We’ve got a few things to talk about this week… senior games, junior games, and the passing of a Goulburn Rugby Club great.

There were two hard-fought games at Poidevin Oval on Saturday… in first grade, an against-the-odds come-from-behind win with only 14 players on deck for the second half, and in reserve grade, a comfortable win by Royals.

While the ground announcer, in his excitement, may have mentioned that first grade had already earned the premiership, he may have gone off prematurely. Goulburn is still leading the first-grade table but due to some ridonculous scores in other games (see Around the Grounds below), the minor premiership is still up for grabs with Tuggeranong and Goulburn both in with a chance. Next weekend the Reds hit the road for the final home and away match of the year, taking on Queanbeyan at Queanbeyan. 

Seniors

• Men’s 1st grade: Goulburn 15 bt Royals 12
• Men’s 2nd grade: Royals 41 bt Goulburn 5

Juniors

There was footy again. The Fizzy Reds have been hard hit both by the weather and (as a result) the condition of Carr Confoy fields, but competition was all systems go on Friday night.

Every week we encourage teams to share their stories, photos and/or KFC Team Player of the Week winners, and this week we have received one to share with you. For any other teams/parents that want to share their details, you can still send them in and we’ll add them in here as well.

This match report comes from the Goulburn Under 8s.

“Best result so far for Goulburn 8s against comp leaders Crookwell Pups, going down 3 tries to one. The coach’s KFC Team Player of the Week award went to Toby Thrower with a strong game up front in defence and attack. He is easy to coach and one to watch. Pics are of Toby and a post-match team photo.”

Toby Thrower

Goulburn Under 8s

Vale Dave Pollock

This week saw the passing of a Goulburn Rugby great, Dave Pollock. Dave, a tall, formidable, no-nonsense prop and farmer, started with the Goulburn Rugby Club in the 1960s and was a mainstay of the club. In his post-rugby career, along with his wife Maree, Dave took on the primary caregiver role of grandsons Matt and Alex Gibbon who had been in a bad home environment and, by Matt’s own description, were little shits. As a remedy to their behavioural issues, Dave introduced them to rugby and they took to it like ducks to water.

Alex played in the Australian Sevens team and earned some Queensland caps, while Matt’s career took a few more steps, from playing for the Rebels, to Australia A and finally getting the call-up to Wallabies last weekend. Dave, in very poor health, had been hanging on to see Matt take the field as Wallaby #956 but passed away just a few days short of seeing that. Iain Payten has written a beautiful story about the family here.

Dave has been fondly remembered by his Dirty Red team mates and club supporters of the 60s and 70s, and will be sadly missed as a committed member of the Goulburn Rugby Family. As grandson’s of Dave’s, Matt and Alex will always be welcome into the Goulburn Rugby Family as well. 

Vale Dave Pollock.

Dave Pollock (centre) with grandsons Matt (left) and Alex (right).

Around the Grounds:

ACT 1st Division 1st grade:

• Goulburn 15 bt Royals 12
• Tuggeranong 94 bt Wests 7
• Uni-Norths 78 bt Gungahlin 0
• Queanbeyan Bye

ACT 1st Division 2nd grade:

• Royals 41 bt Goulburn 5
• Tuggeranong 66 bt Wests 7
• Gungahlin 48 bt Uni-Norths 12
• Queanbeyan Bye

Tables:

Check your stats

• 1st Grade stats
• 2nd grade stats
• Women’s stats
• Club stats

Next Round

Birthdays this week