Woollahra Colleagues History

1930s

In 1933 a group of young men who had left school in 1932, decided that although they desired to continue playing rugby, it was their wish that they remain together in the one club. However , in those days the rules of the Sydney Grade Rugby Union competition demanded that you played for the district club that you resided. Therefore as this group of young men came from many areas, it was decided to enter a team into the Metropolitan Sub-District competition and the name of the club would be Colleagues. This name engendered the feeling of mateship and friendship which was prevalent with the foundation members of the club, and which has been carried through the past 67 years.

The Colleagues first team played in the 1933 Whiddon Cup competition. In 1934 the Club fielded teams in both the Whiddon and Burke Cup competitions and in 1935 fielded 3 teams in the Whiddon, Burke and Kentwell Cup competitions. The Colleagues Rugby Club holds a unique record being represented in all 3 competitions for the last 65 years.

It was not until 1937 that Colleagues won their first competition, which was actually the 1937 Club Championship. In 1938 the Colleagues successfully defended this title then again the following year in 1939. A competition record which still stands today.

1940s

After continually dominating the Metropolitan Sub-District Competition in the late 30’s It was not until 1941 when he first actual cup competition was won by the Colleagues. Not surprising it was the first of many Kentwell Cups.

The Colleagues played their early seasons on Lyne Park, Rose Bay. After World War Two the Colleagues trained on Rushcutters Bay Oval and home matches were played on the Cranbrook Playing Fields. From 1948 to 1956 the Committee was able to secure the Woollahra Park No2 for training with use of the Log Cabin Hut on the hill as a small Club House. This Cabin is still used as a change room by Cranbrook School to this day.

1950s

In 1956 Colleagues paid the cost of erecting lights for night training and moved into their "new" Club House in the carpark adjacent to Woollahra Park No2. The Club house was actually transported from the flying base at Rose Bay a gift to the Colleagues from the Mayor of Woollahra who was actually the father of Bill Harvey one of the Kentwell Cup players at the time !! Apparently Fred Storch and John Barraclough were seen managing work crews of Colleagues rugby players toting wood and metal stays time after time to the new club house site (A unique training format).

The 1950's saw a number of outstanding victories for the Colleagues. In 1950 the Colleagues won the Kentwell Cup defeating Mosman 6-3 in the mud at Marrickville Oval. This was the first competition won by the Colleagues since 1941 and legend has it celebrations continued on for several days.

In 1955 the Colleagues fielded its first undefeated Kentwell Cup team captained by David Lynn. The nucleus of this team were also members of the 1957 side who were also premiers. In 1957 the Club first played in four cup competitions. Colleagues defeated arch rivals of the day Western Suburbs in both Kentwell and Burke Grand Finals. (The Burke Cup in extra time after a field goal at full time and then a try in the last seconds of extra time).

In 1958 Colleagues were again Club Champions with the Burke Cup being successful but the Kentwell losing in the Grand Final to Wests after John Corlis's normally reliable boot proved costly. 1959 was another memorable year for the Colleagues as again the Kentwell Cup was undefeated, again the Club won the Club Championship the Burke were Minor Premiers and for the first time the Club won the Whiddon Cup beating Lindfield in the Final 9-8.

1960s

The 1960's were also good years for the Colleagues, In 1960 the Colleagues won the Club Championship, the Kentwell Cup and for the first time fielded six teams in competition. Along with the Kentwell Cup there was the Burke A and B and the Whiddon A, B and C teams. 1961 saw the continuance of the Colleagues dominance in the Burke Cup. Also an interesting situation, the Burke A and the Burke B played in separate divisions of the same cup, and as would be expected they both found themselves in the major final for each division, heading for a Grand Final confrontation. Such was the Club spirit at the time, a vote was taken, the teams deciding they would not play each other in the Grand Final. This controversy subsided however after the Burke B lost their Final 14-9 (after leading 9-0 at half time). Team selection for this Burke Grand Final was intense with one position (open side breakaway) being decided by the toss of a coin. Coach, John Corlis and Captain, Nick Sabine selecting Tony Finnmore ahead of Charles Vandervord. This prompted what is said to be the quote of the decade from Charles Vandervord “play a blinder Tony because your playing for both of us”. Regarded as one of the finest Burke Cup teams ever to play for the Colleagues the 1961 side defeated the Australian School of Pacific Administration 36-5 in the Grand Final played that year at Woollahra Oval.

