Rugby Overview Season 1993

 

RUGBY OVERVIEW FOR SEASON 1993

 

In my opinion Old Collegians, in the season 1993, did not live up to the early season promise. 1 believe our pre-season work was the best 1 have known in my 10 years at the club. The pre-season camp at Mylor was very well run and all attendees benefited from the instruction. Rob Sadler and Mike Von Berg carried on from the Mylor camp with a pre-season fitness program that was brilliant in its variation. Whilst this program was undoubtedly tough on the players you could literally see the improvement in fitness in all the players. Consequently, Old Collegians hit the paddock for the first game fitter than they have ever been.

 

The first eight weeks of the season were highly frustrating due to the SARU producing a fixture list with a "play one week have two weeks off" theory to it. This, coupled with Adelaide University failing to field an A Grade side, meant that we were seriously short of match practise even though the season was a third of the way through its program. This should not be seen as an excuse for our season's performance, as it can be rightly said that all clubs were affected by the disjointed fixture fist.

There is no doubt in my mind that Old Collegians, for whatever reason, went off the boil shortly before the halfway point of the season. This was reflected in the attendance at training, particularly on the Tuesday night. If there is only a 60% attendance at training from the first three senior sides of the club then we have no right, as coaches or players, to expect a premiership at the end of the season. The hard fact is that 60% are carrying the other 40%, and to make matters worse the other 40% do not seem to care. If I had put m the land of pre-season effort that some players did, I would not feel kindly disposed to those "team" players who consistently missed training.

 

The following are brief summaries of each team's performance:

FIRST XV (COACH - MIKE VON BERG)

The side finished third after the minor rounds. Serious injuries to James Rohrshiem Tim Austin, and David Hargreaves did not help the balance of the side. Numerous combinations, especially in the backs, were chosen in an attempt to capitalise on good ball won by the forwards. There were times when our forward pack really looked the goods. Nick Porter had an excellent season back with Old Colls and thoroughly deserved his award at the end of the season. Top efforts throughout the year also came from Scott Biggs and Ollie Porter. Young players who showed promise of things to come were Simon Allen and Jason Lynch.

In the finals we disposed of Burnside 19-11, then lost narrowly to Brighton 10-6. in replaying Burnside, for the right to face Brighton in the Grand Final, we were comprehensively beaten.

 

SECOND XV (COACH - HAMISH CRANNA)

A disappointing end to a season that started with a lot of promise. The side fell into a hole in the middle of the season and left its run for the finals too late. We finished fifth after the minor rounds which meant sudden death all the way in the finals. The side was ably led by Chris Latham with good season performances from Ben Suttell, Geraint Compton and Greg Gantley

We won our first final easily against West Torrens, who unfortunately used roughhouse tactics all day, consequently we lost Geraint Compton and Guy Lithgow for our next match, which we lost to Onkaparinga 8-7.

 

XV (COACH - TONY BENNETT)

Played well throughout the season and deserved a better finish than fourth after the minor round. However this side showed tremendous team spirit during the finals and was our only representative side on Grand Final day. Their performance in coming from a half-time deficit of 14-0 against Onkas was inspiring and a gutsy effort. The final against Brighton saw the lads go down 19-11. Congratulations must go to Tony Bennett, who in his first year as coach led the side very well. We wish Tony all the best in his job in Sydney.

Good season performances from Andy Marshallsay, Ian Weir and Comet.

 

FOURTHS (COACHES - EDWARD SUTTELL, HARRY CLARK & CHRIS CUSHING)

Finished third after the minor rounds and therefore got the double chance in the finals. This side was led well in the first half of the season by Chris Cushing who gave way, due to work commitments, to Edward Suttell. Harry Clark looked after the 4B's and must take credit alongside his players for the achievements of the club fourths.

They won their first final against S. Suburbs 7-7 ( haven't got time to explain it) and then lost to Brighton and Onkaparinga. This side may have lacked experienced " finals hardened" players but they did not lack effort or commitment. Good performances from Chook (can't think of his name), Aaron Clark and George Bobaly.

 

Thanks must go to the selectors, Bob Stafford-Lee and Mick Finn, as well as Murray Curran, Inge Nieman, Jane Cushing and Sandy Douglas for their first-aid efforts all season. My thanks also to the team managers.

In conclusion I must repeat my earlier comment about training and say to all players, however corny it may sound that,

"It's not how you start - It's how you finish".

As a club we have the quality players to win premierships in all grades. We just lack the inner motivation to maintain that effort for a full season. Be assured that all successful sides, in any sport, have the regular training ethic mastered.

Hamish Cranna

Rugby Committee