11 minute read
Sport
WANDERERS CLAIM SYDNEY BRAGGING RIGHTS
Derby delight. See back page
Riders are back on track
Riders enjoy the new BMX Track in St Marys at its grand opening last weekend.
NATHAN TAYLOR
More than 600 riders from around the state converged on the BMX Track in St Marys last weekend, seven weeks after it was completely flooded by water.
Penrith BMX Club held their annual State Series competition last Sunday, which also doubled as a grand opening for their brand-new track.
After the floodwater finally receded in late March, work quickly begun on the track’s $50,000 upgrade, which was funded through grants from both local and state governments. While the track layout remains the same, jumps were slightly adjusted to add to the flow of the track. A happy Penrith BMX Club President Chris Page said the track received glowing reviews from everyone who raced on it. “The State Series was a great event, it’s been a while since we’ve had a track in this good condition,” he said. “There were over 600 entries and just to have everyone there… everyone was loving it. There were no negative comments about the track or the event itself – it was brilliant.” Male and female riders of all ages took part in the fifth round of last weekend’s State Series, with Penrith BMX Club enjoying several podium finishes in their home event. Page said it’s been a tough month-anda-half to get everything ready for last weekend’s competition, but would soon be focusing on getting more events, like Come and Try Days, at the Creek Road facility. “We’ve just been so focused on getting this track built and ready for the State Series that we haven’t had time to plan anything else just yet,” he told the Weekender. “Most people who don’t volunteer have no idea what we go through to get it done.” For the latest on Penrith BMX Club and their various events, visit their page on Facebook.
WANDERERS WIN DERBY
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Western Sydney extended their lead through McDonald’s header in the 74th minute before Sydney FC’s Bobo made for an exciting finish, scoring in the dying stages of injury time. The Sky Blues had their chances to equalise late, but the Wanderers held firm in what was one of the club’s best wins at Bankwest Stadium. “I told the players [before the game] to leave absolutely everything they have out on that field and I think they did that today,” Robinson said. “I thought the first half we were excellent but again some cracks appeared. We conceded off a corner after two minutes and let them back in the game. “We wobbled, we bent a little bit but we didn’t break.” Another huge encounter awaits the Wanderers again tomorrow night when they return to Bankwest Stadium to take on Western United. Both sides are sitting neck and neck in the race for the top six, with United ahead on the ladder on goal differential only.
Softball superstar
Teen is latest Sports Star Award winner
NATHAN TAYLOR
Glenmore Park teenager Ciara Saunby has been playing softball for half her life, and she isn’t planning on giving it up anytime soon.
The 14-year-old has been a Penrith City Softball Representative since the tender age of seven, starting out in tee-ball before representing in the U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18 softball divisions.
This week the hugely talented youngster becomes the latest recipient of the Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star Award. Ciara may only be young, but she’s already achieved plenty in a short space of time.
In 2017 and 2018, she represented Sydney West, winning the competition in her first year.
In 2018, Ciara was selected in the NSW U12 Invitational Team, who travelled to Japan for two weeks to play in the country’s school competition.
In 2019, she was selected to attend the Hills Sport High School talented sports program for softballers.
That same year, Ciara was selected to play in the Blacktown International Sports
Softballer Ciara Saunby is this week’s PVSF Junior Sports Star.
Challenge, competing against teams from Japan and New Zealand. She was subsequently chosen again in 2020, but the event was sadly canned due to the pandemic. At the start of last year, Ciara was a member of the NSW Metro Green Team, winning the National Championship. She’s also been a valued member of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) for the past two years and was set to play for NSW against Queensland at the 2021 Interstate Softball Challenge in Lismore last month, however the event was called off due to the rise in COVID cases in the area. Nominated by Natalie McClelland from WSAS, Ciara’s Junior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor St Marys Leagues Club.
Hackney looks to sharpen game
NATHAN TAYLOR
One of Penrith’s most talented young cricketers, Ryan Hackney, will settle in the Top End of Australia next month as he continues to take his game to the next level.
The left-hand batsman was one of nine players from NSW invited to develop their games over the winter in the Northern Territory as part of NT Cricket’s innovative new program Cricket 365.
The program will bring the best emerging players from around the country to Darwin and Palmerston for 10 weeks each dry season, enabling the next generation of cricketing superstars to play cricket year-round without having to leave Australian shores.
NT Cricket has partnered with Cricket Australia and state cricket associations around the nation in a move that will see 30 of Australia’s best young cricketers converge on the Top End from June through to August.
These players will join with the Northern Territory’s best players to stage a series of high-level cricket competitions.
