The Catholic Weekly 11 December 2022

SPORT AS FINALS week approach- es it’s time for a score update and leaderboard check for the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) All Abilities Tee-Ball Competition. After schools have batted and fielded their way to home runs and brilliant catches over 8 rounds, the next steps for schools will be to battle it out in Round 9 before plac- ings are final and the decision is made to indicate who will play for the gold, silver, and bronze. Clancy College West Hox- ton proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with when they entered three teams into the Tee-Ball Tour- nament. Yet, having all three ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Leading the way in the Tee-Ball league SCHOOL SPORTS of the teams in top positions on the leaderboard is a pat on the back to not only the committed and undoubtedly skilled players, but also the teachers who have guided them through this experi- ence. As it stands, Clancy’s team two and team three are tied for top spot with a total of 23 points after 8 rounds. The next position is coinciden- tally an even placing as well between Marist College Pen- shurst and Clancy’s team one on 21 points. Not far behind is All Saints College Liverpool resting on a total of 17 points so far. This close tally is sure to provide an explosive and fiery fight to the finish come grand final ‘play ball.’ It is noteworthy that dur- ing Round 8, both Clancy teams two and three defeated their opponents by cracking 20 home runs, a truely capti- vating finish to the learning curve this All Abilities Com- Aquinas Catholic College Menai running, main. La Salle College Bankstown, batting, inset. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED The Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Cricket trials saw batsmen and bowlers give their best swings and balls to each other, all hoping to be selected into the Sydney Team. Skills, athleticism, and sporting smarts were put to the test during the trials, with students pushing themselves to improve and take constructive criticism that will further their cricket careers in the future. Congratulations to the following boys who were selected into the Sydney Cricket Team. Kaito Mori - St Felix Bankstown Samuel Everitt - Our Lady of Fatima Caringbah Darcy Wilson - St Joseph’s Como Oscar Halliday - St Mark’s Drummoyne Jacob Cayless - St John Bosco Engadine William Kane - St John Bosco Engadine Billy Kerrison - Villa Maria Hunters Hill Jack Phillips - Villa Maria Hunters Hill Max Nicholls - St Michael’s Meadowbank TomMcMahon - St Declan’s Penshurst Jackson Minceski - St Declan’s Penshurst Tyson Jansz - St Catherine of Sienna Prestons Students named in the SCS teams will go on to the Mackillop Trials held in Wagga Wagga. ¾ Tasmyn Haynes Sydney Cricket Team Selection With a very tight leaderboard we are soon to find out what teams leave on loaded bases and who takes a home run victory lap. A MATCH between Betha- ny College Hurstville and St Ursula’s Kingsgrove piqued the interest of spectators as A look into the exciting world of Junior Oz Tag ¾ Tasmyn Haynes CRICKET the girls proved that the Jun- ior Division must not be over- looked at the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Oztag Compe- tition. Every week students have arrived at Kel- so Park North in pristine sports clothes and wide smiles.” We play Oztag outside of school too, but the best part of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Oztag is the op- portunity to play with some of my best friends.” The game got off to an ear- ly electrifying start as Kings- grove secured a try within the first minute mark. Show- ing that they came to win, a combination of their strong line-up and individual play- ers with high Oztag IQ led to Kingsgrove following up with another point scored. Stepping up and putting her school on the board was Rihanna Christie. After her athletic try, the whole Hurs- tville team lifted and began penetrating the minuscule cracks in Kingsgrove’s de- fence. The leadership shown by Hurstville middle, Isabella Quilkey, was commendable and she too contributed to the score. When the Hurstville girls took the lead with 3 tries to 2, the game kicked up a gear. What ensued can only be de- scribed as an elegant dance between offence and defence. However, after digging deep and pulling out an enor- mous run, Kingsgrove put their teamback on the map as petition provided. Every week students have arrived at Kelso Park North in pristine sports clothes and wide smiles, and every week the teams leave in red dust covered shoes and even wider smiles. But the ques- tion everyone is on the edge of their seat to know is who will leave with that shiny gold medal? they added try after try to the scoreboard to finish the game in the lead 6 to 3. The amazing display of tac- tics and athleticism that were at the forefront of this game were surpassed by the cama- raderie and sportsmanship between both teams. A quote from the Bethany Junior Girls side puts it well, “we play Oztag outside of school too, but the best part of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Oz- tag is the opportunity to play with some of my best friends.” Oztag isn’t just about speed and agility, it’s about trusting your team and leading from the front. TEE-BALL Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) All Abilities Tee-Ball Competition WINNERS Clancy CollegeWest Hoxton Team2 & 3 23 pts OZTAG Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Oztag Competition WINNERS St Ursula’s College, Kingsgrove 6-3 pts