SportGibraltar

Article by Damian Kerr (pictured)

London Gibraltar stunned their critics and confused spectators by reaching the end of a game for the first time in their short history. Gibraltar lost five-one to 3kg Legends, stretching their unbroken record to three defeats in three – only two of which they bothered to turn up for, and only one of which lasted until the final whistle.

However, an overhauled Gibraltarean side showed the beginnings of an understanding of touch rugby, and towards the end of the second half seemed close to grasping many of the game’s rules.

A series of handling errors initially put the team on the back foot, and the Gibs sucumbed to a flurry of early tries. However, early in the second half a looping pass from Robert Azopardi was caught by Philip Valarino who sprinted the length of the field to touch down, before revealing the contents of last nights kebab, all over the goalposts of the adjoining football pitch.

A man down, London Gibraltar found themselves under the cosh again, and began leaking tries. However, at the final whistle spirits were high – a full game had finally been played, a try had been scored, it hadn’t rained, and pies were only two pounds in Shepherd’s Bush Walkabout.

A feisty performance by the inexperienced players is giving signals that things can only get better, after all they can't get any worse, having lost three on the trot.

Article by London Gibraltar's correspondent, Damian Kerr

Full credit must be given to Tommy Norton, whose last experience with a rugby ball was when Wham were in the charts. It is also significant to point out that three of London Gibraltar's players travelled the length of the country to make it to the game: Mark Lafferty having come from watching Jack Johnson's lighter swaying vigil, the night before, in Nottignham. Nick Navas from St Albans, with our camera woman/drinks lady/cheerleader etc etc. Philip Valarino had staggered his way up from Brighton, well worth it in the end as can be seen from his ability to still drink a cold Victoria Bitter, in the Walkie.

(Phil explains the finer points of the miss pass to Mark) pictured right ---->

We look forward to next week's match against the mighty Flying Foxes at 12:40, who are currently joint second. (meet at Putney Bridge tube station at 11:45 or quarter to 12.

Anyone interested in playing should email: sportgibraltar@yahoo.com Everyone is welcome!!!!

Click here: to view the league table

Match Played 26/2/06

London Gibraltar succumb to another defeat.

There were however three crowning glories to this match: to have finished the game, to have scored a thrilling try and thirdly that out of the six players, on the field, five were from Gibraltar.

The 3KG legends were the opposition and are currently joint first in the league.

Final score 5-1

Full match report to follow, watch this space.....

Player images: In order from left to right, as seen above: Nick Navas Tommy Norton Robert Azopardi Damian Kerr Philip Valarino Mark Lafferty.

Click here to view a list of results.

The Gibraltar Sports & Leisure Authority has organised a seminar on the subject of ‘Drugs in Sport’.

The seminar was conducted by Ms Allison Holloway, Education and Information Manager, Drug Free Sport, UK Sport.

It was held on Tuesday 21 February 2006 at 7.00pm at Bayside Sports Centre’s Lecture Rooms.

The seminar was open to all the members of the Gibraltar team taking part in the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Melbourne, Australia, in March.

Invitations to attend were sent to one representative from each of all the other registered sports associations.

Gibraltar Government Press Release - 09 February 2006 - No: 038/2006

Source: Gibraltarnewsonline.com

Fosters GABBA, women's team succumb to A.B. Ituci by 55- 58.

The trip to Chiclana to face the joint league leaders was never going to be easy.

The game ended with a very narrow defeat to Foster’s GABBA – the first this season. A low scoring first quarter ended in 9-9. Ituci came out strong in the second quarter and went ahead by 19-9, within the first 4 minutes. GABBA managed to turn the score round a little before ending the second quarter on 20-29.

The third quarter was very even 14-14. This meant that Ituci went into the final quarter with 43-34. Fosters fought back strongly in the final quarter to come within three points of the home team 53-56.

We must congratulate the ladies for a resilient come back and wish them the best of luck in their forthcoming matches.

