Sports News
 Hook, Line and Sinker
Fish back strong after a spell
Blake Rogers at Lake Awoonga with an 11.2kg Barramundi.
Catches seem to have improved a little over the last week or so. Deep sea catches have been very good, probably due to the long spell the fish had due to the windy conditions. On this scene pearl perch have made a big recovery and catches are better than what we've seen for years. At long last mackerel have appeared in some good numbers off Evans Head. Brunswick/Byron off shore boaties have had it good for weeks.
The outstanding whiting run seems to have eased. It is now quite late in the season and although there are still some very nice fish, the numbers seem to be much fewer.
The first sign of good blackfish (luderick) has been seen, along with a few nice tailor and jew. I'm yet to hear of any really good bream catches.
As is usually the case, as the bass begin to move towards the lower reaches of the river for spawning, some nice ones are being caught. Please handle them carefully before returning to the water and it will increase your catches for the next season and beyond.
The first of the earliest travellers to Kakadu for the season are about to return and hopefully I'll have some stories for next week.
 Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens
The magic of origins
The date of the very first City vs Country rugby league match is lost in the annals of time. As I searched the net, not even my most fervent 'Hopoate like' probing could extract the date. (so to speak.)
One thing is for sure - these time-honoured games between the villagers and the burghers have been going on for a long time.
However, during the early 1980s, the coming of the State of Origin overshadowed the revered rivalry between City and Country, which looked bound for the scrap heap. During this time the City vs Country matches were considered mere selection trials for the NSW state team. So promoters decided to wave the magic origins wand and redefine the contest as one between 'city origin' players and 'country origin' players.
Suddenly, the games became interesting to the punters. The magic of origins had worked as it had for the Queensland vs NSW games. Most people believe 'origins' works because it evens up teams and this is partly true. But wait, there's more. Original states are interesting to us all because we all want to know where we come from. We want to know our heritage. Our genealogy. We want to feel part of something larger than ourselves.
So now in this era of rape allegations and leaping hips in the headhigh tackle, the game is once again under threat. Promoters may need to call on the magic of origins again to save the game's popularity.
This time however they will need to reach back further. This time they will need to go to the Origins of Species. No longer will it be billed as 'mate vs mate' - it will be 'ape vs ape'. Granted the zoos will allow their finest players out on day release.
Failing that, maybe we could play a Match of Origin. So instead of playing rugby league we could look back in time to an era when whole villages played against each other using a severed human head. Where would we get the head you ask? Hmmm... well there have been questions about the leniency of penalties for bringing the game into disrepute. Here is a chance to equal things up. We could simply say to players "you shatter someone's jaw with a head high tackle, destroying their quality of life forever, and we chop you're head off" - that sounds fair, doesn't it. Sure would clean the game up. Once again the mystical power of origins at work.
More fun than bagging a fish
 Two fish were caught and 24 young children with special needs had a whale of a time at a fishing clinic conducted by NSW Department of Primary Industries fisheries officers at Ballina Fishing Park last week.
NSW DPI fisheries officer Brett Hurley (pictured with one of his charges) said the Southern Cross High School students from Ballina, aged 12 to 16, got the opportunity to experience a good day of fishing in a safe, friendly and educational environment.
"They learnt to bait a hook and wet a line and two of the lucky ones caught a fish," Brett said. "We teach the kids about ethical fishing and the importance of maintaining a healthy aquatic habitat. They learn why we need bag and fish size limits to ensure a sustainable fishing resource into the future."
Garrett an artist in goal
 Grass competition players Larissa Kachel from Northern Stars locks sticks with Danielle Kerr from Evan Head. The Grass competition is a trial competition between B Reserve and C Grade teams.
Ballina goalkeeper Josh Garrett displayed the reflexes of a steel trap to keep Ballina in the match against Coraki at Hepburn Park on Saturday.
Coraki's domination of the midfield, through the likes of Ben Moss and David Brown, produced plenty of chances for the men in dark blue but few found the back of the net, thanks to Garrett.
At the other end Ballina's short corners where working well, with Grant Smith flicking in twice during the well worked set pieces.
Flicking became the order of the day when Ballina's Tony Hancock drew out the keeper and lobbed the ball over his head to give Ballina a 3-0 lead going into half time.
Coraki's Dunstan finally managed to get past the ever-vigilant Garrett in the second half and Coraki were lifted by the goal and soon found another through Trent Brown. Sadly for Coraki that's the way it stayed as once again they fell to the light blues from the coast.
