inTouch Newsletter - 13th June 2013

By Hoki! I can't remember when we've seen a more competitive and tightly fought Div One competition in many years.

There is very little separating the top from the bottom and I'm afraid to report we may have just have left our run a wee bit late to have made the Top Six with only a "mathematical " chance. Simply put we need to beat Burnside with a bonus point and either Sumner or Linwood need to lose on Saturday without a bonus point.

I was at Burwood Park last Saturday and watched Div One win a hard fought battle over Shirley. I happened to overhear some CFC supporters muttering that it was a bit of a boring game which I have to admit I concurred with. On reflection over a couple of quiet pints in the Shirley Club Rooms after, I realised what we had just watched was indeed a typical Christchurch v Shirley fixture. Make no mistake, Shirley while not being one of the competitions most flamboyant sides, are always very combative and as every CFC side has found are no easy beats especially on Burwood Park or for that matter on any ground. I for one especially enjoy the Shirley supporters and always enjoy their hospitality at their newly refurbished Club Rooms. Their club is definitely on the way up again.

As a keen CFC supporter I always find it a great experience to enjoy the camaraderie of both friends and foe at the oppositions club after the game, win,lose or draw. Some great banter is exchanged between mates made over many years and a reminder to all of the importance of the grassroots of our great game and the wonderful friendships which have developed.

It was good to catch up with Life Member Stan Wilder at the Shirley game. I remember well Stan as a CFC Club Captain in the 70's and as my Senior 'B' coach. Probably not the Graham Henry's of coaching but a damn good bloke with a huge knowledge and passion for our club.

A big congratulations to Alexis Tapsell, a member of our Women's team, who has been selected in The NZ Women's World Cup Sevens Squad to travel to Moscow for The World Cup.

This Sunday its The Axemans Golf Tournament to be played at the Ancient and Royal Hororata Golf Club. Its an Ambrose format with tee off at a very gentlemanly 11.00am. You can enter by emailing donquested@vodafone.co.nz or phoning him on (021) 332-365. Entry fee is only $35.00

Another big day especially for Div One on Saturday at Rugby Park v Burnside.

Look forward to seeing you Saturday

Give ‘em the Axe

Bob

IMPORTANT NOTICE'S

VISITORS TO THE CLUB

 CAR PARKING

The CFC Squash Club have asked if members of CFC (rugby/netball) please refrain from using the designated Squash Club car parks.
In recent weeks there have been a number of cars 'double-parked' which causes a lot of disruption to an already busy area of the club.

SPEECHES

Because of the test being in Christchurch this Saturday team speeches will be held at 5.30pm instead of 6.00pm. 

100 Club Raffle

The club is running the 100 Club Raffle again this year, to help fund the gear required to keep our members looking and playing to the best of their ability.

Similar story to last year, 100 tickets @ $100 each.

6 weekly draws of $200 (1 draw @ $100 2 draws @ $50)

Final Day 'Function' (date TBA)

GRAND PRIZE DRAW of $1000

Please contact Toby Giles or Pete Bowden at the club on Saturdays

or email 100club@cfc.co.nz to get your ticket.

Click here to see available numbers

2013 CFC Raffle and Events...

Over the past two weeks raffles tickets have been distributed to all. A special thanks to those Axemen that returned ticket stubs and money so quickly after receiving, in some cases the day after posting!

Unfortunately for those that may have elected to transfer raffle money electronically it has been drawn to our attention that the bank account number given is correct. The correct account number is 06-0996-0541746-00. I apologise for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.

You’ve got to be in to win so please ensure all stubs and monies are returned promptly. This can be done in person to the CFC Office, Team Coaches and Managers or at Saturday speeches to Andre Thompson, Chris Hammett, Toby Giles or Mike O’Donovan.

Please remember the draw closes Saturday 20 July 2013.

Joel Everson, Kyle Brewer and myself are currently working towards holding a Quiz Night with Bob Eastgate already signing up as MC/Host. Whilst this event is in its infancy we believe it could either be run in conjunction with the McCully Cup (Saturday 13 July) or on an alternative night. More information to come.

