Sandy Bay scorcher (July 25)
Training on Saturday morning at the Stanley Ho Sports Ground was a scorching hot affair, with about a dozen hardy Dragons turning in in Sandy Bay.
We move to Causeway Bay next weekend and expect bigger numbers.
After a summer bye week, the Dragons were desperately in need of a solid training session this weekend. Only about 40 days until the Asian Champs. Lips took command of the sweaty dozen, with a short-ball scratch match concluding the session. A warm welcome too to former Old Ivanhoe newcomer Ryan Coleman. He was making his first appearance after only a few weeks in HK on his first overseas posting. (If anyone knows of any graphics designer jobs out there, email president@hk-dragons.com and I'll pass it on to him).
Take a look under the News Headlines section Club Diary 2009 for the full schedule for training and games throughout August.
Kings Park hitout (July 5)
The Dragons put in a very solid 75 minute training session at Kings Park on the weekend before adjourning to Bulldogs TST to watch the Saints narrowly beat the Cats.
A squad of 15 was on deck for a hot and humid session interspersed with some welcome cooling rain showers. The team went through a series of drills, each one preceded by some arduous sprint sessions the length of the pitch. The plan now is to boost the fitness element at all training sessions with a view to the looming Asians Champs in KL less than two months away.
New look at training (June 14)
The Dragons debuted their new luminous yellow training singlets during Sunday training at Happy Valley on a night that saw a handful of new fellas hit the sandy surface for a well-attended session.
The singlets came out during the end-of-session scratch match that pitted Dragons shirts against the Council Workers. With Happy Valley resembling a beach in parts, and mangrove swamp in others, it's looming closure for summer appears timely, albeit inconvenient.
With almost 30 fellas on deck, numbers were good and the standard reasonably high. Gags bought some new drills to the session, including the so-called three-station weave drill. Two new blokes also appeared, so big welcome to Chris and Greg.
|
Special mention to Doc Livingstone, who single-handedly managed to nail three quarters of the flouro-clad opposition into the turf. Feeney, recovering from cosmetic nose surgery, umpired as well. Good players on the night were Daz, who found plenty of space, Rigger, Gags, Simo and the Colonel. Some less thrilling news was delivered by Simo, who announced that he will soon be leaving HK and returning to Australia, although he expressed his intention to compete at this year's Champs in KL.
Numbers continue to eek towards the minimum required of 16 to form a tour to Vietnam on July 25. A few more players got on board last night but about four more players need to put their hand up in the newxt few days to cement the deal. If anyone wants to tour or is thinking about it, email president@hk-dragons.com NOW. Everyone else, talk your mate into getting on board. Flights will leave 4.30pm Friday and return departing HCMC at 6.30pm.
Training rained off (June 7)
Following an exhausting tour of Manila and a weekend with some of Hong Kong's favourite sons returning from afar, training was perhaps expectedly low-key on Sunday. for the 13 that did make it, there was the promise of new talent on show. More on the fleet-footed midfielder in future reports.
Training rained off (May 24)
All Manila tourists are required to collect their membership kits before we leave later this week. Email tours@hk-dragons.com now to organise your pick-up. If advised beforehand, VP Stoochy will be able to bring the kit to Wednesday boxing. Otherwise, organise to visit him in Happy Valley. Non-tourists can do the same or wait until our next training session at the Valley.
Plans had been in place to distribute the gear on Sunday but training was washed out.
Big men dominate in middle(May 17)
Another huge session at the Valley on Sunday evening. After the usual build-up through a smoothly-executed 6-point drill and some tactical boundary throw-in routines, it was into a fiesty scatchy.
In the guts, Josh and Big Dave and useful bigman newcomer The Colonel vyed with Budgie Allen and Jonno and i forrest of tall timber. Abs was tagging the pacy Stuchy, playing for the Darks. Up forward Mals and Deano were a handful and Will and Man Cheung proved an elusive foil. For the Lights, Tim Maudsen down back put in his strongest performance since switching from rugby to the great game. Luke was everywhere, Robbie was running around barefoot like Zola Budd. Come selection time in Manila, Rent-boy could find himself rueing the late diving tackle that ended The Prez's 'Phil Manassa meets Maradona' run from full back to forward pocket.
Kudos to Lips for umpiring with his dodgy calf muscle - and full points for penalising the Darks with a bouncedown for the technicality of the fullback kicking out from outside the goal square.
Big numbers, big session (May 10)
With outside temperatures hitting close to 30, humidity 85 and still 35 Dragons hitting the track, things were certainly starting to heat up down at The Valley this week. Coach Wino took the boys through their paces early with a number of warm up handball and kicking drills followed by some circle work but with that many blokes making the effort to hit the track it was only a matter of time before 2 teams were picked, the shirts came off (or were turned inside out) and a scratchy began.
In a very even affair between dark dragons and light dragons 2 15 minute halves were played in a 12 on 12 format to get us accustomed to the Manila comp in 3 weeks time. A number of old and new dragons performed very well during the game and it was great to see some brand new recruits in BJ, Adam, Phil and Nathan hit the track along with a new (but has been a dragon before) recruit in Cooky. The boys showed plenty of form and will be invaluable come KL and the champs in September. It was goal for goal for most of the game with very little separating the two teams, only a touch of class (perhaps ass) from Stuchy in the final minute could seal the deal for the lighter dragons, his left foot snap from deep in the pocket even gaining goal of the year calls from the opposition (just as well its early in the season!!).
