1975

Our Inaugural Season

In 1975 an enthusiastic band of rugby supporters got together to form a rugby club in Camden. A third grade team was entered in the Illawarra District Rugby Union competition, part of New South Wales Country Rugby Union. The Club`s first ever team was a mixture of Camden locals keen to try out this new game about which they knew very little, new residents in the district who had a rugby background and students from the University of Sydney`s faculties of Veterinary Science and Agricultural Science who spend their final year at the University`s facilities on Werombi Road, Camden. This first year represented quite a successful start for the Club with the first side making the grand final against Teachers College (now Wollongong University) only to lose 9-3.

Podcast

Listen as Ken Macaulay, Stuart Hill, Dave Black and Bryan Herd as they discuss how it all began.

Player Profiles

Ray Johnson – a hard running centre.

Rob Morphew – could play anywhere in the forwards. He was the first ever representative player from Camden. Selected in the Illawarra squad and went to Country Week at Eastwood in 1977 .

Jeffrey Simpson aka Simmo or Claw. A very dedicated and athletic lock/flanker or No.8.

Tony Thornton aka Rat. Hard running centre. In later years a successful coach.

Eric Baker – a lean long striding winger. Last contact was in Armidale when he was team doctor for NSW Country when they played Japan.

Phil Darton – a more than handy flanker – very mobile. Attended  25th Anniversary reunion.

Phil Peters aka Lizard – was a wizard at scooting down the touch line to score tries. Still lives in Camden. Occasionally at home games, a faint, high pitched “more points Camden” can still be heard.

Ken Macaulay aka Evergreen. Still a local. He was a handy forward who was’nt afraid to get amongst the opposition both physically and verbally. Don’t be fooled by the tweed jacket and profession.

Col Hancock – a very, very reliable backrower. He’d run and defend all day. Unfortunately he thought he could kick. Scored a memorable try in 1976 2nd Grade Grand Final. Now lives in Queensland. Attended 25th Anniversary Reunion.

John Patrick Walsh aka John Williams. Our first Coach and Captain. He was a former  first grade “mungo” with Wests when they were the Magpies. Still keeps fit by riding one of his bikes around Camden early in the morning.

Dave Evans – a handy hooker . Was only around for a short time.

Peter Mapledoram  aka Maple or Golden Boots – an elusive 5/8 and former first grade player with St George. Best side step in the business. Peter is still an apothecary who still pops up at functions and socials.

Dave Black – tight head prop. Another policeman, was talked into playing by John Walsh. Awarded the first ever Best & Fairest trophy. Still involved with the club with wife Sue and three sons who all played for Camden.

Reg Inglis – was a handy tight forward. Always entertained the women while the team enjoyed after games drinks. Now seen on the social pages and at livestock sales.

Greg Hargraves – was a handy fullback with a prodigious boot which came from an Aussie Rules background. Sadly tackled a Wollongong Teachers player about 5 minutes late during extra time in the grand final. They kicked the goal to win 9-3. 

Bill Inglis – cousin of Reg. Bill was our nuggety halfback for many years. He is still dairying at The Oaks. At Kiama Sevens made one memorable break from the scrumbase after the scrum screwed. Ran about 50 metres to place the ball over the tryline. Unfortunately it was the wrong tryline.

Tim Stenhouse – an aggressive, hard running centre or winger. Best remembered for whacking big Tom Law in the back of the head after he’d had enough of Tom’s illegal play.

Ian McIntosh  - half-back, five-eight & sometimes utility back.  Always had the baggiest shorts.  Ian is still on the family farm at Cobbitty.  

Geoff Stonehouse – was a utility player who was our first ever “Clubman of the Year”.  He was only around for a short time.