Sports News

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

Two teams, one game - but it's not cricket

After being felled by Harold Larwood during the 1932-3 bodyline series, Australian cricket captain Bill Woodfull uttered these memorable words: "There are two teams out there; one is playing cricket, the other is not. It's too great a game to spoil."

I wonder if Woodfull were alive today and watching the carnage at Lords would he not amend that statement, saying, "There are two teams out there and neither is playing cricket."

Law 42/6b clearly states that "the bowling of short pitched balls is considered dangerous and unfair if the umpire... considers that by repetition and taking into account their length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on the striker irrespective of the protective equipment he maybe wearing."

Obviously this Ashes series is a little bit more important than the rules of the game. It's not exactly cricket, but it's a great bloodsport. And I still like to watch.

A polite survey

Dear reader, could you please help me? I want to do an impromptu survey of non-profit groups who hire premises or lands from our beloved Lismore City Council, particularly sporting groups. You see, as secretary of one of the city's theatre companies I recently received an inspection fee invoice from Council for several hundred dollars so that they could afford to inspect their own venue.

It was a strange demand indeed, for not only did it refer to my group as the proprietors, which we aren't (the Council owns the property) but it also threatened to charge our group for further inspections at a rate of $154 per hour, should we not do prescribed works to maintain and upgrade their facility. Has anyone else in the community received a similar demand? Is this fee usually required? If any of the sporting club administrators receive a similar demand could they give me a call on 6622 2888 or email me at sport@echonews.com and discuss their response.

Now I don't want to seem ungrateful, the theatre we rent from the Council is a beautiful intimate space and we are happy to manage it for Council, but the theatre company has already been robbed this year and this unusual and unexpected fee caught us quite by surprise.

I'm not sure, but I don't think it's cricket.

At The Net - with Ken Wray

C'mooonnnn!

Sorry Lleyton, I just needed to get the readers' attention.

Well here we are tennis players, followers and mums and dads, this is The Echo's very first tennis column and it's aimed solely at local players and tennis clubs in our region.

Firstly let me introduce myself. I am Ken Wray from the Lismore Tennis Club in Ballina Street, Lismore. I grew up playing tennis on a little clay court at Teven School before spending many years under the tuition of Col and Moira Naylor at the Ballina Tennis Club. After many years of involvement at Ballina, I spent 16 years in Newcastle playing and coaching tennis, which included eight years managing the two major tennis centres in Newcastle. Yes, if you must know, my family and I do support the mighty Newcastle Knights. They will get better.

Now that I am back home and working full time in the tennis industry I am delighted to tell readers that The Echo has agreed to me publishing a weekly tennis column.

What I am hoping to achieve through this column is a weekly line of communication between all the tennis clubs in our region and The Echo's readers.

While I am working at the Lismore Tennis Club I will be promoting the great sport of tennis for all local clubs and individuals who express an interest.

With this concept in mind it is of utmost importance that I establish a consistent information channel with all coaches, club secretaries and any readers who feel they may have something to contribute to the betterment of tennis. Phone me on 6621 3417 or 0403 161 855 or write to Ken Wray, PO Box 5050, East Lismore, 2480, or email lismoretennis@bigpond.com.

So the challenge is out there for tennis lovers to support our column. I look forward to hearing from you.

Judo - Australia's best in Lismore

Successful state judo representatives Nicolas and Kymberley Casey-Sams might look like Siamese twins, but no, though it could be difficult to work out who has who in a head lock.

Lismore PCYC's state representative judo contingent (rear) Takashi Watanabe (NSW) and Alan Foley (NSW), (centre) Jasmine Parer (Qld) and Ashleigh Foley (NSW), and (front) Kymberley Casey-Sams (Qld), Nicolas Casey-Sams (Qld) and Dane Edwards (Qld).

Local state representative judo practitioners have been wildly successful at two national trials. In Tasmania at the Judo Federation of Australia Championships last month Jasmine Parer won gold for Queensland in the under 57kg girls event, while Takashi Watanabe (under 81kg) and Alan Foley (under 100kg) picked up silver for NSW.

