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Unbeaten all year until Sunday, Balmain reserves fell at the final hurdle in their quest for the perfect campaign, going down 2-0 in the final to Colo Colo. Looking off the pace for most of the game, the Tigers still had enough chances to win the game against an opposition who rarely threatened, in a game that failed to reach any great heights.

Colo Colo took the upper hand early and enjoyed a glut of possession without making keeper Delaney lift a finger. At the other end, Ilias Hatzidavid hit the crossbar with a header, and Chris Grayson had to cut short his celebrations when a header that look goalbound was somehow clawed around the post in what most observers agree was the save of the season. 0-0 at half time and the trend continued in the second, with Hatzidavid lifting a shot just over the bar and Colo Colo looking unthreatening. However a Colo Colo substitution on the hour proved a master stroke, with nuggetty wide man Carlos Carlosqez dancing and nutmegging his way down the line, sending in a bullet cross which the previously anonymous six and half foot Antoine Sibierski lookalike up front headed in for the lead.

Still the chances came for Balmain, with a Hatzidavid header again denied by another fine save by the flying Colo Colo keeper. But alas, it was not to be the Tigers' day, and they even suffered the ignominy of a second goal in injury time after the referee spotted Dave Horse practicing his off season judo routine on the Colo Colo striker who was through on goal. All in all, it was a rather tame affair as far as grand finals go, and despite having the lion's share of the chances, the Tigers really didn't look as if they deserved to win the match. Congratulations go out to both Colo Colo on a well deserved victory, and of course the mighty Tigers who can still be proud of a season in which they pretty much swept all before them.

Well its back again for another year, albeit at a new venue, and with the introduction of a women's competition. Due to ground reparations and a slightly irked baseball club, we have had to move this years competition to Leichhardt 3, which is down at the end of Lilyfield Road - next to La Montage Function Centre.

The competition will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights starting on the 15th of October. Due to facility limitations there will be less teams admitted so priority will be given to, in the first instance, teams that have been with us for 5 years or more, then teams that have been with us recently, then new teams. Please do not think that your application is approved until you hear so.

The application form can be downloaded from here

You must fill out the form and attach a photo id of all players, otherwise your application will not be accepted. I suggest a photo copy of a drivers license or passport and not just a loose photo with no details on it (yes people tried to give us loose photos last year!).

This years fee is $900 to be made payable to BALMAIN SOCCER FOOTBALL CLUB and must accompany your application along with all aforementioned paperwork.

So to summarise:

• The competition will start on October 15 and will run into January next year.


• Matches will be played at Leichhardt Park #3, Lilyfield.


• You may enter a team on either Monday or Wednesday nights (note Women's comp night pending team numbers). You may specify your preference on the entry form, although please be aware that we may not be able to accomodate you. This will depend on the number of teams wanting to play on each night.


• Entry fees are $900 per team and must be paid in full before the start of the competition.


• Teams may have a maximum of 10, and a minimum of eight players. This allows you to play with a couple of substitutes and also makes sure you're not caught short on weeks when someone is unable to play.


• We require the name, address, and photo identification of all players to be supplied on the entry forms as part of our public liability insurance requirements. Also if a player plays in a winter competition please put their club and registration number on form. You will not be able to play unregistered players during the competition.


• Due to overwhelming numbers of entries each year, receipt of your entry form and fees by Balmain SC does not guarantee a position in the competition. Should there be too many entries your money will be refunded in full.


• Teams that are successful in gaining entry to the competition will have to download a waiver form which must be filled out by all players. Players will not be permitted to play without signing a waiver form. No exceptions!


• Click here for a full list of competition rules.

There will be a Captains meeting a week before the competition starts to address all queries on rules and regulations so please no phone calls on such matters until then.

Dave Grill
Comp Secretary

Balmain Reserves overcame Colo Colo 2-0 in their semi-final on Sunday, earning a place in the Grand Final against either Hawkesbury or Colo Colo, to be played on the weekend of September 15 and 16.

There will be no training Tuesday night this week, but it will be on again on Thursday.