In the other match Alstonville felt the absence of centre half, Adrian Crispo, as they went down to Northern Stars 4-1. The tireless Crispo was away in Bathurst coaching.
Stars took a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to Ryan McGuiness, Thomas Vantaggiatto and Chris McGuiness, and never looked in trouble from there.
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Dean to do battle with world's best
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Head instructor Dean Marshall (front row) leads the entire dojo of students at the Goonellabah Revival Centre last week. To his left stands Tyson Hussein (Australian 15 years boys champion), Ari Carr (Australian middle weight champion) and Joel Parrey (Oceania 15 years boys champion).
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Young guns: Lismore's Miyagi Kan karate dojo students Dean Morgan and Ben Morgan practice their kicks.
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Dean Marshall has been selected to join the world's elite exponents of karate at the World Games in Germany later this year.
Dean, the head instructor at Lismore's Miyagi Kan karate dojo, earned the right to take on the world's best after winning the Oceanic Open Championship last year.
At the premier karate event Dean will face off against three world champions, and the other champion of each of the world regions - Asia, America, Africa and Europe - in front of an estimated crowd of 5000 spectators.
Fortunately, Dean has many high quality students to practice against before the big event as many of the Lismore Club have reached the pinnacle of Australia karate.
Tyson Hussein, Ari Carr (junior and senior middle weight), Ben Morgan and Tasman Wales all took away gold medals from the National Championships in Melbourne last year.
In addition the club came away from the Australian Open last year with six gold, six silver and seven bronze medals. This was the largest medal haul for any regional club in the country.
More recently, 12 of the students from the Lismore dojo travelled to Sydney to vie for a place in the NSW state team. All 12 were selected. (Let's face it, Dean has his hands full at home without having to travel to Germany or anywhere else for that matter.)
Jye Hussein, Ari Carr, Tasman Wales, Richard Morgan, Marcus Duroux, Tyson Hussein and Danielle Rogers are also part of the club team of instructors.
The Lismore club still has room for more students and beginners are most welcome. People interested in joining this highly successful and dynamic group should phone Dean on 6622 1754 or 0422 559 484.
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The phoenix has risen
 Just back in time: Workers second baseman Scott McClelland keeps the Norths base runner Paul Simes honest on second base at Baxter Field on Saturday afternoon.
Easts Redbirds have made their way off the bottom of the Far North Coast Baseball ladder for the first time in living memory.
Well, that's not quite true... there are some people still alive who can remember Easts halcyon days, when they dominated the local competition, but they're few and far between.
Redbirds change in fortune came last weekend with a hard fought win over Marist Brothers 9-7. The win relegates Norths to the last rung on the competition ladder.
Giant outfielder Jason Caught and classy young coach Nick Shailes clobbered three hits against the Brethren during the match. Shailes and Luke Davis even bumped one out of the ground during the gripping encounter but it was Shailes' enormous pitching effort that was instrumental in the Redbirds' victory. Shailes threw 237 pitches across nine innings, striking out 18 of Brothers' quality batters.
Brothers veteran Dave Youngberry did crunch two hits, including a big bomb over the left field fence, and Jeff Mackney also picked up two hits, but generally Shailes kept the big hitting team quiet.
In the other game Workers Club continued their golden era with an easy win over Norths 11-1 in seven innings. The Workers batting line-up represents more than just a danger to the reputation of local pitchers - they're actually a physical danger as Paul Simes can attest. Simes, who had pitched with great power and control, had managed to keep Workers without a hit for much of the game when Wayne Devlin nearly took off his head with a line drive in the last innings.
The hit drew Devlin level with Dallas Knapp on three hits. Aaron Olley smacked two as the Workers dined out on Norths' Steve Ross early in the opening couple of innings.
Interleague
This weekend the Interleague format against the Gold Coast gets underway with Easts Redbirds travelling up the coast to take on last year's Gold Coast premiers, the Mudgeeraba Redsox.
The Redsox, who have dominated the Gold Coast competition for many years, are bristling with talented players. Players to watch out for are former Gold Coast Cougars shortstop Matt Studeman, big hitting first baseman Shane Thompson and the regular hitting trio of Lance White, Mark Johnson and Mark Rigby. It's a big match for the inexperienced Redbirds and they will need to be very focused if they want to make an impact on the all-conquering Redsox.
