Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker

Easter by south-easterly

Haley Leeson with a traglin and a pearl perch.

The steady south-easterly wind over Easter made it difficult for fishing on the beaches, headlands and breakwaters. The Richmond River was a hive of boating activity but only a few ventured far out to sea.

The whiting hung on well over the break and although the numbers seem to be dropping off, there were still many good catches and nice sized fish.

As Monday was a holiday, reports are a little late getting in, but I do expect to hear that those who headed inland to the western rivers had some good times on golden perch and Murray cod.

Easter also saw the early exodus of anglers heading north for the barramundi "run off" fishing, to places like Shady Camp and the South Alligator. More leave soon to fish King Ash Bay near Borroloola. Talking barra, a small group of Lismore anglers caught 18 at Lake Awoonga near Gladstone on a five-day trip only a few days ago.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

With friends like these...

What do you say? What can you say? Surely these are the thoughts that the Prime Minister must have thought as the usually chatty little fellow welcomed each of the Iraqi soccer team to Telstra Stadium for an international friendly on Saturday night.

I suppose Howard could have asked one of the embattled Iraqi players if they had any children. But what if they had replied, "I used to have two, until last year?"

Howard could have asked where in Iraq do you live? But what if they had replied, "I used to live in Fallujah, but my family was expelled last year. We'd like to go back but our house has been levelled."

So Howard said nothing at all.

To be fair to Howard perhaps it was embarrassment that stilled his lips, perhaps he thought, what if our situation was reversed? What if I was an Australian player playing a friendly in Iraq. (Not that that would even be possible as Australian players would be targets for assassination and the whole stadium would probably be bombed.)

What if I was an Australian player playing a friendly against a country who were part of an alliance of rouge states who had broken international law and invaded my country, killing over 100,000 of my country men, women and children. How would I feel? How would I respond if it was the Iraqi leader shaking my hand and passing polite conversation as though nothing had happened? Would I have been able to restrain myself from passing some sarcastic remark about weapons of mass destruction? Best just say nothing he would have thought, so he just walked along shamefacedly shaking their hands and smiling.

As it turned out, it was an ugly game in almost every way - there were a host of grotesque tackles, a brace of yellow cards and even an altercation between the Australian coach and a media representative after the game. In fact had it not been for the speed and footwork of the Iraqi midfielders, which was beautiful, it would been a disgusting performance on every level.

As we sat watching the match, one of my more tactful friends asked, "What are they playing for? The Abu Ghraib Cup?

I'm not certain what they were playing for but I am sincerely concerned for the well being of any of those Iraqi players who return to Iraq in the near future.

It will take much more than a friendly game of sport to heal these wounds.

Marion's marathon

Marion Brownlie with her K1 down at the Lismore wharf after training recently.

Local paddler and marriage celebrant Marion Brownlie enjoyed the honour of taking the Olympic podium to accept bronze in the veteran women (45-55 years) division of the Australian Canoe Marathon Championships in Penrith last week.

Marion, competing in the 21km K1, knew she had her work cut out for her in a highly competitive field, who unlike her, were mostly at the lower end of the age category. Suffice to say she paddled the race of her life, going stroke for stroke with the eventual fourth place getter for the full 21 kilometres. Finally, as the race moved into its final stages, she pulled away in a grandstand finish to snatch bronze.

Marion was joined at the event by her sons Tony and Glen Curtis, who are also members of the Queensland 2005 Kayak Marathon team.

Tony managed 9th in the open men K1 35 kilometre marathon and then backed up with his brother Glen to do another 35 kilometres the next day in the open men K2. They had a great start and were sitting well in the front pack, but unfortunately got pushed into a bed of reeds and by the time they extracted themselves from the tangle the 'front pack' had disappeared. They still managed to finish a very credible 5th place despite the snag.

Croquet to the Max

Local raconteur, performer and renaissance man Max Donati heads the line-up of croquet players taking part in the first tournament of the year at the Lismore Croquet Club next week.

Max, who was runner up in the Men's Australian Championship held in Hobart recently, will join the fray next Wednesday, April 6, along with Lismore's Robyn Stock. Robyn was also successful at the Hobart tournament, coming second in the Ladies Plate. Robyn has also played in New Zealand, where she won the South Island doubles as well as playing well in the world-class New Zealand Open.

The Lismore tournament runs from next Monday, April 4, to Thursday, April 7, and is rich from beginning to end with nationally competitive croquet players. Anybody interested in learning about the intriguing and subtle art of croquet is encouraged to go along and have a chat with the organisers.

The artful Dodger - Softball

Former Trinity Catholic College student John Hudson is about to hit the world stage in softball when he travels to Canada in June to compete in the World Under 19s Softball Championships.

Since year two John has played softball every Friday night (unless he was away with a representative side) for the Lismore Dodgers. John also played in the open division of the Waratah League and the NSW Under 19 team for each for the past four years.

Despite his devotion to playing and training John managed to fit in study for his HSC last year and also achieved great results.

Getting wooden on the Gold Coast - Baseball

Changes are afoot in Far North Coast Baseball as the season gets under way this weekend.

