Illawarra Stingrays tough finish but take premiership

The Illawarra United Stingrays and Manly had much to play for in their 20th round clash at J. J. Kelly Park. For the Stingrays it was the chance to tie up the Arrive Alive premiership and for Manly a chance to get closer to the second position for two bites at finals time.
 
In such a crucial game the Stingrays were shocked to hear coach Brett Wallin would not be at the game due to a family problem. Up stepped Brad Cocker and Jess Cooper to show the way.
 
The game started evenly and in the 7th minute Manly showed they meant business when out of nowhere E. Bates showed deft touch to slip the ball over a diving Sarah Gollop to send Manly to the lead. This spurred the Stingrays and they went immediately on the attack but solid defence from Manly denied them time and time again.

In the 17th minute Michelle Carney took it upon herself to do some damage and she was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Michelle calmly stepped up and fired the ball to the right of the keeper into the back of the net. Unfortunately an early movement saw the penalty taken again and this time Carney kept her cool and fired it again to the right of the keeper - 1 all and game on.

Manly had few chances for the rest of the first half but the Stingrays found their way through the defence a couple of times only to see the final shot go wide. One all at half time was the same score as Koalas and Macarthur the other main game of the round which would affect the final placings on the ladder.

The second half was even and both teams had early chances but failed to put them away. The Stingrays were dominant and forced many corners only to see the Manly defence defend well. In the 63rd minute another corner by Ann Mayo saw the Manly keeper and one of her defenders clash and both hit the ground together. The ball came back into the area where Ash Connor volleyed into the back of the net 2 - 1 to the locals but wait a minute the referee recalls the ball and awards Manly a goal kick. The score remains 1 all until the 87 minute when Manly break fast down the left and Morrison sends a curling ball into the top left hand corner. Manly up 2 – 1. Word comes through that the score at other game is 2 all and the Stingrays maybe lucky and have the other result go their way even if they lose.

Minutes of frantic attack come to nothing and the referee calls full time. For only the third time this season the Stingrays have gone down but news has come through that the Koalas have upset Macarthur 4 - 2. Illawarra hold a five point lead with one round to play, so let the Stingrays celebrations begin. The first time a club has ever come up from Super League and won the first grade title. The Stingrays is the first club outside the Sydney area to win a title although not the way they would have liked it. The Stingrays are now undisputable ARRIVE ALIVE WOMENS PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (report from Rob Mckie).

In other matches, the reserve grade lost 2 – 1, the under 16s drew 1 all, the under 14s lost 1 nil and the under 12s won 1 nil.

For more stories on the Illawarra Stingrays go to: http://wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=3731

Wollongong’s under 16 and 18 teams in Premier Youth League Grand Finals

With victories in the Premier Youth League major semi-finals last weekend, Wollongong FC has both its under 16 and 18 teams in the grand finals on September 5. Both teams defeated Blacktown City with the 16s winning 3 – 2 and the 18s coming out on top by 1 nil.

The under 13 team lost its major semi-final against Sydney Olympic 4 – 2 in extra time but still has another chance to qualify for the grand final if it can defeat Blacktown City in preliminary final on Saturday August 29 at 8.45am at Football NSW’s Valentine Park.

Details of the final series involving Wollongong teams are as follows:

Under 13:
Major Semi Final: Sydney Olympic 4 defeated Wollongong 2 in extra time
Preliminary Final: Wollongong v Blacktown City, 8.45am on Sat 29 Aug
The winner of the preliminary final will meet Sydney Olympic in the grand final on Saturday 5 September.

Under 16:
Major Semi Final: Wollongong 3 defeated Blacktown City 2
Preliminary Final: Blacktown City plays Sydney Olympic for the right to meet Wollongong in the grand final on Saturday September 5 at 2pm.

Under 18:
Major Semi Final: Wollongong 1 defeated Blacktown City nil
Preliminary Final: Blacktown City plays Manly United on Saturday 29 August for right to meet Wollongong in the grand final at 3.30pm on Saturday 5 September.

Previous SportsLive reports on the Wollongong Premier Youth League teams can be found at: http://wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=3462

More results and the draw can be found at http://www.soccernsw.com.au/index.php?id=78

Illawarra Baseball final round results and semis draw

First Grade final round results:
Dapto Chiefs 8 Berkeley Eagles 6
Wests Cardinals 27 Kiama Braves 6
Northern Pirates 14 Shoalhaven Mariners 9

Major Semi Final: Dapto Chiefs v Wests Cardinals
Minor Semi Final: Berkeley Eagles v Northern Pirates

Wollongong Roller Hawks take out Razorbacks

The Wollongong Roller Hawks have defeated the West Sydney Razorbacks 89 – 73 despite being without Australian representative Tristan Knowles (in Spain) and Canadian representative Yvon Roulliard (returned to Canada for national duties).

Major contributors for the Rollers were Reo Lewis (29 points, 8 rebounds), Brett Stibners (23 points, 16 rebounds, 14 assists), Shawn Russell (15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) and Luke Popple (12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists). 

Next games for the Roller Hawks are at home (Shellharbour Stadium) on Friday night against Adelaide and then on Saturday against Wentworthville Wheelkings.

For more Roller Hawks stories go to: http://wollongong.sportslive.com.au/index.pl?page=1168

Calling all new junior coaches and managers - Introduction to Cricket

Cricket Australia would like to have every junior club cricket coach/manager achieve the minimum Introduction to Cricket accreditation level.

Any unaccredited coach/manager or volunteer is encouraged to at least complete the on-line course. For details go to: www.cricket.com.au/introductiontocricket

It was agreed at the recent Coaches Conference to use the Illawarra Association as a pilot program to hopefully have every junior club cricket coach/manager achieve the minimum Introduction to Cricket accreditation level. 

For more details go to:  www.cricket.com.au/introductiontocricket

Illawarra Junior Cricket representative trials

Illawarra Junior cricket has announced the dates and locations of representative trials. The open trials are as follows:

Under 12: Saturday 12 September, from 2pm at Figtree Oval

Under 13: Sunday 13 September, from 2pm at Keira Oval

Under 14: Sunday 6 September, from 2pm at Keira Oval

Under 15: Saturday 5 September, from 2.30pm at Figtree Oval

Under 16: Saturday 5 September, from 1pm at Keira Oval

For further details contact Paul Brockley on: Rep_coord@cricketillawarra.org.au

What's on around NSW with Sport and Recreation

NSW Sport and Recreation runs programs that will help you get active, improve your fitness or try a new sport. For more details of what’s on in the region go to: http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/active/whatson.asp

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