Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker

Angling for information?

The 2003-2004 NSW Recreational Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing guides are now available for local anglers wanting information on fishing throughout New South Wales.

The Guides provide information on, fish rules and regulations, best fishing practices, species identification, habitat protection and fishing areas according to the member for Ballina, Mr Don Page.

"Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors and doing things we love, like fishing," said Mr Page.

"The Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing guides are an excellent source of information for interested anglers."

"The Guides even have a section on fishing with kids and contact details for NSW Fisheries clinics for children which provide lessons in fishing techniques such as casting, basic knot tying and rigging.

"The clinics also teach young people about the importance of protecting fishing resources for future generations."

Copies of the Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing guides are available from Don Page's office or from good fishing supplies shops.

• Lindsay Doust's column will return next week.

Tide times

For Ballina add 7 minutes
For Evans Head add 5 minutes

Moon Phases

Last Quarter Jan 15
New Moon Jan 23

Brunswick faces extinction - Cricket

Marist Brothers Steve Arnett winds up to belt this 'lolly' from Jerry Deal through extra cover for three runs. Unfortunately for Arnett and his team-mates this stroke represented almost 5 per cent of the Brothers total score.

Brunswick Valley's future in the L J Hooker League has been thrown into doubt after they forfeited their second round One-Day series fixture against Tintenbar East Ballina on Saturday. Hooker League rules call for a team to be excluded from the competition in lieu of a satisfactory explanation for the forfeit. A meeting will be held to resolve the matter on January 14.

Meanwhile, Casino must be scratching their heads about their knock-back at the start of the season by the Lismore District Cricket Association. The Casino Association wanted to run their 2nd XI in the Lismore Reserve Grade competition. Delegates from the clubs at the LDSA meeting in September voted the proposal down narrowly. The main point of objection at the time was that the Casino team would lower the standard of the Lismore Reserve Grade competition. The delegate that argued that point should look at the LJ Hooker League ladders. Casino remains undefeated in both the Two-Day and One-Day competitions and has shown the depth to suggest that they may go through the year unscathed. Even if they don't it will be hard to maintain that Casino's cricket is sub-standard.

In the games that did go ahead on Saturday in the One-Day series, batting collapses were the order of the day.

Casino, sent in to bat by Easts at QEII Park, Casino, scored an impressive 9-222 in their 45 overs. Mal Hancock top scored with 49 for the Cavaliers in a consistent batting effort from the whole team. Four other batsmen reach the 20's. Easts Brett Rutley had a day out taking 4-42 and then striking 35 in a 78 run partnership with top scorer Bruce Jobson (51). Jobson also put in a fine all-rounder effort having already captured 2-35. But Easts were unable to recover the ground lost at the start of the innings and fell short, finishing with 6-162.

Alstonville's bowlers Mark Newstead (4-11) and Scott Petty (4-19) helped run through the Norths Goonellabah RSL line up for just 83. Alstonville's top order easily accounted for the target for the loss of just two wickets.

Marist Brothers won the toss against Souths at Heaps Oval, but that was the only joy they got from the day. Their cause was lost early as they collapsed to 7-48 before the drinks break. A little tail-wagging saw them end with 82. Souths were able to reach the target without any batsmen reaching 20. They finished with 2-84 with sundries top scoring with 27.

Lennox Head had another disappointing day with the bat against the Ballina Bears at Saunders Oval. They were bundled out for 95 in just over 33 overs. It all looked academic as Ballina reached 33-0 Then the wheels fell off as Jordan Waugh spun his way to figures of 5-15 and Ballina collapsed to be 7-60. A quick-fire 20 by tail-ender Jason Holmes helped see the Bears home for a two-wicket win.

LJ Hooker League One-Day series

Round Three

Brunswick Valley v Marist Brothers (Thompson Oval); Casino v Norths Goonellabah RSL (QEII Park); Souths v Tintenbar East Ballina (Kingsford Smith South); Ballina v Easts (Fripp Oval); Lennox Head v Alstonville (Hill Park South).

Golf stars show how it's done

Michelle Ellis (centre-left) looks on as Kane Webber lines up a put in front of the large gallery that followed their nine-hole exhibition at the Lismore course on Tuesday afternoon.

Golf fans in Lismore were given a special treat on Tuesday afternoon. Despite the mercury pushing close to 40 degrees two of the best-credentialed golfers to come out of the region, Casino's Michelle Ellis and Lismore's Kane Webber, went head to head in an exhibition round over nine holes.

Ellis is now a permanent fixture on the USLPGA tour, having achieved a top ten finish in the US Open and pushing her world ranking up as high as 25th last year. Webber is in his final year of a golf scholarship with the University of Colorado where he has been setting new standards. Webber is in line to break the University's NCAA low scoring average and reached the final stage of qualifying for the US open last year. He was also recently voted the Colorado Golf Association's Les Fowler Award for golfer of the year.

Both golfers have honed their skills under the watchful eye of Lismore Golf Club professional Peter Jaeger, who proudly followed the exhibition match with his charges. Jaeger has been Webber's coach since Kane was just eight years old.

A big gallery followed the pair around the course regardless of the oppressive heat. The power of Webber off the tee was breathtaking, while Ellis showed superb accuracy around the greens.

