7s Competitions

the tournament organisers called an ambulance for the girl. It looked like she was in agony and was holding her arm, folding it into her shirt for a makeshift sling. It was a big tackle that was completely legal and the girl fell the wrong way. Not sure if itwas in final or semi final. But the poor girl was in agony

Parra women had 3 girls under the age of 18.......

Thanks A S, appreciate your comments. I thought I could sense that the author's tongue was firmly in his cheek when he referred to a capacity crowd, and I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge a little hyperbole given that it is so long since we won anything, even a meat raffle. I know the author well and I doubt that he means to denigrate anyone's efforts (glass houses and all that). But credit where credit is due - I wasn't at Crescent Head so I appreciate your report on the proceedings, and I thank you for drawing attention to the other teams who performed well in the event. I, for one, am always interested in hearing what other people think of our performances (and sometimes that has been very hard to listen to over the past few years).

This weekend's Kiama Sevens Draw:

Should be a great weekend.

http://www.kiamarugby.com/pdf/sevens/KR7-Draw-2012-Web.pdf

I have just viewed the Parra report on the sevens and thought it was OK. I could not find the reference to the Womens team not conceeding a try throughout the tournament (maybe it got removed). I DO NOT think it wasd in any way disrespectful to teams from the NewCastle area and at the end of the day 25-0 in a sevens final is comprehensive in anyones book. And why would you say that a try by your biggest girl was "too humilating to mention" I was at the tournamnet and she was a very good player and the try was well worked by the whole side - to suggest it was too humiliating to mention both cheapens the moment and suggests some sort of arrogance that was just non-existant and thats a little insulting to Parramatta. As for the comments on the high tackling, once again insulting as I saw very little of this throughout the day in the womens division (or mens for that matter). The referee's were on top of this quite well throughout.

So on to the mens tournament - I just thought it was an out and out cracker of a game, Manly are an experienced side and new what they were doing out there and yes they deserved their win, the report in no way suggesting anything else. The game got to the point where whoever lost it was going to be unlucky as after 26 minutes of playing sevens to be seperated in the last play makes for a great spectacle as well as extremes of emotion for the two teams involved. The "implosion" is again wide of the mark and insulting, you can not stick with a champion side like Manly by imploding. The so called "blowup" you made reference to was for a very good reason and was not infact when Parra had momentum - Manly in fact were up at that point.

The day was a good day out and a lot of fun. Onfield play was great as was off field - no need to cheapen anyones day I would have thought!

@Ole Two Blue, saying I need to get over it & that I have my knickers in a twist you would think that I've made 50+ posts on this Parra article. I havent. I made one detailed post to explain the inaccuracies in the Parra report. That is all. I know Parra has struggled but that still doesn't give an excuse to lie or deny other clubs efforts. My team mates who read the report agree. As far as the injured player goes I honesty must have missed a fair bit of what had happened & I cant remember the ambo being there, so I'll probably find out through the grape vine what extent of damage has happened. Unfortunately these things happen even in legal tackles as I'm sure you know. We actually have a player in our team that is coming back from her second broken leg so if she can come back from that I'm sure the Wanderer girls injury wont stop her, hopefully. In regards to the age of our under 18s player it probably would've helped if I mentioned shes around 50kg, the Parra girls were all quite large by comparison regardless of age - probably should have commented comparing size rather than age.

@coachTB, I'm pretty sure I said our prop is a good player & was merely having my own tongue in cheek response re. the humiliation comment. I actually had a good time & I'm not trying to take away anything from anyone but I am calling a spade a spade as to what I saw on the day & how I felt about the report. As for the rest just read my original post on the report I'm not going over it again here.

@2bluesfan, yeah I do agree the author was probably kidding, it's just that these things sometimes dont come across over the net, especially if you happened to have played at that comp & had the day we had then the report comes across as a bit arrogant. Doesn't mean that was the intention & you're right I don't think the author intended it. I'm very passionate about my club as I'm sure all the Parra supporters are of the two blues. Main thing is we still managed to have a good time! Also, cheers for respecting my difference of opinion & appreciating my report, people don't have to agree with me of course.

That's the last I'll mention CH for this year, these things have a habit of blowing out to many posts over dozens of pages. I'm not responding to any more posts on CH from here on in, I stand by what I have said. By all means have pot shots knowing I wont be responding.

