Sports News
 Hook,
Line and Sinker
Croc country
Today's photo is of a typical barramundi spot in Kakadu National Park in
the Northern Territory. This photo, taken not far from Shady Camp at Corroboree
Billabong, is typical of the small creeks up that way that produce great fish.
On this occasion two boats fished near each other for several hours and caught
15 or so barra between them, some up to 30lbs (1.5kg). About 50 metres from the
boat in the photo, a crocodile of about five metres lay on the bank all day. Needless
to say it was watched very closely and no one got out of the boats.
Winter fishing is with us. The weather has changed and there is now a chill
and a few westerly winds. One Evans Head angler told me that the bream fishing
on Air Force Beach has been as good as it was in the old days. There have also
been some fair catches in the Richmond of a night time. Blackfish seem to be getting
better as the days get cooler and flathead are still being caught in good numbers.
I've heard some reports of nice catches upstream of Broadwater. What tailor that
are being caught are of very good quality.
Everyone has been waiting anxiously to hear news of the Cape Byron Marine Park.
Unofficially, I have heard the final draft is on the Minister's table waiting
for his determination on what kind of park we are going to have. Anglers are still
hoping that on the strength of over 6000 submissions the sanctuary areas in the
park will not prove to be the disappointment that many of us feared in the beginning.
 Call
of the Loon with Laurie Axtens
Brown paper packages tied up with string...
A few weeks ago I was text messaged by a man named John, who requested that
I meet him for a quiet chat in one of the local hotel lounges.
I am not opposed to partaking of the odd glass of refreshing ale, so I complied
with his request. John explained that he was a bookmaker and sports promoter and
he had heard that I had a somewhat plastic ethical understanding of the world,
a desperate attraction to money and as a sports journalist access to professional
sportspeople. Of course I was horrified by the accuracy of his analysis of my
character, but I chose to hear him out.
John slipped me a small brown paper parcel. I sniffed it, it smelt bad, it
smelt sour, like the ferment from a thousand fearfully sweaty hands. I glanced
inside. It held a roll of $50 notes. I restrained my desire to hug the parcel
close to my heart and left it on the counter between us.
"Yes," I said. "So what exactly is it you want?"
"O' nothing," John said. "That's just a gift. A small token
of my esteem."
"Right," I replied. "So... mate, what brings you to town."
"I'm looking for someone with a love of sport," he said. "Someone
who understands that letting champion teams dominate the competition is bad for
the game."
"Well, yes, I wrote about that just last..."
He cut me off.
"Yes we know, Mr Loon, but are you willing to do something about it?!"
"How do you mean?" I asked.
"Look," John replied. "Think about it. Think about the millions
of dollars difference between a decider and a dead rubber. Think about what odds
you could get on the minnows knocking off the world champions. Are you hearing
me?"
"I'm listening but perhaps you should spell it out," I said.
"We want you to write us a guide. A form guide, as it were," John
whispered, leaning closer.
"Okay. What form exactly?" I said.
He passed me a list, a very comprehensive list, a list of names and mobile
phone numbers. I glanced at the list. It held the names of prominent referees,
umpires and sportspeople, all close to retirement.
"We want you to do some interviews," he said.
"Okay, excuse my naivety," I said, "but surely every other sports
writer in the country is more qualified to do such interviews?"
"No, you're wrong there," John replied. "You're complete obscurity
may prove to be a real advantage. We want you to ask a few personal questions.
We want to know about the health of their close friends and relatives. Whether
they have any addictions or predilections. We want to know about their personal
finances, if they have any debts or if they have any really outlandishly expensive
dreams."
"Why?" I asked.
"My colleagues and I," John said, "are doing some hard hitting
research into match fixing and with your help we intend to bring out a bestseller."
I looked again at the brown paper parcel and repeated the mantra to myself
'its for the good of the game.'
Thanks Heaps Ray for a life of cricket
 President
of the East Lismore Cricket Club and OAM recipient, Ray Heaps (front centre) with
the 1961 team.
Last Monday Ray Heaps was honoured for his role in the administration of cricket
in the Northern Rivers when he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Now residing in Kingscliff, Ray still holds the record for the longest serving
leader of both the Lismore District Cricket Association (LDCA) and the Far North
Coast Cricket Council.