Last week Kymberley and Nicolas Casey-Sams both came away with a medal from the Kodokan Australian Nations in Tweed Heads. Kymberley's gold medal came after she topped the under 35kg girls competition and Nicolas's bronze was in the under 30kg division. Both events attracted competitors from all states of Australia as well as from Japan, Sweden, and Germany.

Call goes out for surf lifesavers

Nominations for this year's North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) Surf Life Saving Squad close on August 1. To be eligible to nominate, athletes must be turning 16-19 years of age this year, be an active member of one of the three North Coast branches, and over the past two years have competed at state or national level and/or have produced strong performances at branch level.

Forms and further information can be obtained by contacting your local surf life saving branch.

New coaches website

Thanks to the support of the SportsDieticians of Australian and the Australian Institute of Sport a free web-based magazine called Coaches Edge has just hit the world wide web. The website www.coachesedge.com.au is an excellent and reliable resource for coaches and players interested in finding that winning edge. Worth a look.

A real tongue twister

Despite what they say, catching the ball is all about how you hold your tongue.

Just ask these three 'Netta' players (l-r) Emily Harvey (Summerlander Possums), Ellena Coiacetto (Italo Stars) and Nicola Vanarendonk (Summerlander) who played last Saturday in Lismore.

Please note sticking your tongue out to catch a ball is very risky. Please don't try this at home.

Swan juniors rule the roost

Bailey Moncrieff breaks away from the pack during the match between Lismore Swans and Brunswick Bulldogs in the Junior Australian Football Competition last Sunday in Brunswick Heads.

Although scores aren't officially kept the Swans lads know they have gone through undefeated this year.

Brothers take second

Easts' Under 12 livewire Aden Hanlon fully stretches out as he slides into third below the tag of Marist Brothers' Josh Dardengo in an Under 14 match at Albert Park on Saturday.

Brothers batting depth proved the determining factor against Norths as the Brethren forced their way into second on the Rex Airlines Major League Baseball ladder with a 4-3 win over last year's finalists.

Lucas Myers, Jeff Mackney, Luke Sharpe and Shane Milgate all found the middle of the bat despite the efforts of Norths pitcher and captain coach Paul Simes.

Brothers' pitcher Luke Sharpe had more success restricting the A's, offering up only six hits from his time on the mound.

In the remaining game of the afternoon, Workers capitalised on the absence of Redbirds youthful pitcher and coach, Nick Shailes, to win 12-2 in seven innings. After losing to Mudgee Redsox last week, Workers were quick to return to form against the understaffed Redbirds, smashing in four runs in the first innings. The Redbirds never really recovered from the early onslaught and leaked runs in the final three innings to give Workers a dominant win.

Wayne 'Wayno' Devlin produced his usual batting effort with four hits for the tricolour, while team-mates Nathan Olley, Mick McClelland, Dallas Knapp and Josh Daley all teed off for Workers.

After a stellar start to the season, Redbirds third consecutive loss means they drop to third below Brothers on the table. Fortunately for Easts Shailes returns for this Saturday's match up against Brothers.

In the other game of the afternoon, Norths take on Workers on Thew Field. Norths, who are now out of the finals, will be playing for pride and Norths are a proud team so expect some fireworks.

For full details visit Far North Coast Baseball on line at www.fnc.baseball.com.au.

Juniors pizza, popcorn and movie day

Organisers are hard at work blacking out the Far North Coast Baseball clubhouse with black plastic to host a pizza popcorn movie day for juniors this Saturday, July 30. The free baseball movie day starts at Albert Park at 12pm.

Capri champion the draw

Byron Bay's left inner, Kelsey Bannister, locks sticks with Easts' left half, Melissa Wilson, at Hepburn Park on Saturday morning. Despite being short of Kelly Guest and Brooke Riley, who were away on representative duty, Easts still managed a 1-nil victory.

