With the 2016 competition welcoming U21 teams for the first time, it has been exciting to see how these young teams have fared and held their own in the competition. It has also lead to the competition continuing to grow in numbers.

It was pleasing to see over 40 representatives participating in the Volunteer Referee Course held earlier in the season, double the number who attended last year.

The Womens Competiton held its charity round to support Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven & Illawarra (SAHSSI) on 29^th May. SAHSSI provides a range of accommodation and support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and all donations will be used to support families re-establish homes in the community.

As we reach the middle of the season the early honours are shared between some perennial title holders, big improvers and new comers.

In Division 1 (8 teams) Albion Park share top place with Woonona with 24 points after 9 rounds. The other contenders Tarrawanna and Wollongong Olympic sit on 18 and 10 points respectively with both having games in hand.

This weeks match of the round sees first placed Albion Park take on second placed Woonona on Wednesday 5^th after the game was rescheduled due to Parks continued success in the State Cup.

Division 2 has unfortunately been reduced to 11 teams following the withdrawal of Bulli Juniors. Wollongong Olympic head up this competition on 20 points followed by Wests Illawarra on 19 points. Its great to see Thirroul’s U21’s sitting in 7^th place.

This weeks match of the round is 2^nd placed Wests Illawarra vs 5^th placed Kiama.

Division 3 (10 teams) sees new comers Dandaloo sitting in top spot on 27 points ahead of Bulli on 21 points. It seems unlikely even at this early stage that Dandy wont be figuring in the final series. The game to watch this week will be second placed Bulli vs 3^rd placed University.

Division 4 has 10 teams including 4 Over 30’s including Russell Vale Pink (22 points) who share second place with Figtree behind Port Kembla who sit on 24 points. It will be first versus second in this weeks match of the round as Port Kembla take on Russell Vale Pink O30.

Albion Park and Wollongong Olympic are still alive in the State Cup and will be in action this weekend as Park take on Como West Jannali (Sutherland) and Olympic meet the Flying Bats (North West Sydney Womens). We wish them all the best.

By Sandy Deepers

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn (Tarrawanna v Albion Park Div 3)