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Newsletter - Tuesday 24 April 2001 beerbeer
This newsletter is published weekly with the generous assistance of the
Orange Grove Hotel - an excellent place for post-game refreshments.

Balmain Rovers fields teams in Premier League Division 4 (Firsts & Reserves) of the Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association competition.


Contents
MATCH REPORT 1: Reserves OUR SPONSOR: The Grove MATCH REPORT 2: All Ages
 
UPCOMING: Fixtures STANDINGS: The Medal, The Boot OTHER NEWS: State Cup, Tiger 7s

Match Report 1


Too Long to Get Going

Balmain Rovers 4A Reserves v Sydney University Reserves
St Johns Oval, Sydney University
Sat 21 April 2001
Kick-off 1.15pm
Report by Lachlan Mackie

Having played only two full games, Rovers were keen to acquire greater experience playing together, but on this occasion did miss some key players who were unavailable, as well as a few other important people - a referee and linesmen - which put a damper on both teams' enthusiam.

In the first half, the Balmain forwards pushed hard and displayed much skill and terrific teamwork, especially Paul Millard and Dorian Nkono. They weren't successful in breaking through to score, but still put in 100% effort. There was a bit of confusion in the midfield, but Sam Tekin and Craig Brown held it in some formation and maintained their composure. At half-time however, due at least partly to some very curious decisions from the Sydney Uni volunteer referee, we were down 4-0.

With the help of some words from Browny, Ricky Onsman and the sidelined James Mackie at half-time, Rovers kept their heads up and came out with greater determination in the second half. With Ammon Mackie brought out of goals to join the forwards and Sohail Dahdal added on the left wing, Balmain straight away played with more force than they had shown in the first half.

Good work by Sohail and Paul Millard, marked by their consistency and great team support, broke down the Sydney Uni defence and they were rewarded with one goal each - Paul's in the 29th minute and Sohail's in the 31st minute of the second half. Many more Balmain scoring opportunities went begging, as the opposition no longer had the help of the ref (Balmain's David Birds took the whistle in the second half, and was frankly much fairer), but Balmain failed to put the ball away again.

Thanks to increased aggression and determination from the Balmain defence, especially from David Wright and Ricky, Sydney Uni's attack fell apart in the second half, but in the end we lost 5-2. With this behind us, I am sure the team is keen for a breakthrough win next week.

The Pele Medal points go to:

3 points - Paul Millard for consistency
2 points - Sam Tekin for great control
1 points - David Wright for terrific defence

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Our Sponsor

This newsletter is sponsored by the fabulous folks at

The Orange Grove Hotel
31 Balmain Rd, Leichhardt
Ph 9810 1435

Table football * pool table * pokies * TAB * cable sports TV

Regular live music * Friday night raffle

Stay tuned for news about The Grove's new restaurant

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Match Report 2


NB The report on the Firsts game against Sydney University has been held over until next issue, although the Pele points have been awarded as follows: 1 Pele Medal point each goes to: Sergio Fiorenza, Kon Tsalikis, Gary van Heugten, Paul Edwards, Joey Nicotra, Eddie Briggs. Goalscorers have been added to the Golden Boot standings. In place of the Firsts report, we bring you a report from the All Ages team.

Balmain Rovers All Ages v Earlwood
Hughes Park, Earlwood
Sat 21 April 2001
Kick-off 3pm
Report by Kieran Fox

In 1934, in Lebanon, an oppressed group in the Bahabab community, tired of being mercilessly beaten by their oppressors, began with the help of the religious and scientific leaders to develop a magic potion. This potion was designed to leave their opponents demoralised and confused. Words like "How could this happen to us" and "That's not fair, we're better than that" would be whispered by their beaten opponents.

But sadly, time was not on the side of the Bahabab community and long before the potion was ready, the Whabab community invaded and the Bahabab community was forced to flee into exile. Their journey took them to Australia.

As the years went on, the Bahabab community settled in the inner west of Sydney. Their fear of oppression waned. But their religious and scientific leaders plodded on, convinced that they would one day be able to develop the serum and capitalise on its benefits.

They enlisted the help of Heinz Baked Beans manufacturers. If they were to develop such a powerful potion, they would need a container which could withhold and contain the magic potion. Heinz developed the aluminium can, which later became the standard for most broths and invigorating elixirs.

On Saturday, after over 70 years of development, they were finally ready to carry out a full scale trial. They decided to brand the product after the Australian term "an ass wiping". They called it A CAN OF WHOOP ASS.

At 2pm, 1 hour before the game, they opened the can and drank it.

Suddenly, The Balmain goalkeeper forgot to turn up for the game. The striker and two midfielders left for Queensland for a long planned holiday and Aidan "The Bull Dog" got stranded in Gladesville.

Not only that, as a result of drinking the potion, the Earlwood team strikers developed the ability to score at will. All they needed to do was touch the ball and it would pass the standin goalie. Simultaneously the entire Balmain midfield were drained of the ability to run or pass the ball.

The end result was a 7-2 loss (with goals from Dean and a penalty thump from your storyteller). But as the Earlwood team said to us "We may have unleashed a can of WHOOP ASS on you, but you do look pretty good in your brand new kit with sponsor!"

We chuckled. Earlwood had not realised that their potion was not really working. Last year, without "WHOOP ASS IN CAN", they beat us 17-2. At least the moral victory was ours.

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Upcoming Fixtures

Saturday 28 April 2001
Balmain Rovers v Abbotsford
Easton Park, Rozelle (home)
Kickoff Reserves: 1.15pm, Seniors 3pm

Saturday 5 May 2001
Balmain Rovers v Balmain B
Birchgrove Park, Birchgrove (away)
Kickoff Reserves: 1.15pm, Seniors 3pm

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Award Standings

Pele Medal

4 - Paul Millard
3 - Craig Brown, Kon Tsalikis
2 - Paul Edwards, Sergio Fiorenza, Gary van Heugten, Ammon Mackie, Sam Tekin
1 - Eddie Briggs, Carlos Morata, Joey Nicotra, David Wright

Golden Boot

2 - Gary van Heugten
1 - Eddie Briggs, Sohail Dahdal, Pier D'Angelo, Paul Edwards, Andy Farmery, Sergio Fiorenza, Ammon Mackie, Paul Millard, Carlos Morata, Joey Nicotra

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Other News

Dobroyd Point Soccer Club, who play in the Sydney Amateur Football League, will take over the bar at The Orange Grove Hotel on May 12 for the screening of the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Liverpool. All Balmain Rovers are welcome to come along and get to know the other club sponsored by The Grove.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Balmain Rovers has entered a team in the State Cup, which features teams from all NSW competitions in a knockout format. The 18 man squad has drawn on 12 members of the Firsts team and 6 members of the Reserves team. The competition starts in May, and means that some weeks Rovers will play games on a Saturday and a Sunday.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Balmain Rovers has also been invited to participate in the 4th Tiger International Football Sevens in Penang, Malaysia on 20 & 21 October 2001, a professionally run international invitation tournament played in accordance with FIFA laws with the exception that there is no offside, interchange of players is allowed and the halves will be of a seven-minute duration. Accredited officials will officiate all games.

A package has been developed for this tournament that covers return airfares, 5 nights deluxe accommodation with breakfast, airport transfers, coach shuttle to games, presentation dinner, tournament shirt and playing fees at a cost per person ex Sydney of about $1300 (yet to be finalised). Reservations must be received by 8 June. Contact Ricky Onsman for more details or Tim Hodgson at Leisure Events.

crest

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Newsletter content © 2001 Balmain Rovers

Tuesday 24 April 2001