Top socrers:

Claire Hernandez 13 Caroline Robba: 13 Vanessa Romero: 9 Annika Cross: 8 Monica Brown: 6 Kaira Sene: 4 Louise Goncalves: 2 Kelly Charuy: Sussie Edwards:

The junior events continue to do well in all the disciplines including, Cadets, Cadettes, and Passerelle Boys and Passerelle Girls.With all the teams, apart from the Cadet team securing a win, against Spanish opposition.

Cadets: GABBA 47 – San Fernando B 66
Cadettes: SD Candray 39 – GABBA 53
Passerelle Boys: GABBA 52 – AD Mergablo 44
Passerelle Girls: GABBA 49 - AD Mergablo 39

Click here: to view other results from the cadiz leagues.

Game played 19/02/06

Newcastle’s latest victory 2-1 over closest rivals man Utd puts them 14 points clear in the five club GFA Coca Cola First Division, with just five matches remaining. So they just require one more win to ensure another title in their bid for a straight Treble.

Newcastle’s first goal was scored by Lee Casciaro, who headed the ball in from a an Alvez free kick.

A number of yellow cards were to follow.

Manchester UTD had a few chances mostly from Moncilla and Duarte as the two teams tussled with end to end action.

The hald ended with strike from Lee Casciaro that struck the crossbar.

Man UTD started the half the strongest with plenty of pressure being inflicted on the Newcastle defence, by Montovio.

With 15 minutes gone in the second half, Duarte fired a cracker into the box, which was put away by Alvez’s left foot.

Macnhester UTD went on to score a goal, hammered in by Montovio on the half volley, whilst on the run. Manchester UTD took encouragement from the goal and pressured the Newcastle defence. Their best opportunity to clinch the equaliser came from a last minute header by Montovio, which just sailed just wide.

A closely contested game, that resulted in Newcastle taking the three points and virtually sealing their third, successive, league title.

Click here: To visit the GFA site

Game played 19/02/06

Campo Gibraltar finally put their winning ways back into action, after what have been to closely contested matches.

Campo Gibraltar: 27 Kolmer CD Granada 04: 0

Full match report coming soon.....

Click here: for other results, league table, forthcoming matches.

Click here: to visit SportGibraltar's Forum to discuss rugby in Gibraltar. You will also be able to view the 15th of January's match report against Marbella

Some more excellent images from the game.

Image1 Image2 Image3 Image4 Image5 Image6 Image7 Image8 Image9

Gibraltar's first sport related forum.

An online forum has been created for users, interested in voicing a concern, congratulating or merely discussing any topic related to sport in Gibraltar.

There is also an area to discuss any sport related topic you wish to talk about.

Regsiter today and start taking part! You may choose to sign up under your real name or simply take an anonymous username.

There is a help guide on how to post and take part, however the forum is very user friendly and registration is even simpler.

A link for the forum will be added to the left hand side of this forum, however you can also
click here to gain access.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Join in and become interactive with sport on the Rock.

A warm welcome is extended to all.

SportGibraltar

http://www.evalve.org/boxed/sportgibraltar

I would first of all like to thank James Russo for being one of the first sporting organisations, in Gibraltar to provide SportGibraltar with match reports.

The game has been previosuly reported on in SportGibraltar however, this match report gives us a full insight into the closely contested match.

John Smiths Campo Gibraltar sponsored by Triay & Triay injected the element of the totally unexpected, on which the first Division Regional has always thrived on. This week’s competition was a magnificent contest between the division leaders Jaen and lower table Campo Gibraltar, on the 5^th February.

John Smiths Campo Gibraltar came into the fixture against Jaen on a high after the previous two winning and high scoring fixtures against Universidad de Malaga 83-0 and CR Almeria 34-6. The Gibraltar based team knew this fixture would not be easy as was seen earlier in the season defeat by Jaen. The match kicked off with both clubs wanting to score first. With the Jaen side far superior because of their Romanian U21 internationals than the Gibraltar based team.

Several opportunities came and went for both teams during the first half. With both teams matched in their defensive capabilities. Superbly organised and committed defence ensured that the Jaén never really created any flow and continuity. Ball carriers were confronted in midfield with a wall of red and white shirts. Only the Jaén talented multi position Romanian number 8 upheld his reputation among Jaén’s attackers.

