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Armidale City-United Rugby Club |
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| Saturday, 28 January 2012 |  |
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Home Page  EARLY SUCCESSArmidale City Rugby Club was formed shortly after World War II and in those days met with a good share of success. The teams of the 1950`s contained many class players who represented at country level. To date the club has achieved a Zone record of 11 premierships, six of those coming in the clubs golden years from 1975-1980. Following the retirement of the players from the 1950`s and the formation of the Guyra club, City`s fortunes slumped and the club struggled through the lean years of the late 1950`s and then the 1960`s. In 1967 the club`s fortunes rose again as former Wallaby Peter Phipps and Jack Morgan joined the club. This combination attracted a number of post-graduate students to the Blues and the club was able to win the 1967 and 1968 premierships. CITY DOMINANCE A second period of Armidale City domination followed as the club grew and then blossomed from 1975. This period also saw the emergence of representative honours being bestowed on City players with winger Ric How becoming the club`s first Test captain. In 1970 the club again won the premiership. This side was one of the best fielded by the club having a backline comprised of three Internationals, one State representative and one New Zealand Universities player in J. Straud, M. Ross, R. Barlow, I. Procter, R. How, J. O`Connor and T. Widders. With the level of rugby reaching its pinnacle in the 1970`s, the City side of 1975 was regarded as the best side in NSW Country which was not surprising as three members of the side went to the British Isles as Wallaby tourists - Peter Horton, Glen Eisenhauer and Greg Cornelson. Six other players of that side achieved combined country status - props Ean Heagney and Brian Sylvester, second rower Charles Belfield, halfback Don Page, Warwick Watkens and Stephen Morrow. The only place for Watkens in the 1975 team was as a loose forward - he later went on to become the reserve Test hooker. City carried all before them in 1975 conceding only two tries in an undefeated season. During the years 1975-1980, the club won six premierships and were unfortunate to subsequently lose three grand finals to the University based sides, St. Alberts, United Colleges and Robb College. REP HONOURS Armidale City have an amazing record for a Country club in providing players at International, State and Country levels. Internationals that have played for the club include - John Hipwell, Greg Cornelson, Peter Horton, Glen Eisenhauer, Warwick Watkens, Ric How, Ian Procter, Jim O`Connor, and George Souris. State representatives have been Tony Morse, Charles Horder, Paul Lyons, and David Forsythe while the players included in combined country sides have been Charles Belfield, Brian Sylvester, Eddie Ray, Ean Heagney, Stepgen Morrow, Don Page, Bob Grant, Noel Haig, Jeremy Griffiths, Rod Nichols and Ken McConville. Combined Universities players have included Mick Price, Jim Straud and Ian Grieg. TEAM SPIRIT In 1993 Armidale City was forced to merge with United Colleges due to a lack of player numbers within both teams. Thus in 1994 the Armidale City-United Rugby Club was born and has continued to the present day. Although in current times, Armidale City-United hasn`t had the success as achieved in the past, the same team spirit and pride in the club exists. With the right direction from current president Geg Williams and coach Greg Schofield, the club is looking forward to 2000 and beyond and being back in the finals race. |
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