Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker with Lindsay Doust

Sharks reach Coraki

Some recent reports are quite encouraging - as far as fish catches go. Outside of Ballina there have been some nice catches of pearl perch and parrotfish; while off Evans Head there have been some nice catches of snapper. One angler caught two very healthy snapper last Monday, one weighing-in at over 6kg, with the other nudging the scales past 5kg.

On the beach, one positive report I had was of very good dart and tailor at Patches Beach just on dusk. The dart have evidently been of big size and, as we all know, they fight like no other fish in the surf. They are also good eating if bled straight away, then skinned and eaten fresh.

Bass have certainly been a little quieter as they have probably moved upstream into still waters before they begin their downstream swim prior to spawning in the mid-winter months.

What we need is a good flush through the Richmond River system (certainly not a major flood). This would bring on the crabs and push our traditional freshwater fish downstream closer to Ballina and Evans Head. Of interest is a report I have had of black tip sharks being caught around Coraki and one interesting catch was a one-metre bull shark being caught in the same area.

The picture today is of NSW Fisheries releasing 10,000 bass fingerlings near Casino, with Bruce Mahoney, the Secretary of the Richmond Valley Anglers Action Group. This recent release means that a total of 27,000 bass have been released into the Richmond system in the past two months.

Members of the Richmond Valley Sportfishing Club assist in the recent release of 10,000 bass fry.

Fours finalists decided this Sunday - Lawn Bowls

Last weekend saw the Northern Rivers District lawn bowls season hit top gear with the first two rounds of the District fours championship and round one of the inter-club pennant competition being played.

The fours are now down to the final eight with the quarterfinals to be held at South Lismore on Sunday morning, followed by the semi's in the afternoon.

A total of 47 teams have nominated for the 2004 NRDBA pennant competition across all seven divisions. Pennant competition pits three fours teams against each other, with each playing for one point. A further three points goes to the side that accumulates the most shots across their three teams.

Competition started on Saturday with Casino RSM, and Lennox Head victorious in the Number One division.

Casino whitewashed Alstonville 6 (68) to nil (39). Lennox overcame South Lismore 5-1, including a 32-10 victory over Commonwealth Games representative Arthur Black's four. Lennox finished the day with 69 shots to South's 45.

Other divisions:

Number Two. Ballina 6 (71) d Casino RSM 0 (51); Lismore Workers Heights 5 (65) d Ballina RSL 1 (49); Evans Head 5 d Lismore City 1; Kyogle 4 (54) d Sth Lismore 2 (51)

Number Three: Evans Head 5 (62) d Lennox Head 1 (48).

Number Four: Lismore Workers Heights 5 (69) d Alstonville (I) 1 (57); Ballina 5 (71) d Woodburn 1 (68); East Lismore 6 (68) d Alstonville (II) 0 (45).

Number Five: Ballina RSL 5 (70) d Lennox Head 1 (50); Evans Head 5 (72) d Bonalbo 1 (51); Lismore Workers Heights 4 (72) d Casino RSM 2 (46).

Number Six: Lismore City 5 (67) d Ballina RSL 1 (60); South Lismore 5 (73) d Nimbin 1 (48).

Number Seven-A: Casino RSM 6 (81) d South Lismore 0 (44); Kyogle 5 (69) d Lismore Works Heights 1 (42); Lismore RSL 6 (75) d Evans Head 0 (63).

Number Seven-B: East Lismore 6 (69) v Casino RSM 0 (58); Ballina 6 d Evans Head 0.

Please Note: Club result secretaries are asked to fax pennant results to 6622 1791 for publication.

World's best express to impress at Broken Head

Some of the world's leading surfers, including Pauline Menczer of New Brighton and Danny Wills of Byron Bay, will be giving an expression-session demonstration before the start of the 2004 Maddog Surfing Australia Membership Drive events on Saturday morning.

Senior and Junior surfers will be gathering at Broken Head at 8am on Saturday for the.

The junior and senior surfers, although competing in separate divisions will be sent out in mixed groups in thew heats to allow the juniors to gain experience surfing with more mature wave riders.

The professionals will also be on hand to speak with the juniors about surf safety and etiquette. In other words they are going to be told how dangerous it is to drop in on another surfer's wave. Just ask Nat Young ... or better still, don't.

The event will be followed later on Saturday by a barbeque and a meeting to discuss the future of surfing in the Far North Coast region of the state.

Gibson is Oklahoma bound

Lismore's latest junior golf sensation, Rhein Gibson, has accepted a golf scholarship to attend one of America's leading golf universities. Rhein will commence studies in mid-August at the Oklahoma Christian University, a member of the Sooner Conference in the NAIA (National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics).

The university maintains a national top-ten NAIA golf ranking.

One of the stars of Oklahoma Christian University's golf program last season was All-American Juan Lizarralde.

Speaking to The Echo this week, Rhein's father Ron said there had been a number of offers that had been put forward, but most didn't appeal. "There were quite a few contacts, but Rhein felt Oklahoma Christian was the best option. He will likely be studying a business management and finance based course, allowing him career options after golf."

Rhein has had another outstanding summer, winning his second Aaron Badderley Tournament at Moonah Lakes. This qualified Gibson to play in the Aaron Badderley Youth International in Fiji for the second consecutive year. After finishing in the top 10 in Fiji last year, Rhein returned this year to post a victory playing against a strong international field.

"In golf, once the kids get out of juniors the transition can be difficult, as it usually takes until you are 22-23 before your game matures enough to be consistently earning enough as a professional. Rather than playing the amateur circuit in Australia, which can be very costly, the university option allows him to continue to learn the game while looking out for his future," Rob Gibson said.

British Open winner in Coraki pro-am

Corinne Dibnah, the first Australian to win the British Women's Open, is just one of a star-studded list of players lining up for the Coraki Ladies Pro-Am on Sunday February 15. Joining her will be Casino's Michelle Ellis, a leading player on the USLPGA tour. Other notable entries include former Ladies European Tour and USLPGA regular Fiona Pike who won her first ALPGA tournament in 2003, the Catalina Country Club Pro-Am.

Golf Honour Roll

(Saturday, January 31, unless otherwise stated)

Ballina

Overall - William Beattie; A Grade - N Streckfuss (Coraki); B Grade - Ken Bracegirdle; C Grade - William Moxon; Mon 26 Jan - Karl Tanner; Wed 28 Jan - Keith McGuirk; Fri 30 Jan - Peter Kempnich; Mon 2 Feb - (Vets) G Moore

Casino

Monthly Medal - Gary Shephard

A Grade - Adam Taylor

B Grade - Ray Wilson

C Grade - Gary Shephard

Coraki

A Grade - P Gynther

B Grade - D. Loader

Lismore

Four Ball - Bob Carlson, Earl Durheim

A Grade - Nathan Hughes

B Grade - Bob Farmer

C Grade - Simon Hancock

Thurs 29 Jan - Peter Irwin

Woodburn Evans Head

Overall - Neil Walsh

A Grade - Willis Sneesby

B Grade - Warren Woodcock

Ladies - Nancy Webb

(Vets - Thurs. Jan 29)

A Grade Vets - Bill Ferrier

B Grade Vets - Jim Bogie

Cooper and Parrish in century stand

Lismore opener Brad Lofts (25) holes out to S. Buckett at mid-on off the bowling of Ben Johnston.

Lismore teams dominated the inaugural 'Day of Cricket', held at Oakes Oval on Sunday.

The day pitted representative teams from the Lismore and Ballina cricket associations against each other, in senior, reserve and kanga cricket matches.

The feature match was a day-nighter pitting the cream of the two associations against each other.

Lismore won the toss and batted under a cloudless sky. After reaching 2-50 off 13 overs Tom Cooper came to the wicket to join the in-form Rex Parrish. The pair compiled a 125 run partnership off 129 balls with Cooper reaching 72 and Parrish 66. Their innings could have been larger but for the rise around the ground just short of the boundary fence. Astonishingly Cooper and Parrish each scored eight threes. The LDCA secretary Norm Ryder said this week that there would be a boundary rope at Oakes Oval as of next season.

Dave Carney (3-45) ended up with the best figures of the Ballina bowlers.

One of the points of interest in the Lismore innings was the Waugh brothers-like effort of the Nind brothers - notably the moment in which Michael Nind was run-out on what appeared to be his brother Richard's call.

Ballina set off on their run-chase at a brisk pace with 17 runs coming off the first three overs.

But the Lismore bowlers began to turn the screws after the fall of the first wicket at 32. By the 24th over Ballina was one run ahead of the Lismore total at the same stage, although Ballina had lost three more wickets.

It was at this stage of the Lismore innings that Cooper and Parrish had let loose, adding another 80 runs in just 10 overs.

Ballina were eventually dismissed for 151, losing by 55 runs. All six Lismore bowlers used took wickets, with Neil Bell returning the best figures with 3-26.

The day started with a 40 overs match between the Lismore Reserve Grade and Ballina Second Grade rep sides. Ballina started well reaching 38 without loss but then collapsed, losing 5-10. They eventually struggled to 114 off just 34 overs. The wickets were shared between Chris Little (3-30), Geoff Hallman (3-28) and Dave Lovett (3-4).

Lismore reached the target for the loss of only five wickets thanks to a fine half-century by B Walker (54), however they left it late as they only reached the target with nine balls remaining.

Two exhibition kanga cricket matches between Lismore and Ballina juniors was held between the two senior matches.

Cooper off to NZ

Lismore's Tom Cooper clips the ball through the off-side off Ballina's Ben Johnston as he and Rex Parrish (partially obscured by Cooper) piled on a match-winning 125-run partnership.

