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Issue 2
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Secretaries Report by Brad Taylor
Welcome to Issue 2 of The
Cannonballer. Firstly, thank you to
all of the positive feedback from
the previous issue. I have been
busy updating our sponsor’s page
and mail outs for future issues of
the newsletter and information for
upcoming events.
What’s in this issue?
- Grant applications
- Coaching reports
- What’s On (events)
- Player Profiles
- Game photos
- And more…….
Grant Applications
The club has recently applied for
some exciting grants to further the
great work from previous
committees. It has been the dream
of many past and present
members of the club to enclose the
clubhouse at crescent head and
build some more seating for
spectators and supporters. The
club has also partnered up with
Jamber consulting to help in the
application process of some of the
bigger grants as this process can
detailed and time consuming.
One of the applications included a
video submission which can be
found on YouTube following this
link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=Yo7JghDAtU8
This video is part of the submission
the club made for the Holden
Home Ground Advantage in which
grants up to $250,000 could be
applied for. This year the club
really hopes to get some more
work done at the ground and
clubhouse to improve the overall
rugby experience.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue,
as always if there is something
missing or something you would
like to see in the May issue of the
newsletter, feel free to email me
directly
mail.kempseyrugby@gmail.com
Yours in rugby
Brad Taylor (BT) Club Secretary
From the Coaches
Under 16’s
The Cannons U16’s have had a
really positive start to the
season. To date we have 22
registered players, which is an
absolute credit and direct result of
the work that has been put into the
Cannons Juniors.
Round 1 saw us travelling to Port
Macquarie to take on the Hasting
Valley Vikings. Due to the Viking’s
being short, Cannons had to lend
players to make the numbers even
(as per the By Laws). Our 16’s were
far too strong and saw the Mercy
Law being applied at half time and
the half time score of 55 – 4 stood
as the final score.
Round 2 saw the Cannons
travelling again, this time to Coffs
April/May 2018
Harbour to play the Southern Cross
University Marlins. Once again the
Cannons had more players than
the Marlins and had to match the
numbers on the field. In a game
that was hotly contested and saw
the teams tied at 12 all at half time,
the second half was shaping up for
a real show-down. Unfortunately,
due to some minor indiscretions
the Cannons were left one player
short. The Marlins took advantage
and advanced the score to 20 – 12
in their favour. 12 minutes into the
second half, with 18 left to play,
one of the Marlins was injured and
due to the injury the game was
called off. No one wants to see an
ambulance called in a game of
Rugby and particularly in junior
Rugby. Just before the injury the
run of play was with the Cannons
and they were again looking strong
and getting in a position to turn the
tide of
momentum. Disappointingly
though was the attitude of the
Marlins who would not agree to
call the match a draw, even though
they were unable to continue with
the match.
Round 3 saw the Cannons with a
bye.
Round 4, being 5 May sees the
Cannons travelling to Port
Macquarie to battle with our old
foes the Pirates. There are strong
expectations for the Cannons to
put on a fantastic display of Rugby.
I would like to thank Poppy
Saunders and Chaffy Mainey for
their help and support.
In finalising the season so far, I
cannot leave without
congratulating the following U16’s

