Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker with Lindsay Doust

Perhaps a little to be desired ...

Australian Bass, a superb freshwater sportfish, is likely to be on in good numbers after the rains have abated and the waters in Toonumbar Dam have cleared.

The 4WD Fishing & Camping Show at the Gold Coast Showgrounds last weekend was a disappointment to the angler and no doubt to most outdoors people. There were no displays of new 4WD vehicles, no boats, no fishing tackle. Indeed, it was a Show only a fraction of the annual Lismore one, to be held again in July.

I only hope the Brisbane Tinny & Tackle Show at the Brisbane Showground this weekend is much better.

To go all that way and see no fish finders, no boats, very few canoes and no tackle left one very deflated.

Last Sunday saw the best offshore fishing from Evans Head for some time. Mackeral have finally come on the bite, even if a little late, but seemingly ready for a good Easter run.

I also had a good two nights of fishing off the North Wall, catching 28 nice bream and whiting in just two short sessions.

Toonumbar Dam is fishing well but there were some disappointments last week-end when anglers arrived to find the water had turned quite muddy from the mid week storm. No doubt once the water clears it will fish very well.

The change in the water condition has certainly brought crabs into more abundance, even if not in last year's numbers. I've had some good reports from Pimlico, Emigrant Creek and Evans River. Around Ballina, the fish in numbers seem to be taking live yabbies but those taking the time to get some live herring seem to be getting the better class of fish, particularly quite large bream and the occasional good flathead. The best way to catch these is by using a 6 hook bait jig and then having a small bucket with an aerator to ensure they are alive when used as bait.

New-look Magpies dominate Brothers New Magpie signing Wes Torrens (centre) moves up in the defensive line for Lower Clarence during their first round Country Cup match against Sawtell at Crozier Field on March 13. Moments later Torrens had the ball in his hand and he was running towards the line after sidestepping the whole of the Sawtell forward pack and a good number of their back-line. It appeared that he took a slightly angled run to the try-line (cutting back to touch down near the posts) so that he could be chased and not lose interest, such was his moment of superiority. A new look Lower Clarence Magpies overwhelmed Marist Brothers 42-4 in the second round of the state-wide Country Cup at the Maclean Showgrounds on Saturday. In a game that saw both teams run on without the services of their respective captains, David Krause (Brothers) and Pat O'Doherty (Lower Clarence) it was a combination of the Magpies stalwarts and new blood that closed down the Brothers usually expansive game. The Magpies attack has been strengthened with the inclusion of Casino's Wes Torrens. However, the big change in this team is in the second row. By hook or by crook, the Magpies were able to get the signature of Jason Hebbard, a dominant figure on the field. Lower Clarence will play Dapto in the next round.

Ballina, Byron to clash

Round two of the FNC Table Tennis Winter teams competition at the Goonellabah RSL Table Tennis Centre saw Ballina and Byron maintain their unbeaten status. Both teams came away from the round with 6-5 victories, giving hope for both Lismore and Lennox Head, even though they remain winless.

Wednesday night's matches will see Ballina and Byron Bay face each other for the first time this season, while Lismore and Lennox Head will be out to break their duck against each other in the other first division match.

In second division Goonellabah and Byron share top position after one round thanks to 9-2 victories over East Lismore and Jiggi respectively. RSL Sports claimed third place with a nail-biting 6-5 win over Lismore City.

Trinity nine strike up for nationals

In the recent Queensland Karate Association's Pre-selection Tournament in Brisbane over the weekend of March 13-14, nine students from Trinity Catholic College gained places in their respective divisions.

The 2004 Australian Open and Kyu Grade Championships will be held at the Banyule Leisure Centre in Melbourne from April 16-18.

First placings were won by Brendan Tickle, 12yrs boys, Lauren Morgan, 13yrs girls, Mat Tickle, 14yrs boys, Joel Parry, 15yrs boys, Tasman Wales, 17yrs boys open weight and Ari Carr, open weight junior men's and senior men's 65-75 kg.

Tyson Hussein and Danielle Rogers joined in on the fun by winning their places in the team going to Nationals with a second place in the 15yrs boys section and a third place in the girls' cadet open weight division respectively.

