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Luck takes a back seat as Hornets sting Devils revival Story & photo John Campbell
It’s easy to be a smartarse after the event, isn’t it? About ten minutes into the second half of this pulsating, at times torrid NRRRL round 6 game between Byron Bay and Cudgen, the Red Devils were awarded a penalty close to the sticks. The boys had taken a hard-earned 12–4 lead to the break and, after an initial onslaught that saw the other mob come back to 12–8, they looked to be recovering their mojo. Pressing hard to reassert themselves, a set of six presented itself as the perfect opportunity to put the visitors on the back foot again. These days, however, the fashion is to take the two on offer – but, even though Joey ‘The General’ Gordon’s kick never looked like missing, increasing the lead from four to a less than overwhelming six seemed like a less than positive option. Certainly, Cudgen weren’t bothered by it. Following their convincing win at Kyogle, the Devils were back at home before an estimated crowd of 5,001 on a glorious autumn arvo – a perfect day for rugby league, as
Byron’s Chris ‘Jawbone’ Coleman thought he’d have a crack at the Campese goose-step at Red Devil Park on Sunday – hooker Tom ‘Deano’ Martin couldn’t believe it.
they say in the classics. And Byron put in a first forty of tremendous vigour and commitment. Ball control was good, tackling fiery. Cudgen got an early try from a straightforward passing raid after a scrum win, but the Devils returned fire with murder in their hearts. Gordon, now the leader of the pack, made a typical longstriding break and front-rower Chris ‘Jawbone’ Coleman built on it with one of his Sherman-tank charges. Busy hooker Tom ‘Deano’ Martin then plunged over from
dummy-half and with the conversion the Bay grabbed a 6–4 lead with a spring in their step. For those of us in the bleachers, the team’s newfound self-belief was palpable. Gordon then nailed a penalty and, on a roll that Cudgen were unable to control, Coleman and fellow prop Jason ‘Buddy’ Hackett – who puts in so much every week – took the men in red to within striking distance of the line again. Second-rower Will ‘Haystack’ Haylock crossed and the Bay trooped off for
Bulldogs get primed
oranges to a well-earned ovation from the faithful. Things went awry in the second stanza, and it’s hard to put your finger on why. It might simply have been because Cudgen lifted their game – which they did. It may also have been because, after a late kick-off and with the light dimming dramatically, the ref (who blew the pea out of his whistle) was unable to see in the descending dusk the Hornets’ persistent offside. Worryingly, it may also have been the adverse effect of the Devils’ earlier losses haunting them. Playing as they did on Sunday, there is no way in the world that they would have been sitting bottom of the ladder with a 1–4 ratio – losing, like winning, can become a mind-set. Tempers frayed, Cudgen kept their cool and slotted an impeccable field goal to more or less kill the contest. The dispirited Devils kicked out on the full from the resumption and all there was left was for the crew on the western hill to give heaps to Cudgen’s Bryan Ferry wannabe winger – he was asking for it. There is still a long way to go in the season – go, the Bay!
netdaily.net.au
Byron Bay rugby win away against Lennox Trojans Andrew Teuma
Byron Bay Rugby travelled to nearby Lennox Head on Saturday to take on the Trojans, who were also three wins from three games. The game started fast and strong with Byron showing their skill set at the breakdown and restarts. Byron’s first points came after an impressive, strong drive from the forwards with Jack Cooke diving over the whitewash giving him his fifth try on four games for the Blue & White. Cooke was involved in Byron’s second after a quick change in direction from the breakdown down the blindside with Darrell Montgomery popping to Cooke, who made a darting run down the touchline before executing a perfectly timed pass back inside to scrum-half Harold Chiffoleau, who sprinted to score over the line. Fly-half John Laughlin converted again, making it 14–0. The Byron forwards showed their dominance again with flanker Craig Wallace and Cooke scoring his second of set pieces and string
drives, Wallace now scoring six tries to match Cooke’s six this season. Laughlin converted another, taking Byron into halftime with a 26–0. The second half saw Byron’s attacking play flourish once more with some great hands from Chiffoleau who assisted Byron’s fifth try of the day, pairing up with Laughlin, who showed great footwork, to beat the Lennox defence to score his try to bring his points tally into double digits. Laughlin then converted his own try to bring him to 13 points for the afternoon. Veteran Troy Wynter came in to the fold off the bench and with one of his first carries secured the ball and scored a great try off the Byron Bay pack. A welcome return for Wynter, who had been overseas for the last two games. Captain Jascha Saeck converted, bringing Byron Bay to 33 points clear. Byron Bay next travel on 28 May to Southern Cross University, who were narrowly beaten by WollongbarAlstonville Pioneers. Lennox Head Trojans 7 / Byron Bay Rugby 40.
Rams pipped at Goonellabah post
Herrick Schuenemann put in another tireless performance against Goonellabah. Bulldog Charlie Heath leaves nothing in the tank chasing his opposite number with Ned Bailey in support. Photo by Stuart McDonald
ascendancy after the first break but they didn’t have it The Bruns Bulldogs Under- all their own way. Jack Bailey was dominant 11s hit the ground snarling against Tweed Tigers on in the ruck, and Adam Grey Sunday, holding their own in stood tall in defence, preventa first quarter of fiercely con- ing a number of goals. In the Dogs’ play of the tested ball. Young pup Ned Bailey day Charlie MCallister took burrowed under packs, Ethan on four larger opponents and, Johnston ploughed through through sheer determination, them, and tenacious Thandi got the pill to the fleet of foot MCallister pressured the Ti- Charlie Heath to burst clear gers with her relentless tack- and send a drop punt deep into attack. ling and chasing. Caio De Souza iced that Tweed’s experience and footy smarts gained the cake with a clever six-pointer. 46 May 25, 2016 The Byron Shire Echo Dean Trevaskis
It was the Tigers’ day though and, when the ump called time, their running game had orchestrated an impressive win. For the Bulldogs it was a solid hitout, leaving them primed for this week’s blockbuster against Casino. – Winter sport is well under way and what better way to spend the cooler months than enjoying the sunshine rugged up and watching future sporting heroes get their start in the game! – Ed
Story & photo Dogwhistle
The Great Northern Byron Bay Rams faced a tough and determined opponent on Saturday, taking on an ascendent Goonellabah at the Byron Rec Grounds. The day started positively, with the Rams Reserves continuing their string of strong performances. Kazuhiro Tsukamoto opened the scoring for the ressies, with Will Ennis adding two more shortly after. Thirty minutes in, a Byron hand ball in the box gave the Hornets their second, and a fourth for Byron from
Thomas took them into break clear and undefeated leadat 4–2. Five minutes into the ers at the top of the Reserves second session, a cross from table. Sam Owens put Will Ennis The top-squad boys had a on the spot for his hat-trick, much tougher run in the Pretaking the scoreboard to 5–2. mier League match. Despite Minutes later a Goonellabah having a slight edge for much defender headed an Ennis of the contest, the Rams shot into his own net, mak- couldn’t break down the Horing it 6–2. nets’ defence. Three spectacuYoung substitute winger lar saves from the GoonellaHari Scott made an impres- bah keeper kept the scoreline sion after three minutes on at 0–0 right down to the final the pitch, taking a flanking seconds. A superbly executed run, cutting inside and go- free kick from the Hornets ing to goal then threading his curled around the wall and shot past the keeper for 7–2. skimmed inside the far post. With minutes to go, a scrappy It was the final touch of the goal from Goonellabah took match and a painful sting in it to 7–3. The Rams are now the tail for the Rams. Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo