Landmark Sydney Physiotherapy Agrow Australia and Nudie have generously donated equipment and services for the duration of the tournament .....

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BONDI TENS 2005 TOURAMENT REPORT

The inaugural Bondi Tens 2005 Tournament, played over 11/12 February was a resounding success. On two glorious sunny days the appreciative crowds were treated to a feast of hard fought, entertaining rugby.

Day One of pool matches saw the 16 teams play off in four pools. In Pool A the Orphans, with their lone Pot-Bellied Pig, went through undefeated while hosts Woollahra Colleagues couldn’t win a game. The Gents Club Barbarians joined the Orphans in the Cup while top seed Wallabok Lions were relegated to the Bowl.

In Pool B, late entrants Deutsche Bank were undefeated, surprisingly beating eventual winners the Central Hurricanes, a team of expat Fijians. The UTBNB team from Cowra joined the Silver Bullets in the Bowl.

In Pool C, the strong Newcastle and Hunter representative side were undefeated, while the NSW Fire Brigade joined them in the Cup after a count-back against the Hong Kong Vandals, fresh from a big night out at Tim Robinson’s buck’s night. Crowd entertainers, Maralinga Isotopes, joined the Vandals in the Bowl competition.

In Pool D, the Navy looked strong and were undefeated, joined in the Cup by local Eastern Suburbs team, the Misfits. The Sydney Schooners got a win over the Convicts, but both teams had to settle for a go at the Bowl.

Day 2 started at 12 noon with the Bowl knockout. Sydney Schooners beat the Silver Bullets comprehensively, while Colleagues at last started to look like winners by beating the Hong Kong Vandals who were still recovering from yet another big night out on the Harbour. UTBNB were too good for the Convicts, as were the Wallabok Lions for the Isotopes.

Later in the day, in the Bowl semi-finals, Colleagues beat the Schooners while UTBNB won a close game over the more experienced Wallabok Lions, who were running out of puff.

In the first round of the Cup knockout, the Hurricanes showed what was in store by downing the Navy, while the Gents Club beat a lot of peoples’ favourite, Newcastle and Hunter. Deutsche beat the Misfits with the only try of the match, and the Orphans were too good for the Fire Brigade. A fantastic effort by the Firies as it is was the first time the Fire Brigade had put a rugby team on the paddock for many years.

In the Cup semi-finals, the Hurricanes beat the Gents Club in a close game while the Orphans were too strong for Deutsche.

In the Bowl Final, over 15 minutes each way, hosts Colleagues won a hard tussle against UTBNB 12 – 7.

In the Cup Final, played bang on time at 6pm, Central Hurricanes were too strong for the Orphans, winning 25 – 15.

Individual awards included:

Andrew Stevenson of the Wallabok Lions won the trophy for the first ever try scored in the Bondi Tens, whilst Mosese Tagivetaua (Central Hurricanes) was the 2005 Player of the Tournament.

Woollahra Mayor Geoff Rundle presented the trophies.

Many thanks to the referees of the NSW Rugby Union for running the games like a Swiss watch. Their dedication and hard work was greatly appreciated by all. Having them wired for sound on the Saturday was highlight and provided much needed explanations of why certain decisions were made. All in all, a great idea.

On the more serious side, the Tournament raised more than $20,000 to be shared amongst 3 charities:

- Zero–to–One Foundation (Bali Assist)
- Royal North Shore Hospital Burns Unit
- Plan Australia (Tsunami Appeal).

The Bondi Tens Committee is grateful for the support and assistance of the Woollahra City Council, major sponsorship of Investec, Heineken, Nudie, Jebsens and Nufarm, the invaluable contribution of all sponsors, volunteers, neighbours, people who donated tents and other equipment and finally the supporters who helped make the Tournament such a successful event.