A reminder that the Coaches & Managers meeting is to be held this Wednesday 24th February at Dural Sports & Leisure Centre, to commence at 7:30pm.

As a minimum, either the coach or the manager from each team should attend.

Weds 10th Feb - Grading is Cancelled - Ground is closed due to Wet Weather

Weds 17th Feb – Grading is only required for U12’s – other age groups (9-17) will have only one team so grading will not be required.

U12’s Grading Weds 17th Feb, Dural Park, Quarry Road 5.45pm

Registrations for all teams is on Friday 29th Jan 3pm-6pm, and Saturday 30th Jan 10am-2pm

MPC Building at Pacific Hills Christian School, Quarry Rd, Dural
CASH AND CHEQUE ONLY – NO EFTPOS or CREDIT CARD FACILITIES AVAILABLE

Mini team ( U6,7 & 8’s) allocation day is 10am Sat 20th Feb 2010 at PHCS – essential that a parent / guardian of all registered players attend this meeting

We had 5 teams competing in the Grand Finals this year.
Congratulations to all these teams as we won 5 out of 5!!!!!

Grand Final Results
U9/5	vs	Putney	W	2	1
U10/4	vs	West Ryde Rovers	W	1	0
U11/4	vs	North Ryde	W	3	0
U12/5	vs	Northern HFC	W	2	0
AA/17	vs	Ryde District Panthers	W	3	1

Grand Final (22 Aug)
Result: Win 2-0

Congratulations on a great result!

Result: Win 3-1
Scorers: Ranga, Southy 2

Saturday morning had Meadowbank drenched in glorious sunshine, with the All Age 17 Pumas and their supporters trekking down to the riverside in search of that most elusive of prizes: A car park near the field. After some great moves, some great pressure and a bit of luck, a parking spot was secured, albeit in dubious circumstances. We quickly evacuated the car before one of the apartment blocks residents could complain, and headed to what surely was a walk in the park compared with the battle just won. Several things set the game apart from the onset. We had all players available, a good turnout for training (12 out of 15, a new record!) and Nicho turned up without first ’scouting out’ Holland or Hayes Reserve. Our usual pregame conversion practice was followed by an excellent pre-game speech by Clayts. ‘50/50 ball’ ‘Switch on’ and ‘Massive game’ all made their appearance, and Corey led us through our final prayer of the season. We fronted up on halfway to scope our opposition. Our record was against the Panthers was 0-2 loss, 0-0 draw, 2-0 win. Evens coming into the game, but we had form after dumping the No 1 Sharks from the finals and were playing with a full strength side for the first time since Round 3.
The game started a bit shakey for the Pumas. The backs had a few nervous moments, without a shot being offered though, before we settled down and started to pick apart the Panthers defense. Southy managed to get some clean ball with only 3 defenders to beat, which he did easily and slotted away to give us the advantage. Some great play from the Pumas followed, with our mids providing some good ball for the forwards. The small field meant that easy through balls were a lazy trap to fall into, but unlike the Panthers we kept it at our feet and worked our way into good position. Erik had a Rang cross tipped off his head and Stathis set Godby up for a drive, but we couldn’t get the second that we knew we’d need. The Panthers had two clear chances too, a mix up leading to a one-on-one that they pushed wide and Clayts making an awesome save to deny a close range shot. We went into the break 1-0 up and came out knowing we had to score to win it. 5 more dominant minutes followed, before Erik scored Southy’s second goal. From long range Gordon put his foot through the ball, which then Southy skillfully/accidently got falconed off his ear, wrong footing the keeper and sending us 2-0 up. Ryde heads dropped, and it wasn’t long before Ranga embarked on his trademark left wing run, right down to the goal line before slotting from a fine angle. 3-0 and we knew we had it. Windy and Fitz tried to get on the score sheet, and Stathis was denied by a great one handed save by their sweeper. Some people just aren’t meant to score fellas. The Panthers pulled one back with about 5 to go after our backs were caught out thinking of what to spend our $550+ fine jar on, but the whistle went with the AA17 completing a great day for the club, with 5 wins from 5 grand finals. Pumas can play soccer.
An awesome showing from the boys that typified our season. We played great soccer on the deck and communicated well. As over the last few games, our forwards were our first line of defense, and our backs the first line of attack. Little ball was wasted and the pressure across the field didn’t give the Panthers a sniff. The Pumas showed we were top cats, and the biggest cheer at the presentation was reserved for the Lions who took out the Pennant (we had to cheer some team… no one else was there…)
And thus our season came to a glorious end. It was one to remember for such exploits as our amazing team photo, record suspensions, incredible injuries and a lot of fun.