"It was a complete surprise - I'm only one of the little blokes,"
said Ray, in his typically humble way, after receiving his OAM. "The hardest
thing was not telling my daughters. I had to keep it confidential for a couple
of weeks."
Ray Heaps came to the Northern Rivers in 1956 where his childhood passion for
cricket drove him to elevate the standard of cricket in the Northern Rivers to
one virtually unsurpassed in rural Australia.
During his 16-year presidency of the Lismore Eastern District Club (LEDC),
the club won 14 consecutive club championships, a record for the LDCA. He is now
a life member of Easts.
He also spent 17 years as president of the LDCA. Under his guidance the inter-club
competition was expanded and many more players, particularly juniors, started
to play the game. In addition he encouraged the local council to establish more
turf wickets. Consequently, all first and reserve grade competition games are
now played on turf wickets. He is now a life member of the LDCA.
Ray also spent 19 years as chairman of the Far North Coast Cricket Council
(FNCCC) where he worked to improve the standard of the inter-association competition.
As the LDCA delegate he was also active in the establishment of the NSW Country
Cricket Association. Ray was also instrumental in organising elite matches at
Oakes Oval during the 1970s. Ray is now a life member of the FNCCC.
In addition Ray was a member of the NSW Country Consultative Committee for
seven years, and a member of both the England and Queensland Cricket Statisticians
Association for 27 years.
His patronage of sport extended to cycling, athletics, pigeon racing, horse
racing and lawn bowls. In the year 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
Truly, how could any honour be more deserved.
A state of grace
Ben Skennar and Kylie Kennedy from the Japan Karate Association Northern Rivers
have both gained selection in the Queensland Squad after solid performances in
the Wide Bay Titles held in Childers on the June long weekend.
Ben placed second in kata (or martial ballet) and tied for third in the kumite
(or fighting aspect of the training) after losing an extremely close semi final.
Meanwhile, Kylie placed second in the kumite after an excellent showing in her
semi final, which left her opponent breathless. Kylie also placed third in the
kata.
In the team kata Ben and Kylie teamed up with Tim Potter to gain a creditable
third place.
Mitchell Parmiter and Thomas Ross from the local dojo also competed, making
the short list for the state squad, but were unfortunate to be left out in the
last round of selections.
Ben and Kylie now go into training in the lead up to the Australian Titles
to be held in Perth this September.
Gromfest a world-class event for Lennox
 Josh
Kerr, former World Aerial Champion and current Australian Aerial Champion, is
expected to perform well at this year's Gromfest in Lennox Head from next Friday,
July 1.
Entries for this year's Rusty Gromfest have closed, with organisers inundated
with applications from all over the world. A huge international contingent of
junior surfers from as far afield as Peru, America, Samoa and South Africa will
descend on Lennox Head for the 10th annual Gromfest next Friday, July 1.
The Lennox Gromfest is considered the world's finest junior event and as such
attracts the cream of the surf industry's scouts as well as the very best young
surfers. The event runs for four days with a back-up day on July 5. Go down and
cheer the grommets on.
Ballina take top spot
 Easts
right inner Kellie Guest streaks away from her Northern Star opposition in their
Under 13 match at Hepburn Park on Saturday. Kellie will be travelling to Sydney
as part of the Far North Coast squad this July for the Half State Championships.
Ballina's relentless defensive effort set up a 3-2 victory over fellow high
fliers the Waratah Bobcats in the Premier Hockey League at Hepburn Park on Saturday
afternoon.
This takes Ballina to the top of the ladder.
Meanwhile, Northern Star came away with a 3-2 win over Labrador, giving themselves
a chance at the semis. As in the Ballina vs Waratah match, Star's defensive efforts
at Hepburn Park were instrumental in setting up the win.
On Sunday Alstonville broke their drought with a win against cellar dwellers
Burleigh 4-2 after scores were tied 1-all at half time.
In Murwillumbah, Coraki put their foot on the Redbacks and smeared them all
over the astro turf 10-3.
East Lismore accounted for an undermanned Kingscliff 2-1 in Murwillumbah.
