Rugby League.
For club President Liam Anlezarkz and all involved with the Mighty Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club, Sundays kick off for the season, at Pirates Park, could not have been better. The weather was perfect, and the field had dried out enough (despite last week’s torrential downpour) to leave a good running track. Then to top it off, the supporters from both clubs, Pirates and Kawana had turned up in droves.
In the words of Pirates Head Coach Tom Murphy, “It’s a great day and the field is looking good, so we can look forward to a top game.” For Pirates it couldn’t have been better. When the final whistle blew to end Grade A, the game of the day, the score board said it all: Pirates 30 Kawana 6. In other curtain raisers, Women’s (Pirates) vs. Kawana, Women’s 50 Kawana 0, Reserves vs Kawana 20-20. In C grade, an away game played on Saturday against Palmwoods at Yandina, final score Pirates 40 Palmwoods 6.
In the A grade match Pirates started well. In the 4th minute, with a good sweeping run Pirates scored out wide on the right wing, and despite the kick being difficult, it was converted. Pirates 6 Kawana 0. After the 25th minute the Pirates scored again. The best aspect of both these tries, was that Pirates have shown the ability to feed the backs with good fast passing, thus running wide down the line.
Keeping up the pressure, the Pirates went into half time with a 24-0 lead. However, this was not a fair indication of Kawana’s effort, as on several occasions their attack took them well into Pirates territory: but poor ball control, close to the line, saw them lose the ability to finish what could have been good scoring moves.
Despite what the scoreboard told us, Kawana had at times played some good open football. However, their follow-up on high kicks was slow on occasions, and this again reduced their attacking moves: a possible lack of fitness saw this as a problem, and thus the benefit of well-placed up and under is lost.
On the 50 minute mark Pirates again scored, this time near the posts, and an easy kick put the score at 30-0. Then with 8 minutes to go Kawana broke the ice, to score and converted the kick, to make the final score 30-6. For Pirates, Brody Riseborough who played center, was good in both attack and defense. For Kawana, Zac Chong-Nee, playing in the forward pact, was also a danger in attack, leaving defenders on the ground, and in defense was moving up hard.
The Reserves played Kawana and with luck on their side finished the game with a score of Pirates 20 -Kawana 20. Going into the dressing sheds at half time saw Kawana 10 Pirates 0, Pirates needed a total re-think. However, early in the second half Kawana scored again to make it 14 -0.
Something was noted, as Pirates scored and converted to make it 14-6. Pirates followed with another try out wide on the right wing and converted to make it 14-12 Kawana. The game then started to change with both sides pushing hard and the final score being 20-20, a drawn game.
For the U19 men’s, they started with a great win against Kawana 18 -14. Women’s, (Pirates) vs Kawana saw the Pirates win in a one -sided affair 50-0. C Grade, who played Palmwoods at Yandina on Saturday won 40-6. This would have to be one of Pirate ‘s best start to a season.
Also, our little people from U6-U12 had games. Good to see them out playing and having fun. Round 1for all other age groups in boys and girl’s divisions, are also on the move. Good luck to all involved. At present there is a good feeling spreading throughout the club, with players wearing club colors on training days, thus showing a feeling of pride. This will develop a culture, a culture that can only serve to strengthen the character of the club.
With regards to sponsorship, it is all looking good for the Pirates. Always Cool major sponsors, Narellan Pools, Junior major sponsors, Tewantin Noosa RSL Junior Development sponsors, Harcourt Properties Centre Tewantin Junior Development Program
The importance of a good sponsorship group cannot be expressed enough: especially with the junior divisions, which is the future of the club. So, to them we say many thanks for your support and above your loyalty.
Pickleball
From the Noosa Pickleball Club, a flyer from Kane Nolan tells us that this new club is not just consolidating, but also competing and winning medals in a big way. For the first time in two years, over the weekend, the club held a tournament and happy to relate, it was a raging success.
“Known as the Noosa Doubles Classic, it was held at the Noosa Leisure Centre and nearly all events were fully subscribed, with waiting lists to participate. Along with many local members, competitors from all over Brisbane, the Gold Cost, Hervey Bay and wider Sunshine Coast were in attendance.
The tournament went off without a hitch: thanks to the tireless work of President Bob Bleicher, the club committee and many local volunteers. The Noosa Pickleball Club sponsor, Active Body Noosa, was also critical in getting the Noosa Doubles Classic, back on the on the Pickleball Australia Circuit.”
As expected, many local club members were on the podium at the day’s end: receiving many of the medals. A big feature of the sport is that it provides competitions for all age groups: in particular the doubles competition. There is significant competition for men’s doubles, lady’s doubles and mixed. In America where the game started, there is now big money in coaching, playing, and marketing: with many retired tennis legends taking part.
Over Easter, there will be a major tournament in Brisbane. Known as Brisbane Slam, it is sure to attract players from all around the country: with players of all ages competing.
Surf Life Saving
Recent heavy rains and flooding disrupted many sporting events: the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships being one of many. But despite this, our two local clubs, Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads, these titles have turned out to be one of the most successful in their sporting history.
Next week we will present a full report on their success and disappointments, from the youth through to the veterans. We will speak to, not only the athletes, but also the coaches, those men and women whose job it is to produce the best performance from the athletes. The athletes who will never say die.