In major league local teams will play in an inter-league challenge with the Gold Coast competition in addition to the local competition. Wooden bats instead of aluminium bats will also return to the top flight. The decision to take up wooden clubs follows a nation wide trend towards wooden bats. Gold Coast made the move a number years ago.

The premiers, Workers Club, have retained their solid outfit for this year whereas Brothers and Norths have recruited in the off-season. Easts Redbirds have opted for a change in coaching, taking on board club stalwart Graeme Snape and drawing upon the University side for depth to their line-up.

Divisions one and two kick off the season this weekend, while division three will enjoy a trial game.

In juniors, the Under 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s will enjoy a week of trials. All interested players are welcome.

The Under 10s and T-Ball competitions are flush with players this year but opportunities still exist for players to join the competition. Players five years and over are catered for in this competition with gloves, hats and shirts provided.

For more information visit www.fnc.baseball.com.au or phone Geoff Hallmann on 0414 014 365.

Redmen's new clubhouse - FNC Rugby Union

Grafton's Redmen will emerge from out of their all new clubhouse to take on Lismore City in the opening game of the Far North Coast Rugby Union this Saturday. However, the smiles on the men from Jacaranda land might not be on their faces long as Lismore are fielding virtually the same team they won the grand final with last year. However, there are a few new faces in the Grafton line-up including former Country prop Dave Hales, which might slow the traffic.

In other matches, Wollongbar Alstonville Pioneers take on Ballina at Lyle Park, Casino host Southern Cross University and Yamba will ease their way into the top grade with a bye in the first round.

The Casino Bulls and the SCU Gold Rats are both going through a redevelopment phase and there will be a number of new faces appearing in First Grade at Casino.

Ballina have picked up former Byron Bay players Brent Horan and Luke Sullivan and they should help plug up holes left by retirements from the ranks of the Seahorses. The Pioneers have Justin Whicker and Nick Glynn back from stints in the UK and the match at Lyle Park will hold a lot of interest.

Smiles all round - Surfing

A savvy surfing parent described the scene in front of the Evans Head Surf Life Saving Club on the weekend as "smokin'", but it had nothing to do with the multimillion dollar tobacco industry.

She was referring to the multimillion dollar smiles that the large crew of surfers were sporting after enjoying the March round of the All Girls Surfriders Club on Sunday.

The 2005 Club is very strong in all divisions and all finalists deserved their result in a very memorable competition.

Advanced: 1st Kirsty Shaw, 2nd Mel Mott, 3rd Sophie Shelton.

Intermediate: 1st Maddi King, 2nd Jessica Phillips, 3rd Starcia Smith.

Junior Beginners: 1st Stephanie Single, 2nd Maddi Beckerleg, 3rd Lana Parkes.

Longboard: 1st Kara Nobbs, 2nd Mel Mott, 3rd Carol Stevenson.

Senior Beginners: 1st Kate Poulos, 2nd Robyn McIntyre, 3rd Tamara Corrigan.

Homebush is where the heart is

Summit Sport and Fitness Centre swimmers and sisters Courtney (left) and Suzannah Lack are on their way to the NSW All School State Championships at Homebush.

Local sisters Suzannah and Courtney Lack will be heading to Homebush Aquatic Centre for the NSW All School State Championships after excellent swims in the NSW Catholic Primary Schools State Championships.

Courtney triumphed with gold in the 50 fly, then bronze in the 50 backstroke, with a personal best. Suzannah, who was a finalist at the recent NSW Country Championship, won silver in the 50 freestyle also with a personal best time.

Other Summit Sport and Fitness Centre swimmers who have excelled recently include Samuel Clark, who's earned a place in the final of the 50 breaststroke at the Independent Schools State Championships.

Ebony and Branston Brewer-Charles, Sophie Andrews and Kally Seymour will also be travelling to Homebush for the Catholic High School State Swimming Championships this month.

Peter, Peter the title eater - Speedway

Queensland's Peter Lack claimed his third consecutive Australian Modified Production Sedan Title at Lismore Speedway in the 2005 National Title over the weekend.

The blue ribbon event attracted some 62 nominations, including state and club champions from just about every club and state in Australia.

Saturday night's heats provided some stand out drives by Gympie's Tod Doyle, Victoria's Ashley Parkinson, Brisbane's Steve Price, South Australia's Shane Best and locals Jason Jolley and Bob Worling.

They were all very impressive and looked like serious contenders until Peter Lack rolled out onto the track.

From the very first lap Lack was smooth and fast - he simply went to the outside and cruised past the field to win every one of his heats bar one, which he finished second.

He avoided the wrecks; his crew gave him a top racecar that he drove smart; he top scored through the heats and started on pole.

There were stoppages and that was the only time the field got close to Lack, who simply drove away from his challengers at every restart.

Todd Doyle had a glimpse of the lead on lap one and spent the next 39 laps trying desperately to catch Lack, but had to settle for second. A battle raged for third with local boy Jason Jolley making it into third and almost snatching second. Unfortunately, mechanical failure ruled him out and it was Greg Raymont who finished third to make it an all Queensland final.