Suns to take on Lions after Olympic tussle - Soccer FNC

Samoa's Richmond Desmond Faaiuaso leaves Suns goalkeeper Luke Wingfield flatfooted after this stunning strike into the top right-hand corner of the goal. Faaiuaso's goal was scored from a free kick taken from outside the penalty box on a sharp angle on the left-hand side.

The Samoans entertained the crowd and challenged their opponents before the game with a Samoan haka. The Samoan haka is more complex and rhythmic than the one from the Shaky Isles with which Union players and fans would be familiar, being related to the Samoan 'siva' dance. Photos: John McPherson

The visiting Samoan Olympic soccer team proved to be entertaining both before and during their match against the Far North Coast Suns on Monday at Barrow Lane.

Before the twilight match got underway the Samoans treated their opponents and the crowd to a memorable haka. The Samoan version of the traditional Islander challenge is far more lyrical than the Maori haka that most Australians are familiar with.

Once the match got underway the Samoans unsettled their younger opponents, not allowing them space over the ball. The visitors held their shape very well and their confidence over the ball meant that the Sun's goal was under constant pressure from the outset. The Suns conceded two early goals, both off the boot of Samoan striker Richmond Desmond Faaiuaso, including one stunning Beckham-like free kick from an angle wide of the goal to open the scoring.

The score looked like ballooning out to 3-nil but for a heroic penalty-save by Luke Wingfield. His efforts had a galvanising effect on his teammates.

The Suns started to gain composure and were clearly the team in control of the ball for the majority of the half. The second half again saw the Suns again exert pressure across the ground as the scoring opportunities mounted up.

Eventually the pressure paid off with a strong build-up down the right flank leading to a decisive Rob Hirst strike from inside the box in the 73rd minute.

The pressure being exerted by the Suns as they strove for the equaliser was unrelenting, but the Samoans were looking more and more dangerous on the breakaway. As the Suns put all they had into attack something had to crack. Unfortunately it was the Suns defence that tied itself in a knot for the Samoans to move to a 3-1 lead with only two minutes left.

The Suns can be proud of their effort, as they are a regional Under 21 unit lining up against a national Under 23 team that is in preparation for the Olympic Games. The previous weekend the Samoans had thrashed senior Gold Coast premier league team Runaway Bay 5-0.

Youth League returns

The Far North Coast Suns will back-up at Barrow Lane on Saturday against the Queensland Lions. The evening will also see the return to action of the all-conquering Far North Coast Flames, playing the Queensland Lions women's team in the 5pm curtain raiser.

In their first round encounter on November 15 in Brisbane the Lions shaded the Suns 1-nil to knock the locals off the top of the SYL Pool A ladder. It was a tight game that proved the Suns were a competitive side that weren't going to be overawed by reputations.

If anything, the Flames have to be wary of the opposite problem - overconfidence. They are a dominating side that has enormous strength through the centre of the park and in front of goal. The Flames are undefeated during the course of their summer program, including a 2-nil win over the Lions.

The summer break has given the Flames players time to reflect on their success, always a dangerous thing for the sports-mind. But this side has shown a liking for hard work and has a solid defensive unit so any Christmas hangover should be shaken out of their system quickly.

Perth the target for kayakers

Local marathon kayakers Tony and Glen Curtis are looking to raise their national rankings and have set out on an 18-month program that will hopefully see them compete in the 2005 World Championships in Perth. As of last year's national titles Tony was ranked fifth and Glen had risen to ninth.

The pair continues to improve both in singles and in doubles. Last month they travelled to Bundaberg to compete in the Queensland Championships. On the first day Tony won the open singles title with Glen coming in for silver. The conditions were oppressively hot with Glen describing the course as being like a furnace. "The course followed a disused quarry for half of the circuit with rock walls on either side rising up 30 feet. There was also a 150-metre portage over undulating ground every lap. "

The pair backed up the following day to take the doubles championship.

Their goal is to compete in the Nationals in Perth in April as a mock run for the World Championships over the same course the following year.

"We believe there will be a 400 metre portage involved so it is important to get the experience under our belt. But first we have to put in the training, keep the results coming in and qualify for the team."

Experts on show at skate sign-on

(Top) Volcom Australia team international rider Mark Appleyard lining up the rail at Ballina's Skate Day last year, and, (above) the resulting rail grind that had the crowd on their feet. Photos: Max Perrot

The Far North Coast Skateboarders Association is kicking the New Year off in style by hosting a display by the Volcom Australia team boardriders at the association's sign-on day this Sunday at the Missingham Bridge Skatepark, Ballina. Riders of all standards from across the region are invited to join the association.

The day will commence with the sign-on and coaching sessions. The display by the Volcom team experts will begin at around 11.30am, followed by lunch. There will be a chance to mix it with the champs.

Coaching will be for girls and boys aged 8 -16 and will be primarily for beginner level skaters. Keen beginners must arrive at the skatepark at 8am for inclusion into the skate skills workshop. Coaching from a qualified instructor with free use of protective equipment will cost $11.00 and includes lunch. Participants must have their own skateboard. Basic membership & lunch (no coaching) is $5.50.

The FNC Skateboarders Association will be holding a number of events throughout the year, including the Fair Go Skateboarding and Music Festival. For more info on the FNC Skateboarders Association check out the association's website at www.farnorthcoastskateboarding.org