On the Gold Coast Mudgeeraba came home hard to blast Mullumbimby 5-0 and United
Vipers picked up four goals in the second half to knock off Capri 5-1.
This Saturday, June 25, in Murwillumbah, the Waratah's will play Easts at 3.50pm,
Coraki take on Kingscliff at 2.25pm and the Redbacks and Capri run on at 6.40pm.
At Hepburn Park in Lismore, Mudgee will probably be a bit too classy for Alstonville
at 2.15pm, while Ballina should dispose of the Allstars at 5.45pm.
On the Gold Coast Northern Star should beat Burleigh, while the United vs Labrador
game could easily prove to be the match of the round.
Pointscore
Ballina 16, Waratahs 13, Vipers 13, Mudgeeraba 13, East Lismore 12, Labrador
12, Coraki 11, Mullumbimby 10, Northern Star 9, Allstars 7, Capri 4, Alstonville
4, Kingscliff 4, Redbacks 3, Burleigh 1.
Women's Premier League
In the third round of the women's Premier Hockey League, Glee and the United
Vipers fought out a nil-all draw in Murwillumbah.
At Hepburn Park Northern Star's aspirations bit the dust as Capri overpowered
them 4-1.
On Sunday East Lismore fought back the jitters to win 6-2 over Griffith after
leading 3-2 at half time.
On the Gold Coast Labrador and Kingscliff played out a tight 2-all draw after
scores were locked 1-all at half time. In the final match of the round Mudgeeraba
and the Waratahs also played out a 2-all draw after Waratahs held a slim 2-1 lead
at half time.
This Saturday in Murwillumbah the Waratahs should pummel Labrador at 5.15pm.
On Saturday at Hepburn Park, Northern Star will struggle against United Vipers
at 2.55pm and Kingscliff and Glee might continue the growing trend toward drawn
matches at 4.20pm, as could Easts and Mudgee at 3.40pm on Sunday. On the Gold
Coast on Sunday at 4pm the Redbacks should account for Griffith.
Pointscore:
Waratah 7, Glee 5, Vipers 5, Kingscliff 4, Labrador 4, Redbacks 4, East Lismore
3, Capri 3, Mudgeeraba 2, Griffith 1, Northern Star 1.
Best get their badges
 Evans
Head Bowling Club members Jean Wilson, Pauline McCarthy, Gail Marczan, MaryAnne
Carey, Tania Hallam, Pat Walsh, Tanya Cselka and Joan Fernance. The team won this
year's Northern Rivers District Women's Bowls Association No. 5 Pennant flag.
The Northern Rivers District Women's Bowls Association enticed a field of 104
bowlers to this year's annual Gala Championship Presentation Day at Ballina RSL
recently, where all the district championship winners received their badges.
The Casino RSM team of F Allan, J Mason and N Hawkes received a nine-pin badge.
Winners on the day were F Turner, L Mawter, F Watts and B Jones from the Alstonville
Bowling Club, with runner-ups C Granatelli, M Arnison, D James and C Clapham from
the Lismore Workers Heights Bowling Club.
District triples winners V McKenzie, M Smith and E Brightwell from Ballina
Bowling Club stepped up to compete at group level at the Byron Bay Bowling Club
on Tuesday. If successful at this level they compete in Sydney for the state title
on September 12-13.
District singles winner Maureen Peart from Lennox Head Bowling Club will travel
to Grafton today (June 23) to compete at group level and if successful she will
be off to Sydney to try for the state title on September 16-17.
Miyagi kan karate excellence
Head instructor of the Lismore's Miyagi kan karate club, Dean Marshall, recently
returned from the Australian Karate Championships in Brisbane with the Australian
National Title and the Under 60kg male title - adding to his Oceania and Australian
Open Title gained earlier this year.
In all, the touring dojo returned with three gold, two silver and four bronze
medals in a very solid showing.
Apart from Dean's excellent performance the father and son combination of Richard
and Ben Morgan both won their divisions while daughter Lauren got bronze. Tasman
Wales and Ari Carr both lost in very close finals but were selected to train with
the Australian Institute of Sport along with Joel Parry and Tyson Hussein. Joel
and Tyson picked up a bronze during the championships.
This is still one of the best results from any club in Australia and by far
the best result from a rural dojo.
