Sports News

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

A false God

One time leader of the Builders Labourers Federation, Jack Mundey, referred to the automobile as 'God Car' to dramatise the annual sacrifice of life, heritage and liberty we make to this unholy status symbol.

The horrific forfeit of life, which accounts for more than 1700 Australians annually, was bought into stark relief last month when a teenage German motorist careered into the Australian Women's Cycling team in Germany, killing 29-year-old Amy Gillett and critically injuring Alexis Rhodes and Louise Yaxley.

Unbelievably, the young German girl has recently been allowed back onto the road. God Car's acolytes are always treated thoughtfully. Normally when people take lives the authorities remove the weapon from the killer's possession. In the era of 'God car' we send our killers straight back out into the fray with the same remorseless weapon, full of gas.

Of course in the world of the God Car, the news of Amy Gillett's demise, like all the other road tragedies, soon disappeared from the front page. It shouldn't be so. Bicycles are the clean green healthy alternative and the lesson we should learn from Gillett's death is one about providing car-free passage across our cities. Dare I say it, perhaps we could exclude cars from some of our roads? (What rubbish, you can't do that, that's, that's...sacrilege.)

If anyone wants to donate to the new Amy Gillett-Safe Cycling Foundation, it can be reached at PO Box 7183, Bass Hill, 2197 or phone 9644 3002.

Q10 trial

As you may recall, I have been trailing a performance enhancing supplement called Co-factor Q10 on one of my work colleagues, who we have generously nick-named Victim one (V1).

V1, one of the elder statesmen of the team, has reported positive results particularly in terms of recovery time. I was expecting some positives, it's the downside - when V1 runs out of the preparation - that I'm really looking forward too. Will V1's body become dependent on Q10? Stay loony tuned for further results.

At The Net - with Ken Wray

Juniors serve it up at titles

Lismore juniors dominated the recent NSW Country Titles in Foster against some of the state's best country players.

The boys, although unable to bring home any titles, played strongly, with Bryce Devlin (pictured), Nathan Moore and Max Rowed all getting to the semi finals or ending up runners up. Mick Sherry from Casino was outstanding, despite losing in the semis of the 15s and 16s boys singles after defeating a number of seeded players along the way.

The girls were also standouts and dominated many events. Taylor Moore won her first country title in the 12 years girl's doubles, Zoe Devlin gained valuable experience in the 10 years, Mihaila Day played strongly in the 13 years and Kristy Jones lost a tough three set semi in the 14s.

Above all Rosie McWilliam and Ellie Wray were the dominant players at the championship. Rosie contested three events for three finals berths and Ellie played four events and reached four finals.

Rosie won the 16 girls singles event and Ellie won the 15s and also the 18s title. Both girls were in girls doubles and mixed finals, but these matches were washed out so titles were shared. Congratulations all round.

Mums and dads are reminded that local tennis coaches are about to enter our busiest period of the year. Most local clubs have a junior coaching program and this is a great time to introduce your child to a great sport.

Phone 6621 3417 or 0403 161 855, or email lismoretennis@bigpond.com

Bring it on home, Hannah

After their win in the Regional Schools Regatta pairs held at the Gold Coast last weekend, Saxon Ramon of the Cathedral School, Maclean, and Hannah Green of Trinity Catholic College, Lismore, got a great big hug from the coach of the losing team? What's going on? The coach, Islay Lee, apart from being the coach of the Rockhampton Grammar School team and former Australian Olympic rower, was also originally from Lismore.

It was a case of a one time Lismore and Olympic rowing hero, Islay Lee, feeling the brunt of the Lismore connection, as the Rockhampton rowing coach was forced to watch his team lose the final of the Year 11 girls open double scull to Lismore's Hannah Green and Maclean's Saxon Ramon. Lee's Rockhampton squad recently achieved a silver medal at the Australian School titles.

In a very strong competition with schools from as far away as Townsville, Bundaberg and Rockhampton, Lismore's Trinity Catholic College picked up three gold medals and a bundle of silver and bronze.

Ballina's physical culture

Ballina On Richmond Physical Culture Team members who performed with great poise in Brisbane recently. Back row (l-r) Eden Cox, Trish Mackney, Dee Holiday, Katy Taylor, Jessica Taylor, Jessica Mackney, Rachel Atkinson, Leone Greenwood and Renae Collins. Middle Row; Kathleen Braby, Amber-lee Greenwood, Lisa Mackie, Stephanie Whitehead, Michelle Taucher, Anais Cross, Sophie Braby and Melanie Loomes.

Front Row; Briannah Summers, Mikayla Williams, Kelly Kortick, Karina Perris and Sarie Fleming.