Conversely, our own local juggernaut, Workers, will travel to Robina to take on Gold Coast's cellar dwellers, the Braves. The Braves are a young team but under the guidance of veteran pitcher/coach Brett Montgomery they are fast coming of age and though suspect in the batting department, their defence is very solid.
The Gold Coast games get underway this Saturday at 2pm.
In Lismore, Norths will take on Runaway Bay at 2.45pm. The Dolphins are a new team in the top grade and therefore an unknown. Norths, last year's finalist, seem to be playing as a team divided, losing the first two rounds of the Far North Coast competition. Brothers have the bye.
Golf with Stan Bendall
- Luke Henwood is in Sydney at the moment playing at the exorbitantly plush Pimble Golf Course for a placing in the Pimble Cup. Depending on how he goes the youngster might be selected in the NSW Colts matchplay team, which travels to Western Australia in the near future. I know Luke wants to go all the way professionally and I'm keen to see him do well.
- Woodburn Evans Head Golf Club annual open day is this Sunday, April 17, and only costs $20, which includes lunch and a ball competition. It's pretty good value... they virtually cut the steaks off elephants.
- A reminder to juniors that Ballina Golf Club will be hosting the McDonalds Cup on Sunday, April 24. Get your nominations in ASAP.
- Change of venue:
The quarterly meeting of the NRDGA has been moved from Lismore Workers Golf Club to Lismore Workers Club in the middle of town. The day remains the same (Tuesday, April 26). Executives to arrive at 6pm, delegates at 6.30pm.
- Aces:
There were two holes in one during the week; one by Wayne Bruce at Ocean Shores' hole 17 (par 3) and the other on hole 13 (par 3) in Lismore by Steve Fletcher. Congratulations fellas.
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Hornets and Seahorses soldier on
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Goonellabah's Adam Barnes holds possession for the Hornets in Sunday's semi-final against Workers Club on Richards Oval. The Hornet's came away with 4-1 win. Barnes opened the scoring in the first half for the Hornets with a chested-in goal from a corner.
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TURSA's finance and administration manager, Peter Geary, and Soccer Far North Coast's Mat Kelso with this year's TURSA Cup. TURSA is sponsoring this year's premier division.
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Goonellabah Hornets signalled their intention to be a major force in this year's premier league when they put away reigning premiers Workers 4-1 in the semi-final of Soccer FNC's Anzac Cup at Richards Oval on Sunday.
The game was evenly poised at half time with only Adam Barnes' chested-in goal separating the two teams, although the Hornets seemed to have the better of play.
In the second half, the yellow men took control down the right flank and forced a free kick on the edge of the box. The free kick was saved but the rebound fell to Matthew Olley, who easily converted from five yards. Ben Andrews scored two more times to put the contest beyond question.
The win sees the Hornets through to the final against Ballina. Ballina made it into yet another Anzac Cup final on the back of a nail biting win over the Bangalow Bluedogs at Saunders Oval in Ballina.
The game was locked 1-all for most of the second half after Sathis Sthapit equalised for the Bluedogs. In fact it wasn't until extra time that the seasiders forced a penalty, which Justin Stockham duly slotted.
TURSA ties the knot
The Trade Union Research and Services Association (TURSA) has confirmed they will be the major sponsors of this year's Soccer Far North Coast premier division, donating hundreds of balls to all the competing clubs.
Consequently, the local premier division, which starts this Saturday, April 16, will go under the name TURSA Premier League.
The deal, brokered by Soccer Far North Coast's general manager Mat Kelso, will provide soccer balls to all senior teams playing on the North Coast.
"In effect every senior soccer match played on the North Coast will feature soccer balls provided by TURSA, thereby saving our clubs thousands of dollars," Kelso said.
TURSA finance manager Peter Geary was equally delighted with the announcement. "We see our support of local sporting groups like SFNC as a critical part of working with the community," he said. "By supplying equipment to SFNC clubs TURSA hopes to ease the burden on these overworked, community spirited volunteers."
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Hughes sharp at half
 Wollongbar Pioneers reserve grade break from tradition by using their halfback, Chad Goodwin, as the jumper in a super short line out formation in Lismore on Saturday. Lismore City won the match 20-10.
The moving of Lismore City's flyer Steve Hughes into scrum half to replace Under 20 representative Ben Sloane really worked for the green men as the speedster provided good service to his backs throughout the match against Wollongbar Pioneers on Saturday.
