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The Red Machine
No 3. June 2004

EAT YOUR HEART OUT, CELINE: Winner of the Idol contest was colts A captain Mark ‘Stick’ Witkowski, here giving full voice to Celine Dion’s “Titanic”.

Talent off the field The MSP Idol night at the clubrooms on 7 June was a roaring success, proving that MSP has talent both on and off the field. The judges were (below, from left) Rob Evans, Agnes Madden, and Filipo Saipani. Filipo is a keen MSP supporter who made the Top 10 of TV2’s Idol contest (more photos below).

Several teams record top results in first round
by Alan Woods
MSP chairman
The end of the senior competition’s first round has seen some excellent results, and I wish to congratulate the following teams on their commendable achievements:
- the premiers who finished third behind Poneke and Petone, both of whom they beat during the season;
- the senior one team who missed retaining the Harper Lock Shield but still earned promotion to the Hardham Cup competition; and
- the colts 2 team who have gained promotion to division one.
My congratulations to all coaches, managers, and players from these teams. Best wishes also to all our players who have been selected for representative teams, particularly Lome Fa’atau and Kas Lealamanua who are with the Manu Samoa international side.
MSP are proud of the large number of players selected for trials and wish you all the best for upcoming rep fixtures.
Recently, after a great night’s entertainment at the clubrooms, Mark Witkowski was voted MSP Idol for his rendition of Celine Dion’s ‘Titanic’. Well done to all the contestants, and thanks to Kalolo Afuie and our judges for an excellent evening.
Look out for more social events, including the colts’ Grandstand and Corporate Box night on 19 June, and a Quiz Night on 3 July - the MSP website has a full list of what’s on.
I would also like to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes work by volunteers, particularly Deborah Clark who operates the Kids’ Club each Saturday at the clubrooms. Her enthusiasm in keeping the young minds occupied with fun and games is tremendous, and I know greatly appreciated by parents.
Thanks too to David Kelly for operating the Rugby League Park scoreboard in all weather. The club relies on volunteers to provide the excellent rugby, facilities, and team numbers we currently enjoy.
My thanks to all those involved with MSP’s organisation, and I invite anyone interested in assisting to call me on 0274 439 176.
Finally, a word for everyone who goes to games each week and supports our teams. I have watched many teams, both junior and senior, play this season, and I continue to be impressed by the numbers of MSP supporters on the sidelines. I know your support helps the players. Best wishes to all for the remainder of the season.

MORE IDOLS

MERRIN CASEY, on behalf of Wives and Girlfriends, gave proceedings a touch of class.	MIKE RENOUF and JAMES ‘PODGE’ ROGERS from the senior 2s belted out “Grease”.	BUDGIE, on behalf of the Life Members, showed that the oldies have still got what it takes.

ELVIS LIVES: The presidents’ Ken Carson delivered “Suspicious Minds”.	MIKE RANGI on harmonica.	CAMERON BATH from the 80/80 As stunned the audience with Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory”.

Colts B promotion sees MSP field two under-21 teams in top division
The Colts B team got off to a flying start in the under-21 A division with a 13-12 win over Johnsonville on 12 June.
After winning five from seven first-round games in the B division, the Bs were promoted to join MSP’s classy A side in the top league.
Some clubs struggle to field one under-21 side, let alone two, and it is certainly a long time since MSP itself has had the depth to field two first-division teams.
B coaches Gus Slade and Andy Bell are both in their first year of coaching at MSP. Gus’s sons Chris and Marcus play for the club, and Andy, brother of senior 1 co-coach John Bell, built up a vast store of rugby knowledge playing for the presidents.
Good communication is one key to the Bs’ success, say the coaches. Both captain and lock Ata “Nuts” Laauli and vice-captain and second-five Fabian Aspinall are good leaders and communicators, says Gus, and all the players take responsibility. Nuts has just been selected in the New Zealand junior volleyball team.
Playing numbers in the colts have been impressive since the start of the season, with around 50 players registered for both teams. A squad of 22 turned out for the B’s game against Johnsonville.

