Alby has impact in one-off return

[-AK-]

Nice article on the trial coming up. We can make this the match thread too! BigDan are you heading out to the game?

THE Scone Thoroughbreds rugby league club has been fortunate enough to attract the Newcastle Knights Toyota Cup side (under 20s) to participate in what will be a memorable moment for the Scone Thoroughbreds Rugby League club and their supporters.

The Thoroughbreds have assembled a side which will never be seen on the same field again.

The side will include former Newcastle Knights hero Darren Albert who played for the Scone Thoroughbreds from the age of six until he was enticed to the Newcastle Knights as an eighteen year old.

Also former North Queensland cowboy Kyle Warren will line up for the Thoroughbreds.

The side will be coached by the most successful coach in the clubs history, Darryl Rando and will be managed by former Australian representative and Scone life member “Don” Bandy Adams.

The day will showcase the following – 5:30 Scone Thoroughbreds old boys vs Aberdeen tigers old boys, 6:30 will see a mini league game which will showcase some junior talent from both Scone and Aberdeen.

6:45 the naming of the grandstand to the Don “Bandy” Adams stand 7:00 Scone Thoroughbreds invitational side vs Newcastle knights Toyota cup side.

Also included in the events will be the turning on of the new lights at Scone park which will allow the Scone Thoroughbreds junior and senior league to host night games.

After the game the sponsors and supporters are invited back to the Scone RSL for a presentation which will include all the players involved in the day attending along with our special guest Todd Lowrie (Scone Junior) and players from the Newcastle Knights NRL team.

Scone Advocate


Sounds like a good night for the Club.

[bigdan]

It is. They've been arranging this for a while, and it looks to be a good night for all concerned.

We don't get too many games like this, so I hope they get a decent turn out. They've been working on Scone Park the past week or so (my nan lives across the street), and it's looking in good shape.

I'm going to make an attempt to get to the game, I can record The Bill to watch on Sunday, I got that covered. ;)

[bigdan]

OK, I've got it organised, I'll be at tonight's game. I've set up my Twitter account to accept SMSs from my phone - I'll be updating the scores from the game at http://twitter.com/bigdan1985

[bigdan]

Oh, and I'll be making an attempt at some photos as well.

[-AK-]

Excellent work mate, + rep coming your way!

[-AK-]

I am updating the thread as BigDan gives us updates!

For those @ home, ST is Scone, NK is Newcastle

Grandstand and lights just dedicated, game less than 10 min

Game about 2 start. Smithy is here.

First Half

Kick-off

Keith Luila try no con NK 4-0

Smith try no con ST 4-4

Keiran English try no con NK 8-4

[Liam]

English is a good future prospect imo.

[-AK-]

Yeh he is Liam, there were rumours he went to the Bulldogs this year but that's obviously not true - I think he still has like 2 or 3 years in NYC aswell.

[bigdan]

Apologies for the sudden stop in updates. Twitter is notorious for screwing up at the worst times. I still have all of them on my phone, so I'll compile a sort-of match report from what I have.

[-AK-]

No worries mate, happen to get any shots?

Thanks again, sounded like a top night for Scone footy.

[bigdan]

FULL TIME
Newcastle Knights NYC 42
(Luila x2, K. Naiqama x2, English, Ford, Pearson, Unknown* tries, 5 from 8 conversions by various kickers, including George Nidira)
defeated
Scone Thoroughbreds Invitational 4
(Smith, 0/1 conversions)
at Scone Park

* = Announcer didn't say who scored. Also, please correct my spelling of player's names.

There was a good turn-out at Scone Park to see the Knights U20's take on a Scone invitational team, featuring local hero (and former Knight) Darren Albert, former NRL player Kyle Warren, as well as past and present Thoroughbred players. Conditions were a bit on the muggy side, but soon improved at the end of the first of three 25 minute periods with a nice breeze cooling things down.

The result didn't really reflect the style of game played, with both teams making quite a few mistakes. Failure to control the ball from a return kick-off saw Scone's only try in the first period. Albert came off with an injury, he was holding his teeth/upper jaw late in the game. In the end, the Knights U20's proved too strong for the Thoroughbreds, pulling away from the locals in the second and third periods.

Before the game, the Don "Bandy" Adams Grandstand was officially christened by new Upper Hunter mayor Michael Johnsen in the presence of the former Kangaroo, who played for Maitland, Gloucester and Scone. The new lights were also turned on for the first time during the game. Curtain raisers included a touch game featuring the old boys of Scone and the Aberdeen Tigers and a mini-league game featuring afore-mentioned clubs' under 7's.

Knights NRL coach Brian Smith and former Knight, current Eel and Scone junior Todd Lowrie addressed the crowd in the breaks as well.

[bigdan]

No worries mate, happen to get any shots?

Thanks again, sounded like a top night for Scone footy.

I got a few shots, I'll look through them a bit later.

There was a good crowd at Scone Park, very successful for the club.

[jamesgould]

A few of those Knights players are over 20, aren't they?

[bigdan]

A few of those Knights players are over 20, aren't they?

Given it was a trial, I'd dare say so.

[bigdan]

I've uploaded the pictures onto Flickr and will soon post them on my blog.

Oh, and for anyone from any other forums out there - you may copy my work, but PLEASE link back to either DJPalmer.com, or MarathonStadium.com, and credit me as author of the photos/post. They are ALL licensed under the Creative Commons.

Here are the photos at Flickr. I intend to make a full set of it soon, I'll have to upgrade to Pro anyway.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdan2006/

[knight-no-7]

ALBERT MAKES GUEST APPEARANCE
2009 Trial Series
2009-03-01

http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/imagelarge.php?image=/photo/news/albert.JPG

1997 Grand Final hero, Darren Albert was back where it all began yesterday as the star attraction in a Scone invitational side, taking on the club he ran into the history books more than a decade ago.

