Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker

Andrew Stevenson with a nice size cod, caught on a surface lure in a local inland stream. Lindsay, our regular fishing columnist, will return next week.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

Little by little

In the desolate gloom what fragile light is there? When all hope fades and the taste of loss is so heavy in our throats that swallowing becomes a labour alone. When the fates conspire to bring our loves and dreams to naught. Despite all the training the middle of the bat only seems to find a driving fielder taking a screaming catch. The middle of the racket seems to drift the ball wide down the line. Even when we are in great form, the selectors, be they sporting, intimate or business, decide that our era is at an end and we get dropped anyway.

As the greyness creeps upon our temples and the hair thins upon our scalp, as it does to all, even such greats as Steve Waugh, Laurie Daley or Wally Lewis, what is there to drive yesterday's hero on?

The answer, happily, is all around us and has been sitting there quietly waiting for us to wake up and have a sniff of the roses. Just as finding form is all about concentrating on the little things, the basics, like watching the ball, so are the joys of retirement found in small things. It's the little things that gladden the heart and feed the soul; the comfort of clean sheets, the delightful delicate tastes of food, the crisp cleanness of fresh air, the mists of the morning and the layered colours of the sunset.

In truth we have been freed from the pressures to perform, the doubts about our ability, all the grand cares that creased our brows can depart and the little things can emerge with all the vital and revitalising energy they hold.

If we were honest with ourselves we should admit that even our greatest moments were not really ours; luck and fate played their part, history drove us on and all the things of which we have no control conspired to help us out.

At our best we got the basics right - we caught the catch, we stepped the full back, we did the dishes, mowed the lawn and we dared to try to do something more and fortune favoured us.

Fortune favours the brave but joy comes to those who pay attention to the little things.

Four and twenty

Cricket aficionados are gathering in coffee shops across the country to bemoan the emergence of the latest version of cricket. It's a 20 overs per side style of competition and it was all the rage back in the home of cricket, England. They're calling it baseball in the round, they're calling it international tip and run. The one thing they're not calling it is cricket and that's where they're wrong. They're wrong because nothing can destroy the spirit of the gentleman's game. No bastardy, no underarm bowling, no bodyline can lay low the love of leather and willow which lingers in the collective consciousness of the people of the old empire. 20/20 is perfectly consumable modern cricket.

My fellow cricket tragics and I can envisage a time when four international teams of genetically enhanced cricketers will play out 20/20 double headers on a Saturday arvo under dome protected fields. The new free hit gimmick will stay and be joined by a host of even more preposterous rule variations. Sixes will be worth more, much more. Each six will earn compound run interest as determined by a formula many times more complex than the Duckworth Lewis system. Oh yes. For example, the third six in the over will be worth 36 and the fourth 57 and so on depending on the overs remaining and the average number of sixes in the innings so far.

One fieldsman, probably the one with the tortoise gene splice, will be required to field at silly mid-on for the entire encounter, under the closest video surveillance. The openers, whose arms will look rather like an Orang-utang, will be required to carry a heavier bat each over if they fail to hit a six. Teams who fail to convert a run out will be penalised four runs. This will be called the automatic over throw rule.

Each game will be designed to be determined by the very last ball of the match for added tension. Despite all of this the spirit of cricket will remain, for it is indestructible.

Gray days ahead

One time SCU Talented Player Program recipient, Ryan Gray, has left for England to trial with Manchester and Liverpool premier league teams. The 17-year-old goalkeeper, who played for Byron Bay last year, left on Tuesday to trial for the high profile clubs along with the rest of the NSW Under 18 squad.

Ryan was chosen to be part of the 2002 Talented Player Program run at Southern Cross University where he practised twice a week in the morning before school.

Considering he was attending Mullumbimby High at the time one can only imagine how early he needed to get up and how much travelling he needed to do to fulfil the program.

In 2003 Ryan was selected in the NSW Institute of Sport Squad.