Ballina On Richmond Physical Culture Club kick started the year with excellent results in Brisbane last weekend in a competition that catered for pre-schoolers through to ladies. During the competition, which consisted of a series of exercise routines, the Ballina team picked up four 2nd places. Keely Maguire (8yrs), Stephine Whitehead (9yrs), Jess Mackney (15yrs) and Gay Mckenna (ladies) all came in runner up in their division.

The club also managed eight bronze medals as Karina Perris (5yrs), Mikayla Williams (7yrs), Peri Crawford (9yrs) Michelle Taucher (9yrs), Amica Elliott (10yrs), Brianna McBurney (11yrs), Jessica Taylor (ladies) and Katy Taylor (ladies) all made it to the dais.

Ballina On Richmond holds classes in Ballina, Alstonville, and Casino. For any information about Physical Culture phone Katy Taylor on 6681 3236.

Football - a proud Alstonville tradition

Fifty junior soccer teams, plus thousands of family supporters, headed for the sunny red soil of Alstonville last Sunday for the largest soccer carnival in the region.

In excess of 750 young players, aged six to 12, played more than 175 games on Geoff Watt and Crawford Parks during the carnival.

Teams came from Musgrave, Mudgeeraba, Yamba, Tweed, Kingscliff, Pottsville, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Lismore for the carnival, boosting the village's population by around 2000 people.

The Alstonville club has been staging this annual junior carnival, on the first Sunday of August, for more than 18 years.

A daring debut from Daly

Norths batter Steve Ross dives back to first base as Luke Davis sets himself to make the tag. Ross safely made his ground and crossed later in the innings for Norths' first run. Ross was inspirational for his team

Norths' 'A' found some long lost self-belief on Saturday, knocking off the Easts Redbirds 5-3 in a tough and exciting game.

Norths looked set to dominate Easts' number one pitcher, Nick Shailes, attacking the ball from both the batters box and in the field.

Gangly debuting pitcher, Gus Daly, lead the way for the A, restricting the dangerous Easts batting with his dipping sliders.

Norths delivered a polished performance in the field, which bodes well for their tussle with Robina on Thew Field this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the gloss seems to have gone off the Redbirds' game and their bye this weekend isn't really what the doctor ordered. They desperately need a win to get back in the swing.

In the other match, Brothers looked like picking up the upset of the year when Steve Egan clobbered a three run home run over centre field to see the Brethren level the scores at 6-all in the fourth. However, as seems to be the way with Workers, they stepped up a gear in the batters box and polished off the men in blue 12-6.

The big hitters for Brothers started to find the middle of the bat against Workers and they will need to be on song this weekend if they are to have any chance against Gold Coast champs, the Mudgee Redsox, on Baxter this Saturday at 2.45pm.

Meanwhile Workers will journey to Runaway Bay this weekend and should put the lowly home team to the sword.

For more see www.fnc.baseball.com.au.

Golf with Stan Bendall

Lismore's Rhein Gibson needs only turn up to take out Club Championship at the Lismore Workers Golf Course this weekend.

Local golfers Matt Crandell, Rhein Gibson, Tony Wolsey and Ben Gazal, playing off a collective handicap of one, took out the 53rd Twin Towns Open team event last weekend against a top array of Queensland and NSW golfers.

On the glorious Rivers and West course the locals also excelled in the individual section, with Gazal finishing second on 142, Northern Rivers Champion of Champions Luke Henwood taking third on 141 and Rhein Gibson coming in fourth with 142. Well done boys!

Lismore Workers Golf Club

Rhein Gibson continues his fine form after another fine 1 over par round of 71 in the Club Championships, to hold an amazing score of two over for three rounds. He is 10 ahead now with only one round to play next Saturday and will only have to turn up to take the honours.

Charity Day success

Andrew Campbell's mate Brett Loy was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and to help his mate out he organised a golf day and a sporting memorabilia auction at the Casino Golf Club to pay for his treatment. 282 golfers teed off and over $35,000 dollars was raised. Top marks Mr Campbell and the Casino Golf Club. Get well soon Brett.

North Lismore's centre half Vicki Davis comes across in cover defence against Byron Bay's Denise Hughes in C grade at Humbly Oval on Saturday. Davis was instrumental for the Lismore women as they dominated possession and pulled away to a 2-nil lead early in the first half.

JH Williams Men's Premier Hockey League

Ballina washed away Coraki on Hepburn Park, 8-2, in an overwhelming display of power. Coraki had held back the waves of pressure the Ballina team produced for much of the match, keeping them to 2-all until the last 20 minutes, then the floodgates opened.

