A Team for the Ages
United through a love of Queens Park Touch Football, the Try Hards were a touch football team formed by Georgina with origins in former Randwick rugby player and friend, Hugh Sommerville. They were the 2012/13 summer champions before returning in the summer of 2014/15 in search of a comeback. Run by the legendary Jim Squadrito, Queens Park Touch is a social and competitive tournament serving the people of Sydney’s South/Eastern Suburbs since 1977. This story recounts each round of the Try Hard’s season that summer, from the wins and losses to the on-field shows and off-field shenanigans, and the characters that made it whole.
Try Hard team members – Georgina Pembroke, Paul Horton, Caroline Pembroke, Andrew Waite, Tess Sutherland, John Sutherland, James McHugh (aka Waves), Jamie Scott, Emma Ballantyne, Edward Woodgate, Garth Lanham, Hannah Pembroke, Oscar Pople.
Try Hard Fills Ins – Winks, Hanno, Brittany Pembroke.
Try Hards Results – Summer 2014/15
Round 1 – Win 6-1
Round 2 – Loss 3-6
Round 3 – Win 4-1
Round 4 – Win 10-6
Round 5 – Loss 5-6
Round 6 – Win 5-0
Round 7 – Loss 5-4
Christmas Break
Round 8 – Win 5-1
Round 9 – Win 6-3
Australia Day – No Game
Round 10 – Win 7-4
Round 11 – Win – 4-2
Round 12 – Loss 6-5
Semis – Win 3-2
GRAND FINAL – Loss = Runners Up
Round 1 - “The Perfect Start”
The Try Hards kicked off their summer campaign with a convincing 6-1 victory. In hot and windy conditions, the team took control and displayed a strong defence and strategic attack. The girls opened the tries for the season, and the boys were in fine fettle creating clean combinations. The captain said, “I thought we played a cohesive game. It was an impressive performance to kick-off the season”. The team will look to capitalise on their perfect start.
Round 2 - “A Good Loss”
Confident from their opening round win wasn’t enough today as a quality opponent defeated the Try Hards 6-3. The Try Hards struggled to find momentum in the nippy conditions and went down 0-4 at the break. In the second half though they found something, putting three tries on the scoreboard. Perhaps it was Paul’s pep talk ‘visualization’, "First try will be an intercept, second try we’ll do an interchange and score in the corner, third try will just come from a turn of play, and the fourth try off a kick, and we'll win”. Despite the loss, the fight back was admirable.
Round 3 – “Glimpses of Brilliance”
In a watershed game on Monday night, the Try Hards sealed a 4-1 victory. Showcasing power, finesse and passages of play that awed the crowd, the team ran in four well-constructed tries against a top-tier team. The highlight was the scintillating interplay between Garth and James (Waves) running, passing and stepping around each other to take the ball up the wing and score under the goal posts. The sizzling performance puts the Try Hards in a strong position for round 4.
Round 4 – “Touch to Keep you Sane”
The Try Hards blew away the field on Monday night with a brilliant 10-6 win over a competitive opponent. Dominating 6-1 at half time, the Try Hards concentrated on keeping form and fluidity in the second half and maintained calm under pressure. Bonding well both on and off the field, the team is showing plenty of panache. Debutant Oscar was fleet of foot. Try Hard of the Match goes deservingly to Andrew for his consistency, basket of tries and ability to chat to anyone on or off the field. TryHardette of the Match goes to Hannah for her fine form on the wing.
Round 5 – “A Loss by a Whisker”
The Try Hards suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to the in-form ‘Space Invaders’ in Round 5. In an intense and physical encounter, the Try Hards were in front most of the match only to succumb to a late surge from the opponent to lose by one point. Despite missing players including ‘goose-step’ great Paul Horton at kick off, the Try Hards started strongly dominating possession and tearing through the defence. Three tries in the first half through Andrew (1) and Garth (2) were the result of some dazzling play. "The nature of the first half was really quick", said Georgina, “It was all systems go and we played extremely well”. In the second half, the Space Invaders hit back. The Try Hards managed two more tries but a marginal forward pass squandered a final opportunity. Showing toughness and resilience, it was some late mistakes and fatigue that cost the Try Hards the match. Garth earns Try Hard of the Match for his incredible work-rate and bullet-style intercepts and breaks. Utility winger, Caroline takes out Try Hardette of the match.
