Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker with Lindsay Doust

This week's photo is of Andy McCaughey and a nice bass caught up near Tabulam. Andy was born and bred in the area but now lives in Germany. This bass was caught recently when Andy was on holiday.

This week Lindsay is off at the Rowley Shoals, approx 300kms north west of Broome, doing a spot of fishing. So Bruce Mahony is taking his place on the golden keyboard.

A rally supporting changes to the Cape Byron Marine Park will be held at Lennox Head this Saturday, October 16, at 9am. It will be held on the vacant land north of the village on the left hand side of the road as you enter from Byron Bay.

We want to see as many boats on trailers at the rally as possible. See you there.

The fishing over the last weekend varied on where you were. Outside from Evans Head it was somewhere between patchy and hit and miss. There were a few schoolies on the beach, the crabs are there somewhere and further up the river the bass remain finicky.

The bag limits and minimum fish sizes continue to be reviewed and the changes should be published soon. Remember recreational fishing is a sport, so keep this in mind, 'limit your bag not bag your limit'. We all enjoy a feed of fish but keep the sustainable fishery in mind.

Research on barra in the Northern Territory has shown the new environets cause far less physical damage and less stress to the fish as they are caught and released. There are several brands of environets around now for about $30, so why not change over and give the fish you release a better chance.

It is amazing how many rods come into Suffolks for repairs after being broken in an 'accident'. There are plenty of ways to break a fishing rod, especially a very light stick or one made from graphite or boron. However, very few of these catastrophes have anything to do with hooking and landing fish. Rods rarely break under the 'normal' strain of fishing and most failures can be traced directly to a mistake on the part of the operator.

Some of the most common ways are; step on it, slam a car door on it, break snagged line through the rod, fall over with, or onto, your rod, hit a branch or rock while casting, leave the tip protruding beyond a boat's gunwale, stick it in an overhead fan, trust it to an airline, bus company or carrier without a protective tube, pick it up by the tip and lend it to a mate.

The new moon was on October 14 so the solunar influence is on the wane. An old bloke once told me, "fish the tides between the last and first quarters of the moons that are one hour before or after sunrise or one hour before or two hours after sunset".

You can connect that with solunar predictions. This coming weekend the majors are around midday and midnight with the minors around sunrise and sunset or just forget the theory and have some fun fishing.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

Beyond sledging

A small group of young cricketers would have been blooded in the higher grades this last weekend. During this process these young flannelled fanatics would have become aware that cricket demands more than just an aptitude with willow or leather. Cricket is about mental strength.

Cricket is referred to as the gentleman's game and that is probably because it is populated by more than a smattering of complete and outright bastards who indulge continuously in badgering and mentally undermining their opponents. This chicanery is referred to in the modern game as 'psychological disintegration' (PD) and it is not sledging. Sledging is a dreadful thing - gentlemen never sledge.

So in an endeavour to educate our young cricketing enthusiasts I thought I might point out the subtle differences between PD and sledging.

To make a direct allegation, within earshot of the umpire, that a batsman's mother is a gerbil and that their father smelt of elderberries, that's sledging. However, should the umpire fail to hear the allegation or the allegation is posed as a rhetorical question or is merely stated loudly between players on the same side, that's not sledging, that's just PD.

However, that type of allegation wouldn't be any good unless it held a modicum of truth - the truth hurts.

Remember, young devotees, the mercury soars into the 40's during our summers, no one wants to be out in the field and if that means airing other people's personal issues in a cruel and underhanded manner it wouldn't be civilised to refrain.

I recall one instance that worked a treat on me. I'd just settled in to a long moribund innings of singles to fine leg when this adversary approached me between overs.

'Hey Seamless,' he said.

"Yes brother Goose, how can I help you?" I replied.

"Did you get paid to do that commercial?" the Goose asked.

Here I made a fatal mistake. I answered his question.

"Yes," I said "but..."

And before I could qualify my answer he had already burst into laughter.

"Why?" He gaffawed and then promptly yelled to his team mates, "Hey Seamless actually got paid for that ad, how funny is that?"

It wasn't much, certainly nothing you could call sledging, but it fried my brain. I was out that very next over, caught behind point by brother Goose himself.

Everyone has a weakness, mine is my vanity. Others can't stand being kept waiting, others hate being ignored, others don't like being threatened with their life. Different strokes for different folks.

The only antidote is total, unconditional self belief.

Instructors - get your wings

The Fitness Institute of Australia (FIA) has joined forces with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation to offer the second stage of an aerobics instructor course during the last weekend of October.