The first real chance for the John Smiths Campo Gibraltar team came when at the back of the maul, when the pass went to Carlos Balloqui by cutting an incisive diagonal line across the Jaén midfield. The Gibraltar speedster showed enough gas to evade the cover of several Jaén defenders to dot down. In addition, the try scorer successfuly converted his own try making the score 7-0 to the home team.

With eight minutes to go before half time Jaén had finally got it right, the talented multi position Romanian number 8 loping surge on the right drew the Gibraltar defence across and created the space in which with a finely timed pass sent a Jaén colleague over on the far left. Jaén’s conversion attempt was struck wide of the post and Gibraltar’s lead remained within 2 points.

If there was a moment’s sign of Gibraltarian self-doubt it came three minutes later as Carlos Balloqui missed the simple penalty that would have restored their lead to 5 points.

Their 7-5 lead at the break was a precise reflection of the balance of play. John Smiths Campo Gibraltar sponsored by Triay and Triay had started confidently from the kick-off, running fluently and taking the ball through multiple phases as they sliced into the Jaén territory. They met with defence of the resolution one might reasonably expect for from a team at home in the opening minutes of the second half.

With the closing 12 minutes of the game Jaén began to squabble between themselves wondering why a Club further down in the league were beating them, compared to the match that they so easily won in October. The non-stop arguing in the lineouts between the Jaén forward, resulted in Gibraltar stealing the ball and making a counter offensive towards the opposition lines.

With John Smiths Campo Gibraltar on their last legs near the end of the match, a silly penalty, on the 10 metre line, resulted in a penalty kick for goal. Jaén’s kicker slotted the ball across the low left hand of the post. The referee was not going to give the points to the opposition as it was not clear if it had just missed the post, but finally it was given thanks to the Gibraltar touch judge Anthony Griffiths and his counter part from Jaén who thought it skimmed the left hand side of the post and the post as the Instalaciones Deportivas de Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro are so low. The gap had been closed to within one point. Disappointingly, as soon as the kick went through the referee blew the whistle for full time.

The final score was: Campo Gibraltar 7 Jaén 8

After the match everyone went down to Flaherty’s Irish Bar in Puerto Sotogrande another of our sponsors for drinks and a meal and afterwards to watch the Scottish beat the French. May we take this opportunity on thanking our three sponsors of the Campo Gibraltar team Triay and Triay, John Smiths and to Flaherty’s Irish Bar.

Match report by: James Russo Club Captain and co-secretary

Once again thank you for your support and we wish you success, in the matches to come.

Check their progress in the league: Primera Regional

View the Federacion Andaluza's website.

Coming soon: Last week's match report against Granada

Gibraltar's 1st Division is currently in it's 3rd round.
The latest scores available, are as follows:

17-Feb-06 6pm: Man Utd: 1 Newcastle Utd: 2

17-Feb-06 8pm: Gib Utd: 2 St.Joseph's FC: 1

	TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Newcastle UTD	11	8	3	0	31	7	24	27
2	Gibraltar UTD Mansion FC	11	3	4	4	13	16	-3	13
3	Manchester United FC	11	3	4	4	15	19	-4	13
4	St Joseph’s FC	12	3	3	6	13	19	-6	12
5	Glacis UTD	11	2	4	5	10	21	-11	10

This is what last year's table ended up looking like:

Champions 2005
1.Newcastle FC      15  12  1  2   47-11  37  
2.Glacis United     15  11  3  1   32-11  36
3.St. Joseph's FC   15   7  2  6   28-23  23
4.Manchester United 15   5  2  8   29-19  17
5.Gibraltar United  15   2  2 11   15-37   8

Last week's win against Manchester United leaves Newcaslte UTD firmly in the lead, in Division 1. Their 14 points advantage is now insurmountable and look ready to win the league by a similar points marginto last year's. We must therefore congratulate Newcastle United on a fine run of form.