Tyson then teamed up with gold medallists Joel Parry and Tasman Wales to win the Cadet Teams event.

Danielle Rogers and Ari Carr were part of the winning team in the Senior Teams event, ensuring that all nine members of the Queensland team that hail from Trinity will travel to Melbourne with first placings under their belt from their most recent top flight outing.

Gibson makes first cut in nationals

Craig Harley launches himself into his approach shot to the 18th green during Saturday's 4BBB at Lismore Workers Golf Club.

Lismore's latest dynamic junior Rhein Gibson produced a fine effort at the Australian Amateur Championships in Adelaide last weekend. Playing at the Glenelg course Rhein made the cut for the third and fourth days of the stroke play section.

Unfortunately he missed out by just two strokes on being in the top 32 who progress to the knockout matchplay stage of the title. Players alternated their rounds between Glenelg and Royal Adelaide courses, with Rhein starting at Glenelg, playing both his first and third rounds on the seaside suburb course.

Speaking to his coach and Lismore Club pro, Peter Jaeger, after the tournament, Rhein said that he thought the Royal Adelaide course was very comfortable to play but found the front nine at Glenelg posed some difficulties.

Gibson's score of 76, 72, 75, 76 for a total of 299 put him in a tie for 42nd place, a superb effort for a youngster playing in his first national senior title.

He returned scores of 76 and 75 on the par 71 Glenelg layout, dropping five and four shots to par on the front nine over the two rounds.

In action on the local courses Casino will be the home team next Saturday when Kyogle returns for the second round of the Digger Roberts Jug. Casino is confident of victory on Saturday after having restricted the 'away course' damage to trail by just two matches with Kyogle leading 6-4.

Coraki Ladies Golf Club will be hosting their Open Day this coming Tuesday with golfers coming from across the region. The event is always very popular with early acceptances including players from Byron Bay, Iluka and Mullumbimby.

Congratulations to father and son team, Bill and Jason Roche, on combining to win Coraki's 4BBB on Saturday with 50 points.

Sterling Effort by Lismore swimmers

There were smiles all round for members of the Lismore Swim Team at the 2004 NSW Country Championships in Sydney.

Back (from left) head coach Iain Jones, Alyce Weight, Lauren Youngberry, Nadi Canning, Alex Mills, Jacob Power and coach Letitia Bolton. Front Sally Mills and Jessica Henshaw. Absent were James Henshaw and James Whyte. Alex, Jacob and Jessica had every reason to smile after having qualified for the National Championships.

Nine Lismore Swim Team members put in a sterling effort at the NSW Country Championships held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Between them the swimmers, aged 13 to 19, achieved a dozen personal best times, several medals and some impressive National Age Championship qualifying times. Three of the team, Alex Mills, Jacob Power and Jessica Henshaw swam their way to national qualifying times and will go on to swim at the National Age Championships in Perth in April.

Head coach Iain Jones was proud of his team. "These swimmers are great ambassadors for both our club and the Lismore district. Their level of commitment and sportsmanship is off the scale," he said.

Evans Head flies the first flag

The Evans Head Grade Two team became the first team to take out a 2004 NRDBA Pennant after winning their match against Lismore Workers Heights 6-nil on Saturday. The win places them on 42 points, 14.5 points ahead of second placed Ballina with two rounds (and a maximum of only twelve points) remaining.

In Grade One Casino RSM continued on towards an inevitable Pennant after knocking over Ballina 5-1. Their only loss this season was a 1.5 - 4.5 result in round five to South Lismore. Interestingly the folks down at South are still a little emotional about losing a couple of their promising juniors, David Zorso and Peter Brown, to Casino over the close season and it is likely that their final round clash at South in a fortnight will be a ripper. By that stage Casino should have wrapped up the title by scoring at least one point out of six possible in their home fixture against East Lismore this Saturday. In their first round meeting at East the Casino RSM team won 5-1.

Club championships are continuing apace with Evans Head's fours title going to R farmer, A Marsden, J Rodda and S Hallam.

Pennant Round Eight

Grade 1

Casino 5 d Ballina 1; East Lismore 5 d Lennox Head 1; Alstonville 6 d South Lismore 0. Leading team: Casino RSM 37.5.