NEXT EVENT: Saturday 29 June, Back to School Party

Big Screen: Highlanders v. CRUSADERS @ 7:35PM (DUNEDIN) and Australia v. British & Irish Lions @ 11PM NZT (MELBOURNE)

Give’em the Axe

Andre Thompson

Axeman's Golf Day

GOLF tournmament this Sunday 16th June at Hororata Golf Club at Glentunnel. TEE off 11am Ambrose competition

$35 per head Trevor Thompson  on the BBQ

Bring a friend.

Guaranteed a good day.

You can enter by emailing donquested@vodafone.co.nz or phoning him on (021) 332-365

Canardlys 20 Year Reunion 

Greeting to all Canardlys and Ex Canardlys. Well believe it or not it’s been 20 years since the inception of the Canardlys and we’re thinking it might be high time for wee together, to celebrate this auspicious occasion and make this a memorable milestone in the history of Canardlys rugby.

While many of you will be thinking at this point 20 years?, it only seems like yesterday when we first gathered together for the first time in front of two wise old Canardlys, Laneo and Grunter, to be told that we were dropping down to 4th grade and becoming a mighty social rugby team called the Canardlys (Based on the Rolls Can-hard-ly joke at the time).

To get the ball rolling we need your contact details and gauge your interest attending such and event, at present we do not have a planned agenda for this event however we are hoping to get a small committee together of 6-7 people to be the brains of this operations and decide on events, venues, logistic and finances etc. Ideally we would like to see a mixed committee of the old Canardlys, the new Canardlys and of course the guy’s who have never left, so don’t be shy please put your hand up to get involved.

Many of you may remember back to the 10 year reunion and at that time we sent out around 250 invites to players\Coaches and supporters, with an additional 10 years of rugby we could potentially have around 400 + players\Coaches and supporters to invite, unfortunately our record keeping is not that great and at present and we only have around 120 people receiving this email. So can you please forward on this email to any ex Canardlys who you still keep in touch with.

For the older ex Canardlys you may be surprised to hear that there at least 10 near original players that are either still playing or are closely associated with team, not to mention a lot more players still involved in the Golden Oldie’s team

“The Gentlemen”, so if you are worried about not knowing anyone don’t’ as all the old favourites are still hanging in there.

Please complete the questionnaire here. 

At this stage we are thinking late August/September maybe the right time to hold this event, so please completed and return to us ASAP.

We look forward to hearing and seeing you all soon.

Cheers

Canardlys 

150th Jubilee

.....from Buzz and Ali March

"Buzz and I want to congratulate the Club on the amazing 150th celebrations, well done to the organising team. We so enjoyed every aspect of it and are very proud to be part of the best rugby club in NZ and we look forward to many more years of supporting Christchurch and the Axemen"

Division Two Player Profile 

Neville McGee has been with CFC since Nov 2011. 

He’s represented Div 1, has warmed the bench this season and I reckon it’s only a matter of time before he represents again. 

He’s a hard worker both on and off the field as I’m sure his employer Edifice Building Limited would agree, yet he turns into a mad Irishman when he’s ‘on the turps’. 

Nev can play either lock, blindside flanker, or off the back of the scrum and always contributes to the team immensely. 

He is a bloody good bugger, even if we can barely understand a word he says.

If you want to see Nev's or any of our Div 2 team bio's, click here.

Cheers
Jarrett (manager)

Colts Rugby 

June 8 v Marist Albion Sth Hagley 4

Result: 21-12
Tries: Luke De Beus, Scott Harpham
Kicks: Ben Cooper 3 penalties 1 conversion

Player of the Day: Chris Thomson (lock)

An important game for us last Saturday for us to remain in top 4 after a horrific 20 opening minutes against Sydenham last week where we conceded 4 tries in the first 20 minutes (game gone), even though we came back well in second half with 19 points of our own.

Had not beaten Marist Albion at Sth Hagley park for 3 years and it has been a bit of a graveyard for us.

Started really well with two early tries and led 18-0 after 20 minutes and 18-9 at the break. Penalties one to each side in the second half and we kept our nose in front with a good win. Ben Cooper starting his first game at 2nd five having a good all round game making a good break, defending well and taking over the goal kicking duties. The most satisfying aspect of the game being our defence which had been cruelly exposed the week before and not conceding a try this week.

