We would like to thank all who joined us last weekend for our annual Christmas Bowling Toy drive.
It was great to see everyone enjoying a night of bowling whilst celebrating the season of giving in bringing your donations.
For the past few years, all bowlers have brought with them a gift that the club then delivers to the Ronald Mcdonald House. These gifts are our small way of helping local children celebrate Christmas while spending the holidays in hospital.
When our former President and long-time player, George Nottoli, finally took off his rugby boots, that was not the end of his athletic endevours.
George took up professional wrestling and became a legend in Chicago Style Wrestling under the name Vito “Two-Fingers” Fontaine; his moniker a reference to his signature move.
To see more about his wrestling career, you can watch the 2014 documentary on Amazon – “Two Fingers: The Windy City Wonder“.
Now, in 2019, George’s exploits have been recognised by the Chicago wrestling community and he’s been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations George.
Does Eztebeth give our own Bryan Waryjas a run for his money?
Against a much-improved and dangerous Irish side, Park played with a new-found pace to record their first win of the season.
With a reshuffled back-line – in part due to injury and unavailable players – Park found space in the wide channels time and again.
A try by Long, after a sustained period of pressure was quickly cancelled out when the Irish replied with a try. Park looked to use new wings Walsh and Murray at every opportunity and Carroll too was always willing to enter the line from his fullback position. Only two last gasp tackles, one by his own player prevented what would have been certain scores.
Schwartz, with a customary burst, scored under the posts and Murray giving chase to his own clever kick, pushed Park out to a two-try lead before the Irish responded with a second try just before half time.
Newcomer Cawley was a quiet leader of Park’s defensive organisation as their forwards had to absorb strong runs from the huge Irish pack and Waryjas especially, responded with a large tackle count.
Two scores Finnegan and one from Bean extended Park’s cushion early in the second period but yet again the Irish demonstrated their resiliency as they scored two of their own.
Park regained their composure and were not only able to run down the final minutes of the game but added to their total as Jahner took advantage of an Irish decision to not engage a five meter lineout, to turn and score.
Team: Leyman (Kowalski), Long (Shaaban), Waryjas (Heaton), Cawley, Jahner, Schwartz, Laux, Fleming, Garwood, Bean (Husselbee), Walsh, Weimer, McCann, Murray, Carroll (Finnegan)
Try: Finnegan 2, Murray 1, Bean 1, Jahner 1, Schwartz 1, Long 1
Con, Jahner 4
LPRFC D3 53 NWI Exiles 29
After a dominating first half where Park lead by 24 points before conceding a late try, and extending that lead to 34 – 5 early in the second period, Park suffered a second half scare before pulling away in the final quarter.
Finnegan opened the scoring after only 5 minutes following a stolen scrum and only three minutes later, Heatley and Togher combined to put away Carey.
Park’s forwards had to weather the running of much heavier opponents but looked to set up their speedy back when their own opportunities arose on offence.
It was Togher again who showed as provider, this time setting up Husselbee.
Knowing their best strategy was to play a fast game, Park extended the lead, with Olander taking a quick tap penalty and catching the Exiles unawares creating the try for the hard running Anderson.
Two early second half tries from Burke and Jewell looked to have put the game beyond doubt for Park but over the next 20 minutes, Park lost their way.
Four Exile tries brought the score to with five points and Park were on their heels. It was the captain Olander who restored the earlier confidence picking off a long pass on the Exile twenty-two and scoring under the posts.
Further score from Anderson and Burke in the waning moments eventually gave Park a comfortable win.
Team: Sowa (Primdahl), Mullen (Shaaban), Larios, Jewell, Togher, Heatley, Mechling, Carey (Eppert), Aiello, Olander, Frisch (Prengaman/Baldwin), Anderson, Husselbee (Huschen), Burke, Finnegan (Engle)
Try: Burke 2, Anderson 2, Finnegan 1, Carey 1, Jewell 1, Husselbee 1, Olander 1
Con: Anderson 3, Olander 1
