Rugby
League
By LCDR Sion Griffiths
 |
|
An
attacker from HMAS Albatross takes on the Kuttabul defence
in the final of the Patron’s Cup. Albatross ran out
winners, 34-6. Photo by LSPH Damian Pawlenko
|
On
Thursday August seven, Rugby League roared into the RAN calendar
with the launch of the inaugural Rugby League Patrons’ Cup
(VADM Chris Ritchie and Mr Laurie Daley).
The contest at North Sydney Oval was battled out by teams from
Albatross, Waterhen, Kuttabul, Cerberus, Melbourne, Harman and
the Clearance Divers in front of a crowd of 400 supporters including
the two patrons, the Sydney Area Band and committee members from
the NRL.
The Cup/Shield knockout was played over ten games of 15 minute
halves. The intensity throughout the competition was highlighted
by some very keenly contested games where desperation tackling
and ‘never say die’ attitudes were the norm.
The sportsmanship of all who played was commendable and the standard
of rugby league was high, reflecting the wealth of talent within
the RAN, and the excellent job of the referees provided by the
NRL Academy.
Some of the highlights included the ‘come from behind’
victory of Albatross over the Clearance Divers in the second game
of the day.
This relegated the Divers to the Patrons’ Shield (CDRE Crane),
which they won after successfully beating all other challenges.
Three games in 120 minutes in 20-degree heat certainly took its
toll on the Divers and their loyal supporters.
A lowlight was seeing the Cerberus captain helped off the field
after only five minutes of play in their first game. It was a
long bus ride for POB ‘Kiwi’ Bryant just to spend a
day at Balmoral Naval Hospital, although he did return to see
the final match.
The Patrons’ Cup was battled out between Albatross and Kuttabul
and the result saw Albatross run out eventual winners, although
until half time it was an absorbing and close contest.
VADM Ritchie presented the cup to Albatross before awarding trophies
and medallions to all players involved in the finals.
The player of the tournament as polled by the referees was ABCD
Maihi and the player of the grandfinal was Mick Blattner from
Albatross. These players received the WOCD Dixie Foord and WOPTI
Bones Sutton Medallions as well as prizes donated by the RAN Rugby
League Committee.
Players making the Navy Interservice team were announced on completion
of the carnival and the coach, SBLT Dave Wallis, commented on
how many players of such high standard were on show and that he
felt the Navy would now be able to challenge the Army for supremacy
of rugby league within the ADF.
The major raffle prize of the day, a Seahornet Scuba Air, set
was won by CO Penguin who accepted the prize before donating it
to Penguin’s Welfare Committee.
The RAN Rugby League Committee would like to thank the NISC and
POPTI Davies (Waterhen) for their support and the efficient running
of the event, its sponsors Seahornet Diving and The Great Southern
Hotel for donating the prizes and all those that attended and
contributed to the success of the day.
Results
Waterhen
def Cerberus 18-0
Albatross def Divers 10-4
Kuttabul def Melbourne 26-8
Albatross def Waterhen 12-4
Kuttabul def Harman 16-0
Divers def Cerberus 34-0
Melbourne def Waterhen 16-6
Divers def Harman 36-0
Patrons’
Shield Final
Divers def Melbourne 22-16
Patrons’
Cup Final
Albatross def Kuttabul 34-6