Each team member needs something said about them, so I’ll resurrect a piece I sent out as a pre-season motivation: Here they are in alphabetical order, note that Clayton is last, because I’m a jerk and will do anything to annoy him.
Tim ‘The Hater’ Fitzmaurice: New signing for the year, surprisingly, first in the list. The lack of surnames with letters A-E will be a target of recruitment next year. Has volunteered to be the subject of any ‘hating’ required by the team. Turns out he also hates lots of things including: Transformers, Parties at clubs, the sun.
Cameron ‘Cam’ Gage: Stallwart of defense, is experienced and an important member of the backline, despite the birth defect of being born without a left foot. Turned an ordinary start into his best season by far. Main pillar of our ‘defense is first line of attack’ strategy.
Nathan ‘Godby’ Godby: Poor nickname, definitely needs to work on that. Hardworking midfielder with a sweet shot. Speed and Cahill-esque leap made him a danger.
Dru ‘Cprey’ Maasepp: Important tower at centre back when not in Canberra. Hadn’t missed a game through injury in 5 years, then rolled his ankle. Two stellar games to end the year did a big part in giving us the Championship. Also has a deformity being born without a left foot.
Erik ‘Gordon’ Maasepp: This bloke is rubbish. When he’s not injuring important players at training, he’s scoring own goals or wasting everyone’s time with long boring emails. Scored the PHD Club Record for longest single suspension. The only thing he’s got going for him is tallness, because you can’t stuff that up. Needs help to be less of a jerk.
Aaron ‘KEEPERS!’ McGarvey: Superstar keeper. Can’t save a beach ball at training, but makes up for it during the game. Put his body on the line and copped a ruptured kidney, 3 week hospital stay and 1 year out of sport. Will be welcomed back next year by Clayts for sure.
Ben ‘Skipper’ McGarvey: Became an expert at the expensive handball-in-the-box play. Managed to rack up $50 in fines despite being a back. Most courageous member of the team. You will not find at tougher nut in the GHFA. Also writes poetry.
Ben ‘Nicho’ Nicholson: This superstar was an expensive off season purchase that the Prems will regret letting go. Mid-season form slump saw him come roaring back when it mattered most. Great skillful foil to the blundering Gordon in centre mid.
Ben ‘Priddy’ Pridmore: Yet another Ben, originality seriously lacking in the parents this year. Another expensive off season buy who was coming back from an ankle injury. Knee injury midseason ruled him out and signalled a tough time for the Pumas. For some reason also works at JustMats along with most PHCS graduates.
Nathan ‘Stathis’ Stathis: Another Puma in sore need of a nickname. Used his size well in tackles, turned into a Viduka style forward creating some great chances for his team mates. Runs Cam close for turning an average start into an awesome season.
Timothy ‘Southy’ Southcott: Longest hair on the team by a distance, looking for sponsorship from Nivea or Pantein. Our goal scoring machine who attracts negative attention from fat balding backs who are jealous of his looks and locks. Disappeared to Europe for 4 weeks but still ran close for the Golden Boot.
Michael ‘Ranga’ Townsend: Was the last remaining ginga on the team after Erik’s horrific hair colour job has grown out. Luckily Myles joining gave him a friend. Powerful left boot, luckily for us is a day walker. Loves a run down the left wing and threading from a fine angle, I think he squared the ball to Erik once this season. Won the Golden Boot with 13 though so I guess he’s okay…
Myles ‘Ranga 2.0′ Sutherland: Mid season signing to cover Clayts demotion to keeper & Priddy’s injury. Battled a sore groin and tender heartlidge most of the season, but brought some class into the mids. Backed up his fellow rang by spotting him his fines on collection day.
Pouwel ‘Windy’ Wind: New signing, has a good shot that keeps low, unlike everyone else on the team. Played for the team in an un-preferred position at back due to lack of numbers, but was a quality mid when games allowed him up there, but he’s studying to be an architect so I don’t like him.
James ‘Sloth’ Vilimaa: Another new signing, only man on the team who can catch Southy in the hair stakes. Has excellent dreads and played well with Corey at centre back. Racked up his first card and suspension, but needs to improve his vocabulary if he hopes to knock Gordon off his perch.
Clayton ‘Clayts’ Waters: Where do I start? Fancies himself as a key player and often refers to himself in the 3rd person like he’s the subject of a sports report. Our last Puma who was born without a left foot, his favorite activities include apologizing to the team and fetching balls from the basketball courts. Thinks hitting all 3 posts in 1 game is an enviable achievement. Wasteful in front of goal and a liability in defense, the only way this kid could play any worse is if Penny turns up to watch a game - then get ready for new depths. To be fair, did step up to keep after Az went out, and did a superb job. 8 clean sheets and third best defense in All Age not bad for a second choice.

