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THAMES VALLEY SWAMPFOXES: 

 

Ross Cooper delivered the Presidents’ Cup to the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union last Friday and the Swamp Foxes brought it back to the Valley on Sunday. A 42-10 victory over Wairarapa Bush at Masterton gave Thames Valley the honour of being the first winners of this new trophy.

In spite of many errors by both sides the Thames Valley forwards were in control for much of the game. Conor McVerry and Cameron Dromgool proved to be a dynamic duo in the second row and they led a pack of committed and enthusiastic team mates.

The Thames Valley back line had few opportunities in the first half but twice backs and forwards combined to set up tries - the first for Telly Hemopo and the second to Josh Kaho. Todd Doolin added  a conversion and a penalty goal to give the Swamp Foxes a lead of 15-10 at half time. Wairarapa Bush had scored a converted try right on half time to go with an earlier penalty goal. 

After the break another penalty goal by Doolin extended the lead to 18-10 and then then in the 51st minute ill - discipline resulted in Wairarapa Bush receiving a red and a yellow card. The home side did not learn from their mistakes and nine minutes later lost another player to a red card when the Valley loosie, Ben Stephens was carried off the field after being tackled head high.

For a short time the Bush only had 12 men on the field but Captain Johan van Vliet led by example in urging his troops to defend, defend, defend! Finally, the defence cracked and Josh Kaho went over for his second try. There was no conversion and Thames Valley led 23-10.

Wairarapa Bush were back to fourteen players for the final ten minutes but the Swamp Foxes showed their class by running up nineteen points during this period. Doolin, Sione Vakapuna Etoni and Luke Masirewa scored tries two of which were converted by Doolin.

All in all a satisfactory start for the Swamp Foxes – the foundation is there for future success and the team will benefit from this hit out as they strive to be more accurate in all phases of their game.

For Thames Valley: Tries by Josh Kaho (2), Telly Hemopo, Todd Doolin, Sione Vakapuna Etoni and Luke Masirewa. Two penalty goals and 3 conversions by Todd Doolin.

For Wairarapa Bush: Try by Moomoo Falaniko, Penalty and conversion by Tipene Haira.

This weekend the Swampfoxes travel to Ruatoria, taking on Ngati Porou East Coast in Round 2 of the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. East Coast are coming off a 31-39 loss to North Otago away from home, so this weekends match will be a real test regardless of their been a ruckus home crowd, or not. Match details below. 

THAMES VALLEY
UNDER 16s BOYS


The Thames Valley Under 16s kicked of their campaign with a 0-26 loss against a gutsy Wairarapa Bush. Thames Valley started well, with strong defense and a certain energy about them, however prior to the trip a couple of boys sustained injuries which meant they couldn't play,  which took its toll on the 20 players that did take to the field. Playing on the much different artificial turf had its challenges, although made for a wide and expansive game which suited Wairarapa Bush more. Conceding 4 tries in their loss, Thames Valley will take some real positives out of their first match, especially their stern defense which was really tested for large periods of the game. Players to stand out for Thames Valley were #12 Jayden Darby who was a workhorse for the full 70 minutes and wore his heart on his sleeve,  Rory Bathurst who was in the wars several times but got up on his feet and rallied the troops together, and #7 Tyrese Melde who was ever present throughout the game and led the forward pack well on attack/defence. 

This weekend they take on the Corinthians which will still be played under Level 2 Restrictions. Please see the match details below. 

THAMES VALLEY
UNDER U18 BOYS


The Thames Valley Under U18s went down 14-34 against Waikato Secondary Schools on Sunday at Fraser Tech Rugby Club on Sunday. In their first game for 6 weeks, the boys got stuck into their work against opposition which captured a group of players who play in a range of secondary schools in the Waikato region. Leading at halftime 7-5,  Thames Valley were unable to contain a good second half  performance by Waikato and were only able to cross the line once in the last 35 minutes which was early in the second half. Thames Valley although losing, wont be disheartened by this result as they got to play all members of their squad and continue to build for their game against the Harlequins this weekend, and Northland the following weekend. Players to stand out were hard working forward Ihaka Harper Dent,  quick and lively back Keegan Pace, Connor Woolston and the ever present Logan Patterson who played well at full back.

Match details for this weekends clash at Waihi are below. 


THAMES VALLEY
SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS:


The Thames Valley Secondary School Girls played against the Harlequins on Sunday at St Pauls Collegiate, going down in a spirited performance against a very good opposition.  The Harlequins were a very well drilled side with many girls who will go on and play Farah Palmer Cup & further representative honors.

The Thames Valley girls continued to play with pride in the gold and red jersey, and although the score was not going their way, there was no such thing as giving up. Players to stand out were the Hauraki Plains College trio in #10 Alice Hill who was player of the day and fullback Karly Forsyth, midfield back Ania Ballintine made a couple of outstanding try saving tackles and Whangamata Area School Theresa Eng on debut made some good runs on the wing. In the forwards Mercury Bay Area Schools Stella McQueen did not take a backward step, Thames’s Chorice Subritsky at number 8 and Mercury Bays Ava Lamason at lock toiled away hard.

This weekend the squad was due to travel to Whanganui to take on their fellow Secondary School Girls team, however due to a few injuries, unavailabilities and players been stuck in the northern Waikato region who have been told to stay home, we have had to unfortunately cancel the trip. 


SECONDARY SCHOOLS SEVENS: 

 
 Condors Qualifying Tournament 2021
Sunday 7th November
Sports Park
Whitianga.
 
