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Subbies 2023!

Pfitzy

George Gregan (70)
Why did WSU decide this? Feels like what has happened in the CHS schools rugby system. Should have called it a Quidditch Club and they would have been fine.

Not sure that would have saved them from a bunch of red cards in 2022 and a lack of ready support in the admin area.

Without a Colts side the link to the student population would also be eroded, I imagine.
 

Oldsoldier

Stan Wickham (3)
Div 2 Wrap

Lindfield vs UNSW - Match of the Round

Couple of the heavyweights from 2022 in a big clash to start the season. UNSW appear to be strong, with the core group continuing and no doubt some standouts being drafted in. Lindfield appear to have lost a few from the team that stepped up massively last year, however have a premiership winning group of colts to fill the voids.
Expect Lindfield to be solid, put UNSW to pull away towards the end with more polish. UNSW by 10.

Hills vs Epping
Return of a local derby here. Heard it was pretty even when these clubs trialled a few weeks ago. Will be interesting to see how Hills run out, probably had a down year for them in 2022 based on recent standards. Epping won't be also rans in a comp will likely be a log jam in the middle.
Hills to have the edge in set piece, which should be enough to see them home. Hills by 7.

Briars vs Hawkesbury Valley
Real interesting game here. Rumours are that Valley training numbers have been very shaky, and not many of the ex-shute shield brigade have been seen.With ex-Randwick coaches coming in, expect Briars to lift in 2023 and be real competitors with some new blood.
Very tight this one, based on being at Rothwell I'll say Briars by 1.
All but 1 of last years first grade returning for Lindfield. A couple out with injury and a few others finding themselves in the lower grades to start the season. Same goes for the undefeated 2nd grade squad.

Big day at the club with the launch of the womens competition. Excited to see how it shapes up.
 

DaSchmooze

Johnnie Wallace (23)
Sad news on one of NSW rugbys oldest clubs.
Ll
Last year WSU decided that HAC RUFC (a rugby club that has existed since 1891) would no longer be supported as a student club of the University. Thus sadly - for the first time in 132 years HAC will not be playing rugby this season. Vale HAC Rugby (1891 - 2022) a fine run from an outstanding club that always punched well above its weight!! There's not many rugby clubs that can claim a full team of test players as past players.

WAZZIE - WAZZIE - YAH!

Very sad news indeed
 

Pfitzy

George Gregan (70)
Will be interesting to see how many of the DIv 2 & 3 clubs do better for numbers after the Easter break. Having one week on then one week off is less than ideal for continuity.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Mark Ella (57)
Iggies spring what could be called an upset win if we go by what other on here thought over Knox at Knox.

24/14 in 1sts
26/5 in 2nds
Knox won Colts 17/5
 

oldmate11

Allen Oxlade (6)
Div 3 round 1 wrap

The Winners

Iggies - Done well to sweep Knox at their home ground. If they keep numbers up they’ll do better than I had them predicted.

Beecroft - Looked slick, sweeping the harlequins with relative ease. They’ll take a lot of confidence in a big clash against Old barker next round. New look colts side kept it competitive with last years colts grand finalists.

Sydney Harbour - Picked up where they left off defeating their grand final opponents last year by a convincing margin. They’ll be a force for sure.

The losers

Knox - Numbers look shaky again, requiring colts players to fill out their 2nds backline. Two disappointing losses against a club many didn’t give a hope for. Big concerns at Lofberg.

Harlequins - Looked slow and had way too many errors against Beecroft. They’ll be hoping it was just round 1 cobwebs.

Manly Savers - Hopefully they can get a second grade on the park this year.
 

Denistone_Dennis

Chris McKivat (8)
Div 2 Round 1 Wrap

Lindfield vs UNSW (45-7)

Not sure many would have seen this result coming, this Nostradamus certainly didn't! UNSW completely blown off the park by a very strong Lindfield for most of the day. Expect UNSW to have guys coming back as they looked very out of sync in 1st grade. Only dark spot for Lindifeld was the 13 (their best player) getting a red card for a pretty ordinary high shot.

Hills vs Epping (32-22)
Strange game this one. Neither side looked at their best. Hills prop got a red card 25 mins in (pretty average as well) while leading 14-10. Hills really should have been run down from there but never really looked like giving up the lead, really tough performance from them which should set them up well for the season. Epping back 3 were very quick but not used well, will need to work on their defence as Hills regularly got around them even with 14 players.

Briars vs Valley (38-8)
Big turnaround from last season here. Hopefully the reinforcements are coming in for Round 2 for Valley as they really battled in this one, but kept going until the end. Briars appeared much better organised than last season, and a few fresh faces a world of good. Newport won't be able to view the Round 2 clash with Briars as a gimme now.
 

Eastcoast

Ted Fahey (11)
Iggies spring what could be called an upset win if we go by what other on here thought over Knox at Knox.

24/14 in 1sts
26/5 in 2nds
Knox won Colts 17/5
I can admit when I was wrong - And I was very wrong. Could be a long year for KNOBS - Looking at team sheets - didnt seem to have many players who played 1's last year come back - Wonder where those boys ended up. Some handy players missing.

Will Lindfield want to come up to Div 1 next year. Seem to be a very strong club with alot of talents across the board.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Mark Ella (57)
Any ideas as to why subbies numbers seem to be dwindling so much? Only a couple years in 2021 it seemed to be strong.
Few reasons, sounds like a cop out to say Covid but I do think a lot of guys can't be bothered coming back and losing Saturdays. People aren't playing as long anymore as well.

There also seems to be an increase in numbers at a number of Shute Shield Clubs from where they were 5-6 years ago. Almost all field a 4th & some would be able to have a 5th grade and down to 4th grade Colts with players to spare.
 

KentwellCup>ShuteShield

Jimmy Flynn (14)
Few reasons, sounds like a cop out to say Covid but I do think a lot of guys can't be bothered coming back and losing Saturdays. People aren't playing as long anymore as well.

There also seems to be an increase in numbers at a number of Shute Shield Clubs from where they were 5-6 years ago. Almost all field a 4th & some would be able to have a 5th grade and down to 4th grade Colts with players to spare.
They really need to insitute some sort of ruling that stops hoarding of players. But then again a lot of the time its the club thats attracting players to the game not the game itself. Its a hard fix.
 
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