Byron Shire Echo – Issue 24.03 – 23/06/2009

Page 24

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Giants and Devils vying for local supremacy John Campbell nce more the planets and knuckleheaded sport are in perfect alignment. The Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League comp has reached its halfway point to coincide with the winter solstice, meaning that as the Sun begins its return journey to our southern skies, the teams are embarking on their run home to the end of season’s glittering prize. After nine rounds there are five clubs – the Byron Bay Red Devils, the Mullumbimby Giants, Northern United, Lower Clarence and the Grafton Ghosts – that have shown themselves to be a cut above the rest. Only a mug would call the outcome of a race when there is still such a considerable distance to travel and so many battles to be fought, but Malcolm Mackerras’s crystal ball suggests that it will be two of those frontrunners who are the last ones standing on grand final day. Finishing in the top three, thus ensuring the home ground advantage and two bites of the cherry at play-offs time, is of paramount importance to the contenders, so Sunday’s clash

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at Les Donnelly Field between Mullum and arch rival Byron will potentially be a watershed moment for whoever seizes the victory. It’s a galling prospect for the Blue and Golds to have their neighbours swan into town as the 2008 premiers and they will make every endeavour to be the man who shot Liberty Valance. But, regardless of whether the sides are running first or

Maclean, both have notched hard earned victories over last year’s runners-up, the Ghosts. Byron at home got away with a helter skelter win over Northern but Mullum’s eagerly awaited clash with the Goannas last Sunday was called off due to the state of the ground in Lismore. Wayne Cullen, guiding the Giants in his first year as coach at LDF, has taken a leaf

we still haven’t played to our full potential. But we’re not far off it,’ he reckons. Mullum, according to Cullen, are ‘starting to play ‘Sunday’s clash... between Mullum some decent footy. Everybody and arch rival Byron will potentially is aiming up and backrower Andrew Moroney is doing an be a watershed moment for whoever exceptional job as captain.’ seizes the victory.’ ‘Yeah, their forwards are tough,’ Cross concedes, but he out of the Canetoads’ book motherless last, this is one of has every faith in his own pack, of psychological warfare by those games in which more praising the consistent efforts of adopting the time-honoured than just the two competition Mick Lambert and Josh Rogers gambit of installing the Red points are being contested. As in the engine room. Devils as favourites. ‘Byron are local derbies go, it’s up there The Giants will be champing the premiers and they deserve with Celtic v Rangers – only at the bit after their unforeseen every bit of respect. I’d say without the kneecapping in week off and the Devils will be we’re definitely the underdogs the bleachers. Pride is on the just as keen to put a gap on coming into this game,’ he said line and nothing in sport can them on the ladder. with hand on heart. motivate quite so passionately. ‘If the ref doesn’t get too Across the way, the Devils’ Results so far show that there involved and lets the players is not much between the teams boss, Nathan Cross, is no sort it out it should be a less cat-and-mouse, echoing (see ladder in Sports Results). tremendous game.’ Cross is Cullen’s words in praising his Both have dropped games to mindful not to be too critical opponents as ‘obviously a well the mercurial Magpies from of the whistleblower, knowing coached side.’ that it was a penalty at the ‘ ‌ and Brutus is an death that saw his side grab honourable man’ might easily a 14-all draw on a cold and have been added by either wet Saturday night in the of them. corresponding fixture last year. The coaches have also made It is some relief for punters to similar appraisals of how their know that in bush footy we still charges have fared to this point, only have one official to fathom Proudly supporting Byron Bay Rugby League with Cross admitting that the and not two, as in the NRL. Devils are yet to produce their The Under 18s kick off best. at midday, followed by the ‘I guess you’d have to say reserves at 1.15 pm. The main 27 Jonson Street, Byron Bay that we’ve done pretty well to game starts at 2.45. Be there if be where we are on the ladder, you want to see a crackerjack when you take into account that game of rugby league.

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