Easts 17-year-old batting sensation, Tom Cooper, had a mixed weekend dealing with the notorious Oakes Oval pitch. On Saturday he scored just one run before becoming one of Shaun Savage's four victims in Easts' collapse (see Hooker League article).

Come Sunday he once again displayed his ability to step up to the mark at representative level. Playing for Lismore against Ballina, Cooper scored 72, putting on a partnership of 125 with Rex Parrish (66). Not surprisingly Cooper won the man of the match award.

Cooper has already score a century for Lismore this season (against Tweed), plus two centuries for NSW at the national Under 17 championships last month.

This Sunday Tom will be heading off to New Zealand with the state under 17 squad for a week-long tour.

Lismore croquet approaches 75 in style

The Lismore croquet club will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year after a year of club and competitive success in 2003.

A number of major events have been planned for the anniversary year, including a tournament that will bring some of the best players in New South Wales and Queensland to Lismore.

There is also a gathering of past and present players to be held in late March.

Competitively the club is coming off a very successful year, with new club champion Robyn Stock earning second place in the prestigious Queensland Silver Medal Tournament and was a winner at the Urunga Tournament. Robyn also teamed up with Lesley Smith to take out the Murwillumbah Doubles title.

The club, located in Molesworth Street beside the Old Council Chambers, holds club days on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, social croquet on Monday mornings and golf-croquet on Thursday mornings. The Over-50's group plays on Fridays.

Past members interested in attending the re-union, or those wanting to learn the wiles of croquet can contact club secretary Fay Ross on 6622 3776 or the club on 6622 6030.

Lismore Croquet Club 2003 Championships

Club Champion: Robyn Stock; R/u: Lesley Smith.

Division 2: Fay Ross; R/u: Dawn Miller.

Division 3: Dick Smith; R/u: Jane Serotzki.

Division 4: Bev Garrett; R/u: Marie Synott.

Alice Somerville Doubles: Bev Bass and Dick Smith; R/u: Lesley Smith and Dawn Miller.

Wales Cup Doubles: Fay Ross & Vaughan Fisher.

Juliet Shearer Handicap Singles: Robyn Stock; R/u: Fay Ross.

Christie/McCormack Cup Handicap: Doris Green; R/u: Bruce Ross.

Most Improved Player: Jane Serotzki.

Noel's Trophy: Ada Somerville.

Encouragement Award: Bert Harris.

Casino and Easts earn top spots the hard way

Casino and Easts both staged remarkable comebacks in Round 6 of the LJ Hooker League on the weekend. As a result they are now ensconced in the top two positions on the ladder.

The Ballina Bears put up a desperate, but futile effort in trying to knock over Casino to keep their hopes of playing in the finals alive. Casino have had an outstanding year, thanks mainly to the core of junior players who have come through the ranks over the past 24 months and sit squarely on top of the ladder. Ballina, on the other hand, were expected to have a good season but have struggled throughout, to sit in third last position, ahead of just Lennox Head and Brunswick Valley.

The Bears won the toss and decided to bat on the QEII Park pitch, quickly slumping to 6-40. Thanks to a fine 65 by middle-order batsman Sam Rippon Ballina was able to build their score up to 152. Ballina looked likely to pick up first innings points when they had Casino on their knees at 9-102, bringing Mark Mison (26) to the wicket to join Al Nowan (53 n.o.) in a 65 run partnership to take the points. Between them Nowan (3-54) and Mison (1-29) took half of Ballina's wickets and scored just under half of Casino's total.

Easts also staged a memorable comeback against Lennox Head, still requiring 126 runs with only two wickets remaining. Despite former Easts player Mark Denmeade adding 5-57 to his 39 with the bat, the Easts number 9, 10 and 11 batsmen, Jake McKinnon (65), Daniel Wells (48) and Ian Gregory (18 n.o.) took control.

Easts were able to haul in the target with one wicket to spare and secured second place on the ladder.

Marist Brothers lost an opportunity to climb up the ladder on Saturday by failing to reach the 207 target set by Tintenbar-East Ballina. Brothers crumbled for just 129 thanks to Jason Stewarts 5-25 and David Carney's 4-35.

The Norths Goonellabah RSL (189) v Souths (7-141) and Alstonville (5-239) v Brunswick Valley (8-209) matches petered out to draws, with the highlight being Rex Parrish's knock of 68 n.o. for Souths.

Round Seven, Feb 7 and 14): Brunswick Valley v Lennox Head (Saunders Oval); Casino v Norths Goonellabah RSL (Oakes Oval); Easts v Ballina (Fripp Oval); Souths v Tintenbar-East Ballina (Kingsford Smith South); Alstonville v Marist Brothers.

L.J. Hooker League Ladder

Casino 47; Easts 38; Norths Goonellabah RSL 33; Alstonville 31; Tintenbar-East Ballina 27; Souths 24; Marist Brothers 23; Ballina Bears 18; Lennox Head 8; Brunswick Valley 7.