The annual Newport Rugby (The Breakers) Paddy Soars Cup took place on Saturday January 29th at Hitchcock Park, Avalon Beach.
This year’s contest between Colts vs Grade for the biggest trophy in the cabinet... literally… was a fine display of some superb cricket and some not so great cricket, in fact some of the bowling was definitely just chucking and the boundary, not regulation, meant plenty of ‘7’s’ were made by some members of both teams.
There were also plenty of very wide wides and some strolling between wickets when it is actually called a ‘run’. RUN!!!
The Colts and Grade ‘championing’ of anyone who was bowled or caught out was quite demonstrative in the sympathising displayed in what can best be described as the ‘you’re OUT! hug’:
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Some Grade players even helped the Lemons by knocking their own bales off.
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Despite their generosity on the field, and allowing the Colts more than the regulation number of fielders, Grade won again, and again by one whole point. The Colts, or the ‘Lemons’ as they now prefer to be known when playing cricket, gave Grade a good contest but it was not to be.
The game did cement great sportsmanship between all members of both sides though in what has become a brilliant Summer feature of this great community focused club which proves when it’s not rugby union, it just IS cricket!
Congratulations to both teams on a fine afternoon’s sport.
In other Breakers news, TRI TAG RUGBY starts again in February. Girls recommence on Tuesday 1st February 2022, Boys on Thursday 3rd February 2022.
The Breakettes are also looking for girls to join the team in this years matches.
At least five dragons have been found, some with multiple injuries. Even after the darts had been removed these animals are susceptible to infections from their wounds that can cause death.
There are also fears that other wildlife have been targeted. If you see any wildlife in distress please phone Sydney Wildlife Rescue 24/7 on 9413 4300.
Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command have been told a Sydney Wildlife volunteer found the injured reptiles at midday on Wednesday 26 January 2022, at the wetlands on Shearwater Drive, Warriewood.
The officer, assisted by volunteers, captured the water dragons and removed several darts – between 2cm and 3cm long – which were embedded in their bodies.
Two required treatment and one remains in care with a Sydney Wildlife volunteer.
Four water dragons have since been returned to the wetlands.
Sam, one of the volunteers, had hands on one on Thursday but despite four people in vicinity it jumped and swam under. It has the dart embedded in back of head.
''We are trying to not cause more damage to them.'' a Sydney Wildlife volunteer explained
Sydney Wildlife Mobile Care volunteers revisited the site on Friday in an attempt to locate other lizards who had been shot with the darts, as well as any other animals that may have been hurt.
None have, so far, been found. However, a resident named Katie found the destroyed shell of a turtle in the same Warriewood wetlands location as the injured dragons.
'I found this poor turtle this morning - while trying to help another water dragon with dart in its neck,' Katie said.
Photo: Katie D, per Facebook
Thank you to Jacqui, Ian, Bec, Sam, Margaret, Neil, Joan, Katie and also Lachlan (one of WIRES volunteers) for assisting with the rescues.
'On a public holiday that supposedly celebrates all things Australian, our volunteers have been trying to catch several native water dragons that have been shot with blow gun/blow pipe darts. A most un-Australian act!' the team said.
Police have commenced an investigation with the red plastic-tipped darts seized for further examination.
There were also several blue plastic homemade versions found made from sharp tipped nails.
the weapons used against Warriewood's water dragons and gathered at the sites. image supplied
Photo by Neil Wiseman supplied to Sydney Wildlife Rescue
This dragon’s lip was split open by a blow dart.
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Northern Beaches Police on 9971 3399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
You can report information about this incident anonymously online at: www.crimestoppersact.com.au/make-report
Councillor Vincent De Luca OAM has reported this crime to Northern Beaches Council and asked for increased Ranger Patrols, CCTV in the area be considered and liaison be undertaken with NSW Police for action.
''Residents have asked whether blow darts are illegal - they are!'' Cr. De Luca said on Friday
''Section 4 of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 (NSW) includes a blow-gun or blow-pipe “that is capable of projecting a dart, or any other device that consists of a pipe or tube through which missiles in the form of a dart are capable of being projected by the exhaled breath or the user or by any other means other than an explosive". A prohibited weapon also includes "any dart capable of being projected from a blow-gun or blow-pipe".
''Residents have pointed out that blow guns and darts are advertised on ebay and obviously being imported into Australia and asked what can be done to stop importation.'' Mr De Luca stated.
''Importation and advertising weapons falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. If you want tougher laws on this, you can request the local Federal MP, Jason Falinski to consider the matter.''
Mr. Falinski can be emailed at jason.falinski.mp@aph.gov.au
All native birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals are protected in New South Wales by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). Hundreds of these species are listed as threatened. The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) works to protect these species and their habitats.
In NSW, corporations are liable for a penalty of up to $110,000, or individuals $22,000, for the illegal killing or harming of wildlife.
Although this is a bike ride from Manly to Church Point, those not riding often gather at either end and along the way to show their support and listen to what is said.
About 100 people gathered at the start of the ride with 25 riders sent on their way with Didgeridoo playing and to a special Aboriginal song by Aleta Wassell in Dharug language with the sounds of the didgeridoo, clap sticks and a sing along.
MP for Warringah Zali Steggall joined the crowd at Manly. The ride commences at the plaque near Manly Wharf where Wil-Le-Me-Ring, a Garigal man, speared Governor Captain Arthur Phillip, wounding him.
Ms Steggall said, ''A beautiful way to spend the morning of 26th of January, in reflection, respect and celebration of first nations culture and peoples. We had a moving ceremony before the group of cyclists set off on their ride through the Northern Beaches up to Church Point. Thank you to the organisers for providing the opportunity - I highly recommend the gathering for next year.''
Ms Steggall at Manly with Matt James, Aleta Wassell and co-organiser Colin Hutto
Federal Election 2022 Independent Candidate for Mackellar Dr. Sophie Scamps joined the riders at Manly and rode to Church Point with them.
People joined the ride at Dee Why and Narrabeen. At Mona Vale Headland, 40 people were waiting with some starting from there for the ride.
Arriving at Church Point the cyclists were treated to a warm welcome from around 60 people, including the Greens Councillors Miranda Korzy and Kristyn Glanville, and the Greens Candidate for Mackellar in the 2022, Ethan Hrnjak.
At Church Point a Welcome to Garigal Country was given by Uncle Neil Evers, a direct descendant of Broken Bay man Bungaree, who went around Australia in Matthew Flinders circumnavigation. Uncle Neil spoke about how the day an English flag was raised at Sydney Cove on Saturday January 26, 1788. The formal establishment of the Colony of New South Wales did not occur on 26 January though.
The formal proclamation of the colony and of Arthur Phillip's governorship were read out and the vesting of all land in the reigning monarch King George III on February 7th on the basis of 'terra nullius' despite this land having been occupied by the oldest continuous culture in the world - one that can trace its roots through Australia for 60 thousand years.
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Uncle Neil Evers speaking at Church Point
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