Author: Peter Shaw

Is the founder and president of Princes Park Touch and the leader of the LocalHero project!

Democracy is not the highest ideal

The term undemocratic is one heard quite regularly in the media. Usually it means that the pundit in question disagrees with the government and thinks he or she has majority opinion on his or her side, usually they are wrong!

Still even when they are right the term always makes my stomach turn. It makes it turn because it equates good or even correct policy with majority opinion, something that has never been the case. In Australia we sometimes seem to hold out democracy as the highest ideal, yet close examination of our system of government and our constitution shows that democracy is only a limited part of ensuring we live in a free and prosperous society.

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2nd half demolition

Boys in black put a team that trains to the sword.

The team
The winner Old Xavier team

Wallabies day rolled around again and yet again it was time for the annual fixture between Old Xavier and Melbourne University. Old Xavier had enterred a strong team, but Melbourne Uni had abandoned the gents concept and fielded a full team of grade players. The first half was tight with the teams trading tries. But in the second half the Old Xavier backline started to hum and it turned into a route.

A timeline of the match highlights follows:

Continue reading “2nd half demolition”

Scored outclass Dunneworthy

The 2006 Grand Final at Royal Park was an eagerly awaited contest by both teams. Scored, looking for back to back premiership success, had overcome Phantoms in the semi final. Whilst the perrenial semi-finalist Dunneworthy had overcome Oscar in a thrilling drop off.

Dunneworthy looking to go one better this year went ahead early with a try to Simon Lewis of a beautiful Dan Cusack pass. However Scored hit back and when Dan Cusack was binned for 10 minutes for a fowl he did not committ scored skipped away to a 3 try lead at half time.

Scored extended their domination in the second half running away with the match 7-2. Giving them back to back victories and leaving Dunneworthy searching for an elusive first Royal Park title!

Finishing 2005 in style

On the 21st of December Dunneworthy had its last games for 2005 against old rivals Lone Rangers. Dunneworthy continued its recent run of good form chalking up a 10-3 win. Including a haul of 6 by Peter Shaw who promises he will “definitely share the ball around more in the future”.

21122005_teamshot

A gallery some of the action on the night can be viewed here:https://shawfactor.com/2005/12/21/dunneworthy-touch-21122005/

Shaw Cup 6 – Old Xavier Versus MURFC

;-)

In June this year the annual rivalry of Melbourne University and Old Xavier was resumed. Playing as always for the E.M. Shaw Cup. In an attempt to wrest the trophy from Old Xavier, and make up numbers , Melbourne Uni had recruited from the ranks of the Booroondara gents and Melbourne Uni colts.

rob

Under the watchful whistle of Jim Lawrenson Old Xavier started strongly but were rebuffed at every turn by strong MURFC defence. Slowly the tide started the turn and when a misplaced pass from the Old Xavier half back went to ground in the in goal MURFC pounced and where out to a surprise lead.

Old Xavier true to style kept trying to run the ball from anywhere. This lead to MURFC second try when Marty Tighe tried a cut pass in front of his own posts and was intercepted for the simplest of scores. This was exacerbated by the fact that almost from the kickoff MURFC went the length of the field to score another. THings were looking grim for Old Xavier

However just before half time Marty Tighe looped around the defence and then grubbered and soccered his way to score a great individual try to provide some hope for the boys in black.

The second half started like the first with Old Xavier hard on attack but not breaking through. Finally when it looked like MURFC were breaking out and may score they were called back for a penalty which Rory Quinn took quickly and scored under the posts. Five minutes later Rob Shaw backed up some fine breakoutfrom is cousin and Marty and scored the simplest of tries. The conversion from Dan Cusack put Old xavier into the lead

MURFC then attacked strongly to regain there lead. However the ref then blew the whistle for full time gutting the MURFC team who looked likely to score. The referee, however, realised he had ended the match 10 minutes early and so both teams we agreed to play the extra time. However this did not help Melbourne Uni as the lactic acid took its toll and another three tries were scored by Old Xavier.

team
  1. A mix up from the half back leads to Uni’s first try:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try1.mpg
  2. Marty does a Carlos Spencer, and the centre scores under the posts:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try2.mpg
  3. Uni winger shows plenty of pace to burst through and score:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try3.mpg
  4. Marty Tighe redeems himself with a Tighe special:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try4.mpg
  5. Rory “Razor” Quinn scores after some quick thinking:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try5.mpg
  6. Rob Shaw scores after some speculative passing and a chip:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try6.mpg
  7. Rob Shaw scores after a beautiful chip into the corner:
    https://shawfactor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2015/07/shawcup_6_try7.mpg