In addition to Hughes' inspirational game, City's flankers were as fast to the breakdown as ever, and dominated possession for much of the 24-10 win. The win leaves City on top of the competition.
Hughes' game creates a headache for coach Peter Tozer as he contemplates which of the talented young backs to slip into the number nine jersey. Ben Sloane played in the centres last year and both can do the job at fullback.
Yamba gave a creditable performance in their return to the top flight against Ballina in Yamba over the weekend, running the powerful Ballina pack around before going down 26-12 to the Seahorses. Liam Preston picked up the three best and fairest points for his tireless display throughout the encounter.
The Casino Bull's pack dominated the ruck and maul against the Grafton Redmen in Casino on Saturday as they rolled to victory 19-9. The disciplined Casino pack continuously pushed over the advantage line, keeping the Redmen on the backfoot. This opened the way for fly half Nathan Quirk to turn the ball back on the inside for his hard running centre pairing. As it turned out both of Casino's tries were opportunistic, coming from quick taps.
Representative honours
Far North Coast Rugby Union is well represented in the Toyota Country Rugby Union Squad, which will tour Western Australia next month.
As well as four players, Yamba physiotherapist Peter Campbell will join the squad. Campbell is no stranger to Country representative teams as he has toured with the Cockatoos a number of times before.
However, the tour will be a new experience for Ballina fullback Adam Gordon and Southern Cross University back rower Henry Vanderglas.
Lismore's Rashid Habib and Ben Sloane have toured with Country Junior teams in the past but are both thrilled to be selected at a senior level.
All four players have emerged from the Far North Coast Under 20 squad, which went down to ultimate Country champions New England at a match at Aussie Football Stadium on March 26.
Giants slow to wake
 Marist Brothers winger Adrian Gooley runs the ball back at Mullumbimby during their clash at Crozier Oval in Lismore on Sunday afternoon. Gooley scored three tries and kicked three goals as Marist Brothers knocked off the Mullumbimby Giants in the grand final replay, 34-12.
Last year's Group 1 premiers, the Mullumbimby Giants, are yet to find their feet this year as they went down again in the second game of the new Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League to Marist Brothers, 34-12.
Brothers sprinted out of the blocks crossing twice in the first 10 minutes to lead 10-0, but the Giants soon rallied and by half time had taken a precarious 12-10 lead.
In the second half Brothers' superior fitness and brilliant ball skills started to take their toll as they ran in five more tries. The Mullumbimby defence, which was so strong last year, started to look threadbare around the edges of the ruck by the end of game.
The win promotes Brothers to the head of the competition with Ballina and South Grafton.
Ballina put on eight tries as they romped to victory 44-14 over the Grafton Ghosts in Grafton. The Seagulls' backline is something to behold and Lower Clarence, who they host this week, won't be looking forward to what will probably be a thrashing. Lower Clarence went belly up against South Grafton 38-14 as the Mercy brothers, Ken and Ray, turned on the after burners out wide to pick up five of the Rebel's eight tries.
Just South of the border, Cudgen, Tweed Seagulls and South Tweed sit equal second on the competition ladder, all having been involved in draw matches already this year.
Round 3 draw
- Byron Bay host South Tweed
- Mullumbimby host Cudgen
- Tweed Seagulls host Casino
- Ballina host Lower Clarence
- South Grafton host Kyogle
- Marist Brothers host Grafton Ghosts
Finalists start out on-song
Last year's grand finalists Byron Bay and Ballina stamped their authority on the 2005 season, thumping both Casino and Nimbin by more than 100 points to set up a super clash under lights this Saturday night at Bangalow, whilst Lismore and Murwillumbah will wait a week to debut after being washed out.
Ballina confirmed a solid off-season of recruitment and junior development welcoming seven new players and debuting two-metre high ruckman Steven Gill.
Peter Plummer's troublesome shoulder showed little signs of the injury that interrupted last year as he kicked six goals for the Bombers.
Ballina 21-18-144 defeated Nimbin 1-2-8.
Casino showed signs of improvement, keeping Byron to a single goal in the opening 15 minutes. After that the Magpies all round skills, experience and enthusiasm came to the fore as they swept to victory.
16-year-old first timer Sean Macqueen demonstrated composure well beyond his years, netting himself four goals.
Byron Bay 20-16-160 defeated Casino 2-2-14.
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