Sport Today

by **Leigh Gillespi** » Wed, 16 Apr 1997 04:00:00

* Saturday, April 12th 1997

HUNTER 18 def AUCKLAND 10 at Breakers Stadium, Newcastle
Hunter: Tries - Piccinelli 2, Carlaw 2
Goals - Zisti
Auckland: Tries - Hoppe, Ropati.
Goals - Ellis
Referee: T Mander
Attendance: 7,719

PERTH 6 def NORTH QUEENSLAND 4 at WACA Ground, Perth
Perth: Tries - Bell
Goals - O'Neill
North Queensland: Goals - J Doyle 2
Referee: S Clark
Attendance: 9,701

* Sunday, April 13th 1997

BRISBANE 20 def ADELAIDE 10 at Adelaide Oval
Brisbane: Tries - Langer, Smith, Devere, Lee
Goals - Lockyer 2
Adelaide: Tries - Simonds, Pierce
Goals - Rigley
Referee: B Grant
Attendance: 17,633

CANBERRA 30 def PENRITH 20 at Bruce Stadium, Canberra
Canberra: Tries - Kennedy 3, Lightning, Priddis
Goals - Furner 3, O'Neal, Lightning
Penrith: Tries - Gower 2, Williams
Goals - Girdler 4
Referee: G Annesley
Attendance: 7,134

* Monday, April 14th 1997

CANTERBURY 16 def CRONULLA 6 at Shark Park
Canterbury: Tries - El Masri 2, Ryan
Goals - Halligan 2
Cronulla: Goals - Rogers 3
Referee: B Halligan
Attendance: 15,108

* Points Table - After seven rounds...

W D L PF PA Pts
BRISBANE 7 - - 168 76 14
PENRITH 5 - 2 190 132 10
CRONULLA 4 - 3 121 98 8
CANTERBURY 4 - 3 140 133 8
PERTH 4 - 3 122 122 8
Auckland 3 - 4 97 134 6
Hunter 2 - 5 130 122 4
Adelaide 2 - 5 102 144 4
Canberra 2 - 5 130 184 4
North Queensland 2 - 5 102 157 4

Catchya round, Leigh

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Leigh T. Gillespie * "It takes leather balls *
* Phone - Australia (077) 791219 * to play Rugby!" *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

by **Wade Singlet** » Wed, 16 Apr 1997 04:00:00

Where's the usual commentary Leigh? It's the only report on SL games that
I respect and I appreciate the effort you put in. Maybe your really busy
up there in Townsville or your depressed about the Cowboys lack of form!
:-)

by **Leigh Gillespi** » Wed, 16 Apr 1997 04:00:00

Quote:

> Where's the usual commentary Leigh? It's the only report on SL games that
> I respect and I appreciate the effort you put in. Maybe your really busy
> up there in Townsville or your depressed about the Cowboys lack of form!
> :-)

Both but more the former. I did have a few things to say but not
too much as it's been a bit of a bad week all round for RL (just add the
attendances for both camps and you'll see what I mean). For my part I
didn't do my usual write up last night as by the time I got around to
doing the results it was already midnight and I had an exam on this
morning (which I've just finished as I write this). Usually I would've
written my comments earlier in the afternoon but I just never got around
to it. So anyway as you've given me the opportunity here's a couple of
things to go on with...
The Cowboys played tremendously considering the odds against them
(both with injuries, suspension, representative interruptions and the
longest away trip in world RL) and they were terribly unlucky not to win.
But I was still mighty pissed off when they lost and moreso in the manner
in which they did. 77th minute, up 4-0 and Death knocks on 35 metres out
from his own line. In ensuing set of six Perth score and then Julian
O'Neill kicks the conversion from the sideline. On the flip side it's
great to see Perth churning along so well. And the crowd of 9,000+ while
still disappointing by my (admitedly high) benchmarks is a good sign that
perhaps if the Reds can continue their form that the crowds might start
coming back.
And one other random thought before I finish. It may have escaped
the notice of some but we're already coming up to round eight of an
eigh*** round season. Time is fast running out for those off the pace at
the bottom of the ladder (read Canberra, NQ and Hunter). In Canberra's
case things are likely to get better as the majority of their early
matches were against the tough sides therefore a greater percentage of
their remaining games will be against the lesser lights.
On the other side, the Cowboys have blown this season big time.
With a draw like Adelaide, Perth, Penrith, Hunter in the opening four
rounds (and the first three at home) they should've been off to a flier.
Now that may sound a bit harsh considering how Perth and Penrith have gone
since then but IMO with the home crowd and the influx of talent I think
the Cowboys should be beating these sides regardless. I see a lot of
parallels between them and Parra and as for that team I think the excuse
"we're still gelling" is wearing a bit thin.

