DOVAGATE

Issue

12/2014 18 April 14

Principal Sponsors 2014/15

ERUFC gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the

following Club Sponsors for Season

2014

SOLD OUT!

Tony Keach

Rats-Head Aluminium,

Preston

Turning the tide...U16s led the fight back on Matopos day

Pete M

Johno

Josh P

Aaron W

ERUFC Team Managers’ Meeting - Clubhouse - Wed 23 April 6:30pm

Match Report

Eltham A v. Geelong—12 April 14

The Geelong side has gone through some obvious changes as they were only been able to field one side this year and several of their b-grade players were called up into the A's. The loss of numbers showed early and often as the men from Eltham put on a clinical performance that even the most grizzled veterans could not recall being delivered by an Eltham side. In a break from the usual match report style, I am going to write verbatim what I put in my notes during the game.

- Off the kick off - ball regathered put through the hands to the near sideline, recycled...Azza great long pass, ball across field to Tony who dove in, 5-0, one minute gone.

Last chance 2014 to gain rugby qualifications

Wed 23 Apr

Smart Rugby Maroondah RUC

Wed 7 May

Assistant Ref Box Hill RUC

Tue 13 May

Coaching Kids Rugby

Melbourne RUC

Sun 18 May

Level 1 Coach and Foundation Referee Course

ERUFC

Lloyd Thomas TEL: 0417502710

Painting and Decorating Pty

Ltd

14 reasons to smile!

Generous Rebel Tickets Donation by

Phil Lock raised $63 for Club Charity Very

Special Kids and $63 for ERUFC Special

Projects

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Match Reports - A Grade - 12 April 14 - 2

Under 12s

Under 10s

Under 10s

- Great turnover by the forwards, through the hands to Rick, who broke the line and off-loaded to Mikey for the try, 12 -0.

- Penalty against Eltham for holding on...Geelong decided to take the points. Quote from Brent, "I think Geelong realized that's going to be there only chance to score today."

- The forwards going to work, sustained pressure, Brad Graf over the line for his first senior team try, 19-3.

- James just lit up the opposition like a Christmas tree...whoa...ball spilled forward and the backs are off. Rick beat four defenders over 40 m for the score. And Keach put it over from the sideline, 26-3 and the bonus point.

- Josh P. broke the line with a ridiculous step, took it 30m before dishing inside to Isaac for the try, 33-3.

- Shit kick by Geelong...Josh P. picked the ball and stepped numerous defenders, hit the gas and scored under the sticks. 40-3, 60+ metres on the run.

- Two minutes later, ball through the hands and Josh P. jogged to the try line, 45-3.

- This next bit was dictated to me by Stefan K. as this writer was in the bar line during this play couldn't step away for a minute without missing a score ... "Quick tap by the Geelong #3, gets monstered by the forwards ball loose, Keachy kicked forward and outran Riley for the try." 52-3.

- Riley off the kick-off makes a dummy and a great break. Looks right and looks left, draws the last man looks left again and passes to the touchie. Everyone calling for the gum boot as we missed the 4 on 1 chance.

- Dan H. started off the play with some nifty footwork and offloaded to Nortie who jogged 40 m for the try, 59-3.

- Quick turnover by young gun Graf, one pass to Rick who scorched the unlucky #1 who found himself in the middle of the field, 66-3.

- Off the kick-off Isaac slipped 4 or 5 tackles, offload to Nortie through to Steely who chipped over the top and Keach dove on it for the try. 71-3.

- Off a scrum in Geelong territory, great base from the forwards, Tony dragged the defence on the scissor and gave a beautiful pop pass to Isaac on the angle, skated through the defence 76-3.

- Again off the kick off, Marika with the kick and chase and dots the ball, 81-3. Things are getting ugly for Geelong.

- Quick hands again...killing the opposition...out to Steely who put the ball over the top to Nortie for the try, 86-3.

It must be noted that some of our youngest players are making enormous impacts on the field. The back row with Graf and Josh G. causing all sorts of havoc at the breakdown and in open play. Something about being 19 that gives you an incredible work rate. Josh P.

Rick Murphy

Brad Graf

Josh Paver

Tony Keach

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown

Under 12s

Under 10s

Under 10s

may be young, but often it looks like a man against boys on the pitch. Big, fast and with great instincts. Mark Southwood provides solid base in the scrums and great hands that often don't happen with props. Not too mention there are a handful of new faces in the club that are making huge impacts as well. Well done all. It's fun to watch.

