2023 Club Champions are finals bound

What’s in store

• Wrap up of ladies day 2023 and results vs Blue Mountains
• Hoff the great hits 200 games and Mike Bentley braves game 100
• Team by team finals insights
• This weekend’s action at Concord

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There was magic in the air on the morning of 5 August 2023 as we set up for the annual ladies day, unlike most Saturday mornings this magic was mixed in with some overcast clouds that threatened to shake the day up. The men from the mountains arrived in droves, hiring a bus to cart a full contingent of teams from 5ths to 1sts + colts.

With 150+ tickets sold the day began with a bang as the Sutherland Cup team ran riot to open the account, followed by convincing wins by Judd, Colties and Burke. Whiddon had a big task on their hands but came away victorious to secure a place in finals. Unfortunately Kentwell could not keep the winning streak going and went down in a very physical game to the second place Blue Mountains.

Once the rugby finished the party started and our very own Will Harris owned the night with a great performance on the guitar. Follow this link to watch a video of the day. //www.instagram.com/reel/CvmJK8rge2s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This weekend against Waverley Andrew Pahoff or “Hoff” will run on for his 200th game. A massive achievement for a renowned member of the Colleagues Community. He leads on the field with his actions and words contributing heavily to the sucess of the Juddies this year. Goodluck this weekend Hoff and that’s for everything you’ve given this club.

This weekend in a do or die semi final against Drummoyne Mike Bentley will run out for his 100th game as a Blue Giant. This barnstorming kiwi pops up wherever he is needed and has been a welcomed member of the Whiddon Cup team this year, leading the way with strong carries and defence. He’s also joined the committee this year and has already helped pull together some fantastic initiatives. We look forward to what the future holds but no doubt we’ll see you down at Blue Giant Stadium next year.

As the crowds rolled out of Blue Giant Stadium and the goal post pads were packed away one last time this season it was time to say goodbye to Saturday sport at our beloved Woollahara oval. Nevertheless, there is still a few jobs to do with all teams in contention for a premiership (apart from Kentwell).

Kentwell

Unfortunately after a slow start to the season but at times showing immense courage and bravery, our Kentwell men did not make the top four in order to qualify for finals. 2022 was always going to be hard to follow yet the boys at the top did a terrific job of leading the club on and off the field. They matched it with the best in Kentwell, taking down Hunters Hill (who finished first this year) yet let a few close games fall through their hands. Everyone has been extremely proud of the way these men fought this year with such a young team and we look forward to what lies ahead.

Burke

The theme has been consistent all year, along with the form of our Burke Cup team winning the last regular season game 25-5 against an improved Blue Mountains to finish minor premiers for 2023. Last weekend they took to the field for their major semi final to see who books a place in the grand final. Points came early to a composed Colleagues team, however late in the game Hunters Hill clawed their way back but didn’t get close enough, our men winning 29-23. Best of luck in the grand final fellas, everyone will be cheering you home.

Barbour

A roller coaster season (that seems to be the usual case with the Colleagues Barbour cup team) is coming home with a wet sail. Needing very specific results to go their way and margins to be exactly what they need, this team has blast onto the scene in the finals. The momentum began with a thumping win over Blue Mountains 71-0. The for and against points ensured they scraped into finals and they made the absolute most of it, dusting Drummoyne 22-7 in a great game. Good luck this weekend against St Pats.

Whiddon

Although finals looked unlikely mid season, the team found another gear winning all games aside from Mosman to book third place on the ladder. This result was bittersweet as the opponent they were to face in week one of the finals was Mosman. Wary of the size difference between both teams Colleagues adapted an expansive game plan that saw our little general George Mallat run in a hatrick. The game was finished by a try of the year contender where the majority of the team had hands on the ball at some stage to go 80 meters to score. Good luck this weekend against Drummoyne.

Judd

Juddies all in all had a great season finishing second on the ladder to book a spot in the major semi final against top spot Mosman. These whales rolled out a strong outfit but Colleagues were the first to score sending shock waves through Balmoral. From here it was a grind for our Juddies who held in there but could not overpower the Mosman outfit, going down 19-27. These men face a fired up Waverley team for a spot in the big dance this weekend.

Halligans/Sutherland

The shapeshifting Colleagues Halligan Cup team ran out for a top of the top of the table clash with Lindfield on the 12th August to decide who takes home the Halligan Cup. Lindfield had been strong in our previous encounter and maintained their solid defence and postive attack to come out winners 0-26.

Not to worry as this side has been picked in the top 4 of the Sutherland cup and faced Blue Mountains for the second time in three weekends, coming away winners 29-13. Their next task is against Mosman who went down to Waverley in the semi and will be looking to bounce back. Good luck this weekend lads.

Click here for the full sweep of results, team lists and highlights throughout the season.

A fresh shipment of merch has arrived from MJ Bale and a limited number of retro cotton Colleagues jerseys are available. Please reach out to Toby Cooke on 0438 144 874 with your size and preferred pickup option if you are interested.

Round 2 finals 26th August – Concord Oval

Grand final 2nd September – Concord Oval

This year, all Kentwell, Burke, Whiddon, Judd and Barbour Cup matches will be available live and on-demand via NSW Rugby TV app. Click here for full details.

Anyone can tune in to watch the games live or catch replays and highlights throughout the week.