10th October 2006
Eagles Soar Again!

The Boambee Eagles under 16 girls team fought long and hard to take the points in the latest round of the Champion of Champions competition. Played in front of a parochial crowd at the showgrounds on Sunday morning the Eagles took on the might of the Picton Rangers who scored 116 goals in their regular season.

From the kick off till the final whistle both teams toiled under the hot morning sun and the interchange bench was constantly utilised to ensure that all girls did not become over-heated. Several near chances by Eagles Sam Taylor and Emma Manning kept the Rangers keeper on her toes and the strong defence lead by Eagles captain Sam Mackay made sure that the Rangers did not extend their season goal scoring tally. Following a strong half by both teams they went to the break at nil all.

Early in the second half Eagles enigmatic player Kylie McDonald hit a perfect shot from 35 metres out that beat the keeper and banged into the top right off the net. Following some great attacking runs from Christine Wakewood and Georgie Kerr, Eagles gun striker Jess "Bazz" Barrett put away the second goal for the game.

The heat of the day was starting to take a toll on all players and while the play was slowing the Eagles final goal came from a great Emma Manning cross from the corner that hit the top left of the post and dropped into the 6 yard box for Tegan Stead to smash past the keeper who could only watch as it whizzed by her. Eagles win the match 3 nil.

The Picton Rangers never dropped their heads and were gracious in defeat and if not for their keeper the score could have been a lot greater. The Boambee Eagles will now play Beacon Hill from the Manly Warringah Football Association in the semi-final and they have played only one match in this competition. As far as the Eagles and their coach Rob Manning are concerned this team wants to be number one and is ready, willing and extremely able.

Dean Evers
President
Boambee SC

25th September 2006
Round 2 Report: AA Men - Asquith V Urunga Raiders

Asquith 4 Urunga Raiders 3

Urunga Raiders played in the second round of the Champions of Champions Tournament last weekend when they took on the highly regarded Sydney side Asquith at Mills Park. In weather conditions that were reminiscent of Dante's seventh level of hell - a torch like hot nor-westerly wind gusting to 70km/h at times made football on the dry surface somewhat difficult to say the least but as the sides took the field the only thoughts were to progress to the round of 8 in this prestigious tournament.

Asquith are no strangers to this competition and success having topped the Kuringai area which includes sides such as Lindfield, North Sydney and Kuringai for the last 5 seasons and previously been in the Champions final albeit unsuccessfully.

It would be the Raiders however asking all the questions in the opening passages of the match as Grant Homes drove into Asquith's area rounding two defenders but was not able to release a shot as the ball boggled away on the uneven surface. Only minutes later Trevor Sparkes missed another golden opportunity when somehow a poorly cleared ball fell to him - his quickly taken shot from 3m slapped into the crossbar. Only 15 minutes in and the Raiders might have been two up, these missed opportunities left the 'boss Breton seeming unperturbed - this as the great Pele once said is the beautiful game and not everything goes your way.

If it were a basketball game Asquith's coach would be calling for a time out, they were rattled by the opening exchanges and knew they had to lift. With the considerable wind at their back the Asquith boys gained a succession of corners and when a poorly directed clearing kick found Asquith's main strike weapon Hasan El Kansa he was able to put Asquith 1 up on 20minutes, his shot from 18m to good for the diving Jakob Campbell.

This turned to two after 30 minutes when poor defending let Rodney Myles stroll through the Raiders defence. The remaining stages of the half were punctuated by smooth attacking raids by both sides, it was entertaining stuff that in better conditions would have been umm so much better.

At the break though the Asquith boys in blue and white held a 2 nil lead which they must have thought would could be enough. Not to be though as only two minutes into the second half Josh McGovern slipped a brilliant ball through to a rampaging Mitch Tutt who stroked in the Raiders first. 2-1 the Raiders were right back in it.

Asquith again surged though with their midfielder Chris Siliga missing from close range, his efforts mirrored at the other end when Homes left one defender hypnotised only to be chopped down by another, the free kick whipped in by the 'mailman' Jaxen Heward was smashed into the side netting by Sparkes. Don't miss a moment - the football was exhilarating.

It was Kasan that would score next when he skated between two defenders to shoot from close range to make the blue and whites 3-1 leaders with 20 left on the clock. This was to become 4-1 after Andrew Davis picked up a shot that had cannoned off the Raiders crossbar, his shot whacked in from the left side.

Surely the Asquith boys had it - well I can tell you in the last 10 minutes they had their backs to the wall. Trevor Sparkes rammed home what seemed to be a consolation goal after he drove through the heart of the Asquith defence 4-2 but when Josh McGovern threaded through the Asquith defence and nailed the Raiders 3rd goal it was time to fasten your seat belts - only 7 minutes to go and the Raiders were knocking on the door of extra time if they could get one more.