Men's JH Williams Premier Hockey League

Despite the determined defence of Peter Neilson, Graham Bielefeld and Craig Laserre, Alstonville finally succumbed to the Mullumbimby Taipans 3-2 on Saturday at Hepburn Park.

Alstonville began the game well, scoring first thanks to the tireless efforts of their youthful midfield. However, the creatively chaotic second half opened the way for the Taipans to get back on the winners sheet after a couple of flat games.

After Burleigh forfeited the second match at Hepburn against Coraki, Northern Star took the field against Kingscliff. In what turned out to be a very tight struggle neither side seemed capable of making it out of the midfield maelstrom. In the end Mark Sheridan's early goal for the visitors proved the difference.

In the Sunday match on the haloed synthetic of Hepburn, East Lismore kept their finals chances alive after getting the better of Labrador 4-2.

On the Gold Coast Mudgeeraba had too many guns for Northern Star, winning 3-1. The follow up match was a bridge too far for the men in black and white, who struggled hard but after falling behind early didn't have the legs to come back. Mudgee, who had only managed a draw against Capri on Saturday, seemed to have more in the tank during this encounter.

In was a week of draws for Capri, who held off a fast finishing Labrador for a 2-all draw and then on Sunday they repeated the dose with a 2-all draw against Kingscliff.

At Murwillumbah Allstars overpowered Redbacks to win 5-3 while Waratahs virtually guaranteed themselves top spot in the competition by beating United Vipers 1-nil.

Ballina had the Bye.

This Saturday Hepburn Park will once again host a triple-header. The first match between Alstonville and Northern Star gets underway at 2.55pm. It is followed by the Coraki versus Capri encounter at 4.20pm. Coraki won't be happy with a draw, they need the win.

The final local match is between high-flying Ballina and the aspiring East Lismore at 7.10pm. Easts need to keep winning if they are going to make the finals.

In Murwillumbah, Mullum play Kingscliff, Allstars play Waratahs, and the Redbacks take on United. Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, Labrador run on against Burleigh on Saturday, then the men in yellow back up against the Redbacks on Sunday.

Pointscore:

Waratahs 28, Ballina 25, Mudgeeraba 23, East Lismore 18, Kingscliff 20, United Vipers 19, Coraki 18, Labrador 17*, Northern Star 15, Capri 13, Mullumbimby 13, Allstars 10, Alstonville 7, Redbacks 6*, Burleigh 4. (*deferred matches)

Women's JH Williams Premier Hockey League

An outstanding performance by East Lismore's Tash McFarlane allowed the gold and blue to hold the powerful Glee to a 2- all draw. Easts got away to a bright start thanks to a very early goal by Leah Toovey but Glee balanced the ledger just as quickly through the stick of Renee Dunstan, who also put the green machine in front early in the second half.

Maxine Kelly locked it up for Easts at the 50th minute mark and that's the way it stayed.

On Sunday at Hepburn Labrador lacked the sparkle of previous weeks without Nikki Hudson but still managed a 1-nil win over Northern Star.

Labrador did the bulk of the attacking but without the finishing skills of Hudson and with Star's keeper Tamara Leonard playing out of her skin, the women in yellow could only manage the single goal.

In Murwillumbah Waratahs belted Griffith 8-nil, Kingscliff overtook Redbacks 3-1 and the United Vipers remained unbeaten, outplaying Capri 3-nil.

Mudgeeraba had the bye.

This Saturday in Lismore at Hepburn Park Glee will be keen to get back on the winners board against Northern Star at 1.30pm, while Easts will have their work cut out against the undefeated United Vipers at 5.45pm.

In other matches the Waratahs travel to Murwillumbah to take on the Redbacks, while on the Gold Coast Capri play Kingscliff and Mudgee play Griffith.

Pointscore:

Vipers 17, Labrador 16*, Waratah 16, Kingscliff 13, Mudgeeraba 11*, Redbacks 11, Glee 9, Capri 7*, East Lismore 4, Northern Star 1, Griffith 1*. (*deferred game)

Redmen back on route to the finals

Man of the match, University second rower, Henry Vanderglas, flies high during a lineout not far from the Yamba line. Vanderglas worked relentlessly throughout the 28-23 win, a win that keeps the flickering hope of a finals berth alive for the Gold Rats.