The main take away from the day is that club rugby ebbs and flows from season to season with clubs trending up and down. Eltham is obviously on the upswing and Geelong is hitting a rough spot. Eltham did exactly as they should have...hammer the opponent and don't give them any thoughts of staying in the game. It was nice to see the killer instinct in the boys as they had Geelong reeling. That said, there will be tougher tests this season and we saw with the b's what can happen from week to week when we don't play our best footy. Something good is happening at the club both on and off the field. The sponsors, coaches, and volunteers putting in the work has filtered right down to the quality product on the pitch, which has brought out our supporters and made for an excellent crowd on our opening weekend. Let's keep this going. Lastly, I would like to thank Olly for having the U6 mascots on Saturday. The kids loved running out onto the field, learning some new 'colourful' language in the pre-game huddle, and getting the hook up for the free sausage. It warmed the hearts of the kids, parents and one grandpa is taking the idea back to his home club in New Zealand. Well done ERUFC. Andy Gilbert

Match Reports - A Grade - 12 April 14 - 3

Young un’s focussed on Capt. Dan

Josh P and Riley

Josh Paver putting another

one over!

The B’s looking smart in their new ADMA sponsored shirts, thank you ADMA

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown

Under 12s

Under 10s

Under 10s

Match Reports - B Grade - 12 April 14

Eltham B's vs. Maroondah

Another beautiful day at the Bridge street grounds saw Eltham B's squaring off against our old nemesis Maroondah. Each side enjoyed comprehensive wins in week one of the competition, with Eltham's 41 point shutout victory and Maroondah with a 73 point victory over Ballarat. From first glance, there appeared to be lots of new young faces in the Maroondah side. They would prove to be the better team on the day. All those bounces that went our way week one weren't so kind this week.

The first half was marred by indiscipline, dropped balls and giving away possession and Maroondah punished Eltham which each indiscretion. The opposition #10 was accurate with his foot off the tee and in open play and within the first quarter the hosts were behind 14-0. The score line held until half time as each team railed against one another in the usual Eltham B v. Maroondah slugfest.

The second half saw a re-energized Eltham side that attacked up front. Huge, rampaging runs from several forwards (Nick, JB, George, #21 and Lafi) moved the ball methodically inside the 22m line. With the ruck in the shadow of the Maroondah goal posts...George picked up and literally smashed his way through four defenders for the try, 14-7. It seemed Eltham would seize the momentum and rally for the second half. However, credit to Maroondah who regathered their efforts and scored a well-worked try through the backs that put their #15 across the line, 21-7. The good guys fought hard to get back into the game, but ball security and missed last passes took away multiple promising chances.

As time ticked away, Steely fell victim to a bit of soccer faking from a Maroondah back and earned a yellow card. This writer is convinced that rugby karma will eventually catch up with those who try to turn this beautiful game into the farce that soccer has become! In a bit of irony, being a man down saw some our best rugby of the day. Rob V. caught the penalty goal that was short of the posts and raced out the 50 m line. The 'seasoned veteran' Stefan K., went with the quick pick and 'raced' 5 metres before putting it wide to Azza, who drew the last defender and put it back inside. Unfortunately, it wasn't our day as the dropped ball stopped the rally. Off the turnover, Maroondah swung it wide and took it down the opposite sideline for the final tally of 26-7. The bright side is we got the bad game out of our system and still held Maroondah to 26 points and kept them from earning a bonus point. I'm certain the boys will be itching for another shot at Maroondah as the season wears on. Andy Gilbert

Steely’s x3

Josh A on the charge

Oi! Don’t wreck our new shirts

Who are they pointing at?

Newbie Tasi on the charge!

Scary, Pete?

Even more intimidating Nick!

The Under 16s Promising Pre-Season

Courses

Junior 7s Northern RUC, Reservoir

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Post Match Antics Rookies Night!

Eltham RUFC Seniors Welcomes: Dan Michau, Brad Graf, Josh Guy, Will Johnston, Ben Muratore, Josh Paver, Te Rimene, Luke Zykowski, Josh Abrahams, Junior Faialaga, Shannon Mason, Nikora Te Aute, Norton West, Matt Davis, Tasi Lemi, Teancum Morrison, Luke Ruhi-Te Aute, Taeoalii Taealii, James Harmer, Tom Nixon, Sam Vettorelli, Sunia Batina, Christian Stander, Brett Kelly, Colm O’Mahony, Steve Bell, Asaeli Nava, Will Taurima, Mike Haggie, Eric Voller and Paul Rowland.

Former ERUFC Juniors

Please send articles, photographs and match reports to: membership@eltham

rugby.com.au

Notices and Courses Mouth Guards $15 at Clubhouse Bar

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

To purchase tickets :

1. Choose the category and quantity of tick-

ets you wish to purchase.

2. Visit a Ticketmaster Outlet, call 1300 136

122 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.au on

the date tickets go on sale.