The next year Ryan won selection as captain in the North Coast open boys team that travelled to Armidale to compete in the NSW Combined High School Championships. A successful championships led to him winning a berth in the NSW open boys soccer team. It is a squad that is mingling with best and brightest soccer players the world can muster in the home of soccer.

NSW Sport and Recreation have chipped in $1000 to his travel expenses.

Robbo makes his Mark

Mark Robinson's rig sweeps all before him.

Lismore's newly crowned national V8 Dirt Modfied champion, Mark Robinson, showed excellent form by taking out the recent Mr Modified series, held at Lismore and Grafton Speedways.

Robinson secured overall 3rd in the first round at Lismore, 2nd in the second round at Grafton and 1st in the third and final round in Lismore on Boxing Day to take the overall points and become the new Mr Modified. Luke Oldfield finished second with Mick Santin third.

Sportsman racer Paul Booker showed great strength to take out the Sportsman Mr Modified.

The USA vs AUS Super Sedan Test series provided some of the best match racing seen in years, with the Aussies hammering home to beat the Yanks.

The USA team of Steve Francis, John Gill, Bert Cheatham and Charlie Schwartz came to Lismore with the series lead but were pipped by our home grown racers of Wayne Randall, Jaimie McHugh, Wayne Brims and Lismore's Queen of Speed, Tania Smith.

The series now heads to Brisbane for the final meeting of the test series, which will be a do or die situation for both teams, as they now both go in on equal points.

This weekend the V8 Dirt Modifieds head north west to Toowoombah's Charlton Raceway, whilst the local Modified Production Sedan brigade travel south west to Dubbo for the NSW Modified Production Sedan Championships.

Jason Jolley, who has recently unleashed his new potent VY Commodore, will be looking for a strong showing in Dubbo, as will Greg Worling and Wayne Carter, who have both had reasonably good outings so far this season.

The next local outing for the Modified Production Sedans will be March 5, as a support for the first running of the Grenville Anderson Memorial Super Sedan meeting. A big field of cars is expected to converge on Lismore for the memorial.

Wanted - tomorrow's supermodels

Lismore Indoor Swim Team has come up with a novel fundraising idea - a Model Quest. The quest will be part of an entire day of fun and frivolity to be held at the Lismore Workers Club on March 12 from 12.30pm.

The search to find tomorrow's supermodels will cover six age groups from 5-year-olds to over 20s. For further information or to organise an entry form phone Kim on 6624 7576.

Social Volleyball

Indoor rebound A grade or casual grade volleyball is being held at Wyrallah Road Squash Courts on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm. All are welcome. Matches have also been organised for Lennox Head Squash and Gym Centre on Wednesdays and Alstonville Squash and Gym Centre on Thursdays. For further details phone Loz on 0418 261 904.

Women of the waves

Women's participation in surfing is booming.

Australian women love an active lifestyle and surfing is an inviting activity for many of them. The number of adult women wanting to enjoy the benefits of the surfing lifestyle is booming.

"This area is the best in Australia to get into surfing and age is no barrier," said All Girls Surfriders Club co-founder and surfing coach Kellie O'Brien. "I started at 25 and it is still the best thing in my life - a love affair with the sea is endless enjoyment and a constantly changing canvas of beauty."

Kellie has recently established a new class that caters for adult women.

"I hear a lot of women wishing they had the time to learn, the courage, the knowledge and the friends to do it with," said Kellie. "Being involved in a surf session with other women, with instruction, can fast track the process of learning and also be a support group of like minded people."

Lennox Head resident Robyn McIntyre spoke of her first class.

"I've been learning for a while and I'd lost some confidence after an injury - these instructors are very good and I feel better already," she said. "The ocean can be a mystery and when you're older you want to take advantage of time and use it effectively. I can't wait for next week!!"

The classes are conducted at Lennox Head twice a week and incorporate quality instruction, fun and the building of confidence in the ocean. Thursday morning and Sunday morning sessions enable any woman an opportunity to become a surfer girl.

Interested women are invited to phone Kellie on 6687 5066 to make a booking.

