INAUGURAL AVIDA RUGBY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT TAKES OFF WITH A BLAST
Two quick tries in two minutes sink Batangas Eels, 37-33
8 | August 2017
SPORTS
RUGBY LEAGUE
Manila storms home at 9s
INAUGURAL AVIDA RUGBY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT TAKES OFF WITH A BLAST
RUGBY League, the game introduced by Australian connections and some Filipino-Australian players, reached another milestone in the Philippines, with players from teams Batangas Eels, Hunters and Manila Storm taking more local responsibility for the sport with the organisation of the inaugural Avida Rugby League 9s. Philippines National Rugby League( PNRL) board officials, Australians Dennis Gordon and Jason Carter made another trip from Sydney to Manila to officiate at the 9s tournament. Carter, the PNRL’ s juniors coach, said the tournament held at McKinley Hill, Emperador Stadium, Manila, was impressive.“ It was exciting and rewarding to watch these teams come together and play rugby league. Prelim esults were: Game 1- Manila Storm 18 def Hunter A 15; Game 2- Eels 22 def Hunters B 12; Game 3- Storm 40 def Hunter B 0;
FAST AND TOUGH: Action at the inaugural Avila Rubgy League 9s in Manila.
Game 4-Eels 10 def Hunter A 6; Game 5- Eels 30 def Storm 14; Game 6- Forfeit to Hunter B. Manila Storm scraped home in the final against Batangas Eels, 37-33, to take the title.
KAYLA FRANCHESCA wearing the Philippine Ice Hockey team colours. Inset: Kayla relaxed.
“ The game had everything you would want in a final,” Carter said. The Eels came out on fire scoring two quick tries. Then Manila fired back with two of its own. The Eels then scored twice again to lead, 21-13, at halftime.
Two quick tries in two minutes sink Batangas Eels, 37-33
The second half got even better, with the Eels scoring first to stretched the lead 29-13. Then things turned as the Manila Storm scored two quick tries to claw back within a try of the Eels. After some scrappy play the Eels found themselves crossed over to take the score to 33-29. With a couple of minutes to go the Eels looked to have it wrapped up when the Storm scored two quick tries in the last two minutes to take the title. •
SOCCER
Still loving his football at 35 years
RIGHT winger Tim Calvert helped North Sydney United( NSU) reserves burst into second place in the Premier League soccer competition this year. At press time, United was in second place on the table. In the last three games it defeated Lane Cove, 7-1, on July 8; Knox, 4-0, on July 15; and Old Barker, 1-0, on July 22.
Tim played striker in his first yearand-half with NSU, then help out in the midfield before returning to where his agility was best utilised in the forwards.
He had moved to NSU from the Normanhurst Sea Eagles( NSE), following a change of address, where he had played for 15 years as striker and midfielder player.“ I’ m still playing soccer because it’ s fun,” Tims says.
TIM CALVERT, right in red, clearsevades opposition defence.
I enjoy the challenge when winning those hard games.“ Plus, it keeps me healthy.“ But I think the best thing about it is playing with you’ re your friends and being part of a team.“ We win together; and importantly we celebrate together.
“ I play football because it’ s fun. I enjoy the challenge when winning those hard games.“ Plus it keeps you fit and healthy.“ I play where the coach assigns me but I like the position at Right Wing the best.”“ I will keep playing football as long as my body allows it.” •
NEWS IN BRIEF
Gift boxes to Ormoc kids
SANCSS Australia shipped 14 balikbayan boxes to displaced families at some upland barangays of Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines recently. The cartons contained toys, colouring books, clothing, pencils and sporting items for their children cartons contained toys, colouring books, clothing, pencils as well as sporting items intended for children of the displaced families..
SANCSS( short for Sanctuary Services) chairman Jaime Ramos said the boxes will be distributed in collaboration with members of Ormoc civic organisations such as Lions, Rotary and Kawanis clubs. The boxes are expected to arrive in Ormoc City between late Septembeer and early October 2017.
SANCSS Australia is a registered charity organisation in Australia. •
Sharing poetry in motion
‘ HARANA’ featured poetry and performances of three Filipino-Australian poets at the Art Gallery of NSW recently. Poet Eunice Andrada’ s performance about Mongrel Tongues, the violence of displacement and mosaic histories of the female body was delivered on August 5 and August 12, 2017. Merlinda Bobis’ performance was about Re-Membering Share Histories, artists and poets composing to recompose themselves and their histories on August 19. Gloria D, 2017. emillo’ s performance was about Sacrifice And Love, explore the idea of sacrifice and love through the experience of women on August 26. •