AROUND THE TRAPS
Hardham Cup beckons
After winning the Harper Lock Shield for the past two years, the senior 1s had to settle for second place this year. However, they had the satisfaction of ending the round with a 30-25 victory over shield winners Oriental-Rongotai.
Coach John Bishop expects the team to be very competitive when they step up and take on several premier sides in the Hardham Cup competition.
St Pats Town promoted
The St Pats Town 1st XV will play premier one college rugby in the second round following a last gasp win over Tawa College.
St Pats went into the winner-takes-all match in third place with 19 competition points, while second placed Tawa had 22. Down 7-3 with full-time showing, St Pats wing Arthur Nyel scored in the corner for an 8-7 win. That gave both teams 23 points, but St Pats went up by virtue of the win.
The team had been demoted to premier 2 last year, but coach Mike Woods says promotion is a big boost and there are some promising signs. The team contains many fifth and sixth formers who will return next year, and the St Pats’ seconds won promotion to the premier 3 grade.
Rep jerseys
MSP players throughout the grades have featured in recent Wellington rep squads. Luke Mahoney, Matt Egan, Joe Wright, Jonathon Hopgood, and Toese Lealamanua played in a Wellington Lions side against Manawatu.
The Wellington under-19s that played the Manawatu under-20s included David Arden, Nick Passi, Joe Royal, and Warakihi Hanita Paki.
In the recently announced Wellington Colts squad are Peniasi Tokacece, Anthony Bradshaw, Toese Lealamanua, Joe Wright, Chris Slade, and Ged Robinson.
First-class catering
If you need a caterer for any social event, remember that the clubroom caterers, Deborah and Paula, can help out. As well as serving first-class food at the clubrooms, they also run Capers Catering - give them a call.

JUNIOR RUGBY

MSP's dedicated coaches and managers
It takes a huge effort by a band of dedicated coaches and managers to put 29 MSP junior teams on the park every Saturday.
Many thanks to all the people below who put the work in, and thereby ensure that MSP will flourish in years to come. The tally of 29 teams in 2004 is two more than last year.

Team	Coaches and assistants	Managers
U13 East Barbarians (Open)	Paul Carline, Geoff Lewington
U13 Oriental Marist (R)	Nelson Leota	Andy Leslie
U13 Seatoun	John Mathews	Greg Hughes
U12 Knights	Chris Robinson, Guy Stone	Mary-Ann Wilson
U12 Saints	Peter Ryan	Sita Kaulave
U11 Cardinals	Steve Witkowski	Godfrey Fernandez
U11 Panthers	Ted Thomas, Neil Luka
U11 Flyers	Bede Ashby	Maryann Conroy
U10 Hurricanes	John O'Keefe	Paul Stephen
U10 Saints	Jackson Dalton, Peter Parussini	Jo Dalton
U9 Saints	John Murfitt
U9 Deep Blue Sharks	Dion Muollo, Malcolm Barber	Kim Muollo
U9 Flyers	Paul Hunt, Mark Darling	Richard Skegg
U8 Hearts	Dan Tait-Jamieson, Will Tait-Jamieson	Leigh Simeona
U8 Knights	Marcus Acey	Jane Hoedemackers
U8 Pumas	Pat Dunn
U8 Shamrocks	John Brophy	Simon Sherry
U8 Western Saints	Grant Peters, Anthony Gamboni	Leanda Masters
U7 Norwesters	Graeme Peters, Elton Moncrieff
U7 Zephyrs	Bill English, Peter Fraser
U7 Southern Saints	Chris Lawrence	John de Gregorio
U7 Stormers	Peter Twidle, Gordon Sleep	David Derby
U7 Knights	Mike Laing
U7 Miramar Flyers	Barry Arthurs, Luke Meredith
U6 Cyclones	Stacy Jackson
U6 Hurricanes	Andrew McLean	Ken Ah Kuoi
U6 Monsoons	Mark de Reeper
U6 Tornadoes	Dallas Paotonu	Peter Lynch
U6 Typhoons	Paul Tompkinson	Steve McGill

MSP DERBY: On another glorious day at Kelburn Park, the under-12 Knights played their annual clash against the under-12 Saints (in the hooped jerseys. Having won the match by a whisker last year, the Knights decided it was the Saints turn to win this year.

GO THE HURRICANES!: Ball carrier Hunter “the Step” Stent keeps his eye on the Wellington opposition, while teammates (from left) Adam McLean, Lotonu Haueia, Petelo Leaupepe, Utu Ah Kuoi and Naitoa Ah Kuoi come storming up in support. Andrew McLean is coaching the under-6 Hurricanes and Ken Ah Kuoi is manager. Most of the team are in their first year, says Andrew: “They are very enthusiastic and all enjoy their rugby.”

Junior convenor
Any queries call MSP’s junior club convenor, Dan Tait-Jamieson.
Ph: 475 9909. Email: dan@t-j.co.nz.
You can also check out the club’s junior page: www.msprugby.co.nz/junior