Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker

Ian Cardown with a long nose emperor caught in the Indian Ocean off Broome.

A good feed of fish

Some good tips have been arriving in the shop as to where a good feed of fish can be caught. Apparently, the Ballina South Wall has been producing some nice bream and jewfish, Boundary Creek has started to have a fair run of winter bream, and the Richmond River around Pimlico is also worth a try, with bream being caught on the low and high tide in daylight hours.

Blackfish reports are coming in quite slowly but what fish are being caught are mainly coming from Prospect Bridge on North Creek.

The weather last weekend was far from favourable for fishing; rainsqualls and strong southerlies always make fishing hard unless a sheltered spot can be found.

Often accompanying this weather is a drop in the barometric pressure. Fish seem to prefer a higher barometric pressure or at least one that's rising. This particularly applies to fishing with lures, plastics or flies.

Two charged over illegal netting

Two men fishing on the Darling River near Menindee have been summonsed to appear in court for a number of offences including possessing silver perch (protected), unlawfully using eight gill nets and failure to pay the NSW recreational fishing licence fee. The men, both 52, had their boat and nets seized by NSW DPI Fisheries officers and face a total of $112,000 in fines or six months in gaol, or both.

Show your catch

NSW Fisheries invites you to send in your fishing images for their recreational fishing photo gallery. For more information visit their website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or phone Jenny on 9527 8505.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

Does it really matter?

Sport can engender some of the noblest aspirations our species is capable of; passionate commitment, camaraderie and fair play. But when elite games dominate the media, those values are often forced to take a back seat.

You will notice this more and more as we move into rugby league silly season. Soon the headlines will be blaring out how much State of Origin really matters. How important it is for NSW to beat Queensland and vice versa. Snore. In truth, it doesn't matter at all. What matters is that our social infrastructure is crumbling away from beneath our feet. We are without a train, our bus services are inadequate and our hospitals have waiting lists years long. What matters is the fact we have increased our commitment to the illegal occupation of a sovereign country. What matters is that people escaping persecution who land on our beloved shores are imprisoned without trial for years on end. That's what matters.

In short sport and sports coverage is completely out of control. Instead of encouraging a nobility of spirit, sport is being used to ride shotgun over a culture of silent culpability.

Sometimes I feel like we live in a sideshow, full of bright lights and tacky trappings, whilst I am slowly and inevitably conscripted into a callous and unjust society with no care except for getting a Cupie doll for shooting enough tin ducks.

To use sport to obscure the important issues is to contradict some of the very reasons we play it and why we encourage our youngsters to take it up. Sport, as a microcosm of our society, is one of our most powerful methods of socialisation and great entertainment, but if it shrouds social and political debate then it undermines our democracy and the ethos of our society.

In this I am not questioning the fact that the State of Origin represents the very pinnacle of rugby league worldwide. It is as fast and as tough as it comes, but it doesn't belong as the lead story in our media.

Don't beleive the hype. There is much that needs reform and now is the hour.

Goal-hungry Goonellabah go berserk

Goonellabah striker, Peter O'Neil, has burst into the lead in the Constellation Hotel Golden Boot Award with a five-goal haul against Casino Cobras as the Hornets humbled the beef capital kids 9-1 at Weston Park on Saturday.

Last year the Hornets amassed over 100 goals in first division, which is an average of over five goals a game. They have brought that kind of form with them into premier division and now lead the competition on goal average.

This weekend they will travel to Bangalow to take on the last placed Bluedogs. It promises to be a massacre. However, there is still spirit in the old dog yet and the Hornet strike force will be lucky to make it out unscathed. That game could easily produce as many yellow cards as it does goals.

In the match of the round, Rovers will travel to Ballina's own house of pain, Saunders Oval, to match wits with the competition's front runner. Ballina were too fast and too committed for Workers Club last Saturday, firing in three goals against the premiers and will be a difficult proposition for Rovers. Rovers went down for the first time last week to Stars 1-nil. The loss will have come as a shock to Rovers coach Craig Hamshaw and he will keen to have his men bounce back hard against Ballina.

The other matches look like shoe-ins.

Steve Morrissey will return up front for Workers and they should account for Maclean although Maclean's home advantage is a significant factor.

Stars are playing well and will probably get the better of Thistles. However, Thistles' Darren Beardow has hit a rich vein of form and might turn the tables.

Byron Bay's match was washed out last week and they will be keen to get out there and crush what's left of the life out of the Cobras.

Women's first division

Only two of the four scheduled fixtures went ahead over the weekend in the Southern Cross Credit Union WPL.

Lismore Workers, Italo Stars and Goonellabah ran in a total of nine goals, including a hat trick and a brace.

