IDRU Annual Report 2012 - Illawarra Rugby

2012 Illawarrior Colts
Representative Review
Executive Summary
2012 saw us face the inherent problems with
this age group, Due to work, uni and social
commitments we had the challenges associated
with getting early commitment. Although we
invited approximately 40 players to trial,
attendance was very low in the early weeks. It
slowly increased as time went on. We
participated in two trials both with sub
acceptable numbers and therefore the results
were disappointing without being a complete
disaster. We finally got a full squad together a
week before round one.
Round one was always going to be tough given
the draw is based on the open’s result from the previous year, this saw us playing a repeat of the colts
grand final from 2011. That being said, it was a hard fought struggle and although we were beaten we
were in the game the whole way and went down 24-5 due to a late intercept try. This performance
should be put in perspective by the fact that Central West played off in the Grand Final.
We then had some very productive training sessions with most of the squad attending. The team
started to build some good combinations and was really starting to bond. By the time we got on the
coach for the Central Coast confidence was very high. Our first game saw us come up against Western
Plains; the boys put together the performance we new they were capable of and came away with a 43-
17 win. This put us into the Plate final on the Sunday, Saturday night was the Country Championship
dinner and the team represented Illawarra in the manner that would be expected. We returned to the
accommodation around 9.00pm and the boys retired early completely focused on the job before them
in the morning.
Sunday “Plate Final day” this was our grand final and the boy approached it as such. We were meeting
the host district Central Coast, this was not going to be easy as the Central Coast had imported
players from Sydney uni and North’s colts and these were very talented players. Our opposition was an
extremely big side so we were expecting a very physical game. Our warm up went very well and the
team was here to play and the belief was very high. The game was an absolute thriller we led all the
way but our injury toll was mounting by the minute; we had key players that were completely broken
but kept finding something knowing the team needed them. The game was not decided till after the
full time siren had sounded when CC was attacking our line and their final pass went into touch. The
final score remained 27-22 to Illawarra and the silver ware was ours. After a very average start to this
campaign these boys certainly did Illawarra rugby proud on and off the field.
Illawarra District Rugby Union Inc.
Annual Report 2012 Page 21 of 61