Grafton turned the tables on Ballina in the Far North Coast Rugby Union to hand the Seahorses their first loss in four matches. Inspired by the mountainous workload of Grafton prop forward, Dan Hayne, the Redmen over-ran the flighty seasiders. The win and a relatively easy run home virtually seals a spot for Grafton in the finals series with five rounds remaining. Meanwhile Ballina has left the door ajar for the fifth placed Southern Cross University Gold Rats to sneak past.

The Gold Rats had to work hard to overcome the Yamba Buccaneers on Maurie Ryan Oval on Saturday and if it wasn't for the emotion that Peter Murphy and Henry Vanderglas bring to the Gold Rats they wouldn't have. Yamba have stepped up a class since the beginning of the season and are now a formidable force in this competition, which is something the Wollongbar Pioneers should contemplate before running onto Lyle Park this Saturday.

Despite the determined efforts of Pioneer hooker Ben Grayndler Casino put on a dominant display to level Wollongbar 24-15. Casino's pack paved the way as usual and Tory Gilmore chipped in with three penalty goals to give the Bulls the game.

This weekend round is rich with important duels. Firstly the Pioneers host the Buccaneers in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Meanwhile Casino play Lismore City in a battle for top spot, while Ballina play SCU in what is a critical match for both teams in terms of a place in the finals.

Pointscore:

Lismore 49, Casino 48, Grafton 43, Ballina 42, SCU 32, Wollongbar / Alstonville 13, Yamba 10.

Ballina big in the short course

Members of the triumphant Ballina Indoor Swim Team (l-r) Gemma Johnson, Anna Campbell, Peter Charlton (head coach) and Kate Johnson, who came third in the NSW State Open Short Course Swimming Championships in Sydney earlier this month.

An outstanding performance by five swimmers from Ballina Indoor Swim Team resulted in the club being placed third in the final point score in NSW State Open Short Course Swimming Championships held in Sydney earlier this month.

The Ballina Indoor Swim Team trumped 85 other clubs to record the honour - its best result since it formed in 1991. 15-year-old Gemma Johnson led the charge with gold in the 50m fly, silver in 50m freestyle and bronze in the 100m freestyle.

Kate Johnson (17yrs) contested in nine events and achieved two silver medals; one in the 100m fly and another in the 16-18yrs 400m individual medley, as well as picking up a bronze in the open 400m freestyle. Despite a persisting knee injury Dean Mackay (16yrs) achieved a silver in 16-18yrs 400m freestyle. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Anna Campbell picked up a fifth placing in the open 400m individual medley.

Tussle at the top of the table

Giant Woodburn central defender David Smith tries to round up Italo Stars' fleet-footed Emmett Flick in the second division of the Under 15s competition at Barrow Lane on Saturday. Stars smashed Woodburn 6-nil to remain undefeated this season.

Tursa men's premier division

Byron Bay has firmed as minor premiership favourites after the three teams directly below them on the ladder drew on Tueday night. Goonellabah let lowly Bangalow off the hook 0-all and Ballina and Rovers drew 1-all. However, the acid test for Byron will come this weekend when they go head to head with Goonellabah.

Last Saturday Byron Bay and Goonellabah massacred Casino and Bangalow respectively, 6-1, so their strikers are honed and ready for this vital clash. If anything Byron will hold the advantage because the Hornets are prone to freaking out at the back.

Ballina's draw on Tuesday night put a dampener on their earlier 1-nil victory over Rovers last Saturday. With only five rounds remaining both sides needed the wins to stay in the race for first place.

This weekend Ballina shouldn't have too many difficulties getting the better of Thistles. That said the young Thistles unit has been playing well of late. On Saturday they came back with two second-half goals to claim a draw against the high-flying Italo Stars. Ballina beware.

