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Mullum Red Devils’ season begins with Local skipper wins lacklustre loss as history repeats Giants grab big yacht race first win
Story and pic John Campbell
There was déjà vu at Red Devil Park on Sunday in Byron Bay’s opening encounter of the NRRRL season against Marist Brothers when they lost 36–14. In front of a crowd of just under 5,000 the local side turned back the clock to 2017 and produced a dysfunctional performance that saw them flogged 36–14. The visitors scored as soon as they were gifted the pill after Byron botched the kick-off, but the home side responded immediately when high-profile recruit and former Brother, fullback Mitch ‘Mitchell’ Krause, collected a chip and sprinted 80 metres down the eastern flank to score without a hand being laid on him until after he had crossed the line. The late tackle he copped resulted in an eight-point try and the Devils found themselves ahead 8–6. In their spanking new white kit, all was well with the world. It went pear-shaped thereafter. Byron disregarded all of the fundamental rules. They dropped the ball like an irongloved wicket-keeper, held a ragged line in defence and appeared to have no idea how to
Clarence ‘the Clocker’ Kelly had precious few opportunities with ball in hand at Red Devil Park on Sunday.
go about scoring. None of which is to say that they didn’t try hard. It’s just that their execution was up that smelly creek without a paddle. A vaunted pack of forwards huffed and puffed, but were unable to make nearly so much headway as their opposites did – they lost the ruck – while the Papists’ half and five-eighth orchestrated proceedings. What might have been Byron’s most potent attacking weapon, the centre/wing combination of Clarence ‘the Clocker’ Kelly and Bill ‘the Lion’ King, might as well have stayed at home to watch the
footy on TV for all the chances they got to strut their stuff. Marist resumed the lead almost immediately from a terrible Devils blunder and all any of us wanted was for the teams to settle. The other mob did, Byron didn’t, and while Krause was in the bin for his part in a scuffle (as a former Brother, he was baited all day), the Devils found themselves behind 18–8. Nobody wanted to admit it so early, but it was ‘goodnight nurse’ from that moment. Prop ‘Smokin’ Joe Vickery picked up a consolation meat pie for his unstinting effort, but the Devils had been thoroughly outplayed.
Shores win three from three Marc Patten
The 2018 season kicked off in fine style for Shores United with all three sides winning their opening games of the regular season. The first division Brown Snakes travelled down to Byron for a match that was always going to be a tough assignment. As expected, Byron came out firing and despite the Snakes having the better of play, found themselves behind twice 1–0 and 2–1. The boys stuck to the plan and wore Byron down in the Matt Brown (Red) from Shores sixth division on the ball and second half and when Matt a 2–0 win against Casino. Photo Michelle Begg equalised the stage was set. much different story. Five minutes from time crushing encounter. All were treated to a fanThe sun was blazing as the the French connection, Loic, raced around four Byron de- tastic display of pass and run two old boy teams exchanged fenders to score an emphatic as the team put on 12 unan- blows. The match was a physswered goals. ical affair with neither team winner. Captain-coach Ben scored giving ground. Man of the Match NugIn the end just a little bit get, even scored a rare goal! four, Dan and Simon netted a pair each, while Caleb and more class, control of the ball Shores the winner 3–2. and two valuable goals from The newly promoted Patrick put away one each. The Shores v Casino sixth Andy got Shores a good 2–0 Shores third division team division match at home was win on a good club day. travelled to Nimbin for their North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Mullumbimby Giants league team won their first game of the season 22–20, after scoring a try after the final siren playing last year’s premiers Ballina. ‘It was not a pretty performance, but a win is a win,’ said the team’s new coach Dallas Waters. ‘It is certainly a positive to travel to Ballina and take a win against the reigning premiers,’ he said. The Mullumbimby side was largely its own worst enemy by giving away too much possession, too easily, the coach said. ‘The boys really stood up. If there is a positive to take away it is the defensive effort. They never gave up,’ he said. The Magpies had done some good recruiting over summer and these players added to the local talent. Most importantly the coach reckons the Giants had the player depth to get through a long, hard season of rugby league. He also called for a strong crowd to support the team this Sunday when they play their first home game against Northern United. Action from 12pm at the Manns Road Oval (Mullumbimby) when the newly formed ladies team hit the field followed by Reserves and A grade.
Proud sailors of the Coopers: Tony Willis, Matt Kotwas, Angela Hadwen, Craig Watson, Tristan Hamilton, John Paech, Geoff McNamara. Photo supplied
Mullumbimby pharmacist Craig Watson has skippered racing yacht Coopers to a win in his first attempt at the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race over Easter. ‘This was the 70th year for this classic Queensland ocean yacht race and there were 60 competitors. Coopers won PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) Division two, and came second in the Cruising Division,’ he said. Craig also earned the Newcomers Trophy as it was his first attempt at this event. Coopers covered the 308 nautical miles in 33 hours and 52 minutes.
‘The race saw winds of up to 30 knots, with 3–4-metre swells and Coopers recorded speeds up to 21.4 knots surfing down waves,’ he said. ‘I have been sailing since I was 10, racing Sabots at Mooloolaba Yacht Club, and have competed in 20 Hamilton Island Race Weeks where we have collected first, second and third over the years.’ Local fireman Tony Willis has been a regular bowman on Coopers. ‘We are hoping to compete in the upcoming Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race in preparation for this year’s Sydney to Hobart,’ he said.
Schott wins Major Singles at Byron Toby Schott claimed the Minor Singles Championship at the Byron Bowling club after bettering a competitive field and beating Phil Boyd in the final last Thursday.
Wilkinson knocked out by Fanning in his final tour event Crystal Cylinders
Byron Bay’s Matt Wilkinson was knocked out of competition at the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in the new round four surfing against Mick Fanning and Pat Gudauskas, finishing in equal ninth place. He is currently in 19th place on the Championship Tour ratings after the first two events. Wilkinson will be in the first heat of round one of the Margaret River Pro up against Connor Coffin from the USA and Michael February from South Africa. Three time WSL Champion Mick Fanning celebrated the last Championship Tour event of his competitive career with a runner-up finish to Italo Ferreira. The four times Bells winner said goodbye to elite competition after 17 years on
Matt Wilkinson is sitting in 19th spot on the Championship Tour as he heads to Western Australia. Photo: Sloane/WSL
tour and 22 CT victories. Stephanie Gilmore won the women’s over Hawaiian Tatiana Weston-Webb.
Longboarders
Ben O’Dwyer, Callum Gover. Seconds – James Foster, Greg Gover, Terry Kay. Thirds – Nathan Mackenzie, Peter Regan, Bob Mills. Fourths – Grant Ryan, Jim Baker, Tom Silver. Fifths – Peter Briggs, Veronica Silver, Nick Mitchell. Sixths – Liam Byrne, Mal Lewis, Andrew Thomas.
The Lennox Longboarders held their first club round for the year at Lennox Main in pristine conditions. Firsts – Alex Glassington, The Byron Shire Echo April 11, 2018 47