Lismore Workers had the pleasure of hosting newly arrived Goonellabah and with form on their side the red women were confidently looking at another three points. However the Hornets had different ideas and had considerable help from a determined Arlena Swientek, who bagged a double to add to the four she netted last week, and from midfielder and player of the match Amanda Brett.

For Workers Sandy Thompson and Abbey Moss kept them in the contest with a goal each while Kim Wraight led by example in trying to contain a motivated Hornets line-up. The game ended in a 2-all draw.

At a rain swept and windy Skennars Head, Italo Stars destroyed an under strength Lennox Head, running out 5-nil winners.

Looking ahead to Round 5 of the Southern Cross Credit Union WPL Byron Bay will be searching for justice against Workers, having gone down in the Callan McMillan Shield final, while Lennox Head will have all hands to the pump when they meet Rovers. Ballina will certainly be looking over their shoulder against Italo Stars while Casino will be hoping for some charity from the improving Goonellabah.

The Constellation Hotel (www.constellationhotels.com) Golden Boot Award standings

Men's premier division

9 - Peter O'Neil

6 - Ben Andrews

4 - Adam Bostock

3 - Tyson Price, Darren Beardow

Golf

with Stan Bendall

On Sunday May 29, the Northern Rivers Pennants commences with the following rounds on June 5, June 19 and the final on June 26.

Maclean will host the Northern Rivers (36 holes stroke play) Championship on June 12-13.

Club News

Lismore Workers Golf Club

Saturday, May 14 - a 2BBB Stableford in conjunction with an individual stableford.

Sunday, May 15 - a Mixed Modified Stableford-multiplier and barbeque.

Monday, May 16 - Ladies Northern Rivers Pennants commence and will continue on May 23, May 30, June 6, June 20 and June 27.

Coraki Golf Club

Saturday, May 14 - three grades of single stroke, lefties verse righties and round two of the Scurr skins monthly Mug.

Sunday, May 15 - members' foursomes over 27 holes.

Congratulations to Tony Brandon for his recent hole in one.

Woodburn Evans Head Golf Club

Saturday, May 14 - May monthly Mug single stroke.

Casino Golf Club

Saturday, May 14th - single stroke May monthly medal.

Taipans strike

Alstonville's playmaker Luke Emerson controls the ball as Ballina young gun Jake Baldry attempts a tackle at Hepburn Park on Saturday afternoon.

Written off early in the year, the Mullumbimby Taipans have proved themselves a formidable opponent, toppling East Lismore 5-4 in the JH Williams Premier Hockey League at Hepburn Park on Saturday.

Easts started the game well, taking an early lead after some sharp play by Matt Rodda set up Chris Clark for Easts' first goal.

The Taipans were quick to respond however, with Jason Coughran equalising after some great lead-up work by Beourn Hulme.

Easts started the second half with a rush of three goals, one each to Jeff Davis, Simon Mackney and Daniel Hughes, giving them what looked like an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Whether Easts went to sleep or the Taipans relentless attack started to pay dividends is uncertain, but Gadowski, East, Hulme and Cooke all scored in the last quarter of the game against possibly the best defence in the competition.

In the other Lismore match Ballina stamped its dominance on a depleted Alstonville 8-1. Ballina got off to a good start and never looked back, scoring regularly as the game preceded, with four goals in each half. Scott Bovis and Grant Smith scored twice for the men in sky blue and otherwise they shared out the spoils with goals to Neil Chaseling, Luke McCowan, Jake Baldry and Wayne Porter.

Adam Daley scored their lone goal for Alstonville.

In Murwillumbah, Coraki disposed of Allstars 6-nil, scoring three goals in each half. Goal scorers were Ben Moss (2), David Brown (2) and Molyneux and Simon Brown.

On the Gold Coast the Waratah Bobcats continued to impress, disposing of the Gold Coast's premier team Capri 8-1.

Meanwhile, Labrador defeated Kingscliff 2-1 in a match where the teams' contrasting styles created opportunities at both ends, with the match going down to the wire.

In the remaining matches played at the Gold Coast, Mudgeeraba overpowered Vipers 5-2 while the Redbacks blasted Burleigh 6-1.

Under 17's take the tumble

Injuries and unavailability brought the Far North Coast Under 17 team undone during the NSW State Championships in Tamworth over the weekend.

Matt Legge, Ben Clifford, and Alstonville's leading light Adrian Crispo all succumbed to injury as the local side went down fighting to Newcastle, Tamworth, Goulburn and even Macarthur in the relegation match.

The Far North Coast has a glorious tradition and it must be a shock to the system to have to face relegation.

Ballina young guns Sam Davis and Daniel Riley, who are both still under 15, must be congratulated for making the trip and working so hard on the paddock throughout the series.