Cricket NSW Head of Male Cricket, Michael Klinger, said Cricket 365 presented young players with ongoing developmental opportunities. “Cricket 365 will give some of our best young players a chance to continue playing cricket throughout the winter months and in doing so give them some experience in the rigours of playing cricket yearround,” he said. “All of these guys have demonstrated a desire to continue to improve their games and we are looking forward to them coming back to our setup later in the year having grown as players and young men.” Darwin and Palmerston are considered ideal locations in the north to play during the winter months in Australia with perfect weather conditions, first class standard venues and a winter club cricket ecosystem. Hackney said he was very grateful for the rare opportunity to play in the Territory. “With the shortened season and travel restrictions last summer, the thought behind it was to play as much cricket as I can this year,” he said. “With England and the Northern Hemisphere not really being a safe option and a bit unpredictable, this unique opportunity was the next best choice for me.”
Talented Penrith cricketer Ryan Hackney. Photo: Melinda Jane.
Around the grounds
BASKETBALL: Penrith have suffered their second loss of the season, going down to the Canberra Gunners 100-83 in Round 4 of the Basketball NSW Waratah 1 Men competition. Skipper Ben Kearins top scored for the Panthers, recording 25 points and 11 rebounds. Penrith will hope to bounce back when they take on the Sydney Comets this Saturday night at Comets Stadium. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Waratah 1 Youth Men and Waratah 1 Youth Women teams had mixed results in Round 4. Penrith’s Youth Men side were too good for the Blacktown Storm 81-68, while their Youth Women were no match for the Canberra Nationals Academy losing 71-47.
AFL: The Penrith Rams have continued their unbeaten run, embarrassing the South West Sydney Magpies 183-6 in Round 4 of the AFL Sydney Platinum Division competition. Rams star Mitchell Stevens scored 13 goals in the monster win. The Rams will aim to keep their winning streak alive when they battle the Balmain Tigers this Saturday morning at Greygums Oval. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes are still yet to record a win this season, defeated by the Western Magic 79-14 in Round 4 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Division 1 competition. This Saturday afternoon the Ramettes will play the East Coast Eagles in Cranebrook. last Saturday at Adelaide Oval. GWS will return home to Giants Stadium this Saturday afternoon to battle Essendon.
SHUTE SHIELD: Following last week’s historic win over the Two Blues, the Penrith Emus have been given a reality check by Sydney University, thrashed 50-0 last Saturday at Nepean Rugby Park. The Emus will travel to Newcastle tomorrow to face the Hunter Wildfires at 3pm.
NETBALL: The Panthers Netball Opens team came awfully close to their first win of the season but ultimately went down to the Capital Spirit 56-55 in Round 4 of the Netball NSW Premier League. Meanwhile, the Panthers Netball Under 23s team have won back to back games, defeating the Spirit 50-38. Both teams will take on the South Coast Blaze in Round 5.
SUPER NETBALL: Giants Netball are leading the competition, defeating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 66-52 in Round 1 of the Super Netball. The Giants will aim for back to back wins when they take on Collingwood this Saturday afternoon at Ken Rosewall Arena.
SWIMMING: Congratulations to local swimmer Peter Genellos, who completed the 1.2km Shellharbour Open Swim last month in a time of 35 minutes and 28 seconds. Genellos swam in the Men’s 70 division.
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Penrith’s #1 NRL coverage – Extra Time – See centre lift-out
Sydney is red and black
NATHAN TAYLOR
An “advert for football” – that’s how Western Sydney coach Carl Robinson described last Saturday's thriller against Sydney FC at Bankwest Stadium. Desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top six, the Wanderers put in arguably their best performance of the season in a match that had “absolutely everything”. Wanderers recruit Scott McDonald scored on club debut to help his new side extend its unbeaten Sydney Derby run to six games with a 3-2 win over the Sky Blues. “It was passionate, there was emotion, there was a little bit of needle in the game,” an elated Robinson said after the match. “Obviously our fans were absolutely amazing, they’re desperate for us to do well against a very good team, so it had a little bit of everything this one.” The Wanderers went two goals ahead after a four-minute spell in the first half in which Bruce Kamau and Mitch Duke both found the back of the net. The home fans were silenced early in the second half when Alex Wilkinson buried a well-executed header to bring it back to 2-1.
Story continues on » p. 62
Wanderers players celebrate their big Derby win last Saturday night. Photo: Steve Christo.
Life starts at Thornton Park
Jim moved in to Thornton Park with his little dog, Bonnie. Since then, they’ve been enjoying all the benefits of village life.
“It was important to me that I find a pet-friendly home, because I live with my 12-year-old rescue dog Bonnie, a little Tenterfield Terrier. The location is perfect. It’s just a short walk to Penrith train station and the shopping centre’s not much further.
From the very beginning, Thornton Park was excellent. I found a beautiful apartment that suited my budget. We have a cleaner who comes once a fortnight, and the social aspect is great too. I’m always meeting new people. What else can I say except that I’m very happy here? And Bonnie’s very happy too.”