Former Australian player, Grant Smith, put in a dominate display for the seasiders, who look primed and ready for the finals series. This weekend Ballina should markedly increase their goal average playing Capri on Hepburn at 4.20pm, despite Capri's late-season improvements.

Coraki, who fell off the pace mid-season, will be keen to restore some pride when they play another local derby against East Lismore at Hepburn Park this Saturday at 2.55pm.

Easts lost to Capri, 2-1, on the Gold Coast last week, as their season went from middling to mediocre.

The two other matches at Hepburn Park provided contrary results for the local teams. Star turned on the razzle dazzle with a blinding 6-1 win over the struggling Redbacks. Chris Gilmore's domination of midfield opened the way for Star's late season frolic. Star finish the year against United in Murwillumbah.

In a game of a different ilk Alstonville struggled hard against United Vipers, only to go down 4-1 to the top four side. The Viper's shored up their finals chances with two goals in each half. This weekend Alstonville take on the Redbacks in Murwillumbah.

In other matches, Mullumbimby produced a shock 3-2 upset over the Waratahs, Allstars dealt a severe blow to Kingscliff's finals hopes knocking them off 3-1, while probable finalists Mudgee blasted Burleigh 5-nil, ensuring Burleigh take home the wooden spoon. Labrador had the Bye.

Pointscore:

Waratahs 31, Ballina 31, Mudgeeraba 26, United Vipers 25, Labrador 23, Kingscliff 23, Coraki 21, East Lismore 21, Northern Star 21, Mullumbimby 16,Capri 16, Allstars 13, Alstonville 7, Redbacks 6, Burleigh 4.

JH Williams Women's Premier Hockey League

After a slow start, East Lismore came back to force a 1-all draw against Northern Star at Hepburn Park on Saturday. Neither side has set the world on fire this year but they made the best of limited opportunities to make the local derby entertaining. The other local side, Glee, had the bye.

This weekend the Far North Coast sides will be out to put some respectability back into a lacklustre season when East Lismore take on fourth-placed Kingscliff in Murwillumbah and Glee make the trip to the Gold Coast where they'll endeavour to belittle last-placed Griffith. To be fair to the local girls, their squads are full of young up and coming players and their time will come.

Pointscore:

Labrador 22, Waratah 22, Vipers 20, Kingscliff 19, Mudgeeraba 14*, Glee 12, Redbacks 11, Capri 8, East Lismore 5, Northern Star 2, Griffith 2*, (*deferred game)

Bringing the Kelly Cup home

Far North Coast Under 13s boys went through the recent Junior Kelly Cup carnival in Grafton undefeated to take out the prestigious trophy. On their way to the title the local boys beat Grafton 3-nil, Inverell 10-nil, Barbarians 5-nil, the Bombers 3-nil in the semi and the Royals 4-nil in the final to maintain a clean sheet for the entire carnival.

The Half State struggle

The Far North Coast Under 13s, despite an unlucky showing in the Half State Championships, managed to get Sophie Rodda and Ashley Gibson selected in the Northern NSW squad. Back row; (l-r) Georgia Wolf, Ashley Gibson, Sarah Lidbetter and Sophie Rodda. Middle row (l-r); Sonia Martin, Brooke Colby, Kellie Guest, Sarah Wykes and Melinda Slade.

Front row (l-r) Mali Hope, Erin Kendall, Jenna Lidbetter, Brooke Riley and Laura Black. 

During the Under 13 Girls Half State Championship in Penrith the local side only recorded a single victory over New England. The local girls were unsuccessful in their other matches, but by close margins and no-one could doubt the squad's commitment and intensity during the carnival.

The Tiger of Byron Byron Bay's answer to Tiger Woods, the masterful Max Donati, lines up a shot during the Lismore Croquet Championships. The ever-colourful Donati, who holds the Lismore title, played a solid opening round robin match and looked well set to continue his dominance of the local game.

Aussie Rules

With Jeremy Lamberton

Swans' full forward Adam Rhodes descends on Lions' fullback Steve Formiggin with all the weight of a big brown bear at Mortimer Oval on Saturday. Rhodes, who pulled in a few spectacular marks during the encounter, finished with three goals, as the Swans handed the Casino team a 20.20.140 to 4.5.29 drubbing.

The Lismore Swans notched up their 10th consecutive win, despite missing key midfielder Paul Howard, by thumping a weary Casino by 111 points. Casino needed to win all its remaining matches to make the finals and the match with Lismore was expected to be a heated contest.