Leading women

Applications for the 2005 Sport Leadership Grants for women close next Friday, January 28. The national grants scheme creates opportunities for Australian women to make their mark in sports leadership roles.

The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Office for Women, will invest $400,000 in the delivery of the 2005 Sport Leadership Grants for women program across Australia.

"Improving the participation of women in coaching, officiating and administration is vital to the future growth of Australian sport," said ASC CEO Mark Peters. "Women's participation in these roles will greatly benefit Australian sport with a larger pool of volunteers, increased membership, and broader representation in leadership and decision-making roles."

The grants are available in five key areas: high performance coaching and officiating; Indigenous women in rural and remote communities; women in disability sport; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women in general sport leadership.

Funding of up to $5,000 is available to successful individual applicants and up to $10,000 for approved organisations.

For more details visit the website at www.ausport.gov.au/women/grants.asp.

Women wanting to play in heaven

Sign on for women interested in playing, training or coaching rugby will be on at the sports oval opposite St Carthage's Primary School, Brunswick Street, Lismore, on Tuesday, February 8, and February 15 at 6pm. For further details phone Sarah on 6622 0380 or 0401 388 125.

Surf safe

Picture by Karen Wilson

Six times reigning ASP world surfing champion Layne Beachley has proven an inspiration to women surfers across the nation.

Academy of Surfing Instructors surf educator, Nigel Potts, provides 10 tips to help you surf safely and ensure you have fun at the same time.

1) Knowledge of the Ocean

As simple as it sounds, the ocean and waves can be unpredictable at the best of times. Knowing about the different types of waves and how waves break will help you determine what waves to catch and which ones to avoid.

2) Do Not Drop-in

This is the major rule in surfing. It happens where two people catch a wave. Only the surfer who is closest to the curl of the wave has the right to that wave. If you drop in on someone, you should get off the wave as quickly as possible.

3) Have Surfing Awareness

Don't be a UFO - an Unidentified Floating Object. This is the term used for surfers who have little surfing awareness. When out in the water be constantly aware of all that is happening around you, so you don't become a UFO to other surfers or swimmers.

4) Don't be Washed Away

Rips and currents are a major hazard for inexperienced surfers. They can carry you out to sea or even into large, dangerous breaking waves. Make sure you can identify where rips and currents are and stay away from them. Patrolled beaches usually have signs on the beach identifying where the rips and currents are. Look out for them.

5) No Snaking

This happens when you paddle to the inside and take the wave from another surfer who is first in the line up to catch the next wave. Respect other surfer's opportunity to catch a wave. You wouldn't like them to snake you, so give others a fair go too.

6) Learn the Surf Lingo

Surfing has a language all of its own. Experienced surfers use not only surfing terms, but also shouts and signals when out in the water. If you are out paddling in the water and you here a shout or whistle, it is probably an experienced surfer surfing on a wave and heading towards you. It means "watch out, I'm coming through, and don't drop in."

7) Don't Over Do It

Surfing requires a high level of physical fitness. You get a really good workout as you are constantly using your energy to paddle and catch waves. Experienced surfers are well-tuned fitness machines, having spent thousands of hours in the water. Make sure you do not overdo it. When you are tired, you might not be able to stay afloat if you lose your surfboard. When you start to get tired, go into shore, have a rest. Go back out when you are rested and have more energy.

8) Stay Cool

If you find yourself in areas where experienced surfers are heading straight towards you, keep calm. Experienced surfers will have seen you and called out "hey" just to make sure and will adjust their line of surfing to go around you. Stay on your surfboard, do not panic or jump off your board. This can result in the experienced surfer not being able to adjust their line at the last minute, not to mention being at risk from your loose surfboard suddenly pushed aside.

9) Respect Experienced Surfers

Experienced surfers have a respect and understanding of the ocean developed over many hours of surfing. The goal is to surf good waves, have fun and do it in a safe manner. If a more experienced surfer than you offers you some advice, take heed. They could be offering you pearls of wisdom to help perfect your surfing or be helping to ensure you surf safely and not put yourself and others at risk.