2014 MRCR Courses

Juniors’ Boot Exchange is back! Boots too small? Swop ‘em. Gold coin donation to 2014 club charity “Very Special Kids” requested.

ERUFC Team Managers’ Meeting - Clubhouse - Wed 23 April 6:30pm

Junior Season

2014

Starts Sat 3

May

Fixtures will be

distributed

ASAP

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Season 2014 Player Sponsorship

Sponsor a Senior Player!

U10 Photographs courtesy of Andy Brown Season 2014 Player Sponsors……………………...Thank You

Sponsor Player Allocation

Experior Amir Samuels

Experior Sam Vettorelli

Trees R Us Riley Bain

Trees R Us Colm O'Mahony

Sheren Electrical Rick Murphy

Lachlan Yeats Joshua Guy

Heath Yeats Aaron Hall

Dovagate Nick Steel

Dovagate Alex Steel

The Shed Company Tony Keach

Knox City Sportsco Oliver Reid

Zen Fitness Personnel Training Marika Navuni

Adams Family Norton Fenton

Southwood Family Michael Wehipeihana

David Griffiths IT Services Isaac Haimona

Brent Hansen Dan Hall

Brent Hansen James Hansen

RFW Classic Cars Joshua Abrahams a

David Griffiths I T Services Brad Graf b

Vicki Ward (ALP Candidate for Eltham) Sam Judd b

Manester Family Joshua Paver b

RH Consulting Mark Southwood b

Grafcon Christian Stander b

Thank you for supporting this fund

raising effort. So far the appeal has

raised $1200 for special projects at the

club largely due to the perseverance of

committee member Chris Yeats. Chris

is also devoting significant effort to

progressing “build a gym” and creating

a seated spectator terrace.

A late surge in senior player sponsor-

ship has persuaded Chris to expand

player sponsorship to all the seniors.

So please try to persuade a business

that you use regularly to “Sponsor a

Senior Player”

Dovagate

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Dates for your diary:

Date Day

Time Description Location Comment

18-Apr

Fri 19:40 Rebels vs. Force AAMI Park Tickets: melbournerebels.com.au

Easter Weekend

21-Apr

Mon

from 6pm Training U10s, U12s, U16s

ERUFC U10s 6 to 7:15pm, U12s 6:30 to 8pm, U16s 6:30 to 7:30pm

22-Apr

Tue

6:30 to 8pm Senior Training ERUFC

6:30pm Coaching Kids Rugby Course

St Kevins College https://www.melbournerebels.com.au/community/access/coaching

23-Apr

Wed

6:30 to 7:30pm

Training U14s and U16s

6:30pm Manager's Information Session

ERUFC All Team Managers Welcome

Smart Rugby Course Maroondah RUC https://www.melbournerebels.com.au/community/access/coaching

24-Apr

Thu 6:30 to 8pm Senior & U8 Training & Social Evening

ERUFC U8s 6 to 7pm

25-Apr

Fri Anzac Day

26-Apr

Sat

13:30 B Grade away vs. Bendigo tba

15:10 A Grade away vs. Shep-parton

tba

28-Apr

Mon

from 6pm Training U10s, U12s, U16s

ERUFC U10s 6 to 7:15pm, U12s 6:30 to 8pm, U16s 6:30 to 7:30pm

29-Apr

Tue 6:30 to 8pm Senior Training ERUFC

30-Apr

Wed

6:30 to 7:30pm

Training U14s and U16s Melb Rebels Visit

1-May Thu 6:30 to 8pm Senior, U8 & U6 Training & Social Evening

ERUFC U8s 6 to 7pm

2-May Fri 19:40 Rebels vs. Sharks AAMI Park Tickets: melbournerebels.com.au

3-May Sat

U6

Pathway Gala ERUFC

U8

U10

U12

10:40 U14 ? ERUFC

11:40 U16 ? ERUFC

Easts U18

13:30

B Grade away vs. North-erns CH Sullivan Mem Park, Blake

St, Reservoir. (Melways 19 D9)

15:10 A Grade away vs. North-erns

14:00 Masters away vs. Melb Uni

Melbourne (Chargers) tbc

5-May Mon

from 6pm Training U10s, U12s, U16s

ERUFC U10s 6 to 7:15pm, U12s 6:30 to 8pm, U16s 6:30 to 7:30pm

Committee Meeting ERUFC Agenda Items to Secre-tary@elthamrugby.com.au

6-May Tue 6:30 to 8pm Senior Training ERUFC

7-May Wed

6:30 to 7:30pm

Training U14s and U16s ERUFC

6:30 - 9:30pm

Asst Referee (Touch Judge) Course

Box Hill RUC https://www.melbournerebels.com.au/community/access/coaching