Hounds News

Hounds Stumble at Emerson Park

Hounds stand in captain Michael “Hightower” Hinchcliffe says “the fish rots from the head, and it’s just not the referees in the NRL that are struggling with consistent decisions week in week out”. Although the Normanby skipper understands that the refs call is final, he just feels that consistency from the men with the whistle week in, week out is missing from the Brisbane Second Division and suggests a captains and referees day pre season would be a great way to combat the issue and put both parties on the same page.

Normanby’s 20 to 12 loss to a triumphant Valleys on Saturday was “not ideal” according to injured Hounds skipper Grant Weiss. Although Normanby defended their line with pride throughout the game, the metres gained up the middle was the killer blow that shifted the momentum to Valleys. With Normanby leading 12-10 with 20 minutes to go, Valleys just made too many metres up the middle and attacked the fringes late in the tackle count to score two late tries and seal the win after trailing for most of the match. Normanby went to the break 6-4 up and opened the 2^nd half with an intercept try to Hounds halfback Elliot “Taliban” Parkinson to extend the lead to 8 points. Injured Hounds backrower Mitchell Stalker was critical of the 70 m run from the halfback saying he showed a “horrendous lack of pace”. Stalker says he feared for the Hounds number 7, as the Valleys prop was mowing him down with ease! Other strong performances from the Hounds 19 included strong efforts from Sandy Kirk, Ross Jenkins and Mr Consistent Craig Grimmond. Grimmo celebrated his Old Boys 3 points in style, with a rush to the head the proud New South Welshman placed a $50 wager on the upcoming State of Origin series with Hounds legend Jim Doyle. Good luck Grimmo!

The Hounds will take a well earned rest this weekend with a bye for the Chairman’s Trophy playoff between Dayboro and Mitchelton. Normanby will now have 4 solid sessions to work on their game before the 2^nd round begins with a 4th place clash with Pine Rivers.

The Pine Rivers clash on June the 6^th at Matheson Park should see the return of many players (Chambers, Doyle, Brett and Grant Weiss, Jackie Chan and Stuart Koppe) from injuries and international travels.

Don’t forget to spread the word for the up and coming Gentlemen’s Evening to be held on the 27^th of June after the Natives home game at Purtell Park. All players are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets for themselves and at least 2 mates. All funds raised will assist the players fund and the end of season trip to the NRL GF in Sydney in October.

_{In other news, Normanby Hounds UK contingent, Chris Pomfret, Brendan Eckert, Michael Crosby, and Liam Daly will line up in 2007 Premiership colours to compete in the annual Cheese Rolling Festival in Gloucester, England. Let’s just hope Liam can finally gather some speed in the downhill event. Best of luck to the boys, and enjoy the barreling for us all.}

28 Jul - GE 2010 Wrap

28 Jul - Close, But no Cigar

13 Jul - Red Hot Devils, Dish out Lesson

04 Jul - The Hounds Junior Ranks Grows

04 Jul - Hounds Dominate Venom-less Pythons

29 Jun - Win Keeps Hounds on the Finals Pace

22 Jun - Natives Hoodoo Continues

07 Jun - Hounds Lose Nail Biter

30 May - A Rolling Success

30 May - Normanby Hang on for Tough Win

17 May - D Bay Bombs Out on Revenge Attempt

10 May - Roll Up Roll Up