In 1962 Colleagues produced what is still regarded today as one of the fittest sides ever to win a Kentwell Cup. Averaging only 12 stone in the forwards, Captained by Jake Corner and coached by John Corlis, their tactics were to run the ball at every opportunity, demoralising their opposition by running them into the ground. Only losing one game (the first) of the season they went on to defeat Uni of NSW in the Grand Final 9-0. After losing both Kentwell and Burke Cup fullbacks in the first game of the year John Lyons was promoted from Whiddon and remained in the team for the rest of the season. Such was the dedication of the 1962 Kentwell Cup team that only 19 players played during the season and only once that year was team training one man short.

1963 was another Club Championship year for the Colleagues also another winning year for the Kentwell Cup. One of the features of the year being a stunning victory in the Kentwell Cup Grand Final. Playing the Bank of NSW at Drummoyne Oval with only 10 minutes of play remaining. Colleagues were trailing 6-3. With John Lyons having an off day with the boot prospects looked dim. In the dying second however inside centre John Noice scooted around the blind side and scored in the corner. Lyons astounded the crowd to make the conversion as the bell sounded. Coach, Dutchy Lamens and Captain, Dick Gibb were said to have shouted the bar till the wee hours of the morning.

It was 1964 when the Colleagues golden era came to an end. The Briars “Invincibles” were to dominate the competition for the next two years, although the Club Championship was again Colleagues in 1965.

In 1966 the Colleagues were again in the winners circle with victories for the Kentwell Cup and for the first time the Judd Cup (This cup has only been won twice in the clubs history) This season was notable for the Kentwell Cup overcoming overwhelming odds to beat a Lindfield side 11-9 a team said to have been stacked with All Black trialists. The Judd Cup even though winners of the competition were nick named the slowest team ever to play for the Colleagues. Captained by 5/8 Stormin Norm Palmer and Coached by John Corlis they humbled Lindfield at Concord 9-8. HH Barraclough stalwart of the day was heard to say “the race goes not always to the swift”.

1967 was another Championship year for the club, also winning was the Charles Vandervord coached Whiddon Cup side. The Kentwell Cup reached the grand final this year but were unable to take that final step losing to Lane Cove 16 –12. The Eddie Radford coached side were unfortunate to lose powerful second rower Dave Saywell with a broken collar bone in the Major Semi-final.

1968 At Colleagues saw a season of rebuilding with only the Burke Cup being victorious.

1970s

From 1969-1971 Colleagues again dominated the competition wining the Club Championship Bruce Graham Shield for three consecutive year. This was the second time the Colleagues had achieved this remarkable milestone in the history of the Sub-District Competition. 1970 The Colleagues Kentwell Cup defeated Newington 22-6 at Concord. After much debate Sandy Ross was declared Captain.

From 1971-1978 Colleagues found themselves under seige from several emerging clubs. Lindfield, Petersham and Hunters Hill proved to be worthy adversaries restricting the Colleagues to just wins in the Burke Cup in 1971, 1972, 1975 and 1977. These years were actually the start of a tradition within Colleagues to field a highly competitive Burke Cup team. Many were later to say it was the emergence of a Colleagues Kentwell B mentality.

Colleagues of this era will easily remember 1978. Colleagues although winning the Club Championship and being represented in every Grand Final at TG Milner were defeated at the hands of Hunters Hill in three of the four grades contested. The Hillies were ecstatic showing in their celebrations just how much it meant to them to beat the Colleagues.

1978 was something of a wake up call for the Colleagues and with a fresh approach (more mongrel, and a dose of winning spirit) adopted by new coach Kiwi Roger Monson the tide began to turn. The 1980’s would see the Colleagues being a part of a decade of successes.

1980-2005

The History of the Colleagues continues ...soon to be updated.