Grade 2

Lismore City 6 d Ballina 0; Evans Head 6 d Lismore W/H 0; Casino RSM 5 d Ballina RSL. Leading team: Evans Head 42.

Grade 3

South Lismore 6 d Broadwater 0; Lennox Head 5 d Kyogle 1; Evans Head 6 d Ballina 0. Leading team: South Lismore 34.5.

Grade 4

Lismore W/H 6 d Woodburn 0; Alstonville I 6 d Alstonville II 0; East Lismore 6 d Ballina RSL 0. Leading team: Alstonville I 41.5.

Grade 5

Evans Head 55 d Lennox Head 1; Casino RSM 5 d Ballina RSL 1; Lismore W/H 5 d Bonalbo 1. Leading team: Evans Head 32.5.

Grade 6

Nimbin 5 d Lismore City 1; Ballina RSL 5 d Kyogle 1; Ballina RSL 5 d South Lismore 1. Leading team: Kyogle 29.5.

Grade 7A

Kyogle 5 d Lismore RSL 1; Casino RSM 6 d Lismore W/H 0; Evans Head 5 d South Lismore 1. Leading Team: Evans Head 37.

Grade 7B

East Lismore 6 d Ballina 0; Evans Head 3.5 d Alstonville 2.5; Casino; bye. Leading team: 28.5.

Three through in both Anzac and MacMillan Cups

The first three qualifiers for the Anzac Cup semi finals have been decided after wins to Rovers, Workers and Byron Bay last weekend.

After developing a reputation over the past two seasons as Cup specialists, being the Anzac Cup holders and having won the past two Tursa Cups, Byron Bay sealed their semi place with a 3-1 victory over reigning premiers Italo Stars.

Workers got through, but only after a struggle against the hapless Alstonville line-up who twice gave away a lead. The Workers goals came from Tom Guttormsen, Luke MacPherson and Damien Keevers, all players who have the capacity to figure prominently in the goal-scoring lists as the year unfolds.

Rovers, who are shaping up as pre-season favourites for the minor premiership absolutely thrashed Casino 6-nil. Ominously, their goals were scored by Matthew Olley, one of the clubs four past winners of the FNC Golden Boot Award.

With the second placed team in each pool being on three points there will be stiff competition for the final semi spot in the final pool round this weekend. The most likely team to advance should be the winner of the Ballina v Alstonville match, being played at the Geoff Watt Field due to the condition of Villa's home ground Crawford Park.

MacMillan trio

Three teams have also qualified for the semis in the Callan McMillan Cup, FNC's women's soccer pre-season tournament.

Rovers, Workers and Ballina have all made it through after two wins apiece after two matches. Woodburn, Lennox Head and SCU are the best placed teams to claim the fourth semi berth with one win each. SCU face the winless Thistles on Sunday while Lennox will host Rovers. Woodburn's task will be to overcome Ballina. Woodburn have the advantage of the home ground, but Ballina should be too strong in defence.

Top two bow out

The two top finishing sides in the LJ Hooker League were knocked out of the competition at the semi-final stage last weekend.

In the Hooker League there was a mix up regarding which ground Casino would choose to play their semi. As minor premiers they won the right to choose. Hooker League officials contacted by The Echo earlier in the week suggested that Casino were likely to host their game against Norths at Queen Elizabeth Park. A message was left on Casino captain Adam Shields answering service to contact The Echo to confirm the ground choice. The message said that if Adam did not get back it would be accepted that they had chosen Queen Elizabeth Park.

Regrettably, Adam did not return the call until Thursday, a day after The Echo had gone to print.

Unfortunately two of the Norths Goonellabah RSL players had not made contact with their club officials to confirm the venue and took what was in the paper as gospel.

Meanwhile, back at Oakes, Norths won the toss and decided to field. This allowed their players to make it to the ground, albeit after the start of proceedings. Unfazed, or perhaps motivated by the blunder, Norths bowling was inspired, sending Casino packing for one of their lowest scores of the season, 126. Latecomer Steve Lockhart who finished with 3-25 off 24.5 overs, including 13 maidens, took three of the Casino wickets.

