The mighty briars will shock a lot. last week they signed 5 blokes from shute shield. including a tongan international 7s, plus 2-3 other high level 7s guys (aus 7s training squad) who have played shute shield in 2023. 1 of em even played shute shield last weekend (looking at the team sheet)
Are you allowed to move between Shute Shield and Div 2 1st Grade? I thought there needs to be clearance provided between years, let alone one week.
Although - If that standard is present, then Briars might be back to the glory days.
Beer sales take another hit. A dark day for NewportBeecroft have forfeited 3rd grade to Newport.
It’s at Headon park, thankfully.Beer sales take another hit. A dark day for Newport
The big 4 Div 2 teams should merge into Div 1 with the other 4 merging into Div 3.
I don't think Briars are allowed to field the 1st grade- will have to wait another week.Div 2
and so it begins....
Petersham vs St Pats: Match of the round as the two pissed off former Div 1 clubs face off for what could be Div2 supremacy. Word from Shammie town is they have a ton of players, many of the pale white legged from the UK and are ready to fire. St Pats trial form has been mixed and I will go with the home team by 10 in a fiery encounter.
UNSW vs Hills: All eyes will be on David Phillips to see for early signs of what life will bring in 2024. Hills are fielding 4 grades and appear stronger this year in the higher grades. UNSW have an ageing 1s and 2s and will be interesting to see if there are any fresh faces for 2024. Im going to go with the upset (on last years form) and predict a Hills away victory by 5.
Beecroft vs Newport: Some history between these two clubs, not all of it great. Beecroft an unknown quantity up from DIV 3 and appear short on numbers given the 3rd grade forfeit. Newport backline is quick, and I mean really quick. Newport should (hopefully) run away with it in the 2nd half with them naming full benches in every grade. I'll say Breakers by 1 but hope for more.
Briars vs Epping: We will have to wait another 7 days to see if the rumour brigade are right around Briars recruitment. I do feel sorry for the Epping coaches and stalwarts whom no doubt tried everything to get players.
Any interesting scenario to keep an eye on. If they get enough players they should be forced to field a 1st grade, particularly if they start dominating 2s and 3s.Looking at the team sheets around the ground.
Good to see unsw running 6 teams at Hills.
Epping have named 14 fresh reserves across the 2 grades but cannot front 3 teams.....
Have we forgotten they went unbeaten in 3s last year up to play offs and there 2s lost everything. Alot of familiar names sticking around, that 3s team was definitely good enough to front up in the higher grades.
Hunters Hill have not named a colts 1 team for the trial against Dirty Reds but there "2nd colts" are playing Briars - awfully convenient.
What will subbies do if Epping 3s start winning games, will they force them up, will they doc points or give points to the other clubs.
What has happened to subbies, what has happened to the pride of pulling on a first grade jersey, I would rather run at 3.15pm on a Saturday and get pumped than forfeit.
Don't get ahead of yourselves, lads. We've had a decent response from some of our part-time players who have said that they think they'll make it this week. We are not expecting to see every one of the 14.Looking at the team sheets around the ground.
Good to see unsw running 6 teams at Hills.
Epping have named 14 fresh reserves across the 2 grades but cannot front 3 teams.....
Have we forgotten they went unbeaten in 3s last year up to play offs and there 2s lost everything. Alot of familiar names sticking around, that 3s team was definitely good enough to front up in the higher grades.
Hunters Hill have not named a colts 1 team for the trial against Dirty Reds but there "2nd colts" are playing Briars - awfully convenient.
What will subbies do if Epping 3s start winning games, will they force them up, will they doc points or give points to the other clubs.
What has happened to subbies, what has happened to the pride of pulling on a first grade jersey, I would rather run at 3.15pm on a Saturday and get pumped than forfeit.
UNSW fielded a 5ths in the Halligans Cup yesterday HD, so maybe you get a 5ths going as well. Your famed beer takings may be solid with 6 teams running out!Beecroft vs Breakers
Word from Beecroft was they had 10 out for a wedding so hopefully see them bounce back with a 3rd grade next week.
Due to rain and some scheduling mix ups Breakers started their 2024 with basically no trials. It showed with plenty of cobwebs blown out across all grades. However there were plenty of promising signs with many new young faces and with quite a few also missing the 1st round clash things looking ok for Breakers in 2024.
1st grade probably guilty of white line fever in the first half and bombed plenty of points with Beecroft toughing out a grinding 2nd half.
2nds. Newport just too young and fit for an ageing but big Beecroft pack.
Colts: a pretty rusty start from both teams with the Breakers having the individual class when it mattered to turn pressure into points.
Newport will need to lift their clinical intensity if they want to be competitive against UNSW at Porters on Saturday. Given yesterdays player numbers maybe Newport will be able to field the odd 4th grade side this season?
No chance. Would be good if they could put out a 4ths though.UNSW fielded a 5ths in the Halligans Cup yesterday HD, so maybe you get a 5ths going as well. Your famed beer takings may be solid with 6 teams running out!