Overview of the season

1st Grade 2004

One of the features of the 2004 division 1 playing season was the reduction in the number of teams from eight to six participants. Burnside and Elizabeth opted to play in Division 2 and competed against University and second XV's from other clubs. We trust that at least two of the abovementioned clubs will be back in the top division in 2005 and be stronger competitors than in recent years.

The S. A. R. U. needs viable teams in division 1 from as many areas as possible. The tournament structure for 2004, however, helped to eliminate the huge match winning margins that occurred in 2002 and 2003. Teams could look forward to good games each week.

Colls finished the minor round in second place, behind Brighton. Brighton lost 5 matches out of 20, while we lost 8. A glance at the premiership table shows that we had many more points scored against us than Brighton, and gained fewer bonus points, so Brighton were worthy winners of the premiership trophy.

Colls set a firm foundation for finishing second, by beating every team except Port Adelaide in the first round of games, and then had mixed fortune weekly before losing three of the last four minor round matches. We started the season with a number of new young players and gained a few more during the year so, together with some regular members from the past, we had a useful blend of youth and experience in the side.

Like every other team, we had to contend with injuries and players moving away, but we found capable replacements in the Club to fill the resultant gaps. When the finals started, we played some of our best rugby this season. Brighton won the semi final by overtaking our score in the last two minutes of the game, and we lost the preliminary final to Souths in extra time.

Clearly, we need to improve next season and make every game a winner, especially the finals. We should look upon 2004 as a year of successfully rebuilding the team and continue the improvement next year. The nucleus of a championship-winning side exists, particularly among the younger players, so let's hope the right mix of encouragement and coaching brings success.

... James Diack, September 2004

2nd Grade 2004

A Rugby Season has come and gone and the "Two's" fortunes have been up and down all season. As if it wasn"t hard enough to win games on our own merit the Two's had to deal with no less than three clubs dropping their first division teams into the seconds to remain "competitive"! Elizabeth, University and Burnside all defaulted to the Second Grade comp because of supposed deficiencies in their clubs. On top of that; the decision by SARU to effectively excise the Two's from Old Collegians game day meant that we could neither support the First Grade or be supported by the Crocs in all but three or four games for the entire season. Now that's out of my system!!

Not withstanding those little hiccups the Two's had some great early successes in the year, ably led and inspired by Callum Mackie as captain; and we had our narrow losses and rarely were we ever beaten by more than a few tries. The Two's showed great heart throughout the season and never ever gave in and always fought to the very end. After Callum's departure mid-season due to recent nuptials, both Mark Goode and our much loved "Irish" Wilson in his comeback/retirement season led the side with great leadership, and courageous rugby- by-example!

The great thing about the Two's season this year, was the abundance of talent and heart that the young blokes showed at every opportunity. These young guys really are an extension of the One's and when you think about that; what a depth of potential and commitment this club maintains. Our final three games for the season were against the three pseudo-Second Grade teams. We only needed to win one to carry into the finals, which proved to be a mammoth task; which we really only just missed out on! But we finished the season the way we started it with minimal support and we came out and went down fighting to the very end.

As the oldest playing member of the Two's this year, I can say it was my great pleasure and privilege to conclude my rugby playing career after returning to SA in December 2001, with the 2nd Grade of Old Collegians. A pleasure because I Didn't expect to be playing Rugby this late along in my life, (I even got to back up and start a couple of games in the One's woohoo!). And a privilege to be playing with such a great bunch of lads in the best Rugby Union Club in Australia. Thanks boys and girls!

Great thanks and best wishes go to our friend and coach Jamie Brennan for an excellent job and to the ever faithful and passionate Ian Walker for his team management and leadership. Also for the wonderful support from the medical staff Michael and Bec, and most especially to Kate Denley who was there every time to support us when we needed her. And most of all to the supporters and families of the Old Collegians who unflinchingly gave their support to us every week when we were on our own.
Thank you so much and of course good luck and best wishes for the future to those moving on and retiring - Callum Mackie, Kael Cooper, Mark Goode and "Irish" Wilson - thanks for the memories guys.

...Major Mick Renfrey