10) Be Surf Savvy

Knowing more about the sport will ensure you surf safely. Hang out at the beach with other experienced surfers and take note of what they do in the water. Also check out your local surf shop/school and get as much information about surfing before you hit the water.

Surfing is a sport that is in harmony with nature. Surf rage generally occurs when inexperienced surfers haven't learned the surfing rules or panic and put other surfers at danger. So chill out, learn the rules, develop surf awareness and have fun.

For more information phone Tania Nesbitt on 0410 633 769 or visit the website at www.academyofsurfing.com.

All the way with WA

Victorian Jordan Mitchelhill slides in below this tag by South Australian Jason Ellery to steal second in the preliminary finals on Friday night at Baxter Field.

Victoria rallied too late after trailing early in the final of the AA Under 16 National Baseball Championship at Lismore's Baxter Field on Sunday evening, going down 6-5 to Western Australia.

In a game that produced 16 hits and only four strike outs, it was only the exceptional quality of the out fielding that kept the score line from blowing out.

The powerful Western Australian batting line opened the scoring in the first innings after a double from Jason Smit that struck the right field fence was followed by a sacrificial ground ball to third by Damien Bingham.

In an unusual move, WA replaced their lead off pitcher, Bingham, after just one batter, leaving the job to Mathew Kennelly. Kennelly mixed it up well and toughed it out on the mound until the very last innings.

Despite the change in the middle, Victoria countered immediately with two runs, thanks to singles from Beresford and Andrew Mazzocato, and a wild throw.

At the top of the second, second baseman, Jeremy Blab, was the talk of the stands when he clubbed a triple for the Sandgropers, equalling the scores at 2 a piece. Beresford was working hard on the mould for Vic and managed to finish the innings with Blab trapped at third.

The Victorians looked set to score again in the bottom of the second when John Blaskett led off with a double, but Blab turned a double play to get the Westerners out of trouble. Blab's infield play was excellent throughout, even recovering a fumbled ball to make the play late in the game.

In the fourth, WA's Liam Hendriks got on board with a single to left field and was hit home by a colossal bomb from Christopher House. The young left-hander, who had crowded the plate, monstered the high pitch way over right field to give WA a two run lead by the bottom of the third.

Jordan Mitchelhill opened Vics next innings with a double to left field. An error and sacrifice to second got him home as the Southerners drew within a point, 4-3.

All that did was rouse the Western Australian hitters to greater heights as they smashed three doubles in the fourth. Luke O'Mara, Dean Brendon and Blab all teed off as the Western Australian's pulled away to a 6-3 lead.

That's the way it stayed for the next three innings as Kennelly and Nick Spence, who took over from Beresford in the fifth, took control of the batting.

The reigning champions, Victoria, needed to string some hits to get back into the game and with the top of their batting order 'up' as they entered the bottom of the fifth, things were looking good. It was a pivotal innings. Kennelly drew two fly balls and a grounder to second, three up, three down. WA had it in the bag.

When the last innings came around Victoria still needed three runs to take the game into extra time. The first two outs came easily for WA, then a walk and a stand up double by Andrew Mann combined with another hit to Mazzocatto to post two runs. Don Kyle, the WA coach, stepped in here and rested the valiant Kennelly, replacing him with Kane Silvi. Silvi forced a fly to shortstop and Western Australia held out to take the game and the championship.

Tournament director, Leanne Clark, hailed the event a success, thanking the teams and officials for their participation, and applauding the tireless volunteers who made the event a special experience for the participants and hundreds of spectators who supported the teams each day.

Final results

Western Australia - 1st, Victoria - 2nd, NSW - 3rd, Territories - 4th, Queensland - 5th, CBNSW - 6th, South Australia - 7th and Victoria Provincial - 8th.

Brian May as Queensland does - Cricket

Queenslander Jason 'Jugs the bowling machine' Stein nagged away on that perfectly annoying line and length on his way to figures of 6-22, as he humbled NSW Country last Friday on Heaps Oval.