Catchya round, Leigh

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Leigh T. Gillespie * "It takes leather balls *
* Phone - Australia (077) 791219 * to play Rugby!" *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

by **andrew hal** » Thu, 17 Apr 1997 04:00:00

snip...

It may have escaped

Quote:

> the notice of some but we're already coming up to round eight of an
> eigh*** round season. Time is fast running out for those off the pace at
> the bottom of the ladder (read Canberra, NQ and Hunter). In Canberra's
> case things are likely to get better as the majority of their early
> matches were against the tough sides therefore a greater percentage of
> their remaining games will be against the lesser lights.
> On the other side, the Cowboys have blown this season big time.
> With a draw like Adelaide, Perth, Penrith, Hunter in the opening four
> rounds (and the first three at home) they should've been off to a flier.

Well Leigh your lads have this week to cement Canberra's place at the
bottom, then play the inconsistant Warriors before they have to come
down here to face a team ready to make up for what they should have done
in the first round.

Better make the most of the next two weeks 'cause your boys will have
little hope against our mighty Rams ( plus the 18000 cheering them on)
:-)

Looking farward to it,
Andrew.
Go the Rams!

by **Fred** » Fri, 18 Apr 1997 04:00:00

Quote:

>On the other side, the Cowboys have blown this season big time.
> With a draw like Adelaide, Perth, Penrith, Hunter in the opening four
> rounds (and the first three at home) they should've been off to a flier.
> Now that may sound a bit harsh considering how Perth and Penrith have gone
> since then but IMO with the home crowd and the influx of talent I think
> the Cowboys should be beating these sides regardless. I see a lot of
> parallels between them and Parra and as for that team I think the excuse
> "we're still gelling" is wearing a bit thin.

> Catchya round, Leigh

Not being a Cowboys fan I was wondering, on your opinion as to why
the disappointing form this season ?

Looking at the team on paper the only obvious reason, would be the
inexperience of the backline.
I was shocked over the summer when Adrian Vowles was released and
similarly to date have been surprised by the (seemingly) continual
omission of the Dunemann brothers at half and 5/8.
Also been surprised that it took so long for Marshall Miller to
get back into the top grade.

by **Schraade** » Fri, 18 Apr 1997 04:00:00

Quote:

> Where's the usual commentary Leigh? It's the only report on SL games that
> I respect and I appreciate the effort you put in. Maybe your really busy
> up there in Townsville or your depressed about the Cowboys lack of form!
> :-)

See up to date Canterbury reports at:
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/2604/97review.html

by **Chris Gat** » Sat, 19 Apr 1997 04:00:00

On Tue, 15 Apr 1997 13:28:20 +1000, Leigh Gillespie

Quote:

> The Cowboys played tremendously considering the odds against them
>(both with injuries, suspension, representative interruptions and the
>longest away trip in world RL) and they were terribly unlucky not to win.
>But I was still mighty pissed off when they lost and moreso in the manner
>in which they did. 77th minute, up 4-0 and Death knocks on 35 metres out
>from his own line. In ensuing set of six Perth score and then Julian
>O'Neill kicks the conversion from the sideline. On the flip side it's
>great to see Perth churning along so well. And the crowd of 9,000+ while
>still disappointing by my (admitedly high) benchmarks is a good sign that
>perhaps if the Reds can continue their form that the crowds might start
>coming back.

I think we'll get better crowds if the Reds continue their good form.
Sat night away to Hunter without Howe, O'neill, Geyer, Ryan among
others will be a good indicator.
However, since one of your interests is in crowd numbers, Leigh, I
thought I'd pen a few facts. Which you probably already know.
The WACA is a totally unsuitable venue for RL from a spectators point
of view. The only "good" vantage points are the Lillee/Marsh stand and
the Members stand-the one which always looks (but is not in fact)
totally deserted in telecasts. The LM stand is booked out with Reds
Members. The many empty seats in the members area are not available to
the public. The seats left are fine for Aussie Rules or cricket but
people don't wanna fork out top dollar to watch RL from them. And who
could blame them.
The Reds admin has done market research in this area and it showed
that seating was far and away the biggest reason for the drop off in
crowd figures last year. Obviously the Reds' poor form and the "war"
had their part to play also.
This year the field has been moved 20M towards the city end ,that's
where 9000-odd of the 1000-odd crowd sit.And why there seems to be
nobody there in TV coverage.( but what a noisy bunch of nobody's)
Unfortunately the previous Admin had signed a five year deal with the
WACA. They have looked at other options but the WACA will not let them
out of the deal.
Looks like eventually there is to be built a "Football Stadium"
(rectangular) to accommodate the Reds and Glory. The sooner the
better.Thats when they'll start to get the crowds back.

regards
Chris.

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