Newcastle United Gibraltar, appear to be doing considerably better than their namesake's current form, in England's Barclycard Premiership, who tonight drew 0-0, with Charlton Athletic.

Gibraltar Football Association Website

Newcastle United UK

Manchester United UK


If you are interested in buying Gibraltar's National Football jersey and shorts, you may call or visit:

Supersport (Betterprice)	Telephone: 44178
178 Main Street (Tel/Fax)

San Marino 2006

San Marino Country Profile

Gibraltar will be represented at the IX Mediterranean Challenge cup to be held in San Marino between the 26th and 29th March 2006:

From the president of the San Marino Bowling Association:

San Marino,

As President of the San Marino Bowling Federation, it is my pleasure to invite you all to San Marino in occasion of the 2006 Mediterranean Challenge Cup.

As one of the youngest European Federations we wish to share the privilege of hosting in the Republic of San Marino the Regional Championship which will be held from March 23^rd to March 26^th 2006.

Looking forward to welcoming you we will do the utmost to ensure you a pleasant and memorable stay in San Marino.

Best regards

Lamberto Mularoni President F.S.B.
Federazione Sammarinese Bowling

A list of the selected players that will be participating in the competition, will be posted shortly.

Gibraltar has quite a large number of ten pin bowlers. There are a number of local teams partaking in the local leagues. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging the young ones to participate and this, like in any other sport, is vital in ensuring the futureof the game. Another means of ensuring the games survival is the development of facilities. This will be happening shortly asmentioned in their news letter:

We would like to inform our members that due to refurbishment at the NAAFI Ultrabowl the bowling alley will be closed from Sunday the 26th February and will reopen on Sunday the 26th March 2006. GTBA apologises for this inconvienience.

The bowling association will be holding a youth tournament on the 18th of March in La Canada's Megabowl. The reason for this, being the refurbishment works currently being carried out on the Queensway alley.

All players will play a minimum of 4 games after which the best
8 total scores will enter into the knockout stages as follows:
Quarterfinals
1st v 8th - 2nd v 7th - 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th
Semi finals
Winner (1 v 8) v Winner (4 v 5)
Winner (2 v 7) v Winner (3 v 6)
3rd and 4th Place
Final
Trophies will be given to the overall winners and to the winners and runner up of each age group as follows
Under 12 – Under 15 – 19 & Under
(Age as at 1st Sept 2005)
All players must be 19 years or under on the day of the Tournament Entry Fee will be €20 Euros Entry forms & Fee must be submitted by the closing date of Friday 10th March 2006 Please Contact Niamh Whelan for entry forms and further information Tel No: 77296 or 5487700 or E Mail: niamhwhelan@gmail.com

We wish the Gibraltar team, the best of luck in San Marino and the youth teams good aim in their quest to be Gibraltar's youth champion.

Click here: If you are interested in finding out more about the Gibraltar Ten Pin Bowling Association.

You will also be able to find out more about the current ranking of both the men's and women's competitions.

Adam Cassaglia: Has recently been playing for the Campo de Gibraltar's best team, in fact el Club Baloncesto Los Barrios plays in one of the higher divsions in the Spanish league, Primera Nacional. His team played against Melilla and beat them, convincingly. A report is found in Spanish:

1. El CB Los Barrios B se impuso ayer 86/53 al UD Constitución de Melilla en encuentro de la penúltima jornada de la fase de permanencia en la Primera Nacional, que también era el último de los gualdiverdes, que ya están salvados, en casa. Los parciales fueron: 14/16; 22/13; 30/9 y 20/15. Jugaron: Carlos Trujillo, Manu Núñez, Antonio Muñoz, David García, Quino Fernández, Javier Fernández, David Cañas, Jesús Gutiérrez y Adam Cassaglia.