Around 1,500 people turned out at Scone Park to see Albert's Thoroughbreds muscle up against the Knights National Youth Competition squad and selected first graders, for Newcastle's first senior appearance in 2009.

Watched from the sidelines by former Kangaroo, Don 'Bandy' Adams and Knights Old Boy, Todd Lowrie, Albert displayed glimpses of the speed and agility he became famous for, setting up Scone's only try and returning serve on the young Knights with some bruising defence (pictured). Unfortunately Albert left the field at the end of the second session following a heavy knock to the mouth but the crowd had already seen what they came to witness - one of their most famous exports running around one more time in the blue and white.

Played over three 25 minute sessions, the trial was an ideal test of where the NYC and selected first graders fitness levels are at as the players felt the full force of the Upper Hunter heat.

While strong performances from Knights players, Con Mika, George Ndaira and Keith Lulia were encouraging, the match was more about testing fitness levels and soaking up match experience before the serious trials kick off in around two weeks.

The final score read 42 - 4 the Knights way but the best performance of the day went to the people of Scone for turning out in such large numbers to support their game.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Hunter Valley the Knights juniors battled near 40 degree heat in a hit out against Penrith at Cessnock, as trials resumed in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball grades.

Newcastle's Harold Matthews side proved too strong for the Panthers with a convincing 28 - 16 win while the SG Ball squad suffered a narrow defeat for a 20 - 24 full time score line.

Junior trials continue in Singleton next weekend.

The Knights First Grade side will make its first appearance at St John Oval, Charlestown on February 14 when they will take on a rotation of Newcastle Rugby League clubs.

[bigdan]

They've got it right. I wouldn't read much into the result, it was all about fitness and getting match experience under the belt.

Luila and K. Naiquama played well, and are looking good for the season ahead.

[-AK-]

Another Article on the game:

http://www.theherald.com.au/multimedia/images/full/439818.jpg

Alby has impact in one-off return
BY ROBERT DILLON
2/02/2009 4:00:00 AM

NEWCASTLE 1997 grand final hero Darren Albert shed blood for his home town in a one-off comeback against the Knights under 20s at Scone Park on Saturday night.

Albert, whose NRL career ended in early 2007 when he surprisingly retired after his first season with Cronulla, was enticed back to his former stamping ground to make a guest appearance in a Scone invitational team.

The 32-year-old spent most of his NRL career on the right wing, but he played fullback on Saturday night and made a number of try-saving tackles in Scone's 42-4 loss.

But his impressive display ended on an unfortunate note when he suffered a heavy knock and was helped from the field with blood pouring from his mouth.

"I think he put a tooth through his lip," Knights coach Brian Smith said yesterday. "But up until then, he did all right. He played quite well.

"He was busy, he got involved, and I know it meant a hell of a lot for everyone out there for him to be involved."

Smith said there were plenty of encouraging signs to emerge from Newcastle's opening hit-out of the 2009 pre-season.

"We got through without any serious injuries and, generally speaking, it was good to see the guys putting into practice some of the things we've been working on at training," Smith said.

The Knights' next trial match will be against Newcastle Rugby League teams South and Central at St John Oval on Saturday week, and Smith said he planned to choose his best available squad.

Newcastle's other warm-up matches are against Melbourne at Olympic Park (February 21) and Cronulla at Cessnock (February 28).

Against Scone on Saturday, Newcastle's line-up was bolstered by the inclusion of fringe first-graders Keith Lulia, George Ndaira, Joel Edwards, Sione Tovo and Constantine Mika, who are all members of the full-time senior squad.

"Keith scored a nice try and did some nice things," Smith said. "George probably played about 35 minutes, kicked some goals and generally his dummy-half work was pretty nice.

"Joel Edwards and Sione Tovo both started up in the front row and both put some good shots on and had some really good carries. Con Mika had some really outstanding moments. He set up a try, made a couple of breaks and was generally quite effective. Some of the under-20 kids did really well, too."

Smith said the Knights were happy to contribute on a big night for the Scone Thoroughbreds, who christened new floodlights and renamed their grandstand after league legend Don "Bandy" Adams.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/alby-has-impact-in-oneoff-return/1421521.aspx

[bigdan]

So that's why he went off. I thought he did something to his jaw, he was holding it like it was injured.

[jamesgould]

Poor Albert, he looks in a bad way in that photo!

[Mr Goanna]

Darren 'the Flash' Albert puts in another good performance proving once again that class is permanent...onya Flash!!!!!:praise:
One of the best ever.

[patskies]

anyone know where you can watch this game ?

[bigdan]

anyone know where you can watch this game ?

Nowhere. No one was filming, I don't know about photographs outside of what's in this thread or the ones I've taken, and any reports you've read are the only press you'll see of it.

[Theknightsrule7]

Anyone know why they were in away kits

Better for the heat?

[bigdan]

Anyone know why they were in away kits

Better for the heat?

Scone play in blue and white. Too much of a clash.

[knight-no-7]

anyone know where you can watch this game ?

Hard getting trial game videos, let alone an U20's game. We'll just have to wait till the other trials get underway.

[patskies]

Hard getting trial game videos, let alone an U20's game. We'll just have to wait till the other trials get underway.

thats a shame .. but happy for albert

[Jonno_Knights]

Scone play in blue and white. Too much of a clash.

look like the thirroull butchers

[bigdan]

look like the thirroull butchers

They've also had similar jerseys to the Bulldogs as well.