@2bluesfan, just on what you mentioned about other people talking about the two blues performances. I may not religiously follow the shute shield but I'm well aware of the woes of the two blues in the shute shield. Our mens top grade can empathise as we have not won the mens top grade premiership since 1988 (I believe for the two blues the last shute premiership was 1986?) we also have copped some pretty harsh criticism (some of it justified) but yeah our clubs can share some common ground in that department. I know your guys have had more 'floggings' if I could put it that way, in terms of scoreline but I still think when you haven't had a premiership for a while other clubs can start getting a bit disrespectful. You guys are lucky you have TPN (one of my fav players) he seems like the kind of person that would work very hard for the club, every club needs players like that.

Another topic another comp: I know this is a 7's comps thread but Tamworth also was handing out papers for a womens 10's comp, Uni may be going, I probably will not make it as its St Patricks day the day of the comp & my family & friends have a get together that day. But certainly sounds like it would be good little road trip.

2blues

Somewhere it has been said on this forum that the players Parra had at CH were mostly under 20. Does this look good for a strong Parra colts side this year or are the players leaguies who are playing because their comps haven't started yet

They will all be turning out for Parramatta this season.

I had a quick look at the Colts training tonight and the numbers were pretty good but I didn't really get a chance to talk to the coaches to gather their thoughts on the upcoming season. I wasn't at CH so I don't have a reference point as to whether those players were amongst those training with Colts tonight but to my eye, it looks a very young group although they certainly displayed good enthusiasm and there seemed to be a positive vibe. I think we'll need to see a few trial matches before we can guage their level as a few stalwarts from previous years (notably Parkinson and Blacklock) were training with the senior high performance group.

A S - I enjoy reading most of the posts on this forum. We have amongst us, some very knowledgeable and keen observers of this game we all love. Your own passion for the game is obvious and your excellent post re the CH 7s communicates that and also the fun you and your team and friends clearly had. Dare I say you'd fit in well at Parra As for Tafu: he's the sort of guy you'd want to have a chat with even if he couldn't play Rugby - intelligent, witty, compassionate; just a great guy - we are indeed fortunate to have him and to share him with the rest of the Rugby world.

Parramatta's men's and women's teams performed well in tough conditions at today's Kiama 7s. The men continued their good from from Crescent head and made the final, losing 17-24 to Kiama Inn. The women's team suffered a number of injuries but could be proud of their efforts winning over Kiama but losing to a polished Brumbies and the Add Ons from Queensland. Sorry, I don't know who won the women's final. Both the Brumbies and the Add Ons had some very skillful players.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...ians-take-out-kiama-rugby-sevens/2467875.aspx

Found this article on Kiama 7's. Kiama Inn had quite a few Fijians in their team. It says Brums & Queensland were separate teams in the womens, if Parra had to play a team made up of both I think thats a bit stiff. I know at Crescent head you couldnt fill in for another team.

Just clarifying, the Brumbies and the Add-Ons ran separate squads.

Both squads had some very talented players.

the womens final was a great game too. The Add Ons from Qld were decimated by injuries and actually got permission to use 3 Parra girls in the final. It was a nice touch. And the Parra girls ended up being the difference scoring a couple of tries and laying on the match winner. The Add ons came from behind twice to win it.

Angry Seahorse, you're welcome to come trial with the Parra girls anytime. Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Montrose Avenue Merrylands from 6.30pm sharp

Ole Two Blue if I ever come to live in Sydney (which TBH I probably wont - love my regional surroundings too much ) I would head in Parras direction. Sounds like the place to be.

Remembering back to rep women's 15's Brisbane had a very fit team, Brumbies had some very fast backs - not surprised to see either doing well in 7's if they have some of those top line players involved. Shame to hear about so many injuries, that's rugby I guess. It would have been nice to have allowed the same sharing of players at CH, poor Tamworth played with 7 players only all tournament. I think our club has Tamworth 10's, Bowlo Womens 10's (Newcastle), & a Rep sevens weekend to go before 15's start.

Why isn't Vanderglass in the main Sevens squad, I wonder?

Think as he's been with Brumbies and then playing in the UK for several months last season and now in France last I heard so perhaps that rules him out of 7s selection.

He'd be one of the first picked though if I have a say in that!

Vanderglas is playing for Grenoble with fellow Brumbies Hand & Hegarty. All doing very well I might add.

Ben Hand is very underrated, as is another Woodies lock, Tom Alexander. Maybe they are both a little on the small side, but they are both all heart.

Who won the Cresent Head Sevens, what clubs did well, and quality this year?