Perfect Player - prevails in Cronulla’s Bodyboarding Challenge
FORMER Australian Bodyboarding World Champion, Ben Player, has prevailed as the 2007 Human Shark Island Challenge champion with a faultless performance last weekend at Cronulla.
The event had been on hold since late last month due to unfavourable tide periods and inconsistent swell conditions which saw huge seas hammer Sydney’s coastline. After organisers decided conditions were right to complete the contest, Player made no mistake in carving up one of the most dangerous reef breaks in the world to snatch the $10,000 first prize.
In what was the first major event on the International Bodyboarding Association and Men’s World Tour, the triumph was Player’s first Shark Island title of his distinguished career and the man also known as “BP”, could not have been happier.
“You don’t know how I feel right now,” Player said. “I have come close in the past, so to finally clinch my first Shark Island Challenge makes me feel so good.”
His performance was made even more special, as he outclassed tough opponents South African Mark McCarthy, along with experienced Hawaiians, nine-time world champion Mike Stewart and defending world champion Jeff Hubbard.
Photo: Ben Player in the barrel (Photo from www.coreactiv.com)
Although the lead at one stage changed hands about half a dozen times, Player was dealt two perfect scores as he produced some of the most breathtaking barrel rides and thumping manoeuvres ever seen out at the Island in recent times.
“Player played his cards right this year, he waited for the bombs and when the bombs came, he stood out the most,” event organiser Mark Fordham said. “Everyone was surfing so good, basically to win that final you needed perfect 10’s and Player got two of them.”
Local Professionals Dave Ballard and John Showell were unlucky not to make the final, both missing out on the top two placings in their respective major semi-finals. Ballard was a particular shock exit, as a controversial interference call between him and veteran Mike Stewart was ruled against him.
Both riders were set to progress through to the final with five minutes remaining, when a wave rolled through and both competitors paddled for it. The unlucky Ballard claimed he was the one that was ‘snaked’ but the panel of judges believed differently.
“Yeah mate, it wasn’t the way I would have liked to bow out but yeah, if the judges saw it that way, well, that’s their call. I saw differently,” Ballard said.
The Tour now heads to Chile for the Arica Pro, where local Cronulla riders Dave Ballard, John Showell and Andrew Lester have a chance to boost their IBA Tour rankings.
Story by Reece Carter.
Sydney FC to play friendly against Sharks as A-League preparation
Sydney FC is taking games to the city's football heartlands with pre-season friendlies against sides based north, south and west of the harbour bridge.
Branko Culina's exciting team will warm up for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season by playing matches against Sutherland Shire Sharks at Seymour Shaw Park on July 25, Manly United at Cromer Park on August 8 and Penrith Nepean United at CUA Stadium on August 15. All three games are scheduled for 7.30pm kick offs.
"Engaging with Sydney's football community is the club's primary off-the-field objective. Playing matches all over the city is part of the club's strategy to tap into the extraordinary number of Sydneysiders who play the game regularly," said Sydney FC chief executive officer George Perry.
"More Sydneysiders - 180,000 at the last count - play football than any other sport. Sydney FC has to reach out to these people and taking the team to suburban grounds is just one way of doing it," added Perry.
Sydney FC will kick off the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season when it tackles Gosford-based Central Coast Mariners at Sydney Football Stadium on August 24.
Sharks top table in Waratah Basketball League
In the Waratah Australian Basketball League game last weekend, the Sharks proved too strong for the Canberra Nationals. Top scorers for the Sharks were Cameron Tovey, Brendon Gleeson and Blake Henricks, while for the Nationals Eric Malcolm shone with 33 points.
After this win the Sharks retain top spot on a winning percentage of 76.5% ahead of Manly on 69% and the Parramatta Wildcats on 65%.
Men: Sutherland Sharks 106 (Cameron Tovey 23, Brendon Gleeson 21, Blake Henricks 17) def Canberra Nationals 85 (Eric Malcolm 33, Luke Jeffrey 16, Ben White 11)
Women: Sutherland Sharks forfeited to the Canberra Nationals.
State League Men’s Division 1: After 16 rounds the Sharks Division 1 Men’s Team is sitting in equal third place with the Norths Bears on 62.5% behind the Penrith Panthers on 93.8% and Macarthur Heat on 68.8%.
Sharks tough "local" derby against Wolves in Premier Youth League Soccer
The Sharks had a relatively tough day away against the Wolves last weekend. In the four grades played, the Sharks only win came in the last game in which the 4th placed 18s thrashed the Wolves 5 nil.
As would be expected the lowly Sharks under 14s (12th place) lost to the second placed Wolves. However, the game was closer than expected with the Wolves only winning by the solitary goal.
In the 15s the bottom placed Sharks were given little chance against the Wolves (10th) but came away with a 2 all draw.
However, the 16s (2nd spot) provided the shock of the day by losing 2 nil to 8th placed Wolves.
Results for July 7 games against Wollongong Wolves at Bluescope Centenary Field were:
Sharks U13 no result reported
Sharks U14 lost 1 nil
Sharks U15 drew 2 all
Sharks U16 lost 2 nil
Sharks U18 won 5 nil
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