Enough of the big league, now it's time for big rugby

Gold Rat No. 10 Damien Thom sits the traditional grass toss test before piloting the opening goal for University in their match against Lismore City on Saturday afternoon. City snuck away with an 18-13 win in the last minutes thanks to the heroics of their captain Heath Conlan.

After all the hoopla of the City vs Country rugby league clash, Lismore is now gearing up for another big game - an Australian Rugby Shield match between NSW Country Cockatoos and Perth Gold on May 28 at Oakes Oval.

The Cockatoos have been the top team in the competition since it started in 2000, winning the title in 2001, 2002 and 2004. They lost the title to Perth Gold in 2003.

Both Perth and the Cockatoos won in the first round of the competition on Saturday. The Cockatoos accounted for the Adelaide Black Falcons 28-23 in Orange, while Perth got the better of the Queensland Blue Heelers 19-12 in a tough physical encounter in Perth.

In Melbourne, the Darwin Mosquitoes downed the Melbourne Axemen 19-17.

There is some speculation that, with Perth winning the franchise for a spot in the Super 14 competition next year, the new Western Force coach John Mitchell might put in an appearance at the Oakes Oval match.

NSW Country travel to Melbourne for their second match, then play Queensland Country at Narrabri before playing in Lismore.

Far North Coast Rugby

Best and fairest competition front-runner, Gold Rat No. 8 Dan Doyle, received 10 minutes in the sin bin for excessive rucking as Lismore City pinched a late 18-13 victory over a determined student outfit at the Lismore Rugby Field on Saturday.

The sin binning came shortly after Chase Manger also received 10 minutes for repeated professional fouls close to the University line. Soon after City's captain Heath Conlan crossed in the corner to snatch victory in a game that could have gone either way.

The Gold Rats had held the premiers scoreless for most of the first half and were the first to score when Damien Thom kicked a penalty goal from 35 metres.

It was a stirring display from the students against their more vaunted opposition. City's forwards looked sluggish during the early going, though without Doyle the Gold Rats scrum disintegrated. Of course, City's flankers James Oliveri and Heath Conlan were the exception to that rule as Oliveri was particularly punishing around the edge of the ruck both in attack and defence.

In Grafton the Redmen picked up a bonus point as they crossed for five tries in their 36-10 dismissal of the Wollongbar Alstonville Pioneers. Grafton fly half John Chevally put on a dominant display, guiding the Redmen around the park and touching down for two tries of his own.

At home in Yamba, the Yamba team failed to hold out against last year's finalists, Casino Bulls, going down 23-17 after a late pushover try by Casino's tank-like pack.

Round seven

(All matches are on Saturday from 3.15pm)

• Yamba hosts Lismore

• SCU hosts Grafton

• Casino hosts Ballina

• Wollongbar bye

Austswim certificate

NSW Sport and Recreation is offering another opportunity for locals to gain their Austswim teacher certificate.

The two-day program will be held at the Ballina Fair Swim and Gym on the weekend of June 4-5 from 8.30am to 5pm each day.

Participants must be 16 years or older, and will need a current resuscitation award to gain their Austswim teacher certificate. An optional resuscitation course will be held the following Saturday, June 11, at the Austswim session from 6-9 pm.

Registration for the Austswim course is $275, plus $60 for participants requiring the optional resuscitation course.

For bookings or further information phone NSW Sport and Recreation on 6687 7168.

Veteran Bowls with Len Sully

The North Coast Veteran Bowlers and The Tweed-Byron Veteran Bowlers will again do battle in their annual clash for the coveted Veterans Shield at Ballina Bowling Club today (Thursday, May 12).

This contest has been going on for 10 years with the honours being fairly evenly divided, but last year the winners were the Tweed-Byron group and the North Coast boys will be trying hard to regain the prize.

This contest is not only between veterans (70 years) and super vets (75 years +) but also golden oldies (85 years +) and at least one player over 90 will be out on the greens. Even vision impaired and amputees are having a go. Their bodies may be weakening, but the competitive spirit is still strong.

Whatever the outcome, there will be no losers as a day of championship and fair play will be assured with a hearty lunch and a few glasses of brown medicine to follow.

Bowling is scheduled to start at 9.30am (weather permitting) and lunch at 1pm.

Good bowling to all.

Bears come out of hibernation

Norths Under 14 Lewis Hancock takes a huge cut at this one against Easts Redbirds on Saturday. Good attitude.

The Norths offensive line-up woke up on the weekend against Marist Brothers as Aaron Roberts clubbed four hits while fellow Bears Matt Linger, Ben Daly and Brad Daly all picked up two apiece.

