The Catholic Weekly 7 August 2022

catholicweekly.com.au SPORT The sun shone over the Park on Saturday, and after several weeks of weather-disrupted play, wewere able to get all teams out on the pitch for their matches. It was amemorable day for football at Joeys, with hard-foughtmatches in all grades against competitive Scots opposition. A special mention goes to the 15As, who achieved a 0-0 drawwith no substitutes. This team lost 1-7 to their Scots counterparts last year and the result demonstrated how far they have progressed as a unit this season. Following a run of tough losses, it was admirable to see the 2nd XI fight back from0-2 down and achieve a 2-2 draw. Our two goals came fromcorner kicks, whichwas spectacular considering the significant height advantage and physicality that the Scots teamdisplayed. The 1st XI was also locked in a physical battle against a strong Scots outfit. In the seventh minute, SonnyMatchett (Year 11) barged hisway through three Scots defenderswith the ball to break the deadlock. Despite conceding early in the second half, a penalty save fromAidan Renshaw (Year 11) and a further two goals fromSonny secured thewin in front of the home crowd. Thiswin sees the team sitting in first placewith two matches to play, with second and third place happening to be our final two opponents. TENSIONS WERE high during the Sydney Catholic Schools In- termediate Girls Netball Cham- pion-ships, where teams went head-to-head and goal-for-goal until the final whistle. The heart stopping show- down between St Ursula’s Col- lege Kingsgrove and Brigidine College Randwick seemed to be all over after St Ursula’s Goal Attack (GA) exited late in the game due to injury. “Who said netball wasn’t a contact sport?” SCS commen- tators posed, as exceptional talent was on display for all to see, both in the stands at Ken Rosewall Arena and spectat- ing from the livestream. The Intermediate Champi- onship set a new standard of competitive physicality and teams were deadlocked in the first half of the contest at 14 goals each. St Ursula’s was dominat- ed by a dynamic Kami sis- ter-duo, (GA) Esther and Goal Defence (GD) Sarah. The pair worked seamlessly together to push out a lead in the third quarter, however, the sisters were torn apart when Esther called injury time. This pivotal moment al- lowed Brigidine College to put one hand back on the tro- phy and race back into con- tention. When it appeared the match was too close to call, sis- ter Sarah turned the court up- side down as a defensive hurri- cane and the defining factor in the school’s narrow win in the game’s final seconds. Not only did she lead her team to an inaugural 34-31 grand-final win, Sarah was also named Player ofTheMatch. St Ursula’s has made history as the leading SCS Intermediate THERE WASN’T an empty seat in the house when The Scots College hosted five blockbuster matches against St Joseph’s Col- lege Hunters Hill on their main field last weekend, including the much-anticipated 1st XV battle. The sun was shining and both schools’ war cries could be heard throughout the neighbouring streets. It was a tense first 20 minutes, with defence dominating the ear- ly exchanges. The Joeys boys had very little possession but stayed in the contest, going into half time down 7-5. Both teams were out on their feet, and it was a Scots penalty goal that momentarily silenced the Joeys crowd as Scots retook the lead with 10 minutes to play. A Ronan Leahy line break finished by stand-in captain Jack Barrett gave Joeys the lead, which they held to win 19-15 in an epic 70-minute contest. Joeys now remain the only undefeated team in the AAGPS competition and take on St Ig- natius’ College, Riverview at Leichhardt Oval next Saturday 6 August. The two schools, both rugby powerhouses, shared the results in the early matches, with two good wins for Joeys in the 3rd and 4th XV, and two tight defeats for their 16As and 2nd XV. Alll in all, 38 Joeys teams com- peted across nine different ven- ues on Saturday. With a full day of sunshine it was a memorable occasion. St Joseph’s junior teams host- ed The Scots College and led the way with strong victories in the 13As and 14As. The 15s, 16s and lower senior teams, were split across the Eastern Suburbs and there were plenty of highlights – a last play victory to St Joseph’s improving 5th XV was certainly one to remember. Michael Hodge is Head of Rug- by – St Joseph’s College St Ursula’s makes history despite crucial injury in nail-biting Championship ¾ Michael Hodge Joeys jump for joy Success runs in the family Netball Winter Championship victors. Esther and Sarah were crowd favourites and received deafening roars and chants throughout the stadium. This exciting final cemented memo- ries not only as teammates, but as sisters too. RUGBY LEAGUE ROUND 3 ¾ Tasmyn Haynes NETBALL ¾ Cameron Hart FOOTBALL ROUND 3 Cameron Hart - Head of Football – St Joseph’s College Footballers continue to improve SCHOOL SPORTS St Joseph’s Thirds Rugby team go for the ball in the ruck against The Scots College last weekend. The competition across all divisions was fierce. Joeys Firsts player Hwi Sharples launches a shot at goal during an especially tense game. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED. St Ursula’s (blue uniforms) made history as the leading SCS Inter- mediate Netball Winter Championship victors after their defeat of Brigidine College on the weekend. PHOTO: NATALIE ROBERTS St Joseph’s Firsts Captain Oliver Robertsd moves the ball down the pitch last weekend. PHOTO: SUPPLIED