Queenslander captain Brian May could not have been more deserving of his selection as Australian Country captain after a series where the 28-year-old picked up the Spirit of Cricket Award and shared the Player of the Championship Award with NSW spinner Ben Woolmer.

If the accolades weren't coming thick and fast enough, Brian also took out the batting aggregate award with 387 runs. Not bad in five innings. This is the third time that Brian has won the Player of the Championship Award and people close to the man say he gets better every year.

Five other Queenslanders join Brian in the Australian Country selection; openers David Else and Wade Frazer, all rounders Steven Baker and Ben Cust, and the metronomic opening bowler, Jason Stein. This domination of selections is a fair reflection of Queensland's complete supremacy in this series. They won every match seemingly at a canter and even Victoria Country, who finished second in the standings, were thrashed witless by the cane toads, losing by more than 180 runs.

Ben Woolmer, who shared the championship award, finished with 24 wickets with his pocket battleship Kumble style leg spin. His place in the ultimate Australian Country team was assured from the first game where he took 7 from 90 odd against Victoria. The only other New South Welshman to make the cut was Steve Mudford. Steve's century against Western Australia was one of patience and he would undoubtedly add stability to the top order of the Country squad if they were actually going to play a game together.

Victorian paceman Hauenstein, who came second to Woolmer in terms of aggregate wickets, bowled with great accuracy and moved the ball both ways off the well rolled pitches, even picking up 5 wickets against Queensland. Sam Ahmet is the other Victorian in the top side. Another deserving opening batsman, Sam went about his job with great patience and technique, scoring in the 40s against even the most testing attacks.

East Asia Pacific's Jamie Brazier forced his way into the squad will his own brand of hitting. Jamie was the first to reach three figures in the competition as he took full advantage of anything short.

The only South Australian to make the national Country team was Andy Paltridge. Although Andy's batting left something to be desired, when he was tossed the new ball he bowled it to great effect, taking four against NSW and a Michelle against the Western Australians.

Sadly, the Australian Country team will not get the chance to play the Pakistanis as was originally scheduled. Pity that.

Hooker League

Competition high fliers Casino Cavaliers fell on their collective swords for a paltry 46 on the usually placid Kingsford Smith pitch over the weekend. The generally resilient beef capital cricketers fell foul of some accurate swing bowling as Luke Shay came away with 4 for 25 for 'the Bar'. The Bar won the toss and batted, struggling to a meagre 132 from 45 overs and had sundries not equal top scored with 40 it could have looked very poor indeed. The thing to remember is that even a batsman's paradise can be transformed into a minefield by continual use and a bit of rain. Players should be aware of that going into this weekend, particularly if the rain keeps hanging about.

The Cavaliers were also without Sam Irvine, who has been in punishing form with the bat since the century he posted for the North Coast team in Maitland. The absence of Bratti and Summers might also help explain Casino's sudden fall from grace, but lets not take anything away from the Bars bowlers, particularly Mark Newstead, who knocked off both openers for a duck, notable North Coast representative Adam Shields.

Souths were relatively sedate given their standards as they accumulated 7-186 off 70 overs on Hill Park Oval against Alstonville on Saturday. However, only Workers (190) have posted a bigger total on the Wollongbar pitch this year and with Souths boasting their full complement of bowlers for this match Alstonville will be up against it. Fortunately for the red soil men, Derek Partridge, Greg Potter and Gary Boyd have found some form with the willow recently and this could prove a much closer match than Souths would want.

Worker's return to the Hooker League this year has been a difficult one but they have been learning fast. Catching and line and length bowling are the way to victory. The men in maroon have no better exponent of line and length than Mike Knight and his 5 for 10 made a mockery of Easts powerful middle order out on Nesbitt Park. The Waratahs only managed 93 and if it wasn't for a determined captain's knock from Bruce Jobson (44) the total could have been catastrophic. Good to see left arm paceman, Jason Caught, back in the Workers attack. He is slippery to say the least and his slower ball is virtually unpickable.

At 1-27 Workers are looking at their third win of the year, but a soft pitch could offer the Jobson's mob a helping hand.