There, I’ve wasted as least 20 minutes on this rubbish that I won’t get back. If you didn’t enjoy it, feel free to hate on Fitzy for it.

Grand Final (22 Aug)
RESULT: Win 2-1
SCORERS: Daniel Wilkins 1, Samuel Benson 1
What a wonderful end to a really great season! The team played a fantastic game to beat the premiers of our division, Putney Rangers. The team really played well together and were wonderfully supported by the skills of 3 U8 replacement players; Luc Belcastro, William Dearden and Joe Patmore, many thanks to them and their contribution to our win today. Once more, credit is due to our wonderful goal-keeper, Ben Stroud, who helped us fend off Putney’s many valiant efforts to score. The game was quite physical and kept everyone on their toes, with great efforts by Jeremy Bingham, Benjamin Mendoza, Preston Steward and Christopher Stroud chasing down the ball. Our defenders Alexandra Behn and Abigail Zeckendorf faced tough competition and were great. The first goal was scored by Daniel Wilkins and gave the whole team a great boost to morale. The winning goal was deservedly scored by Samuel Benson after a rather rough tackle and sailed into the top of the goals, giving Pacific Hills Dural a well-deserved win against a fierce opponent..

Grand Final (22 Aug)
RESULT: Win 1-0
SCORERS: Alex Genovese 1
We drew the first game with West Ryde Rovers (WRR), lost the second 2 – 1, won the round robin game 2 – 1, we knew this was going to be a tough game against the minor premiers.
And so it was, on what could only be described as a dust bowl of a pitch and a ball as hard as a rock the boys set out to claim their first grand final and as per usual the opposition had something to say about it. WRR started the game well in attack and pushed our defenses to the limit early in the game. A penalty shot to WRR just outside the box had the nerves on high alert and the relief when it went wide could be felt all the way down the sideline. This seemed to wake the boys up and for the rest of the half it was a scramble in the middle to try and get the ball going forward. This was becoming increasingly hard with Marshall being marked out of the game and our midfield slotting into the defence.
At half time the boys were pumped and the confidence sky high (for those that know our team this means they were picking up grass asking silly questions and basically ignoring Mic and myself) and yet again this seemed to work as the struggle for the next 25 minutes was intense with a couple of opportunities for both sides but no reward for either team.
When the whistle went for the end of the second half the seriousness of the occasion and what could be their first grand final win seemed to sink as they lifted to a point where they were able to clear the ball out of our half and start to apply pressure on the WRR defence.
At around the 3rd minute of extra time the ball was stuck in the WRR box going absolutely nowhere and then the ball materialized out of the mass of players and straight to Alex who was just hanging around outside the box and this is what it all came down to, all he had to do was control the ball steady himself and put it back over the keepers head which is exactly what he did, WE WON 1 – 0 3rd minute extra time, what a relief, what rush what a season.
Mic and I would like to congratulate and thank the boys, parents, family and friends for such a wonderful season and we should all be very proud of what they have achieved this year (and they had all better be back next season).
This week’s player of the match went to all the players, parents and friends who have had a great season.

Grand Final (22 Aug)
Result: Win 3-0

Congratulations to the 11/4s for taking out the double - Premiers and Champions

A fantastic effort by all the boys and a big thank you to the coaches (Grant, Brendan, Vic), manager (Denise) and all the parents for a great season!

Stay tuned - more details soon