Remembering the 1975 Club Championship
In 1975 the Senior Daramalan Rugby Club established itself as a force in Rugby Union in Canberra.
The Club started the season on a high note by winning the Schweppes Knockout Trophy, the only club other than Weston Suburbs to win this trophy since its introduction.
Although there was elation in the Club at this successful beginning to the season there was also concern over the injury suffered by Peter McGrath in the final game of the knockout which subsequently caused him to miss most of the games that year. He was, however, an early trial list for the 1975 Wallaby tour of the United Kingdom.
As the season progressed the confidence of members and supporters of the Club grew as all teams continued to put points on the board, and the name of Daramalan was high on the ladder in each competition.
At the conclusion of the season Daramalan won the Club Champinship and had teams in the finals in Reserve Grade, Third Grade and the Colts Competitions. First Grade was edged out of the finals in the last games of the season. Although the Daramalan Golden Eagle flew over Manuka Oval on the days of the semi-finals and the grand final, none of the teams was successful in taking out a championship.
The overall result, however, gave increasing confidence for 1976, and later years, as many players developed the knowledge and skills which come only from experience, and many of these players are still young in years but old in football skills. In this regard, Brendan McGee played his 50th first grade game in the closing stages of competition.
Two new competitions were introduced in 1975; a Colts competition played as part of the grade competition and the Quinn Cup. The Colts competition `provided a useful venue for young players and school leavers to further develop their skills before moving into the more demanding grade Rugby.
The Daramalan Colts in 1975 were a force to reckon with and made the final four. The Quinn Cup competition provided a venue for those players who enjoyed Rugby but not the demands of regular training.
The Quinn Cup brought out of retirement many old boys of Daramalan who had hung up their boots but accepted the challenge of a run on Saturday afternoon with notable successes the Daramalan side took out the Quinn Cup in its first season.
This success was in no small way attributable to the enthusiasm of Mac Nichols and “Den Mother“ Connie who organized and ”coached“ the Quinn Cup side to success.
The Club continued to be well represented in A.C.T. teams, John Hardy, Peter McGrath, Don Stallman and Denis McGrath played in the new ‘Harlequin“ jerseys for the A.C.T. in Interstate games, while Garren Day, Chris Fearon, John Carse, Michael Paine, Chris Hurley, Michael Jamison, Mark Hegarty and John Hardy were members of various A.C.T. Colts sides. John Hardy also played in the final trials for selection for the Wallaby side which was to tour the United Kingdom 1976.
The success of a Rugby Club depends not only on achievements on the football field but also on the organisation which backs up the players. Daramalan was fortunate in having a willing and active group of supporters who are always prepared to assume organisational responsibilities with a high degree of competence and, in this regard, the Women’s Auxiliary proved to be a tower of strength.
It can be said with confidence that 1975 was a good year. The Club made its mark in every competition in which a team was entered and with the experience so gained and with the determination and enthusiasm evident in players 1976 could be the year.
The Club went on to welcome those leaving school in 1975 and an increasing number of supporters from the parents and friends of Daramalan to share with the Club the joy, the despair, the tension, which inevitably is associated with spectator involvement in the game of Rugby.