Sport Hot competition for Rebels in round 1 Daniel Hill
Round one of Far North Coast Rugby was always going to be a heated exchange between Bangalow Rebels and 2013 premiers Lismore City and with the mercury rising above thirty degrees Saturdays encounter didn’t disappoint. The heat was so intense that 20 minutes into proceedings referee Cool Carl Lupton whistled for a water break. After Bangalow raced out to a good start with a number of near length-of-the field efforts the fellas were understandably feeling the heat and intensity of the first round clash and the defending champs. The first-quarter break was welcomed by the majority of players except one, Ice man Chris Bleakley, who with his immaculate jersey, without a bead of sweat on his brow, angrily exclaimed, ‘I hate *expletive* water breaks. Let’s get on with it!’ And in one swift outburst cemented himself as a first-rate whinger.
The physicality of the match didn’t disappoint with both big forward packs brutalising the breakdown and individuals at will; Bangalow’s new recruit Ottie Fifita smashed into the Lismore defence and attack, like the wrecking ball he promised to be, with great effect, 2013 Player of the year Will Cotteril was as always dominant in the lose all made easier by the dominant tight five who smashed Lismore’s scrum from pillar to post. The success of the Bangalow junior club is now paying dividends with six of the club’s junior players now playing senior grade football, Locky Walsh, Angus Dixon, Isaac Hill, Matt Phillips and Jake Brumley all seeing first grade minutes on the weekend with Jake Scoring a dominant 60-metre try while three Lismore players licked his palm on his way to the try line. Locky Walsh played above his weight and was solid in defence proving his worth to his older teammates. After the Rebels led for the major-
ity of the match a late try took Lismore to a 23–20 win over the Rebels Reserve Grade for the first time fielded a full card and with the welcome return of some players past have their sights set on a finals berth. After just one training run so far in 2014 the boys started strong and were down five at the half-time break. The lack of cohesion was covered by the Rebels’ grit and determination with some bone cracking tackles from fresh-faced Richard Kelly after a season off, well supported with dominant performances from the axe Cromwell, Mitch the traveller Taylor and Logan Beast. As the heat of the day wore on the legs began to slow and the younger fitter backs of the City reserves began to find some space and put on two tries late in the second half running out 15-0 winners. Stay tuned as the Rebels take on the powerhouse of the Lennox Trojans next week in what will again be an entertaining encounter.
They’re changing the guard in Byron Bay a team by depleted injury and unavailability. But it There was a changing of the was Byron’s pack that domiguard in Byron Bay’s thrilling nated the point of contact 22–20 win against Ballina in early through captain Matt the opening round of Far North Larsson, flanker-front rower Craig Wallace, stylish lock Coast Rugby on Saturday. After helping guide By- Ryan Betts, and Rob Lynch ron Bay’s renaissance, coach who seems to be relishing a for the past decade Warren return to the forwards. Ballina gained ascendancy Fisher has taken a year off to through scrum dominance improve his golf swing. The Bay has secured the but spurned the advantage best-credentialled coach in with two early missed penalthe zone, Paul Jeffery, who ties. In their first foray downhas won six consecutive First Grade titles with Lennox and field Byron typically ramped up the intensity before WalLismore City. It was seven years ago lace tucked the ball under that Byron seemed likely his arm and charged face to disappear in a cloud of first through the middle of mediocrity after winning a the ruck and over the line. solitary game in third grade The pattern continued and it but the Bay has not missed was that man Wallace who the Finals since, winning a powered through a half gap memorable Grand Final in to score a brace and double 2012 before returning to First the Bay’s lead. In the last play of the half Grade last season. Byron surprised the estab- Byron failed to deal with a lished order by finishing third bouncing ball at the lineout in the top flight, ending the and Ballina’s scrum half long reign of Lennox Trojans stepped over the line, narrowing the gap to 14–5. along the way. Byron Bay have become After losing home and away to Byron Bay last sea- masters of down-to-the-wire son Ballina were expected rugby but even the sturdiest to come out blazing against pacemaker was to be tested North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au Peter Griffin
by the second-half action. With both packs tiring and play opening up the Ballina backline finally chanced their arm to counterattack with depth, width and pace. In a period that should have ended the contest Ballina scored twice to lead 15–14 but poor goal kicking and a calamitous dropped ball over the line opened the door for the visitors. Byron’s most penetrating back James Hawley was a revelation in the centres and he was richly rewarded with a try to regain the lead. Cue more drama as Byron conceded an intercept try next to the posts for Ballina to lead 20–19 with three minutes remaining. The home side missed their sixth shot at goal and conceded possession from the restart to a more committed Byron. The visitors sustained a dozen phases of tense, mistake-free rugby before receiving a penalty in the final seconds. Byron’s AJ Gilbert had sprinkled enough class and composure in his cameo at five-eighth and the star play-
The Not-So-Beautiful Game
Connor Cannon thanks a Lennox spectator for his support.