Workers win a pitching duel
Billed as one of the toughest games of the Rex Airlines Far North Coast Baseball
season so far, neither Workers nor Redbirds disappointed, delivering one of the
best pitching duels of the season between Troy Pruess from Workers and Nick Shailes
from Easts.
Both pitches dominated what are two very powerful batting line-ups, but once
again it was the indomitable Workers who continued their winning ways with a 4-3
victory. In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, Norths and Brothers fought out
a thriller on Thew Field, with Brothers holding on for a 7-4 win thanks to the
consummate pitching skills of Matt Gahan.
This Saturday Workers will go head to head with Norths on Baxter Field whilst
Brothers will be chasing down Redbirds in order to retain their third position
on Thew Field. Both games get underway at 2.45pm.
For more information visit Far North Coast Baseball website at www.fnc.baseball.com.au.
One ring to rule them all
 Rous
17 goal attack Hayley Mitchell shoots for goal in the Under 9s Netta competition
against Workers Princesses.
The under 9s play on the same size court and with the ring at the same height
as the adults do, so it is quite a throw. I wonder if a detachable ring that could
be lowered could be invented to make it a more reasonable task for the youngsters.
In the women's first division on Saturday, Daleys' rallied to beat off Rous
No. 2, 43-31. Workers Purple got the better of Workers Gold 33-29. All Saints
were in cruise control when they thrashed the Woodlawn Herrons 40-22, while the
University side forfeited to Daleys Tribes.
Golf
with Stan Bendall
Young local golfing hero, Rhein Gibson, during a flying visit from the University
of Oklahoma, where he holds a golfing scholarship, blitzed the field to take out
this year's Northern Rivers District Golf Association Championships in Maclean
last Sunday and Monday, June 12-13.
Rhein had scores of 74 and a course record 67, which included 7 under par for
the last 7 holes, to finish with 141, 3 under par. Rhein also took out the Colts
Championship.
The runner up was local star Luke Henwood who had 72-73 to finish on 145. Luke
is also considering an option to study in America.
Luke Ryan of Lismore won the Junior Championship with 157 from Joe Chilcott
of Murwillumbah on 159.
Runner up in the colts was Chris Dean of Mullumbimby with 155.
The Veterans Championship was won by Peter Sobels of Ballina with 164. The
veterans nett winner was Chris Haselden of Lismore with 148.
Luke Henwood from Maclean took out the Champion of Champions award.
Enthusiasm the key to silencing the Roar
The Queensland Roar team squad.
Twenty one of the most enthusiastic local players will feature in the North
Coast All Stars squad to face A-league franchise Queensland Roar in the Southern
Cross Credit Union Challenge at Oakes Oval in Lismore this Sunday, June 26.
After weeks of selection and training sessions the final train-on squad of
21 players ended up coming from six premier league clubs. Lismore Workers and
Italo Stars have the bulk of the players with five and four players selected respectively,
while Byron Bay, Bangalow, Maclean and Goonellabah have three players each in
the squad. Soccer Far North Coast League leaders, Ballina and Rovers, missed out
on getting players into the final squad due to a perceived lack of commitment
from their invited players.
The local team, though missing a few of the hard nuts from Ballina and Rovers,
is still a quality mix of youth and experience with plenty of goal scoring potential
thanks to the inclusion of Hornets strikers Matthew Olley and Peter O'Neil. In
the midfield there is speed and skill to burn, which will leave the coaching staff
with plenty of selection dilemmas as they contemplate the run-on team for Sunday's
match. However, it is likely that most of the 21 players will get a run during
the encounter as fresh legs will be needed to stem the tide of Roar talent.
Queensland Roar are fresh from a solid pre-season campaign and after a shock
early exit from the World Club Championship qualifiers, they will be very keen
to impress with the A-league competition proper starting in September.
 Local
hero Todd Gava is part of the Roar squad and will bekeen to play well in front
of his home crowd on Sunday.
"We will go out looking to contain the Roar, which means we will have
to field a more defensive line-up and look to counter attack whenever the opportunity
presents itself," Harlen said. "The recent great form of Byron defender
Aaron Richter-Steers and Stars midfielder Jeremy Pollard has put the team in a
confident mood and we are hoping to cash in on that."