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players that have made the Mid
North Coast Rep sides.
They are
U15 – Kyle Abbott, Darby
Lancaster, Locky Munday, James
Sinclair, Pat Cotter, Bailey
Thompson, Ollie Mitchell, Liam
Askew, Blake Saunders, Ray
Fussell, Mitch Henderson.
U16 – Ethan Thompson, Jarno
Dolezal
That’s right, out of 22 players, 12
have made the Rep sides. This is a
phenomenal feat and all those
associated with the players and
club should be proud of this
achievement. On behalf of our
coaches thanks to parents and
friends for all your support
- Matthew Shannon
Under 18’s
The Kempsey U18 team have
started the season well with 3
wins from 3 games. The boys
have defeated Hasting Vikings
twice 31-14 in Round 1 and 50-
5 in Round 4. The Round 2 was
an exciting match with a try
from Harry Mainey after the bell
to secure a 25-24 win over the
highly fancied
SCU Marlins. There is still a huge
amount of work to be done on
our fundamentals if we wish to
consider ourselves as a serious
threat to the competition.
However the boys are showing
a great attitude towards
training and discipline, so I’m
sure we will be thereabouts
come finals time.
The best & fairest points are
chosen by the players, so far we
have had the following winners;
Available online.
Round 1 Vikings – 3 Heath, 2
Jacob, 1 Coop & Zac
Round 2 SCU Marlins – 3
Brayden, 2 Tyler, 1 Caedan
Round 4 Vikings – 3 Zac, 2
Hughy, 1 to Harry, Caedan, Tom
& Jacob
Regards James Lancaster
Reserve Grade
Reggies have had a mixed start
to the 2018 season.
They have played good quality
attacking and defensive rugby
but unfortunately discipline in
the 2nd half of 2 of the 3 games
has cost them victory.
I'm pleased with how we have
stepped up this year and have
matched it with the Vikings in
round 1. This was a close loss 27
- 17 and could have gone either
way with 15 minutes to go with
the scores at 17 all. The boys
accounted for Bowraville easily
with a dominant 62 - 10 victory
on home soil. The trip to
Grafton saw us short on
numbers. I am very proud of
how we performed during this
match. With only 3 subs and
very hot conditions we gave the
Redmen a scare coming home
late to get us to 26 - 23 but a late
penalty goal saw the Cannons
go down 30 - 23.
I'm looking forward to the next
few rounds with some big
matches coming up. I believe if
the boys can continue to play
disciplined rugby like they have
shown in patches, then we will
win these games.
Kind regards
- Mathew Scott
April/May 2018
First Grade
Round 1
Round 1 saw the first grade side
come up against the Hastings
Valley Vikings in Port
Macquarie. The benchmark of
the competition for many years
now and the team we played in
the 2016 grand final. We knew
this was going to be a tough way
to start the competition, but
would give us a good idea where
we were at early on. After a
slow start by both teams the
Vikings began to post points as
we struggled to find any
momentum. They took a strong
lead into half time and again
came out firing in the second
half. To the boys credit they
stuck with the Vikings through
the early exchanges and then
began to post points of their
own. Clawing back over the half
to come close to what would
have been a remarkable
comeback victory. Strong
performances were had by
backs Braydon Davis, Kini
Duavaca and debutant Harry
Mainey.
Round 2
Arguably the hardest road trip
of the MNC season. Round 2
saw us head to Grafton to

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challenge the undefeated
Redmen.
The first 20mins was a real arm
wrestle. Both sides traded
blows and looked to gain the
advantage. We opened the
scoring through Braydon Davis
after maintaining defensive
pressure and forcing an error.
Debutant Adrian Sibanda
scored a long range try late in
the half of the back of a Redmen
error that saw us head into half
time with the momentum.
Grafton came out firing in the
second half and took the lead
early. It was a gutsy
performance. We were down
on numbers after a couple of
late withdrawals. The fact we
fought back time and time again
and never let the game slip out
of our reach was a credit to the
guys, however it was our
discipline that had the biggest
influence on the result with two
yellow cards in the second half
allowing the Redmen to gain the
upper hand and a late try
sealing the win 31-25. Special
mention must be made of
debutant Jacob Nelson, the 17yr
old flanker worked hard all
game and was a standout being
awarded best on ground and
players player.
3 points and players player
Jacob Nelson
2 points Gibson Burke
1 point Reece Nolan
Available online.
What’s on?
The Cannons love a good day out
and none more so than supporting
our sponsors in our annual
“Sponsors Day” to be held on the
2nd of June against Hastings Valley
Vikings. In what is sure to be an
entertaining day of rugby, and an
important game for ours sides to
win, the club encourages all 2018
sponsors to come to the games
and enjoy the day with the
Cannons.
Next on the Social Calendar is the
very much anticipated “Old Balls
Day” on the 30th June. The day,
which celebrates the old boys, the
players, committee and friends
and family of past eras is a great
April/May 2018
day. You are asked to join us in a
day of Rugby against our mortal
foe Port Pirates.
This a great day for Cannonballs of
all eras to get together and swap
war stories of days gone by. The
day will consist of some seriously
entertaining rugby with juniors
kicking off at 10am in the under
14’s. The day will see the
Cannonballs take on the Pirates in
6 grades.
We would love everyone to dress
up in their vintage Cannonballs
club shirt or jersey on the day. If
you don’t have a shirt/tie or jersey,
there is a very select stock of items
at the clubhouse that can be
purchased on the day for a small
fee. Please send this information
out to as many cannonballs of old
so we get a great crew there on the
day. The Cannons would also like
to then invite everyone back to the
Kempsey Macleay Bowling and
Sports club for after game function
and a few drinks.
Other events coming up that will
be covered in future issues are
ladies day on the 14th of July and a
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theme night yet to be decided on If you could have a meal with

