Austar Rugby Challenge

FIVE Kiama Junior Rugby sides played in the Austar Rugby Challenge at Albion Park on the weekend.

All sides performed strongly, with the under 8s kicking their season off with wins over Vikings and Shamrocks. These matches were Walla Rugby (two handed tag instead of tackling) at its best.

All the boys deserve special mention for their first games in the famous Kiama jersey, so well done to Joshua Bridger, Charles Burnett, Joseph Dempsey, Kye Doosey, Hamish Edwards, Riley Keyes, Matt McCoskery, and Nathan Harrington.

The under 10s went up an age group for the day and had a strong win over Shamrocks before a close loss to Shoalhaven.

New players such as Liam Ragen, Jack Schneider and Abel Wilson linked well with the old hands from last years under 10s in a quality display.

The under 12s continued the success with wins over Bowral, Shoalhaven, and TechTahs.

The improvement of Ted Markowski and the strong display by new player Aden McLeod typified the tremendous effort of all players. Cody Wheatley was elusive in a smart display while Gwilym Price also showed speed in the clear.

Rohan Adderley, Mitchell Conley, Blake Roberts and John Wilkinson were strong and well supported by Harrison Judd and Nicholas Kendall.

Kiama"s under 14s and under 16s had much different weather to contend with on Sunday.

The under 14s played with style and scored a win over Vikings and a two-tries apiece results against Shoalhaven.

With a large squad having their first run of the season, the boys stood up to bigger opposition and played above their weight.

Newcomer Harley Ryan showed some stylish moves and combined well with the backs, who looked dangerous every time the ball was moved wide.

A try to Ross Thorley was a perfect example of classic passing and running.

The under 16s won all their games, against TechTahs, Vikings and Camden in a free flowing display of running rugby on the back of strong forward play.

The representative players were more than backed up by the rest of the team.

Bookends Jeshua Smith and James Siggee set the platform up front and should be dominant this year. With only one try against them all day, the defence of the side showed it was well prepared for the season.

Jobe Wilson played strongly in his first game for the club.

For under 8, under 10s and under 12 players there is a chance to play rugby with registrations still open at training every Wed from 4:30pm at Kiama Showground.