Round 6 - “A Fun and Easy Win”
The Try Hards triumphed 5-0 against a lower-class team in their derby this week. The opposition (consisting of a couple of Kenyans?) improved in the second half but the Try Hards were well and truly in control. Tries to Caroline (1) and Jamie (1) took them to 2-0 at half time. A dominating second half saw them add four more tries through Paul (2), Emma (1) and John (1). It was a big game from stalwart John, and his flying speed earns him Try Hard of the match. Gracing the field with an active performance, Tess receives Try Hardette of the Match. The comfortable win was a boost for the Try Hards with two games remaining this side of the season. And a discovery: Georgina is CRAZY for enjoying running 800m’s around a hot tartan track, Emma is CRAZIER for enjoying running half marathons in the Central Coast heat, but Paul is CRAZIEST for enjoying completing an ultra-ironman in the Hawkesbury heat. Did you just ask what makes Try Hards tick?
Round 7 – “A Test of Toughness”
Tough in all facets of the game, the Try Hards fought hard but went down a close 4-5 in Round 7, the final game for this side of the competition. With many regular players unavailable (the silly season has begun), the Try Hards owe thanks to Andrew for bringing down Randwick Rugby players ‘Winks’ and ‘Hanno’ to fill in the gaps. The Try Hards were up 2-0 in the early stages but lost form and went down 2-4 at half time. In the second half the Try Hards dug deep and hit back to make it 4-4 with 2 minutes remaining. However, a missed touch allowed the other team to score one last try on the bell resulting in a final score of 5-4. Playing a great game with his famous goose-step, Paul earns Try Hard of the Match. Coordinating the centres with gusto, Georgina takes our Try Hardette of the match.
Round 8 and 9 – “Try Hards Return in Good Touch”
A successful start to 2015 saw the Try Hard's take convincing victories 5-1 (Round 8) and 6-3 (Round 9) in the first two games back. Reports are slim for these games as the reporter was in ‘holiday mode’, but it was testified that the Try Hards showed plenty of new year ticker. Round 9 was very competitive. Andrew continued his razzle dazzle summer form, but the athletic Oscar and Emma earnt their places as Try Hard and TryHardette of the match. Next week sees a BYE week for all teams due to Australia Day. Just three more preliminary rounds follow where the the Try Hards will look to consolidate a place in the semi-finals.
Round 10 – “In a Hurricane We Play”
In tough conditions (February hurricane literally), the Try Hards took out a 7-4 victory against a strong opponent. Tries a plenty to James (Waves) and Andrew. Everyone else contributed extremely well. James's almighty dive early in the first half in the pouring rain and mud to put us on the scoreboard was the pick of the day and earns him Try Hard of the Match. Further highlights and recollections of the game are open for comment on this space or by Paul, our new team commentator... With just two more preliminary games remaining before semis, hopes are running high for the Try Hards.
Round 11 – “An Artful Touch”
The Try Hards took a clean 4-2 win this week following the teams’ attendance at the art exhibition of Try Hard player and artist, Hannah, on the weekend. The off-field bonding gave the team an opportunity to relax and mingle whilst viewing the art and paintings. Hannah also got some good sales over the line. The positive sentiment translated in an ‘artful touch’ performance where Edward showed plenty of skill and poise. It’s all coming together for the Try Hards. In the Coogee Place Shield, the team has moved up to 2nd on the ladder on 24 points behind "Dynamic Health" on 29 points. "On The Ball" trails closely on 23 points. Goosestep great, Paul, sent out an alert to all Try Hards on the weekend, “Garth and I are at Cloey…Roosters vs Souths…Potential mouse trap”. Til next week.
Round 12 – “Bring in the Breadbasket”
In the final preliminary round of the competition, the Try Hards were light on players (as well as commentary) and lost 6-5. The team was able to rely on master of the goosestep, Paul, who stated when everyone was dropping like flies, “I’m in. I’ll bring the breadbasket”. Jamie’s consistent showings and performance throughout the season earns him Try Hard of the March. Brittany showed her value as a fill in and earnt Try Hardette of the match. Fortunately, the defeat didn’t change much of the standings and the Try Hards have successfully made it through to the semi-finals.
Semi Final – “Masters of Queens”
The Try Hards delivered their biggest and boldest game of the season in the semi-finals. Ranking 3rd and playing against the 2nd placed team “On the Ball”, they sealed a nail-biting victory 3-2. On the grass fields of Queens Park, the game had everything – skill, speed, intensity, a dispute and overall high-class teamwork and camaraderie. All team members played competitively. While rule 6 needs to be raised with the referee, for the finals Paul had one thing to say, “Compulsory mousetrap. See you there”.
Grand Final – “A Satisfied Loss”
The grand final took place on a Sunday morning at 10am on the grounds of Queens Park. The Try Hards were nervous but wearing their iconic grey singlets brought their best to the field after a long summer. It wasn’t to be their day. The quality opponent “Dynamic Health” cemented the win but the Try Hards showed their worth, skill and heart in what was a competitive and fair encounter. After the match, the team headed for brunch at Beach Road in Bondi followed by beers at the North Bondi RSL club. It was a season to be remembered.