by the club to be held at the any 3 people who would they
crescent head fields after a game be? Derek Jeter, Billy Joel &
later in the season. So until then Tiger Woods
watch this space!
Secret party trick? Skulling
The draw for the rest of the season
various ways
has been simplified for us by Matt
Shannon. It will be attached to the
Most embarrassing moment as Braden Farrawell offloads
newsletter for your perusal. a cannon? Red card VS Grafton
Thanks to Matt for putting that
together. Make sure you write
Which teammate would be
down all the dates for our home
voted off survivor first? Mark
games, we would love to see you
Glover
all there. As a club we had to swap
some games to help other clubs
Funniest teammate? Jodie
with their events. This has worked
Fowler
in our favour with 6 home games in
the last 8 rounds of the season. Cannons over the ball, Jacob Nelson’s debut 1st
What makes you mad in rugby?
grade game, came away with 3 points & player’s
Poor refereeing/playing poorly player for his efforts on the day
Player Profile
Braden Farrawell Famous last words? Such is life!
1st grade Captain – No. 8

Long trip home from Grafton, so the boys wore

their grandma’s best and comfiest outfits

Age: 26 Liam Oregan breaking the defensive line against

Nickname: Barge or Barge Arse Grafton.
Cannonballer since: 2009

Funniest rugby moment:

Watching Jesse Ball Get snigged
after taunting a SCU uni player
(all caught on film)
Greatest achievement in rugby?
Making the MNC team in 2017

First grade coach Carl Thurgood copping some

If you could be there for one
moment in history what would
it be? Bradman’s greatest
innings
sweet chin music against Grafton.
Hugh Shannon who turned 18 the day before the
Grafton trip made sure he was suitable dressed
for the bus trip home.
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The Draw Funniest thing you’ve seen

The following dates show the rest
of the 2018 season for the
cannons. This a rundown of first
grade home and away. There is a
photo on the next page of all
grades.
Harry Mainey makes a break vs Vikings
Round 5 – vs SCU Marlins – Away
Round 6 – vs Snappers – Away
playing as a Cannon? – Bindi
High as a kite on the green
Whistle after breaking her leg.
What would be your last meal?
Nachos with extra guacamole.
If you could have a meal with
any 3 people alive or dead who
would it be? My deceased Nan,
Gandhi and Maria Sharapova. I
just have questions.

Round 7 – vs Wauchope – Home If you won 10 Million dollars

what’s the first thing you buy?
Round 8 – vs Vikings - Home A house for sure, then tickets to
the Maldives.
Round 9 – vs Bowraville – Away

Round 10 – vs Grafton – Home

Jacob Nelon under 18 gun and recent 1 st grade
debutante gives an SCU player a taste of his
defensive skills
Heath Lancaster in his MNC team colours at the
recent country champs. Heath was selected in
the 2018 Country Cockatoos under 18 side.
Lineout against Vikings
Any secret party tricks? Decent
Round 11 – vs Pirates – Home handstand and can eat bulk
amounts of chocolate without
Round 12 – vs SCU Marlins – Home getting sick.
What’s your most embarrassing
Round 13 – vs Snappers – Home moment on a footy field?
Dropping the ball over the line
Round 14 – vs Wauchope – Away
If you could be another
teammate for a week who
would it be? Imelete Tavete,
mad hits.
Player Profile
Stephanie Sanchez State of Origin side? NSW
Famous last words? Catchya on
the flip side!
The Late Late News
The club has recently been able to
increase player and spectator
safety through purchasing an
automatic defibrillator to be
placed in the clubhouse.
Age: 25
Nickname: Sanchez
Occupation: Nuclear Medicine
student
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who regularly visit the bottom Crescent Head/Port Elders and The
bowlo on Thursday evenings to buy Med at creso for donating $500 to
The Cannonballs would like to raffle tickets. We would also like to go towards the Defibrillator.
thank the players and supporters thank sponsor David Gray from
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Thank you to all our sponsors for 2018