The Swans came out hard and poor marking from the Lion's defence allowed key forwards Ben Hughes and Adam Rhodes to nail a couple of goals during the early stages. Any offensive moves on the part of the Lions were quickly shut down by a tenacious Swans midfield and when Richard Blundell slotted his first senior goal for the men in red and white, Lismore's spirits were high. The Swans went to the first break with a five-goal lead.

In the second quarter Casino lifted their game but were again held by Lismore's skilled and speedy ruckmen.

The second half produced more of the same and the sending off of Lions playmaker Darren Lohmann killed any hopes of a comeback. The floodgates opened in the final quarter as Lismore's ruck trio of Hatfield, Suffolk and Bruce lead the charge all around the ground. Hughes finished the day with six goals and Rhodes with three as the Swans came away comfortable winners 20.20.140 to 4.5.29.

Next week Lismore take on Ballina in the top of the table clash in Ballina, while Casino play Nimbin and Murwillumbah host Byron.

Wallabies of the future

Wyrallah Road Public School's Jack Pinchin finds touch for the North Coast in their first round match against North West in the NSW Primary School Sports Association Rugby Championship at Oakes Oval on Tuesday. North Coast started the competition in terrific fashion scoring four tries in the first 20 minutes against South Western NSW, beating them 48-nil, before going on to defeat Riverina 24-5 and top their pool. On Wednesday morning North Coast knocked off Hunter to win a spot in the semis.

Is Lismore's Jack Pinchin a future Wallaby? Whether his green and gold North Coast number 10 jersey is converted into a gold and green Australian one only time can tell, but there's a strong chance Jack tackled a future Wallaby or two of the North Coast played Sydney North on the Combined Independent Schools team during the State Primary School Rugby Championships in Lismore this week.

The carnival was held at Oakes and Crozier ovals and brought together 280 players from 13 different regions. The teams played a round robin with two 40-minute games per day. More results next week.

A gruelling schedule

Workers 4th division goalkeeper, Stuart Allison, punches the ball away from goal in the game against Goonellabah Hornets on Saturday at Weston Park.

Tursa Men's Premier league

As the Premier League trundles to its inevitable conclusion, all teams will be required to play three games in the final week. But this gruelling schedule will also decide the minor premiership. Only three squads have a chance at picking up the silverware; Byron Bay, Ballina and Goonellabah. All three face a difficult road to glory, but Byron Bay has the edge, being two points clear at the top of the pile.

On Saturday the Rams dispatched Workers 4-2 in a dominant display, particularly from Arron Ritchter-Steers, who was sublime at back, closing Workers down and setting his flighty flankers free at every opportunity. This weekend they take on Rovers in Byron. Both teams play with a similar style, using tall compact defence while the speedsters run on to the long ball in attack.

Meanwhile, Goonellabah take on the premiers, Workers, on Rec 12 this Saturday. Workers haven't had much success on the cambered slopes of their home turf this year and will again be without Steve Morrissey. If the Hornets can draw level with Byron on points, their goal average will get them the title, whereas Ballina need results to go their way.

This Saturday Ballina takes on Stars in Ballina. Stars 2-nil loss to Goonellabah on Saturday could significantly effect their finals chances and coach Kevin Wilson will no doubt be in their ears about it. Expect a fiery encounter.

The battle for a top five spot promises to be even more titanic than the minor premiership with either Rovers, Workers or Italo Stars to miss out. Once again there's no easy passage, although Rovers might have a cleaner run.

Meanwhile, the battle to avoid relegation is clearly between Casino and Bangalow. The two teams go toe to toe in Bangalow next Saturday, August 20, to decide who will take the fall. A home ground advantage is a huge advantage in do-or-die struggles and the Bluedogs will be grateful for it.

Pointscore

Byron Bay 33, Goonellabah 31, Ballina 28, Richmond Rovers 26, Lismore Workers 24, Italo Stars 24, Maclean 15, Thistles 13, Bangalow 7, Casino 7.

Southern Cross Credit Union Women's Premier League

The Workers Club Redwomen muscled their way back to the top of the table on the weekend when they got the better of Goonellabah 3-1, while Rovers only managed a 3-all draw against Italo Stars. Meanwhile Ballina did nothing to jeopardise their chances of picking up the minor premiership when they snuck away with a 3-2 win over Lennox Head. Byron Bay also shored up its spot in the finals with an easy 4-nil victory over last-placed Casino.

Pointscore

Lismore Workers 34, Rovers 33, Ballina 31, Byron Bay 21, Italo Stars 19, Goonellabah 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

9 - Wayne Mortimer,

Women's premier division:

27 - Renee McIntosh

20 - Lisa Kelly

11 - Abbey Moss