It was a fine showing by last year's finalists, who had started the 2005 season still rubbing the sleep from their eyes with only one win over Runaway Bay in the Interleague matches.

On Saturday the passion returned and they got away to an early lead against the Brethren with four runs in the first. However Brothers, thanks to Norths' fumbling defence, managed to pull ahead in the fifth to lead 6-5. Norths struck back quickly in the sixth and seventh, setting up a two run lead and finally coming away with a 9-7 win. Recent Brothers convert Mark Newstead once again teed off with three hits while Jeff Mackney posted two.

In the other match, Redbirds blooded young Shane Davis on the mound against the might of Workers' batting juggernaut. Faced with the most daunting task imaginable, young Davis showed poise and calmness well beyond his years. There is no doubt that Shane will develop a powerful fastball as he matures and this will combine well with his control and ability to withstand the pressure in the middle. Being a lefty also helps.

Of course, Workers did win that match 10 -3, just as they have won every other game they've played for the last year and a half. Workers sluggers Dallas Knapp and Reece Smith both cleared the fence from the batters box while Wayne Devlin went on his merry way, smashing another three hits to add to his already mammoth yearly total of hits. Redbird's only run came from a home run by Mick Munro.

Next weekend Redbirds will face Brothers, who they knocked off in the first round in a gripping struggle. Rumour has it that Australia representative Matt Gahan might be returning for this match for the Brethren. Gahan is top shelf in all departments and if he does show up on Saturday it's testament to the respect Redbirds have recently earned.

On Thew Field, Norths and Workers will continue their fierce rivalry.

Both games get underway at 2.45pm.

For more information on baseball, visit the Far North Coast Baseball website at www.fnc.baseball.com.au.

The defence of the spoon

With Lee Simons

The smell, the aura, the stillness, the whimsical exciting feeling of arriving in Nimbin to play AFL footy with 20 of your team mates on a mini bus represents bush football at its primal best.

The Nimbin ground, that slopes 25 degrees, has cardboard for its goalpost padding, and a colourful array of proud, intense, noisy and appreciative Demon supporters.

The Casino Lions, despite being in their infancy as a club, have already developed a rivalry with the Nimbin demons; a rivalry based on avoiding the wooden spoon. Many opposing team coaches and umpires think that the spoon shouldn't be with the Lions but it remains theirs after last year's final match loss to the Demons.

Casino Lions coach Mick Rolfe, livid at the Lions' slow starts, had had his charges in 'boot camp' all week to ensure they were firing on all engines when the opening whistle blew. So it was hardly surprising when the Lions' Luke Wyatt delivered the first goal from 40 metres. As the game progressed, the teams traded goals and clinical blows till the elder of the Lions pride, Lee Simons, produced three classic goals in two quarters of frantic footy to trail the home side by just 12 points going into half time.

However, the premiership third quarter was all Nimbin, as their roving out of the centre bounce was too slick for Casino, who wandered the showground searching for the hooter to put an end to the Demons torment.

By 4.30pm the arm wrestle had been decided with the Nimbin Demons winning the much talked about 'defence of the spoon' 17.9.111 to the Lions 10.10.70.

In the other match the Lismore Swans found form when they handed the Murwillumbah Hawks a shellacking on Mortimer Oval on Saturday afternoon 22.21.153 to 8.8.56.

It was big, it was league and it was in Lismore

The long-awaited City vs Country clash at Oakes Oval on Friday night was a hotly contested match, and while Country rallied late in the game and looked to be improving, it wasn't enough to topple the citysiders. Despite the support of an almost 9000-strong crowd, Country eventually went down 29-22.

The local crowd, though only 8800 in number, made enough noise to deafen any nearby City supporters.

Country players play stacks on the mill.

Anthony Watmough crosses for City late in the second half to seal the match for the city slickers.

In touch

Off to the NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) touch trials as part of the North Coast Sports Association (NCSA) team are (front l-r) Rebekah Woodward, Jonathan See and Michael Benhayon with (rear l-r) Brie McBride, Ben Higgins and Joshua Purnell.

Seven students from Summerland Christian College will vie for selection in the NSW CIS touch teams in Newcastle this week as part of the North Coast Sports Association (NCSA) touch football teams.

Dylan Brooks, Joshua Purnell and Ben Higgins are part of a very strong open boys contingent, and are definite chances of being selected in the state team.

Rebekah Woodward (open girls), Michael Benhayon and Jonathan See (Under 16 boys), and Brie McBride (Under 16 girls) are also students with a ton of ability and are in with a good chance of selection in one of the NSW teams.

All of the players were selected from a field of 280 students at the NCSA Touch Championships, which were held at Hepburn Park, Goonellabah, late last term.