With winter tournaments culminating in epic showdowns and summer sports promising the hottest action in grassroots sport, it’s end of August madness for #TeamUNSW around the grounds.
AFL
Hopes of back-to-back premierships remain alive as both the UNSW Bulldogs men’s and women’s premier teams face perennial rivals Sydney University in the semi-finals at Blacktown Oval this weekend. If this season is anything to go by, this weekend will be nothing short of goosebump-inducing.
The men are the bookies' favourite after claiming the minor premiership, with the women qualifying in fourth position after their decisive win over the Southern Power in the final preliminary round.
The junior Bulldogs will face East Coast Eagles as they vie for the chance to face Sydney University in the grand final.
Full Results:
Men’s Premier Reserves defeated Sydeny Uni 20.10 (130) to 7.6 (48)
Women’s Division 2 lost to South West Sydney 1.3 (9) to 7.9 (51)
Men’s Division 3 defeated Macquarie Uni 9.6 (60) to 6.5 (41)
U19s Division 1 defeated St George 14.12 (96) to 9.5 (59)
RUGBY
I hate to say I told you so, but here we are. Last weekend the UNSW second grade took to the field, tough, mobile and courageous, slingshots a-slinging, to vanquish a Goliath in Forest Rugby Club.
Be at Concord Oval this Saturday as the UNSW second grade face Hunters Hill in the contest for the 2019 Stockdale Cup.
Full Results:
Stockdale Cup UNSW 18 def. Forest 14
HOCKEY
Can you smell that combination of sausage sizzle, electrolyte drinks, sunscreen and anticipation? It could only be au de semi finales. And the UNSW hockey players wear it well.
Show your support for #TeamUNSW, don your black and gold and venture out to support the Premier League men at Moorebank this Saturday and the Metro League women at Homebush on Sunday.
Full Results:
Women’s Metropolitan League
UNSW 1 tied with Briars 1 2-2
UNSW 2 lost to Macquarie Uni 1 2-1
UNSW 3 tied with Briars 2 1-1
UNSW 4 lost to Mac/Btown 2 0-1
Men’s Premier League
UNSW PL1 defeated Sydney Uni 5-0
UNSW PL2 lost to Moorebank Liverpool 0-6
UNSW PL3 lost to Moorebank Liverpool 1-2
UNSW PL4 defeated Moorebank Liverpool 4-0
NETBALL
After the final whistles of the 2019 preliminary rounds last weekend, the Blues will play the major semi final in B2 as favourites after securing the minor premiership, while the Dolphins will play in the major semi-final of Intermediate Div 3, going in as slight underdogs but with the second chance available. Meanwhile our A1 Sies were unlucky to finish in third place on percentage, after the top three teams in the division couldn't be separated on points. They will play the sudden death minor semi final, but will go in as considerable favourites, finishing eight points ahead of their opponents on the ladder. The Omurais and Mobies will also play the minor semi finals in C2 and C3 respectively, both also finishing in third place.
Full Results:
A1: UNSW Sies defeated Double Bay 34-32
A1: UNSW Blacks lost to Randwick Rugby 2 26-39
A2: UNSW Pilots lost to Marrickville11-28
B1: UNSW Minkis lost to Marrickville 23-32
B2: UNSW Blues defeated Marrickville 54-23
B2: UNSW Orcas defeated South Sydney 32-11
C2: UNSW Omurais defeated Marrickville 21-19
C3: UNSW Mobies defeated Coogee 40-31
C4: UNSW Fins lost to Mascot 36-33
C5: UNSW White lost to Randwick Rugby 12-36
Inter3:UNSW Dolphins defeated Ascham 29-20
ROWING
The start of the rowing season is characterised by building up strength, endurance, callouses and zoot suit tans after a winter off. There’s no better way to earn these rowing badges of honour than racing 5km in the Nepean Head No 1 Regatta. Congratulations to all UNSW crews including our Men’s Masters Composite 8+, Women’s Open 4x, and Men’s Open 1x who all competed in the time trial. Oarsome effort!*
*cringe
GRIDIRON
The UNSW Raiders 2019 season kicked off last weekend. It was a rocky start to the season with all teams recording a loss but this is, as Hyman Roth famously uttered to Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II, the business we’ve chosen.
It's true, Gridiron games are often perceived as overly lengthy and convoluted to those less attuned to the intricacies of strategy and the weighty pauses between action. But as with any Francis Ford Coppolla masterpiece, you can count on truly spectacular performances and loyal fans.
The Raiders coaching team agree that there is a lot of work to do, but there are positive signs ahead.
Full Results:
Men’s GNSW League
UNSW lost to Sydney Uni 32-34
Women’s GNSW League
UNSW lost to Northern Sydney 8-22
Colts
UNSW lost to Sydney Uni 8-28
TOUCH FOOTBALL
Shots were fired on Friday night as the UNSW Bullets came out blazing in the first round of the Vawdon Cup. With rivals only a few taps of the Opal card away and new recruits making their debut for the side, the Sydney Metropolitan tournament was heated from the start.
Led by NSWTA Senior Male Player of the Year Jamie Chan, the men’s premier league team shook off opening match nerves to defeat the combined force of Ryde-Eastwood 6-4. The division 2 team replicated this winning score and will look to build on this momentum after a Vawdon Grand Final appearance and a State Cup Title last season.
The women’s sides faced Carlingford and the Division 1 team recorded a solid win. While our Division 2 team are yet to feature on the scoreboard, they will look to Justine Mackenzie’s border collie puppy, Joey, as team mascot to draw motivation and intimidate the opposing team in future rounds. A representative from the UNSW side commented on the recent appointment of Joey, saying "Since no one seems to have been able to figure out how to make the whole bullet mascot thing work, we’ve chosen this terrifying ball of fluff as the next best thing."
Lastly, I interrupt your regular Around the Grounds report for this safety reminder to our UNSW Bullets to please remember your snorkels for the second round this evening.
Full Results
Men’s Premier League defeated Ryde-Eastwood 6-4
Men’s Div 2 defeated Ryde-Eastwood 6-4
Men’s Div 4 lost to Westmead 3-5
Women’s Div 1 defeated Carlingford 4-2
Women’s Div 2 B lost to Carlingford 1-0
Girls Youth League defeated Easts 6-1
SNOW SPORTS
While sensible individuals usually flee to their warm Netflix doona nests in temperatures cold enough to freeze a beer, 30 students with a shared passion for skiing took to the slopes of Thredbo to defend their UniSport Snow Nationals title this week. If you haven’t already heard, get out from that rock you have been living under and join me in congratulating UNSW Ski and Board Club on their fourth consecutive UniSport Snow title.
There are all kinds of statistical superlatives you can deploy to show UNSW’s dominance in previous years. The title comes down to the number of gold medals accumulated over the competition week. But for co-captains and UNSW’s Elite Athlete Program members Zoe Spanos (fourth year Commerce/Media) and Kate Hobbs (third year Commerce/Civil Engineering), the true origin and measure of success lies in the clubs legacy of support and inclusiveness. There is no doubt that UNSW Ski and Board Club have reached power-house status, and they did it as a team.