Need to keep the momentum going this Saturday against a very big New Brighton team, who are breathing down our neck on the points table.

It is never easy at Rawhiti.

Must put in a word here for the Colts (Under 20's) currently second in their competition having knocked off unbeaten HSOB last week 19-3 and Lincoln University previously second 43-20 on Saturday. They finish off this week at home 2.45pm against Burnside before going into the top six round robin. Isaac Leota and Justin Iosefa and Henry Marchant being prominent for them in the past few weeks.

Great to see Div 1 putting in a late charge for the top 6 with three good wins in the last 3 weeks and a big one to finish off this week against old rivals Burnside at Rugby Park in a must win match. Of course they are also dependant on two other teams losing, but the key is to worry about only that which they can control.

Well boys "Don't wait for the light at the end of the tunnel.Stride out onto that field and light the bloody thing yourself."

Don't come off the field after 80 minutes wondering if you "could have,should have, might have done something for your team. Do it while you have the chance. You have earned your opportunity to play Div 1. You deserve to be there.

When you knock on the door all the time eventually you win one, then two, then three. After that winning does not become so hard.

Great to see Gus Middleton back to his very best. Whilst somewhat small in stature, he certainly does not lack courage, hurling himself at everything. Talking to his Dad Bruce at the club on Saturday about Gus being raked over on the bottom of a ruck, he commented it would do him good.

It'll be tough in the next few weeks who to leave out Richie or Gus??? Maybe Richie could go to prop just to get him on the field.

Should also spare a thought for our forwards coach Ross Tarawhiti. Out cycling on the hills a week ago and went over the edge and his handlebars to smash his wrist.Fortunately had some of his Police colleagues with him to get him to hospital sirens blaring. It has made him more angry. Can't drive, can't work, can't write. All the best Janine. We wish him a speedy recovery.

I must mention the terrific job our Physio Kurt Harrington does each week healing the broken down bodies. Something Kurt has assisted us with now in his 3rd season with the team. Your contribution has been invaluable Kurt and is part of the reason the Colts Premier side has been so successful during this time. We all thank you for the effort you put in each week sometimes in difficult circumstances.

A little story I heard during the week about one of the Golden Oldies lads who bought a new pair of pink football boots and wore them home after last Sunday's game.

Walking proudly into the kitchen after arriving home at 8.00pm he said to his wife. "Notice anything different about me?"

She looked him over "Nope"

Frustrated he stormed off into the bathroom, undressed and walked back into the kitchen completely naked except for the pink boots. Again he asked her, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different now?"

She looked up and exclaimed "Bruce, what's different? it's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, It'll be hanging down tomorrow!"

Furious Bruce yelled "And do you know why it is hanging down dear?"

"Nope" she replied.

"It's hanging down because it's looking at my new boots!!!"

Without changing her expression she replied, "Should've bought a hat Bruce, Should've bought a hat"

Best wishes to all teams this weekend. Prediction for the week: All teams to have a win. Div 1 to make top six. Milsie to score winning bonus point try. Club to shout.

Thank you to our sponsors Benchmark Homes and Ideal Electrical.

"We run until wer'e buggered and then increase the pace."

Sponge

Women's Rugby 

Christchurch Women's v University

We played University at Ilam last week, unfortunately not coming away with the result that we had hoped for, going down 34-14. The girls actually played well, but were taken out of the game by the ref who can only be described as terrible. A few things to work on and patch up this week at training, and we'll be looking to take our frustrations out on a well drilled Old Boys team this coming weekend. 

Player of the Day Sholita Umutaua -  One of our youngest girls in the front row. She performed very strongly against an experienced university front row and showed some good skills around the field also.

Special mention going out to a couple of girls in the team. First of all to our captain fantastic Steph Te Ohaere-Fox who had Black Fern trials last weekend, we wish her nothing but the best. (The team to be announced this coming week on Rugby Reunion and The Crowd Goes Wild). And huge congrats to Alexis Tapsell for being selected in the NZ 7's team to play at the World Cup in Moscow. An outstanding achievement. 

Thanks
Tara Horsnell

Junior Rugby 

No report this week...