Sport
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Grafton snatch Red Devils roast More than 1000 hit win from Byron Turkeys 27–10 the water in Ocean Swim Classic Beez basketballers Ross Kendall
Beez player Vitor Vanzin taking it to the hoop against the Vikings. Photo Kylie Robertson Phil Pyne
The Byron Beez narrowly lost to the Grafton Vikings when they slugged it out in one of the best games of the Men’s Sunshine Conference last Saturday at the Cavanbah Centre. It was a fast and physical game and Byron were 12 down at the end of the second quarter and had to chase down a very well-drilled and skilled Grafton. They did this with some well-executed steals and quick breaks. The Beez maintained their
composure and stayed fearless with their offence. The had a one-point lead with 12 seconds remaining on the clock. Unfortunately that’s when Grafton hit a backbreaking three-point dagger to finish it at 71–69. There are two more round games left for the Beez this season. Next Saturday they play Ballina and then on Saturday June 2 they play Lismore. Both games are at home in the Cavanbah Centre at 7pm. A win in both these games will see the Beez into the semifinals.
Stokes wins at Mullumbimby Open golf tournament Local member James Stokes was just one of the winners to share in $3,000 worth of prizes at the Mullumbimby Open golf tournament held on Saturday. James got around the course in with a net score of 66. The other notable score went to Josh Wright, who works at the Royal Pines resort on the Gold Coast. ‘He works in the pro shop and plays off a handicap of one, and is an aspiring professional. He hit 68 off the stick, or two under par for the course,’ tournament organiser Steve Ryan said. Considering the months of rain that forced the tournament to be put back after being rained off in March, the course was in good condition and the greens were really fast, Steve said. All up 142 players hit the course on Saturday with 30
The Byron Bay Red Devils rugby league team has picked up their first win for the season playing away against the Kyogle Turkeys. The 27–10 win came as a big relief for coach Nathan Cross. ‘The win came off the back of some solid possession and the ability to go forward with that,’ he said. ‘We completed 15 of our first 17 sets of six, so that is really pleasing to see as a coach. ‘The team is really starting to understand the importance of ball control,’ he said. ‘Confidence and belief grow when you can hold onto the ball’. But there was still plenty of room for improvement as the team bombed several tries, he said. The Devils have struggled all year to maintain a consistent side in terms of personnel, and Sunday was no different as two players, Johnny Kirchen and Riley Hoysted, made their first grade debuts.
‘We haven’t played the same side twice this season,’ Nathan said. ‘Players have pre-planned commitments like weddings and holidays, and then last week we had four out with injury. The team that played did a really good job. ‘It can be a real challenge when you’re trying to settle new combinations every week,’ he said. The Red Devils have another away game this Sunday when they travel south to take on the Lower Clarence Magpies, a game they are confident of winning. The Magpies sit just above the Red Devils, third last on the table. ‘The Magpies haven’t had a good season either; we are definitely going there to win,’ Nathan said. Cudgen sit alone at the top of the table after beating Casino 30–16 on the weekend. The Mullumbimby Giants and Tweed Coast share second place after they drew 26–26 in their game last Sunday.
True Wheel Cycles triathlon triumph
Chloe Butt (Lennox Head) gets her Fastest Female trophy from Winter Whales president Peter Bennett. Photo supplied
The 31st Byron Bay Property Sales Ocean Swim Classic held on May 6 had 1,116 entrants and was won by Riley Clout and Chloe Butt. The entrant numbers were well up on last year’s 870; there were of 929 in the Classic event and 187 in the Mini event. The charity event was or-
ganised by the Byron Bay Winter Whales.
Quickest Men: Riley Clout (27:09 minutes), Blair Day (27:34) and Andrew Mewing (27:41). Women: Chloe Butt (32:14), Natalie Wood (32:22) and Maddi Bloomberg (32:26).
Wilkinson joins team Australia in wave pool
Matt Wilkinson surfing the artificial wave at the Founders Cup in California. Photo Cestari/WSL True Wheel Cycles triathletes (L to R): Glen Hannan, Mick Donnelly, Andy Kean, Paul Efanow and Dean Cutting. Photo supplied.
A Grade net winner James Stokes and Mullum Open sponsor Gary Brazenor at the presentations.
players coming from 10 different clubs. ‘Everyone was really happy we got to run the Open on our second go,’ he said.
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The True Wheel Cycles Sprint and Olympic male teams both took gold medals at last weekend’s Byron Bay Triathlon. The Sprint Team including Mick Donnelly (swim and run) and Glen Hannan (ride) came first in the allmale relay category and first overall. Glen’s ride was the fastest out of all the sprint teams. The Olympic team of Andy Kean (swim), Paul Efanow (ride) and Dean Cutting (run) came first in the all-male relay team and third
overall. Dean’s run was the fastest time out of 54 teams, team member Mick Donnelly said. Stuart McLeod, who is celebrating his return to health after a kidney transplant, also took part in the 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run that makes up the event.
Winners: Men: Ben Cook (1:58:47), Lindsay Lawry (1:59:54) and Ryan Waddington (2:00:54) Women: Emily Donker (2:14:24), Holly Grice (2:16:51) and Rosie McGeoch (2:17:34).
Crystal Cylinders
Byron Bay’s Matt Wilkinson was a member of the Australian team that competed at the inaugural World Surf League Founders’ Cup of Surfing at Kelly Slater’s artificial wave pool three hours drive inland from the Californian coast. Highlighting how globally strong the sport of surfing is, it was the combined World team who took an incredibly tight win ahead of Brazil, USA, Australia in fourth and Europe in fifth place. The Australian team included the team captain and six-time WSL champion, Stephanie Gilmore, threetime WSL champion Mick
Fanning, two-time WSL champion Tyler Wright, and Matt Wilkinson. The team fell short under the pressure and was eliminated ahead of the finals. ‘It was an incredible event and even though it’s a little disappointing to not be in the final, it was cool to be here and see how it all works,’ Gilmore said. ‘To see the fans out here and how the team aspect comes into play was really positive. This opens the floodgates into a whole new realm of arenas and events in controlled conditions. ‘But, as long as there’s a really good balance between this and the ocean,’ she said.
The Byron Shire Echo May 16, 2018 47