Training is on again this Sunday from 6pm, with only 2 more session till Manila make sure you get down there.
Perfect conditions, May 3
Perfect conditions prevailed on the weekend and good numbers were on the track for a series of scratchies and handball-only games. Solid performances were given by Colin in defence, Luke on the ball, new boy Justin out of the guts in the Dons jumper, livewire Gags, elusive Mals and free-roaming Cozza.
Clock is ticking for the first tour of the year. Email tours@hk-dragons.com now to tour as air fares etc are booked.
Wet weather workout
The Dragons drew more than 20 players to training Sunday (April 26) despite the inclement weather. Conditions could well be similar in Manila at the end of May so the workout with the wet balls (once Coach Wines actually showed up with them) could prove valuable. Training again the is Sunday (May 3) at Happy Valley at 6pm. No excuses.
Clear run of bookings
The committee has secured the 6pm Sunday training slot every weekend from this Sunday (April 26) through to the Manila tour at the end of May. After a series of interruptions from the 7s, race meets and weather, it is time to commit now to a solid series of training sessions in the lead-up to the famous Manila tour.
Irrespective of perceived line-up strength, the tour will unashamedly reward those who have put in the most in terms of training appearances, fitness classes and effort. Get down this week or it could be a big interchange bench.
Second hills run rained off
With the races on at Happy Valley this weekend (April 19), the Dragons were to undertake their second run to the hills. Unfortunately, bad weather has ruled this out so the next chance to get some fitness and impress selectors is next Sunday at Happy Valley, 6pm. Before then there is this Wednesday's boxing/fitness session. We have been going for a couple of months and it is never too late to join in. We need numbers this week to ensure this priceless fitness boost continues. It is great value and produces real results fast. Email tours@hk-dragons.com for info.
Dragons Back
Bowski led a team of intrepid Dragons across the trail named after our club, the Dragon's Back, on Easter Saturday. Running the entire trail, the contingent of 10 Dragons finished the scenic but testing run at Big Wave Bay.
Scrappy handballs, solid circle work
The post-7s training session was again well-attended with about 25 people on the track. Some comically badly executed handball drills were thankfully countered with some positive stuff later in the night. Coach Wines had ordered push-up sessions for any digressions during circle work but the threat was in vain as the drill went off without a hitch.
There will be a Dragons Back run this Easter Saturday. Details to come your way very soon. This is a great workout in scenic country, ending with some well-earned beers in Stanley. Not to be missed. You can checkout photos of past runs on the Photo Gallery of the website.
|
Huge turnout before break
Almost 40 players were on the very firm surface at Happy Valley on Sunday March 22 for a few drills and a lengthy scratch match complete with interchange.
The scratchy - which strangely enough came down to last goal wins - was followed by a quick session of circle work, with designated hunters forcing the group into push-ups if caught with the ball. The club had to be forced to leave the ground late when management finally turned out the lights. Keen. Solid.
The Dragons have attracted a host of new players - of all ages and ability levels - over the past couple of weeks. With most having committed to club jumpers, the club is bracing itself for a huge year of football, touring and partying.
Next training is same time and place, April 5.
Numbers build each week
Almost 30 fellas hit the track this weekend in a brilliant training run in perfect, cool conditions on a clear night under lights at Happy Valley.
A fiesty and evenly balanced scratch match was played, with new boys Wayne, Rhino, Davo, Jacko in the ruck and others all putting in a good effort. Skipper Baron reeled in not one but two screamers, Bowski was solid, Spyder presented well at full-forward, Cozza ran hard, Simo got loose and Gags was around the place. Good work by Coach Wino with the whistle.
Plenty of players put in their tipping money and subs too, so a good night all-round. Details on the left here, or on mainpage, under headlines for your chance to pay up and join in. Now is the time!
Training underway
Another good weekend turn-out, with more than 20 players at training on March 8, the second session of year, held under lights at Happy Valley. At least half a dozen new faces are on out on the track as well.
The Dragons 2009 campaign to regain the Championship began with training on Sunday March 1.
More than 20 blokes hit the regrassed paddock for a cruisy sesh of run throughs, drills and some fitness work.
Training is on again this Sunday (March 15) and the following weeks after that, same time, same venue. Only Rugby 7s weekend sees us taking a break.
The pre-season boxing sessions in Central on Wednesday nights have been epic, gruelling workouts that have reduced all first-time visitors to their knees. But four weeks in and the results are becoming evident. We are getting more than ten people per session and will extend it throughout the year if the good numbers keep up. It's worth it. Sign up and questions to tours@hk-dragons.com
Balls and boxing
Training is on at Happy Valley each Sunday. Check the training box on the home page each week to verify times and location.
To punch through the pre-season, the Dragons are organising special Jab class boxing sessions. Times and numbers etc are being finalised. If you want to swing a few hooks and get fit for season 2009 - just five weeks away - then email Stuchy on tours@hk-dragons.com .
Subscribe