Byron Bay’s Park Hotel Rams headed down the coast to Lennox Head on Friday evening for what was generally expected to be a comfortable win in both grades over their less fancied neighbours. Those expectations did not factor in the passion and determination of the very young Lennox squad not to go down without a fight. Down seven players from their usual starting lineup – including both keepers – the Rams Reserves and Premiers both started slowly (once again), and neither seemed to find their rhythm throughout their respective matches. Lennox employed a ‘kick and chase’ strategy, with keepers and defenders ‘going long’ at every opportunity and young legs in hot pursuit of every ball. Not the most sophisticated or attractive game-plan but it did succeed in unsettling the Rams and disrupting their usually fast and fluid passing game. The frustrated Reserves
struggled to put together passes and were often half a step behind the fired-up Lennox boys. Despite looking the superior footballers for much of the game, Byron never quite got it together and were lucky to come away with a 1–1 draw. The Rams’ Premier team put in a better showing, but still struggled with Lennox’s long-ball strategy. Striker James Tomlinson opened the scoring with a very tidy finish but the Rams had difficulty gaining any real edge. The Lennox boys showed great spirit and took the fight right up to the their more experienced opponents. An equaliser came in the second half and the pressure was on the Rams to prevent a humiliating upset. On one of many runs at the Lennox goal, Connor Cannon was brought down about 30 metres out with a poorly executed tackle. Heckling from the sideline inspired a superb strike from
er calmly slotted the winner from 35-metres on an angle. Gilbert was quality but the day belonged to Craig Wallace who delivered a master class in passion, purpose and precision. The modest Irishman has shed many kilos with his West Indies diet but Byron’s player of the year in 2013 seems to have returned in even better fettle. The Bay will enjoy a twoweek rest before hosting the champions Lismore on April 26. Byron train every Tuesday and Thursday at the Rec Fields next to the tennis courts. New players are most welcome. Go the Bay!
Bailey claims Rangiroa Pro
Cannon in the resulting free kick. As the ball cleared the wall and appeared to be heading over the bar, the Lennox defenders called it ‘over’ only to have it dip snugly under the bar for one very sweet goal. With the score at 2–1, the Rams finally kicked into gear and produced wave after wave of attack on the Lennox goal. Some fine flanking runs and mid-field movements looked promising, but failed to crack the Lennox defence. The hard-charging Lennox youngsters also kept Shaun Packham’s defence on its toes. Byron’s stand-in keepers (Rob Kempenich in Reserves and Damian Smith in Prems) put in outstanding performances that did much to preserve the Rams’ dignity. Full credit to Lennox Head, whose speed, spirit and determination served them well but, with tougher opposition on the horizon, the Byron boys need to find consistent form.
Byron Bay’s Soli Bailey has claimed the 2014 Rangiroa Pro Junior event title after winning the final over Kai Hing in an exciting day of surfing for the ASP Australasia Junior Qualifying Series’ best surfers. Photo ASP/Will H-S
SPORTS RESULTS ARE POSTED ONLINE EACH WEEK IN ECHONETDAILY Find them under the Sport menu or go straight to this link:
www.echo.net.au/category/sport/results The Byron Shire Echo April 8, 2014 41