Coffin Dodgers Vets Comp - Cottesloe Pirates & Gulles - Perth Australia

 Cottesloe Pirates - Perth Australia

The elite touring side from one of WA's oldest clubs the Cottesloe Pirates can trace their roots back to a first game in 1893, a game played by gentlemen on a scrubby pitch next to the Indian Ocean with views out across Rottenest Island and on to India. Fast-forward to 2012 where the name lives on and the games will be played on a scrubby pitch with views across the ocean that is where any similarities end. Unlike his 1890 counter part the modern day Pirate is slow, over worked, unappreciated and lacking in the fundamental ball skills needed to win a cup match, they can however drink like fish, talk a brilliant game and will, with the slightest provocation, explain how and why they were over looked by their home countries national squad.

A multi national team of Yarpies, Pom's, Kiwis sprinkled with more than a few Islanders to balance out the Australian contingent, this team reflects the current demographic of Australia's most isolated capital city. The Pirates are on a mission to win the cup. No more runners up, no more bowl competitions, no more letting the opposition seed their team with coal miners from the high veldt, this year the Pirates are serious and have been dedicating Tuesday and Thursday evenings to fitness training under the auspices of 1st grade Manager, Spoons Haining. Unfortunately hours of post training discussions with TED and Sunday game days have ruined the mid week work out with the last two games culminating in a 12 hour drinking binge and a two week hangover. There are hopes that this frivolity is now out of the system and the team is focused on it's mission; avoiding Bangla Road for the first three days in Phuket; playing the game they talk; and treating their bodies like recreation centers rather than temples (or should that be the other way round).

A team to watch, always entertaining, sometimes brilliant, never without a comment to the crowd and quite cheap to run..!

 Cottesloe Pirates Phuket 10's 2011

Cottesloe Olde Gulls - Perth Australia

 

With hands like feet the Olde Gulls are, like their namesakes, always on the lookout for any scraps that might be dropped by the opposition – on or off the field the Olde Gulls are not a fussy bunch. Preparations for Phuket have been leisurely and the team is reasonably certain they will peak in time for the Friday pool matches. Ideally they will have a couple of early games and be changed and ready for the amber relaxation fluid before the sun is to low in the sky. As the seriously senior side of the senior Cottesloe sides there is little expectation of winning nor is there any expectation of having to pull on boots for the Sunday finals. On Sunday the Olde Gulls are trained and fully prepared for a delightful Thai lunch by the beach and the opportunity to provide guidance and scathing commentary to the Pirates as they struggle around the pitch having forgotten all their previous promises and stayed out until dawn on every day of the tour – seniority has it's benefits..!!

Cottesloe Old Gulles in Training