The course is the second stage in becoming an accredited Aerobics Instructor. Successful participants will receive Certificate III in fitness and be qualified to register with FitnessNSW as an instructor.

"This is an opportunity to become an accredited Aerobics Instructor which, for some people, has become a good way to earn an income in the fitness industry," said Tony Meldrum, development officer with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

"Participants will need to have either completed the strand 1 course or demonstrated the equivalence in the exercise sciences or have provided evidence of current competencies in the field."

The course commences on Friday, October 29, at the Lennox Head Surf Life Saving Club from 1-4.30pm. The course will also be held at the Ballina Fair Swim and Gym from October 30-31.

The course fee is $370.00, which includes all resources, professional instruction, venue entries, assessment fees, a certificate of attainment and an FIA gym bag.

Positions in the course are limited and although the closing date is October 22 it would be wise to register early to avoid disappointment.

For further information or to receive an enrolment form phone the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation on 6687 7168.

Unadulterated athletics

Dunoon and District Little Athletics are having an open day BBQ and sign on next Friday, October 22, at Balzer Park in Dunoon from 5-7pm.

Dunoon and Districts Little Athletics provides a comprehensive program for children aged 5-15 years and tiny tots aged 3-5 years. The program provides training in stretching, body awareness and track and field. Each training session ends with a barbeque dinner at the great Dunoon Sports Club that gives the training a lovely community feel.

Fees remain the same as last year with the first child costing $53, the second $48 and the third $38 with a $5 discount if you have your own little athletics t-shirt.

More revs to the rev head?

Lismore speedway will sent up its traditional column of dust and hi-octane high into the North Lismore sky on November 6 and one driver who is battling against the clock to join the fray is Grafton's Max Jarvis.

Max recently purchased the ex Tony Dunn Torana, and has set about a massive task of repowering the Holden with an engine that has not been used in speedway circles previously.

"We wanted something different, something that would appeal to a different generation of rev-heads," said Max.

The engine that Max chose is a Toyota 1JZ, an inline 6 cylinder, twin turbo, fuel injected powerhouse. "The motor is awesome, we tested it on the dyno, and basically overpowered the tyres, but not before we reached a figure of 620 neuton metres of torque. That was only at around 5,000 revs, and these things will rev to 9,000."

Last week the project was looking like it was all coming together, motor installed, and making all the right noises. " The twin turbo definitely has the "woosh" thing going. The power, the flame, and the sound all started to happen".

That is when things went pear shaped. A test drive revealed that the power was even better than expected, with 'wheelspin' happening in whatever gear was electrically selected, but on a power-run, a belch of smoke, and some terminal noises signalled that a major rebuild was needed before any racing happened.

Lee Gorton, who has done the spanner work was disappointed. " From being ecstatic to being deflated, that was a serious blow-up. Lucky these engines are surprisingly cheap."

With the new engine laying side by side next to its failed predecessor, the crew are working frantically to get Max in action. " I owe so much to Gorton's Paint and Panel, the Crown Hotel and of course my other sponsors. But most of all, to Lee for making it all happen." he said.

The turning tracks of time

Brother's latest acquisition, Adam Gadowski, down on one knee, frees his arms to cover drive, in a well constructed 60 against Workers Club at Nesbitt Park, South Lismore.

Casino Cavalier opener, Sam Dietrich, looks to defend against a rearing ball from Scott Coster. A few balls later Coster picked up the opener with a diving caught and bowled.

Souths won the toss and put Casino in on the dodgy Neilson Park deck on Saturday but their opening bowlers failed to capitalise on the opportunity. In fact it wasn't until Richard Nind threw the ball to off spinner Paul Maclean that Souths started to haul the Casino line-up back in. During his 19 over spell Maclean dismissed both Mark Bratti and Mal Handcock who had put on 70 for the fifth wicket.

In the end the Cavaliers came away with 175 from their time in the middle and it could be enough on the corrugated East Lismore track.

Earlier on the ball had been jagging about and rearing off a length for both Blok and Coster, however the pair failed to get the Casino batsman coming forward, and so they found wickets hard to come by.

Casino will have learnt from their time on the 'ordinary' track and will probably set a short third man and a short cover and keep the ball full when the teams get back out there this Saturday. Needless to say they will also be trying out the spin option before any of the South players get too settled.

In the other Lismore match at Nesbitt Park, Workers spent a long laborious day in the field as Marist Brothers amassed a highly defendable 269. Adam Gadowski proved a valuable off season acquisition for the Brethren as he compiled a top score of 60. Although Les McGuire was very brave to bowl 17 overs with a broken finger, it seemed strange that recognised seamer Paul Ianna didn't get a trundle and equally unusual that young fast bowler Chris Little only bowled five overs in an innings.