Monitor their progress:

Equipo PJ PG PP
1 León Caja España 23 17 6
2 Drac Inca 23 16 7
3 CAI Zaragoza 23 15 8
4 Polaris World Murcia 23 15 8
5 Palma Aqua Mágica 23 14 9
6 Bruesa GCB 23 13 10
7 CB Los Barrios 23 12 11
8 CB L´Hospitalet 23 12 11
9 Calef. Farho Gijón 23 12 11
10 Alerta Cantabria 23 12 11
11 Tenerife Rural 23 11 12
12 CB Tarragona 23 10 13
13 Plus Pujol Lleida 23 10 13
14 Ciudad de Huelva 23 9 14
15 Plasencia Galco 23 8 15
16 Aguas de Calpe 23 7 16
17 UB La Palma 23 7 16
18 Melilla Baloncesto 23 7 16

Adam comes from, what could be considered a Basketball playing family. At one time or another, his father, brother, uncle and cousin have all played competitive basketball, primarily in the local league for the Seiko Blue Stars.

Adam has played a high level of basketball at college, in the US and also played in Britain's premier basketball league.

We wish Adam and Los Barrios continued success in their respective, basketball achievements.

Image: Adam Cassaglia, Circled in red with some of Gibraltar's basketball players.

By 1st of January 2006 the International Island Games Association(IGA) received two applications for hosting the NatWest Island Games 2011. Bermuda and Isle of Wight have both submitted bids. The decision as to
which will be awarded the Games will be taken at the Annual General Meeting of IGA during the meeting in Rhodes on the 8th July 2006. It will be the first time in the Games history that the decision of the coming host island will be taken five years before the Games. Previously it has been decided four years in advance.

Countdown to the next NatWest Island Games will take place on Rhodes, Greece, 2007

Gibraltar is currently seventh on the overall medals table, with 7 gold medals, 5 silver and 4 bronze.

See who are above Gibraltar on the Medals Table

Read about what the Island Games website had to say about the island Games held on Gibraltar, in 1995.

See Gibraltar's country profile

The Gibraltar Extreme Sports Association or to use its less formal name, the Skate Park, is nestled amongst the derelict buildings of Coaling Island. It was officially opened on4th October 2001 by the Sport Minister Ernest Britto, since then it has had a somewhat see-saw membership.

Eric Young the present keeper of the keys, has been trying to raise it’s fortunes for the past few months although because of the heat it was closed during July and August. It opened again early in September and alongside Eric there is a revamped committee that is keen to promote the benefits and fun to be had either skating on the ramps or playing skate hockey.

The association is waiting to register in the Andalucian hockey league which starts soon and includes teams from Seville, Jerez and Algeciras amongst others. At the moment they have two teams with five young people per team and three on the side as rolling substitutes but they would like more. They took the girls to UK recently and a reunion for Eric Young with the British Flyers, a team he used to coach. The girls mixed in with the Flyers and played games against Manchester and Sheffield as a touring side to further relations with a view to training and meetitings in order to hopefully form an all girl team to enter UK tournaments sometime in the future.

The Gibraltar Extreme Sports Association is open and trains on Mondays and Wednesdays for the 7 -13 year olds between 5 and 7.30pm. For the 14 to adult teams it is Tuesdays from 6-7.30pm. If you have thought about hockey on skates and think you’re tough enough then don’t talk about it, ring Eric Young on 70710.

Article written by Frankie Hatton

Read the rest of the article, taken from the Gibraltar Magazine

GABBA Gibraltar's Basketball association are pulling out all the stops to ensure their continued success in the Cadiz league.

The achievements, so far, have been clearly demonstrated in the results acheived against good opposition. Their current third position may soon change as they have two games in hand and are only two points adrift. The 17 th round was being played this weekend, however Fosters Gabba had a bye.

Fosters GABBA's last game was a closely contested affair, which resulted in victory against Unibasket Jerez by 65 points to 58.


The most significant win for GABBA so far, was won by a margin of 100 points to 51, against Club Deportivo Olivera.

We trust that the Gibraltar side will continue to achieve good results and make Gibraltar poud.

Fosters GABBA next game will be played on the 26/02/06 away to:
C. B. San Fernando. PLAZA.

We wish them the best in their next game and the rest of the season.

Related website: Federacion Andaluza de Baloncesto