Local baseballers play for Patriots as Queensland ends run
The Queensland Rams ended the New South Wales Patriots unbeaten run in the 2008 Claxton Shield Eastern Division by taking two wins in the best of three games series played at the Redlands Baseball complex in suburban Brisbane over the weekend.
In a closely fought series where all games were decided by one run, Queensland lost Friday’s game 5-4 but went on to win both games of Saturday’s double-header – 4-3 and 5-4.
Illawarra players Trent D’Antonio and Tim Atherton both played although D’Antonio was utilised in the offensive line-up for the first two games following a break of a small bone in a finger the previous weekend.
Despite the injury D’Antonio featured strongly for the Patriots in the first game batting in three runs in his 2 from 4 performance. Atherton, who is one of the leading hitters in the Eastern Division teams, was hitless in the first two games.
The third game saw D’Antonio start the game in the defensive team fielding at leftfield however he failed to continue his offensive performance.
New South Wales have a break in next weekend’s round five Eastern Division fixtures while the Australian Provincials take on Queensland in Canberra.
New South Wales will play the return home game series against Queensland to wind up the regular season games at Blacktown Olympic Park on February 1 and 2.
In the Southern Division results for round four Western Australia / Perth Heat sealed a post season position by defeating South Australia 2 games to 1 in their fixtures played at Woodlands Reserve, Adelaide.
Further Claxton Shield details are available at the Australian Baseball internet site –
www.baseball.com.au
Hawks players inspire as off-court fund raising continues
In an inspiring hometown display the Wollongong Hawks took the game to the Adelaide 36ers in the second half and prevailed by 115 -108. The Hawks trailed by 22-26 at the end of the first quarter and then 46-48 at half time. Then the 3300 strong crowd's roars helped the team to storm home to lead by 83-66 at the end of the third quarter. Despite an Adelaide rally the Hawks held on to win by 115- 108. Top scorers for the Hawks were Kavossy Franklin (26 pts, 4 rebounds, 7 assists), Cam Tegardth (19, 5, 0) and Matt Campbell (19, 6. 4).
Photo: Kavossy Franklin (from www.hawks.com.au)
The players hope that their efforts will inspire more of the community to support the Hawks current fund raising drive. Friends of the Hawks (FOTH) have a deadline of Thursday January 24 to complete a $750,000 fund raising campaign.
For funding details and ticketing for future games go to www.hawks.com.au
HAWKS FUTURE GAMES (Home team first)
Hawks vs. Dragons 25-Jan
Kings vs. Hawks 30-Jan
Hawks vs. Tigers 01-Feb
Hawks vs. Bullets 08-Feb
Razorbacks vs. Hawks 09-Feb
Hawks vs. Taipans 13-Feb
Bullets vs. Hawks 16-Feb
Bradman Cup rescheduled
The Bradman Cup, the under 16 country cricket championship was washed out (not surprisingly) at Coffs Harbour earlier in the month. It has now been rescheduled to the Australia Day long weekend into two carnivals (Southern and Northern). Illawarra travels to Cowra to play Western, Riverina and Southern (includes South Coast players) while North Coast, Newcastle, North Coast, Central Coast and Central North going to Coffs Harbour.
Illawarra Colts Squad for Country Cricket Carnival
The Illawarra colts squad has been selected to play in the Country Under 21 Colts Carnival from February 1 to 3 in Newcastle. The team is Amit Balgi, Brennan Boyall, Joel Brockley, Peter Broyd, Shannon Crewdson, Jamie Fleming, Hayden Hourne, Brad Jardine, Alex Lebsanft, Josh Lehane, aiden McCarten, Dylan Scott and Michael Toussis.
Other teams in the competition are Central Northern Zone, Central Coast, Southern, Western, Newcastle, Riverina and North Coastal. Illawarra’s first opponent will be Central Northern on February 1.
Junior Basketball at Shellharbour
Basketball competitions for young players are being organized for Sunday mornings at Shellharbour City Council’s Croom Rd Albion Park Stadium. Separate Competitions for Years 3 & 4 (junior) and Years 5 & 6 (senior). For details and registration ring 4257 3468.
Sydney FC’s soccer holiday clinics to be repeated at Easter
As the Christmas School Holidays camps just completed were fully booked out Sydney FC is running them again in the Easter school holidays in March. The club's fun School Holiday Clinics are for children aged between 6-16 years. The clinics cater for footballers of all skill levels with a focus on fun and enjoyment with the emphasis of the coaching centering around progressive skill drills and small sided games.
Clinics will be run at Macquarie University and Centennial Park. To register interest contact Chris Tyrrell at christophert@sydneyfc.com.
Want to know how to umpire in cricket at any level?
Tuesday February 5th 2008 sees the start of the next NSW Cricket Umpires Training Course. The course is designed for anyone interested in Umpiring and is a 4 night course covering all Laws with an optional Examination on night 5. The examination, if passed, makes an Umpire eligible to join the NSW Umpires and Scorers Association and put him or herself forward to stand in Grade or Shires Cricket.
However, the Course is also excellent for any School Teacher, Junior Club Coach, Parent or Cricketer wishing to develop the knowledge and confidence to Umpire a game of Cricket.
For further details contact David Townsend, Education and Development Manager, Umpires - Tel: 9339 0942; Mobile: 0425 841 393; www.cricketnsw.com ; www.nswblues.com
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