse brothers Grant and Brett spearheaded Hunters Hill second grade to a 12-7 victory in Burke Cup. Their rugged defence and bustling runs were a feature with Anthony Dallaway and John Gelling (four penalty goals) lending strong support.

Hunters Hill thirds posted a 10-0 win after tries to Michael Harris and Mike Crone and a super game from Charlie Woods.

Fourths were best served by Alan McIntyre, Darren Bollard and Jamie Chapman in a 19-12 Judd Cup loss while fifths got value from Ray Alpha, Langi Sporurata and Peter Melvey in a 26-12oss in Sutherland Cup.

Good luck to Chris Atkins and Billy Ranima who line up for NSW against Queensland Sub Districts in a curtain-raiser to this Saturday's Test at the Gabba.

Blues Caps for Hills Quartet

HUNTERS Hill rugby stars Chris Atkins, Billie Ronima, Solo Vesikula and Carl Bird have won selection in the NSW Suburban representative team to play Queensland Suburban for the Barraclough Shield at the Gabba on June 30.

The quartet will line up for the Blues in a curtain-raiser to the Wallabies v British Lions Test match.

NSW tuned up for the interstate challenge last Sunday with a thumping 57-0 win over Central Coast at Gosford with the dynamic Vesikula igniting the backline with his turn of speed and thrust out wide.

Meanwhile Hunters Hill preserved their unbeaten record in the Kentwell Cup competition with a 8-29 victory over Forest last Saturday.

The Hills were best served by Atkins, Dave Palenapa and Rob Hartley. Hunters Hill won 22-10 in Whiddon Cup and 28-5 in Colts.

HUNTERS Hill Rugby Club will host the State Under 14 Junior Rugby Championships at Boronia Oval this weekend.

Talented local juniors Marc Russell, Dan Thomas, Damien Kennedy and Luke Fahy will spearhead the Gordon representative side after superb efforts for Hunters Hill in the Northern Zone competition.

The Hills U/14s have shown their premiership credentials in recent weeks with victories over premiers Wahroonga (14-5) and the previously unbeaten Chatswood (14-8) last Friday night.

Thomas, Robbie "Psycho" Girdler and Cameron Nicholls turned in strong displays with skilful five eighth Russell a stand out. Hunters Hill U/12 Academy side thrashed Newport 46-0 to follow up a 49-0 win over Lindfield.

Darren Nicholls, Liam Roach, Jacob Marketo, Brad Lawler, Jerry Tatola and Robbie Dickson drew inspiration from manager Ron Wicks to cap big games.

MEANWHILE Hunters Hill first grade team whipped UWS Hawkesbury 46-8 last Saturday to remain unbeaten in the NSW Suburban Kentwell Cup competition.

Loni Katoa, Chris Atkins, Dave Palenapa and Dave Dallaway all starred in a resounding victory.

Grant Wheelhouse shone on debut at five eighth in second grade's 24-0 victory in Burke Cup. Fourths won 29-0, Colts lost 18-13 and the Hills won 19-10 in Sutherland Cup.

All conquering Hunters Hill served notice that they're the team to beat for the NSW Suburban Kentwell Cup first grade premiership after skittling University of NSW 33-3 last Saturday at David Phillips Field.

Rugged breakaway Tony Wickham produced a barnstorming display as the Hills overpowered the Students in a stop-start encounter. Flying winger Matt Smith collected another two tries as Hunters Hill dominated from the outset with their enterprising play out wide and bruising forward play in the "engine room."

Smith's second try was a gem after he put a grubber kick through and regathered to score a brilliant individual five-pointer and ram home the Hills advantage.

Other Hunters Hill players to shine were second rower "Big David", half back Chris Atkins and breakaway Carl Bird who potted over five goals from seven attempts with the other two hitting the uprights.

In the lower grades Stu Jensen's classy Colts outfit recorded a 28-0 triumph while fourth (14-0) and fifth grade (15-0) posted encouraging wins. Seconds lost 17-7 and thirds 6-3 after a University field goal on the bell.

Hunters Hill host University of Western Sydney (UWS) Hawkesbury this Saturday at Boronia Oval.

HUNTERS Hill first grade rugby team maintained their undefeated record in the NSW Suburban Kentwell Cup competition after trouncing St Ives 40-21 last Saturday at Boronia Park Oval.

New five eighth Rob Hartley starred as the Hills ended St Ives' winning streak with an awesome all round display.

Jone Vesikula, Chris Atkins, Mat 'Miggsi' Smith and Michael Glew all crossed for tries with Carl Bird landing five goals.

Hunters Hill second grade team crashed to a controversial 20-14 loss in Burke Cup.

In a tight tussle the Hills led for 70 minutes before two critical refereeing decisions turned the match in the dying moments. Ronnie Tabule and Ben Coker notched tries for Hunters Hill with Murray Flynn booting two goals.

The Hills bit the dust 5-0 in Whiddon Cup; 13-0 in Judd Cup; 15-14 in Sutherland Cup while Colts were pipped on the bell 11-9 in Barbour Cup.

HUNTERS HILL first grade rugby team demonstated their attacking skills to pulverise old rivals St Patricks 40-13 in the NSW Suburban Kentwell Cup competition last Saturday at Boronia Park Oval.

The Hills had too many big guns with powerhouse games from Chris Atkins, Billie Ranima and hooker Carl Bird.

Hunters Hill dominated from the outset and showed their class to race in four tries by Matt Smith, Ben Mellon, Dave Dallaway and Lonie Katoa.

St Patricks won the Burke Cup second grade clash 23-13 with Regen, Gelling and Andrew Crowe giving value to the Hills while Miles Czinner, Michael Harris and Tony Warren the pick of the Hills' third grade outfit in a 21-7 Whiddon Cup loss.

A 18-15 away win against Drummoyne was a robust and bruising affair. The other fireworks apart from a number of off the ball incidents was a huge electrical storm that drenched the entire area.

The forwards laid the platform for the back to be able to do their stuff.

The lower grades, colts & juniors all are playing well.

The Round 3 away game against Colleagues ended up in Hilles having a well earnt 59-29 win.

Playing with and then against a strong wind, the Hillies played with the ball in hand and scored 12 tries. Halfback Chris Atkins scoring a hat trick.