ENTRY FORM
 
School Name:  
Competition
(please circle/highlight)		 Open Boys        Open Girls    U15 Boys          U15 Girls
Team/s Contact Name:  
Team/s Contact E-mail:  
Team/s Contact Phone:  
  
Please e-mail your entry form back to: marcus.howie@tvrfu.co.nz by Friday 29th October or before.
PRIMARY SCHOOL GIRLS RUGBY DAY:
 
Mercury Bay Area School & Netherton/Hikutaia Primary Schools went head to head at Tairua Rugby & Sports Club today. The standard of rugby was phenomenal, and it was a pleasure to be apart of such an awesome atmosphere with girls finally able to get out and about under Level 2 restrictions. The physicality, ball handling, space and awareness and free flowing play was exciting to watch, and I hope ALL of these girls will join their local club/school next year in the local rugby scene.

Year 5/6 Winners - Netherton/Hikutaia 🏆
Year 7/8 Winners - Mercury Bay Area School 🏆

A big thanks to Leisa and Venessa for making this happen, and parents & caregivers for giving up their time to transport players. Exciting times in girls rugby.

STAFF UPDATE: 
 
  • Richard Foster – Acting General Manager. 
With the resignation of our previous General Manager Brett I have moved from being a TVRFU board director to that of General Manager in an acting capacity. I will see out the 2021 season whereupon the board will find a suitable replacement. I have had many years’ experience in management from my days at Auckland University and the Thames-Coromandel District Council. Last century I played rugby for Auckland University, North Shore, Carlton, and Ponsonby (not all at once) but today I can barely walk! We are very busy working our way through the many changes we are facing for the remainder of the season both with our Heartland team and all our other representative teams including our age grade teams. I look forward to seeing you all out and about when restrictions allow us.
  • Christine Gilfedder - Office Administration.
We are pleased to welcome Christine Gilfedder to the staff of the TVRFU. Christine has recently started after the latest Covid-19 lockdown, and has taken over the office administration role, been located in the front office at the TVRFU headquarters. Christine moved into our region 3 years ago from Auckland, and currently lives in Paeroa. Christine is really excited to meet our Thames Valley Community, so when you do come up to the office, introduce yourself and say gidday!

HISTORY FROM AROUND THE TRAPS
 
  • A long time between drinks: 
When Thames Valley narrowly lost to New Zealand Universities, 17-20 on August 7 this year there had been a gap of 658 days since they had last played a first-class rugby match (the Meads Cup semifinal when they lost to Wanganui 15-20 on 19th October 2019 at Paeroa). This was caused by Covid 19. However, 2020 is not the only time that Thames Valley has not played first class games since the TVRFU was formed in 1922. In fact, because of World War 2 there was a gap of 1806 days between games. On 31st August 1940 the Valley lost 8-29 to Waikato at Morrinsville and did not play again until 11th August 1945. They again met Waikato with the Moloos winning 18-7 at Te Aroha. It is interesting to note that the following year Thames Valley journeyed to Hamilton and defeated Waikato 17-0. This is Thames Valley’s best score against Waikato. 
  • John Hodge (TVRFU Centurion #1) 
John Rodrick Hodge was born in 1939, and went on to play 137 games for the Thames Valley Swampfoxes from 1958 (age 19) to 1977 (age 38) for a total of 19 years. John represented Mercury Bay United, Plains South, Thames HSOB, Netherton and Paeroa West over his long career. John played 77 consecutive games for Thames Valley from 1966 - 1974, a remarkable achievement considering the physicality of the lock/forward. 

John has been recognised for his achievements below, with Chairman Grant Dickey, Vice Chairman Ross Cooper and President Kelly Plummer awarding John Hodges son Mac and daughter Tricia with his cap, medal and special banner for his special milestone.
RECOGNISING OUR SPONSORS
 

For almost 100 years, the Thames Valley Rugby Union have represented and nurtured rugby across New Zealand’s North Island.

In 2021, the historic North Island Union joined forces with New Zealand owned and operated sports apparel brand Dynasty Sport, with the rapidly expanding international business providing high quality on and off-field kit to players and referees across all levels of Thames Valley Rugby.

Dynasty Sport Director Tyler Rakich is delighted to be working with the TVRFU. 

“The team at Dynasty Sport are absolutely wrapped to have partnered with the Thames Valley Rugby Union for the next four years and look forward to assisting the Swamp Foxes and the unions associated teams to achieve their on-field goals through the provision of cutting edge on field garments.” Rakich said

“As a proud New Zealand owned and operated business, working with the country’s local unions and nurturing sport across the country is a genuine priority for the entire Dynasty Sport team, and to be working with a union steeped in history like the Thames Valley Rugby Union has been a genuinely exciting opportunity”

TVRFU have said the four-year partnership will see all of the region’s teams including the Swamp Foxes, Vixens, TVRFU Representative teams, Sevens and Youth rugby sides proudly wearing the Dynasty Sport logo and playing in the brands cutting edge apparel. 

“Dynasty are a tried, trusted, and proven brand and we feel privileged to have their support and sponsorship as the TVRFU clothing sponsor”

Dynasty Sport continues to expand its operational footprint across New Zealand and Australia, partnering with a host of national and international teams.

The Dynasty Sport team pride themselves on providing exemplary levels of service and the highest quality on and off field garments to sports teams here in New Zealand and across Australasia. Dynasty’s foundation has been built off more than two hundred years of experience across key areas of the team wear and apparel industry, boasting an administrative team widely recognised as being best in class across the competitive apparel and team wear space.

Dynasty Sport Website - https://www.dynastysport.co.nz/
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Our mailing address is:
TVRFU Inc
140a Normanby Road
Paeroa, 3600, New Zealand
Ph: +64 7 862 6352 | Fax: +64 7 862 7677
Email: swampfoxes@tvrfu.co.nz



 






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Thames Valley Rugby · 140a Normanby Road · Paeroa, Waikato 3600 · New Zealand

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