Season Report 2016

​This year the Masters competition went from strength to strength. Power House entered the competition with an abundance of young, skilled and enthusiastic players. Other strong and youthful teams were University and Melbourne. We were competitive against the older teams of the Barbarians and Maroondah Misfits and the young, improving Melbourne Chargers.

This year saw the introduction of representative games which has added another dimension to our competition. There are 2 Old Blacks v Wannabes games. These games are keenly contested and both sides take pride in wearing a representative jumper. There are games against visiting Masters teams and two World over 45 games v Box Hill Unquenchables. There was also a World over 50s game v Box Hil Unquenchables. Cameo performances included Bryan Burdett and Doug Hughes both in their 70s, Martin Roche and Paul Moran both in their 60s, Steve Merchant, Andy Ellis, and Clive Welti in their 50s and Paul Holden. Martin was man of the match. This was our best win of the season U/Qs 27 World 15, a lively changeroom after with lots of tall stories about who set-up who for the tries. It is good to see the cameo “Old Bulls” have not lost their competitive edge.

The Unquenchables is clearly the oldest side in the competition. We regularly have a majority of players over 50 as well as 3regular players over 60. Consistent with recent years whilst we have an abundance of eligible players on paper they never seem to make it to game day. Luckily, with all games played at the one location there is always plenty of players who are willing to help a team which may be struggling to put a team together on game day. This has helped to promote a positive culture of keen competition and fun.

Bryan Burdett, a youthful 79, took the field with Dennis, 69 to celebrate his achievement of 1000 games for the club. The try Dennis scored in the first minute of the game was not a gift but a demonstration that he still has all his skills except that he can only play in slow motion these days.

We recruited some good players but most of them fell by the wayside. There was Disappearing Dominic, a hard running centre from New Zealand, Andy McKeknie from Scotland, Joel Boojers strong running centre from Queensland and Kevin Tuson, a junior parent. Post season we have gained a Yank, Kenny from Denver Colorado and Morne from South Africa. Things are starting to look good for next year.

Russell Roth, our Maori sidestep expert, has been unable to play this year due to illness. We have missed his determined runs down the sideline.

Award winners this year are: Doug McDermott Over 35 Player of the Year, Tony Tennent, The Mick Headberry Trophy for the best player Over 35, Grant Fleet, Jock Strap Award, Paul Holden, Bryan Burdett Trophy, Chris Andrews and Prick of the Year Chris Swaine.

We are lucky to have two loyal sponsors who have supported the Unquenchables year after year. They are Jinda Thai Restaurant in Abbotsford who provide the Man of the Match Award and Stan McHugh, Caledonian Smash Repairs who not only gives us financial support but referees Masters games as well. Stan is a past Unquenchable player who has been a generous sponsor of the club as well as our team.