Norths run chase started off with a splutter but Nathan Bonamy, who had deputised earlier as an opening bowler, scored 63 n.o. to bring the side home with the assistance of Rodney Wells (40).

In the other Hooker League semi Souths upset Easts at Nesbitt Park. Easts, playing without their young batting star Tom Cooper, won the toss and decided to send Souths in to bat on a sticky wicket. Brett Rutley and Jake McKinnon ripped apart the normally reliable Souths batting line-up, finishing with 3-16 and 5-13 respectively. Souths set Easts the paltry target of just 87 to book a place in the grand final. However, it was a bridge too far with ten of the Easts players finishing the innings in single figures. They were demolished for just 62 thanks to opening bowlers Les Blok (3-7) and Craig Bateman (4-25). Bateman had earlier made the games top score of 20.

The final is set down for Oakes Oval this Saturday and Sunday.

Locals honoured with Hall of Fame places

Max Perrot and Kellie O'Brien receive their Surfing Australia Hall of Fame awards for Surfing Administration during last weekend's Australian Surfing Open in Sydney.

Photo: Surfing Australia Photo Service.

Max Perrot and Kellie O'Brien of Lennox Head were awarded places in the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of their untiring services to surfing administration.

The presentation was one of the feature events on Saturday, the third day of the Australian Surfing Open WQS event, held at Maroubra Beach, Sydney, from March 15-21.

The pair have been residents of Lennox since moving east from Western Australia 15 years ago.

They founded the All Girls Surfriders Club, possibly the largest of its kind in the world, in 1991. From this they launched the annual All-Girls Surf Showdown in 1993, leading to a Prime Minister's Award for Women in Sport the following year.

In 1996 they launched the 'Rusty Gromfest' with 400 competitors aged between eight to 16 years old; it was and still is Australia's largest junior event and is unique with equal prizes and recognition for both girls and boys.

The Gromfest attracts the best in junior talent each year and is attended by the who's who of the Australian surfing industry as they scan the next wave of talent likely to take on the world.

In addition, Max and Kellie are accredited coaches, judges and competitors, with Kellie winning a Queensland title and Max having an Australian title under his belt.

And if proving the theory that if you want something done give it to a busy woman, Kellie, along with Max, have recently helped form the Far North Coast Skateboarders Association.

Max and Kellie told The Echo that the events and projects that they have been involved with would not have happened without the help of a number of local individuals and a couple of companies that have been unstinting in their support for the sport.

"We haven't been able to do this alone. The support we have received has been great. Some of those we need to thank include Kerin Noach, Paul Young, David Sandercock, Bev Simmons and Nick Pearson, plus there have been a couple of sponsors who have supported our ideas on face value and put a solid investment into both women's and junior surfing in Rusty Australia, and Wayne and Maree Lazarus," said Max.

"I should point out though that it is not a thankless job. Surfing administration has been very satisfying for both Kell and I, providing us both with a fantastic opportunity to meet people and make a lot of friends along the way."

Greens eye-off the Rat's cash

The annual Southern Cross University Gold Rats 10's tournament, a traditional pipe-opener for the rugby season, will be held on the Rats home ground, the Maurie Ryan Field, this Saturday.

Tens football is similar to Sevens in that the rugby is fast-paced and provides plenty of opportunities to score. However, unlike the sevens game there is a far greater emphasis on defence, making for some very exciting phase-play.

The Gold Rats regard themselves as a naturally attacking side so this form of the game should suit their style.

Sixteen teams will contest the event, covering every team in the north coast zone, with minnows such as Richmond Range and Yamba sizing up to heavyweights such as Wollongbar, Casino and Ballina.

Also appearing at the tournament will be the 2003 FNC Rugby premiers, the Lismore City Greens, who won their title over the Gold Rats in last year's grand final at Mullumbimby. There is nothing that the Greens would love more than to start the season by taking out their cross-town rivals' tournament.

Tens rugby consists of each match being made up of two ten minute halves. And with $1000 on offer for the winners, there is no shortage of interest from clubs throughout Far North Coast rugby.

The action kicks off at 9.30am with the final scheduled for 6pm.Admission is free.