"The main ingredient in this fixture is our preparation. The Roar is a
full-time professional team and we need a strong game plan to ensure we remain
competitive," Harlen said. "The fact that some of the leading players
have not shown a commitment is disappointing but we made it clear from the outset
that attendance was one of the key components of selection. The lads we have in
the team are committed and will play with enthusiasm and that is all we can ask
and expect of them."
With a couple of players currently injured the run-on side continues to change.
The final starting eleven will be announced this Friday, June 24.
On Sunday, there will be a curtain raiser at 1.30pm, followed by the All Stars
vs Queensland Roar clash at 3.30pm. Tickets will be on sale at the gate. The cost
is $8 for adults and $2 for kids under 16. $2 from every ticket will go to the
Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
The North Coast All Stars squad is:
Anthony Alvos, Damian Keevers, Rhys Evans, Joel Gosper, Lucas MacPherson (Lismore
Workers); Aaron Bylos, Kevin Crofton, Kyle Sutton (Maclean Bobcats); Jamie Austen,
Wayne Mortimer, Jeremy Pollard, Clint Willoughby (Italo Stars); Adam Holmes, Matthew
Olley, Peter O'Neill (Goonellabah); Aaron Richter-Steers, John Bradbury, Eden
Robinson (Byron Bay); and Brendan Parks, Alexander Pratt and Joel Rudgley (Bangalow).
Men's premier league
Ballina maintained their dominance over fellow high fliers the Goonellabah
Hornets on Saturday with a 3-1 win. Ballina's size and strength combined well
with their compact defence to deny the Hornets time and again, and their fast
and aggressive strike force took full advantage of Goonellabah's softness at the
back. The win secures the Seahorses a spot on top of the competition with Italo
Stars.
Stars stormed fortress Wherritt Park in Maclean, handing the Bobcats their
first loss on home soil this year 1-nil.
 Queensland
Roar speedster Massimo Murdocca in action against Sydney FC at Gosford on May
6.
Workers never recovered after Richmond Rovers fired in two early goals against
them when the teams went head to head on Rec 12. Rovers continued their climb
up the ladder with a 3-1 win. The win lifts Rovers within two points of league
leaders Ballina, who they play next.
Byron Bay shored up as finals contenders with a solid 2-1 win over Thistles.
Thistles, who have lost some of their sting in the last few weeks, are adrift
again and seem to be sinking into relegation contention.
The beefy blokes from Casino did a lot to avoid the end of the year bullet
when they knocked off fellow relegation contender Bangalow 2-nil.
TURSA Men's premier division table
Ballina 20, Italo Stars 20, Richmond Rovers 18, Goonellabah 17, Byron Bay 17,
Lismore Workers 14, Maclean 9, Lismore Thistles 7, Casino 7, Bangalow 3.
SCCU Womens' first division table
Lismore Workers 22, Richmond Rovers 16, Ballina 16, Italo Stars 12, Byron Bay
9, Lennox Head 9, Goonellabah 8, Casino 4.
Men's premier division:
15 - Peter O'Neil
8 - Wayne Mortimer
7 - Grant Nielson
Women's premier division:
17 - Renee McIntosh
11 - Lisa Kelly
8 - Emma Turner
City holds its slender lead
Lismore City reasserted themselves in Far North Coast Rugby on Saturday with
a late win over the Ballina Seahorses 23-19. The hard fought win maintains their
slender lead over the Casino Bulls, who enjoyed the bye. Grafton brought Yamba
back down to earth, beating the Buccaneers 21-15.
The most spectacular game of the round produced 11 tries as the University
Gold Rats turned an early deficit into a glorious 48-27 win against the Wollongbar
Pioneers.
Round 12 - Saturday, June 25
Wollongbar hosts the Grafton Redmen. Grafton won their last meeting 36-10.
Casino hosts Yamba. In round 6 Casino came home hard to win 23-17.
Lismore City and SCU, who played an extra round in May, will get a rest this
weekend, as will Ballina, who get the bye.
Pointscore
Lismore 36, Casino 34, Ballina 27, Southern Cross University 26, Grafton 24,
Wollongbar/Alstonville 11, Yamba 9.
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