Stars should waltz it in against number one relegation candidate Bangalow at home this weekend. Is there still fight left in the old Bluedogs? I doubt it. Pity, they looked the goods in the preseason and even knocked off Byron Bay early on.

Maclean continue to be Workers nemesis holding last year's premiers to a 1-all draw at Oakes on Saturday. Early this year the Bobcats smashed the Redmen at Wherritt Park.

The sending off of young play maker Joel Gosper with 20 minutes sti­ll on the clock did little to help the Redmen's game plan. Workers now share fifth place with Stars in what is shaping as a close run home for the last semi-final berth.

This weekend the Redmen will probably put Casino to the sword and they need to if they want to stay ahead of Stars on goal difference.

In the other match this Saturday Rovers travel to the Wherritt Park graveyard in Maclean to exorcise the occult home spirit of the Bobcats. Spooky.

Pointscore :

Byron Bay 29, Goonellabah 27, Ballina 24, Richmond Rovers 22, Lismore Workers 21, Italo Stars 21, Maclean 13, Thistles 11, Casino 8, Bangalow 6.

Southern Cross Credit Union women's premier division

The big three - Rovers, Ballina and Workers - continued their domination of the women's competition by dispatching their separate opponents over the weekend. For Workers and Ballina it was one-way traffic where Rovers had to work hard to overcome Goonellabah.

Lisa Kelly blasted five goals for Ballina as they humbled Lennox Head 6-nil at Skennars Head on Friday night. The five goals bring Lisa within striking range of Renee McIntosh, who still leads the Golden Boot standings after scoring in Rovers 1-nil win over Goonellabah.

Workers' Jenna Gollan started a belated charge for the Golden Boot with a hat trick against Stars as the Redwomen marched to a 3-nil win in their match on Rec 12.

In the final match of the round Byron did little to keep their finals hopes alive when they only managed a draw against last placed Casino on Sunday.

Pointscore:

Rovers 28, Lismore Workers 28, Ballina 28, Italo Stars 15, Goonellabah 14, Byron Bay 14, Lennox Head 10, Casino 8.

Constellation Hotels (www.constellationhotels.com) Golden Boot Award standings

Men's premier division:

21 - Peter O'Neil

10 - Grant Nielson

8 - Wayne Mortimer, Stewart Coughran

Women's premier division:

22 - Renee McIntosh

20 - Lisa Kelly

11 - Abbey Moss

Golf

with Stan Bendall

Mark and Donna Scurr accept the mixed foursomes trophy from Northern Rivers District Golf Association vice president, Stan Bendall.

Brother and sister combination, Mark and Donna Scurr, won this year's Northern Rivers mixed foursomes at Coraki golf course on Sunday.

The Scurrs' win in the 55th year of the prestigious event, against a field of 90 golfers, was very popularly received. The pair took the title with 124, while two strokes ahead was another Scurr family - Mark's brother Greg and his wife Alison. The 27-hole nett winners were Chris Rose and his wife Dot and the runners up were Mullumbimby duo Serge Brecard and his good wife Sue.

Next Sunday, Coolangatta/Tweed Heads Golf Club will host the annual inter district encounter between Northern Rivers, Gold Coast and South East Queensland - associations with an open side, senior side, colts and junior side as well. Our local senior side comprises Peter Schweitzer (hcp 3), Peter Sobles (hcp 5), Trevor Pryor (hcp 5), Dean Milson and Joe Long (hcp 5). The open side is Steve Morrissey (hcp 2), Ben Gazal (hcp 0), Brett Dean (hcp 3), Brett Curtis (hcp 4) and Lismore's Rhein Gibson, the current Northern Rivers champ, playing off scratch. The colts side is Luke Henwood (hcp 0), Brenton Minshall (hcp 3), Drew Hannigan (hcp 0), Peter Hale (hcp 2) and Jon Craven (hcp 2). The juniors side is Scott Amor (hcp 5), Callum Driscoll (hcp 2), Daniel Morgan (hcp 4), Oscar Koch (hcp 5) and Shane Wheat (hcp 2).