Above photo: Peter Oliver Imagery
Happy Sunday,
Only two games of senior rugby this week, and both were narrow losses (one by three points, one by two) to the men’s teams from Queanbeyan Whites. Two great games, very little niggle and and a very enjoyable club to play against.
Change to Women’s competition: The reason there was no women’s match was due to the Women’s team leaving the Premiership XVs competition and being fitted into the Women’s 10s. It was a very difficult and unfortunate decision to take but in the end it was necessary. The numbers just haven’t been there after a significant player exodus after last year’s premiership winning year. As always, fantastic support by Mat Vowles and his team at ACT Brumbies Rugby found a solution for the Goulburn Women. The competition they are moving into is split into two conferences, labelled Canberra and Country, with Goulburn now playing in the former. Their first match will be against Batemans Bay at home next weekend and we hope all supporters that are in Goulburn next weekend can get their and cheer them on as they make this transition. And any women that want to join the team (whether they are a returning Dirty Red, a player that has played elsewhere or a complete novice) would be very welcome on board. Please contact Ash Mewburn at ash_kara4@hotmail.com if interested.
Ben Pearson presents his son Jack with 1st grade jumper: As many of you will know, the Goulburn Rugby Union Football Club is a generational club. Names like Reardon, Cooper, Tabner, Kara, Dougall and many others have graced our fields across several generations. This year Jack Pearson, son of former player, coach and Life Member Ben Pearson, began his senior rugby journey with Goulburn Rugby, and it hasn’t taken him long to be selected in the top grade. He’s had one appearance as a reserve already and yesterday marked his starting debt. And of all positions, he is playing in the number two jumper frequently worn by his old man. Ben Pearson got the opportunity to present his son Jack with his 1st Grade Goulburn Rugby jumper before yesterday’s match. Real touching, circle of life stuff and possibly the faintest hint of a tear to a few eyes. For the record, Jack went on to have a very impressive game and the Reds would be very glad to hang on to him for many years to come.
Kevin “Bubby” Fitzsimmons named as a Life Member: Another bit of news from this week was the presentation of Life Membership to Kevin “Bubby” Fitzsimmons at a Special Geneneral Meeting on Wednesday 14 May. Bubby is the sort of bloke you probably already thought was a Life Member. His time achievements and contributions to Goulburn Rugby include playing Under 18s from 1970-1971, then after returning from five years playing for Wests in Canberra, picking back up as a senior player for the Reds from 1977-1979. He took on the job of first grade manager in 1980, committeeman in 1981, thirds grade coach from 1982-1984, and in 1985 became the last Goulburn Rugby coach to coach a Goulburn team, if only briefly, in the John I Dent Cup. In 1986 he was the President, 3rd grade coach and co-founder of the Fermented Reds, for the next five years a committeeman and occasional Fermented Red, did three more years as President (1992, 1995 and 1996) and was on the committee in the between years. He also inaugurated the Kevin “Bubby” Fitzsimmons Encouragement Award for players that weren’t necessarily top tier or earning other accolades but who continued to work their arses off.
As Life Members John Bell and Gary Stephens, both contemporaries of Bubby, said at the Meeting, Bubby was the sort of bloke who would just pick up a touchy flag, or sell raffles or do any job that needed doing. And as other Life Members Matt Klem and Shaune Martin said, he steered the club through tough times and was president of the club when it was financially on the bones of its arse, and was at the helm when we opened up Poidevin Oval. It has been a long and significant role with the Dirty Reds, and one now officially recognised with Life Membership. Well done, Bubby Fitz.
Ok, let’s get to the rugby.
Juniors
Each week we would like to include match reports, pics, social media or ANYTHING from the junior games. If you can message me at cgordon1965@gmail.com or on Facebook (I’m easy to find) and I’ll try to include what I can here. Even if you send it to me today, I will continue to update this story as things come in.
Seniors
Click on hyperlinks for score sheets, reports and further details.
ACT Third Grade: Again, SO close for Goulburn 1st grade. After leading the competition leaders by 12-7 from the 29th minute through to the 64th, the Queanbeyan Whites fought back for a two-point win six minutes from the siren (there’s no actual siren). Lots of good footy, but not a consistent application across the match. Due to some good wins and close losses, Goulburn 1sts now find themselves still in the top four, and play the winless Gungahlin Eagles next weekend.
ACT Fourth Grade: The Dirty Twos took an eternity to switch on and get into the match in their 24-21 loss to Queanbeyan. It’s the second 24-21 loss to Goulburn 2nds and another near miss and while the team’s ability to fight back is unquestioned, and there are some stellar efforts from this very young side, their starts need some work (and a bunch of that comes down to attending training). Queanbeyan, the side they played, has had only two wins and is nonetheless in 3rd spot, so a good spot on the ladder is very catchable, but their next opponents are competition leaders Gungahlin so they’ll need to hit the ground running next week.
Around the Grounds:
ACT Premier Third Grade
- Queanbeyan 14 bt Goulburn 12
- Wests 55 bt Gungahlin 14
- Tuggeranong 21 bt Uni Norths 15
- Royals Bye
ACT Premier Fourth Grade:
- Queanbeyan 24 bt Goulburn 21
- Uni Norths 26 bt Tuggeranong 5
- Gungahlin 26 bt Wests 14
- Royals Bye
ACT Women’s 10s:
- Royals 51 bt Hall 7
- Uni Norths 51 bt Batemans Bay 7
- Jindabyne 44 bt Yass 7
- Cooma 24 bt Bungendore 12
- Goulburn Bye
- ADFA Bye
- Easts Bye
Tables:
Check your stats
Next Round
Birthdays this week
Birthdays this week
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20 May 2002 (22)
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