Sign up for netball camp now

Players interested in being part of the annual Netball Junior Player and Coach Development Camp at Lake Ainsworth need to register by this Friday, April 1. The camp runs from April 16-18 for girls 10 to 12 years of age.

The camp will focus on technique, skill progression and drill development, and will be taught by accredited netball coaches.

Accommodation and all meals are included in the cost of $150.

For info and enrolment forms phone Leslie Kirk on 6680 5329 or email her on lkirknetballnsw@bigpond.com.

Rovers campaign heads to Coffs - Soccer FNC

The Premiers Cup will be contested between the minor premiers from the four northern regions of the Northern NSW Soccer Federation in Coffs Harbour this weekend.

Carrying the standard for the Far North Coast is Richmond Rovers, who start their campaign against North Companions from North West on Saturday from 3pm.

The winner of the tournament walks away from the Coffs Harbour International Stadium with a cool $1000.

Back on the local front, struggling Casino Cobras hosts an even more struggling Thistles at Colley Park on Friday at 8pm. The bottom of the competition clash is a great chance for the two sides to forge some order and shape into their line-ups and get a first win for the season.

The Sunday clash between Stars and Bangalow, in Bangalow at 5pm, is a must win for Stars. The Bluedogs are sitting pretty on the tucker box and only need a draw to make it into the semis.

Workers are similarly placed to Bangalow and could even suffer a narrow loss to Byron Bay and still make the semi. It's been a hot start to the season by the Redmen, who have hammered in eight goals during the last two games. The teams run on in Byron Bay at 5pm.

In the other Sunday night fixture, Ballina, who have struck a rich vein of form under coach Dean Klower, should easily account for Maclean. Maclean have gone back to the drawing board after losing their first two games and will find the Seahorses enthusiasm difficult to counter.

Academy positions

The North Coast Academy of Sport is looking to fill three positions on the board of management before the annual general meeting on April 28.

A non-government, non-profit organisation extending from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads, the Academy aims to assist in the identification and development of talented junior athletes.

Applications close next Thursday, April 7. Information kits and nomination forms can be obtained at www.ncas.org.au or by phoning 6620 3073.

Golf with Stan Bendall

Richmond River Amateur champion, Ballina's Neil Bullen, tees off on Sunday.

The prestigious Lismore Workers Club Easter Golf Carnival concluded successfully over the weekend with Ballina's Neil Bullen taking out the coveted Richmond River Amateur Championship over 54 holes with a 7 over 217. Neil pipped Lismore young gun Scott Amor by a mere two shots.

Scott didn't come up empty handed however, walking away with the Les Mancell Memorial Cup for the junior championship. Scott looks set for big things.

Another young Lismore stand out was Craig Hurley, who was the nett winner with a tremendous 198 from a 9 handicap. Neville Graham came second in the nett stakes with a creditable 200.

Lismore Club captain, Trevor Pryor, won the senior open from Murbah's club captain, Charlie Kaehler. Last year the positions were reversed so it was pay back time as far as Trevor was concerned.

Ballina's blood of iron

Ballina Triathlon Club's Peter Clark, Matt Lamont, Shane Flannery, Helen Gream, Craig 'Freckle' Gream, John Rose and Gary Simes have been training hard for this year's Ironman Australia Triathlon to be held in Forster-Tuncurry next Sunday.

The Ironman Australia Triathlon at Forster-Tuncurry this Sunday, April 3, can't come fast enough for the 11 super-humans of the Ballina Triathlon Club. The Ballina team have been training tirelessly for the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle leg and 42.2km run.

The Ironman Australia Triathlon is widely touted as the hardest thing you can put yourself through in a single day, and most athletes are addicted to it. Athletes spend between 15 and 20 hours per week just training for this event.

The Forster race also acts as a qualifying event for the 2005 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship, to be held on October 15.

The Ballina Triathlon Club has a strong Ironman pedigree, with many past finishers amongst its members. Veteran Garry Simes (47) of Ballina is stepping up for his seventh race at Forster, while Suffolk Park's Craig 'Freckle' Gream (39), is lining up for his third consecutive Ironman Australia and is hoping the day will net him an elusive qualifying spot for the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. His wife Helen (36) is also racing and 2005 will be her second attempt at the Forster course. Lennox Head's Matt Lamont (25) and Lismore's Johnny Rose (37) will debut for the Ballina Club this year. Good luck to all our local super-humans.

Wray shows the way

Lismore's Sarah Wray volleys during her victory in the open women's division of Lismore's annual Easter Tennis Tournament on Sunday.

Sarah won 6-3 6-3 over Brisbane's Shannon Smith. During the weekend-long event she also combined with her sister, Ellie, to win the open women's doubles one setter 9-6.

Lismore's Tanya Moore won the Under 12s, Billy Bruce from Alstonville over came Lismore's Bryce Devlin in the Under 14 final and Casino's Mick Sherry took out the men's third division title.

In a league of his own

Northern Division five eighth, Byron Bay's Brent Cochrane, pins his ears back after intercepting a pass in the rugby league trial match against the Southern Division at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, on Good Friday. Brent showed a clean pair of heels on this occasion and was one of the stand out players in the try-fest trial match.