This opportunity presented itself only minutes later when great work from Kale Hopper saw him slip a ball for McGovern to run onto, Josh was one on one with the keeper and was partially able to round him but unbalanced McGovern's shot shaved the post. It was the last hurrah for the Raiders going down 4-3. It was a tremendous game fought in good spirit and won on the day by the better side the Raiders left to ponder what could have been - but not everything goes your way in the beautiful game.

As they hand up their boots after a record season of two losses two draws and a whopping 21 wins, both Major and Minor Premierships they can be justifiably proud of their achievement.

Reminder: the clubs presentation night will be held on the 14th October at the Urunga Bowling Club - it should be a great night. For more information phone Tom Campbell 6655 6413. Go U Raiders...!!

- Report by Tom Campbell
Urunga Raiders

19th September 2006
Success For Boambee!!



Minor Premiers Boambee Eagles u/16 women who completed their regular season undefeated took on the might of the Coffs Pridettes in last Saturdays Grand Final and came away 5-3 winners.

With so many talented players in both sides the game went from end to end with the result balance until full time. Kylie MacDonald and Sam Taylor scored all goals for Boambee including a special from Sam Taylor evading the Coffs wall and Keeper.

Player of the Match for Boambee was 13-year-old Emma-Jane Manning whose battle with Laura Hall from Coffs was a highlight.

On Sunday Boambee had to back up and play undefeated Maroubra Beach from Sydney in Champions Of Champions. They came away 7-0 winners against a team who have had only 6 goals scored against them all season. Jess Barrett scored a hat trick with Sam Taylor and Kylie MacDonald each getting two goals.

This week the girls travel to Hornsby to take on Lindfield who have had only 2 goals scored against them in 2 seasons. This is another test for these girls who seem to have swept all before them in season 2006.

We wish the girls the best of luck!

Rob Manning
Boambee SC

18th September 2006
Rd 1 Report: AA Men - Urunga Raiders V Barnsten Utd

When too much football is never enough!

The season just keeps on going for newly crowned grand final winners Urunga Raiders when last weekend they hosted winners of the Eastern Sydney league, Barnsten United in the first round of the champions of champions tournament.

Barnsten having topped their competition which included suburbs of Sydney such as Coogee, Randwick, Maroubra etc, made the long trip up to Urunga's so called cabbage patch to see if they could overcome a Raiders side that has grown in self belief under the steady hand of the 'Boss' Breton. It would be clear skies, light southerly breeze and somewhat humid conditions that prevailed as centre referee Bruce Mackie got the game underway.

The Barnsten lads had a distinct advantage in size, large boys who were able to control any high balls. Their main attack seemed to be that of a well directed cross, this combined with skilful first time touches had the Raiders on the back foot for the first 20 minutes.

Indeed the only chance for the Raiders in this period fell to Toby Francis who outpaced the Barnsten sweeper to have a clear run at goal albeit from the right side which the keeper was able to deal with. It was a bright start for Toby whose pace and skill justified his elevation to the starting eleven.

The first goal however fell to Barnsten from a corner kick that was not decisively dealt with and resulted in a goal mouth scramble that Barnsten striker Sean Watson hammered in from close range on 22 minutes. One could sense it coming, Barnsten had too much possession and had made good use of the ball - and the Raiders were not in any gear let alone the top one.

As the rest of the half played out though the Raiders were beginning to aim up they were gaining a greater share of possession, good lead up work from Dominic Kelly saw his ball find Francis on the left flank. Toby's near post ball was headed goalward by Grant Homes only to be kept out by the crossbar.

It was to be Scott Graham though that would put the Raiders back on level terms after he weaved through two would be defenders and released a cracking shot from 24 metres which the keeper could not stop. The 500 plus crowd loved it and with 5 minutes left in the half the Raiders were right back in it as the half wound down the sides went to the break level at 1 apiece.

The second half saw a more focused Raider outfit - they were beginning to move as a team and 7 minutes into the half scored after Jaxen 'the mailman' Heward picked out Scott Graham, who had slipped into a far post position as undetected as a Collins class submarine ((we hope). Graham's first time control deft, his strike accurate from 10metres enough to adjust the score in favour of the Raiders 2-1. That made a brace of goals for Graham and represented a great start to the half.

From that point the Raiders must have thought that the result was in the bag. Barnsten however had other ideas and were not just there to make up the numbers - their desperation on show as they contested any loose ball and turning defence into attack were able to trouble Urunga's back three of Heward, McCormick and Danzey.

The middle section of the second half saw the Raiders under relentless attack and only excellent defending and top shelf saves from Jakob Campbell denied the visitors. It was great football and certainly entertained the expectant crowd. As the half wound down though the Raiders prevailed and ran out 2-1 winners.

They now progress to Round 2 of the competition and will have to travel to Sydney this weekend to play the winner of Kuringai and Highlands. Heady times for the Raiders whose season... well it's never ending. Go U Raiders!!

Reminder: if you are putting a team in this years Summer Six A Side competition at Urunga get those entries in to Tom Campbell this week or the only football you'll be playing will be from the sideline!

- Report by Tom Campbell
Urunga Raiders