In the final wash up Alan Glasby and Mick Hall were the most effective of the bowlers, taking three wickets each for Workers.

The Kingsford Smith wicket in Ballina is a road with grass and it wasn't surprising that Easts found themselves on wrong side of a shellacking from the Tintenbar East Ballina line-up. Despite accumulating a total of 5/308 the Tintenbar blokes, particularly Phil Dalli and Brett Crawford, will be disappointed not to have converting their good starts into centuries.

Talented off spinner Steve Lockhart saved Norths Goonellabah from a disappointing total against Lennox Head with a well-constructed 80. Lockhart, who is a shoe in for representative honours this year as a bowler, might be making a claim as one of the all rounders in the squad. The Hawks 195 is a respectable total and Lennox will probably struggle to overhaul that total against last year's grand finalists.

Young Sam Adams made the selectors sit up and take notice as he held together Ballina Bears innings with a fine 68 on debut against Alstonville. Alstonville's opening bowlers Petty and Johnston enjoyed the going, out at Hill Park with three wickets each.

Life's trials

Top 20 NSW Inter-Academy player Kristy Durheim passes from the circle edge for Daley Tribes in last month's First Division semi final.

The North Coast Academy of Sport will be hosting preliminary trials for their netball squad in Lismore on October 30 and Coffs Harbour on October 31.

Netballers from Tweed Heads to Laurieton, aged between 15 and 18, will be turning up to show off their talents in what promises to be an intense evaluation.

Last year over 100 talented and enthusiastic netballers attended the preliminary trials.

"A specific set of criteria will be used to measure fitness and skill levels," said Academy netball coach Tracey Robinson. "We will also be introducing some more complex skill routines and will see how well these are acquired in a trial game situation."

Sixty athletes will be selected from the initial trials and invited to attend the final selection weekend in Lismore on December 4. State Netball selectors will be attending the final day where approximately 20 athletes will get the final nod to join the 2005 squad.

The program has spawned many success stories, such as Samantha Barnett and Kristy Durheim from Lismore Heights, who were both in last year's squad and were named in the top 20 players at the NSW Inter-Academy Netball Challenge, which was a fantastic achievement for the local girls.

Applications to attend the netball trials have been circulated to every North Coast secondary school and netball association. Alternatively, phone the Academy on 6620 3073 or download an application form from www.ncas.org.au.

Applications close on Friday, October 22.

Take me down to the ball game - Softball

Players numbers were down on last year, particularly in the junior grades, as the Far North Coast softball season got under way last Saturday with the first few rounds of trial matches.

To overcome the shortfall the association has decided to host a 'come and try' session for juniors at Albert Park this Saturday, October 16, from 8.30am.

Juniors play a couple of different varieties of softball. Tee-ball is one such variation played by kids aged 5-8 years, where a static ball is hit from on top of a rubber tube or tee. Modball is a tossed ball game, where coaches soft toss the ball for the youngsters to hit. Modball is played by kids aged 9 and 10 years at 10.15am. Under 13s and Under 15s play regular softball on a reduced diamond at 8.30am and 10.15am respectively. All junior teams are mixed gender and play at the same time each weekend so parents can organise their weekend. Interested parents and players can phone Suellen on 0412 816 237 for further information.

Wayne Hampson will be running free pitching and catching clinics at Albert Park on Mondays from 5-6pm. He will also run an orientation to coaching course at Albert Park on Sunday, October 24, from 10am-4pm. The cost is $25. For further information phone Wayne on 6687 5879.

Disabled surfers get together - Surfing

The Disabled Surfers Association of the Far North Coast will be taking full advantage of the new disabled access at Clarke's Beach this Saturday, October 16, to catch a few waves. The muster begins at 9am and everyone is welcome.

The gang will also be partying at the Beach Hotel on Thursday, October 21, from 7pm as part of a fundraiser for the Disabled Surfers Association. The night will include a giant raffle, with a surfboard, a shakeboard and a bodyboard all up for grabs. For further information phone Ted Kabbout on 6680 4423 or 0427 804 480.

Knock Knock, who's there?

Ballina Lighthouse/Lismore Surf Life Saving Club members will be knocking on Lismore doors this weekend to raise money to provide the on-going funds for important rescue equipment.

Club co-ordinator and recent inductee to the Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame, Con Asmussen, said, " To continue our extremely valuable service we need your support."

Further enquiries, please phone Paul Kelly on 6623 3020 or 0418 640 885.