Harden Red Devils Rugby President Ged Davis.
It will be a historic year for the Devils in 2016
Harden Red Devil stalwart, Ged Davis has played nearly 400 games for the Devils over a period of 17 years.
The current Devils President is looking forward to having a team back on the paddock in 2016 in the Monaro competition.
2016 will also signal the 40th anniversary for the club which started in 1976 and Ged is calling on all previous players and supporters to watch this space for a great year of celebration and Rugby Union back in Harden.
Ged said “The Draw is out and the first game will be on April 2 against Jindabyne at Robert’s Park. We have two away games and then we are back home again.”
Numbers are looking promising for Harden Rugby this year, with 14 players having stated they will be definite starters for the season. There will be a pretty handy forward pack with Big Bad Bustling Ben Brady returning to the Devils along with Clinton Stevens and Harry Sachs.
The backs will be buoyed by the return of Sam Woods who has been playing in Young for the last few seasons.
Ged Said “We are also looking forward to seeing some older players such as Heath Kirk and Ryan Douglas help out the younger guys and Matty Minehan to help with the ‘backs’.”
The bulk of the side has come through the Junior Devils program before it folded in 2011. Promising players Cody Vincent and Toby Hayden will be looking to impress in 2016
The Thurkettle name will no doubt continue with the hope Sam and Jack Thurkettle will be pulling on the red jumper.
Ged said “We would like to think we will be competitive, we played against Goulburn last year with much the same side as this year’s and they told us after the match if we played like that next year, there is no reason we won’t be in the top 5. Goulburn were leading the first division comp at the time.”
The committee will sit down in the next few weeks to set a date and organise the 40 year reunion celebrations which may include a gala day, old boys matches, Harden v Murrumburrah or a grudge match against old rivals Young or Coota.
Ged said “We will look to have a fundraiser and may link with the Cauliflower Club.”
Established late 2012 by Peter FitzSimons (President) and Nick Farr-Jones (Vice President) The Cauliflower Club is a Rugby based charity committed to providing sporting and recreational equipment to enhance the lives of those with a disability, with a bias towards sporting related injuries.
“We will auction off the jumpers and hold an after party at the club house.” The old red carpet is gone and Ged said it may have been a good thing. “We used to wash the place out with a fire hose in the good old days and let the carpet dry. The club house will always be the home of Rugby but its now being used more widely and thats great for local sport. It’s had a refurb, if the carpet was still here it could tell some interesting stories.”
The Devils last won the First Grade Premiership in 2006 and first won it in 2004. 1985 saw the club win their first premiership in Reserve Grade and they did it again in 2005.
The club has seen many talented players. Ged said “There has always been plenty of talent in the club” and pointed out to the 90’s as being one of the more consistent periods. Players like Danny Flanery, Bryce Graham and James Lenehan all represented NSW Country.
It wasn’t always beer and skittles for the Devils. Ged recalled when 10 players went to ‘Condo’ to play two grades and were still pretty competitive, but it was a hard task. Another trip to Condo was halted when 3 car loads were held up by the flooded river at Forbes. “One car broke down and the players piled into the other two cars. John Serong’s car was the lead car and with all the players in it weighing it down it also coughed and spluttered before coming to a stop in the middle of the deep water. We all hopped out of the car and got it through but we didn’t make it to ‘Condo’ we stayed the night and got home late Sunday.”
The Harden Rugby Club was affected by the downturn in the economy in 2006 with the closing of the abattoirs and many job losses. A number of players also retired after the grand final win or had the next year off.
The 2016 season is the best chance yet the club has of reestablishing itself as a consistent Rugby Club.
The old team song goes. “We’re Harden Boys We’re Harden Boys and this is our home! We’re mean and we’re dangerous so leave us alone! We’ll drink till were sober we’ll drink till we’re dry, we’ll drink till we’re drunk and we’ll drink till we die!
Lets hope the old War Chant will be heard again in 2016
The office holders this year are Ged Davis – President. Clinton Stevens – Vice President and Simon and Dallas Watts – Treasurer and Secretary.
If you would like more information about the Devils 2016 season contact Ged on 0427 863 494.
Kick off times will be at 2.30pm.
2016 Season
Saturday, April 2 – Round 1 vs Jindabyne (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, April 9 – Round 2 vs Boorowa (away)
Saturday, April 16 – Round 3 = Bye
Saturday, April 23 – Round 4 vs Milton (away)
Saturday, April 30 – Round 5 vs Taralga (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, May 7 – Round 6 vs Yass (away)
Saturday, May 14 – Round 7 vs Bungendore (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, May 21 – Round 8 vs Braidwood (away)
Saturday, May 28 – Round 9 vs Crookwell (away)
Saturday, June 4 – Round 10 vs Batemans Bay (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, June 11 – Competition Bye (Brumbies Provincial Tournament)
Saturday, June 18 – Round 11 vs Broulee (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, June 25 – Round 12 = Bye
Saturday, July 2 – Round 13 vs Milton (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Saturday, July 9 – Round 14 vs Jindabyne (away)
Saturday, July 16 – Round 15 vs Taralga (away)
Saturday, July 23 – Round 16 vs Broulee (Roberts Park Murrumburrah)
Finals
Saturday, July 30 – Semi Finals
Saturday, August 6 – Preliminary Final
Saturday, August 13 – Grand Final
