Sports News

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

The forgotten scribes of the Far North Coast

Few people realise that the sports pages of this paper rely on the contribution of a devoted band of correspondents. Of these sports devotees I would like to take this opportunity to thank two correspondents in particular - Geoff Hallman and Jim Challenor.

These two fine writers always provide thousands of accurate and informative words regarding their chosen fields of expertise, though neither ask for nor receive a by-line for their input. So now that the winter sport season is coming to an end I'd just like to thank them publicly for their help. Truly other sports could learn a lot from their example. If you want coverage, provide correspondence.

Intriguingly, Geoff and Jim are often criticised for their writing within their associations, when they should be lauded as champions for the enormity of the time and effort they put into promoting their sports.

It's a sad fact that the more people donate the more others expect them to donate. Truly, it is as though people expect the shirt off your own back and it's an attitude that is repeated across the whole gamut of voluntary organisations.

The reverse of this is also true. Often businesses in the service industry increase their market share by increasing the price they charge. It's a sad indictment of human nature that we think that status is more important that content.

Anyway, Jim and Geoff, I think it is long past the time when we created an award for the best sports correspondents across our region and I nominate you blokes. (Oh, and Mark Robinson, of course.)

At The Net - with Ken Wray

Wilson's peeWee tennis

Ken Wray sporting a new peeWee racquet that will be used as part of the new peeWee course for four to seven year-olds opening at the Lismore courts in early September. Although these little racquets could be a brilliant innovation for the French Open, they would certainly bring the serve and volley players back into the clay court game.

Wilson's peeWee tennis is a brand new tennis program for four to seven year-olds, which will be launched at Lismore Tennis Club next Saturday, September 3.

Wilson's peeWee tennis is designed and produced by Wilson Sports and since its introduction into the Australian market in 1990 has provided an excellent tool for development of tennis in Australia. Under the unique program each peeWee participant enters into a professional coaching environment and receives a free tennis racquet and cap. The result has been 100,000 four to seven year-old children swinging their own racquet at tennis clubs and centres across the country.

Wilson's peeWee tennis is a fun way for young juniors to get basic tennis skills as well as a good grounding in hand-eye coordination.

This new and exciting program will be running every Monday afternoon and Saturday morning. For more information phone Ken or Sarah Wray at Lismore Tennis on 6621 3417 or 0403 161 855.

Barbers Cup

Last weekend our Lismore juniors hosted 24 juniors from the Taree region in our home match in the Barbers Cup. This was the third time the cup has been played for and with Lismore holding the cup it was disappointing to see the cup heading back to Taree on Sunday afternoon. The Taree team won by five games after a total of 1230 games were played.

Little Athletics leaping to new heights

Is your child a Matt Shirvington or a Jana Pittman in waiting? There is only one way to find out... register them in the Little Athletics and let them have a run at it. Even if they aren't a national champion the exercise will do them good and you never know, they might even like it.

Last season, more than 353 children from the North Coast registered with Little Athletics and across the state there were more than 41,000 children participating in the sport, which was a record for the NSW Association.

If your child would like to take part in Little Athletics, you need to register them at you're local Little Athletics Centre.

For Lismore phone Mr Laurie McLeod on 6624 8553, for Ballina phone Mrs Shelly Ward on 6681 6417 or for Casino phone Mr Laurance Benn on 6662 2828.

A Workers winter tale

Winners of this year's winter cricket final, Workers Club (rear l-r) Jeremy Cowin, Brendan Sanders, Chris Little, Alan Singh, Paul Campbell, Paul Pryor and Tony Cowin (front l-r) Michael Davis, Geri Jones, Chris Axtens (manager), Laurie Axtens (c), Lee Davies and John Taylor. Foreground: Daniel Bruce.

The final of the winter cricket between Workers and South's Station Hotel was balanced on a knife-edge when Workers' Paul Pryor strode onto Arthur Park on Saturday.

After facing 16 deliveries Pryor retired at 40 runs having completely silenced the raucous South's crowd. The innings, which could be described as the work of a tungsten fist inside a silk batting glove, produced seven fours and one dot ball as the young gun scored at the phenomenal rate of 250 runs per 100 balls. Pity he had to retire really.

I, your faithful sports editor, was captain of the Workers side and I would like to say, of the few finals I have won, this was the sweetest victory of them all.

South's dominated the first 15 overs of each innings, knocking up 130 runs and restricting Workers to 3 for 50 before Pryor entered the fray. In the end Workers polished off the total with four overs to spare to take out the Norm Ryder Shield. Congratulations men.

After the match, one of Workers junior players had his gear run over and the team has since decided to donate his cracked helmet as a trophy for next year's runners up. Perhaps it should be called 'The runover trophy'.

Try triathletics

Ballina RSL and the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) have sent out the call for talented junior triathletes to apply for selection in the 2005-06 NCAS squad.

Selection into the program will primarily be based on results at the Evans Head Triathlon being held next Sunday, September 4. The triathlon consists of a 750-metre swim, 20km ride and 5km run.

However, the Academy also intends to offer athletes who have never competed in triathlon but have performed well as a runner, swimmer or cyclist a place in the 12-member squad.

The NCAS triathlon program is supported by Triathlon NSW (TNSW), and is seen as an important feeder program to the TNSW Junior Development Programs, and later the NSW Institute of Sport triathlon program.

Applicants need to reside between Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie and be aged between 15 and 23.

Information packs and application forms can be obtained from the Academy by visiting www.ncas.org.au.

Applications close on August 31.

Riding a wave of success

All Girls Surfboard Riding Club president Kerry Wilcox and vice president Mel Mott humbly reclaim the Ma Bendall/Phyllis O'Donnell Interclub Shield after an excellent showing by the club last weekend.

Last weekend the All Girls Surfboard Riding Club reclaimed the Ma Bendall/Phyllis O'Donnell Interclub Shield from the Gold Coast Boardriders Club, who have dominated the field for the last two years.

The annual shield, which is traditionally fought out between clubs from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and the Northern Rivers, made its way home thanks to some excellent surfing from the 20-strong local contingent.

Of the locals Lyla Wright, Stephanie Single, Madison Beckerleg, Lana Parkes, Marg Bryant, Maz Pentecost, Gabby Miles, Mel Mott, Kellie O'Brien, Laura Adsett, Rachel Bonhote-Mead and Ebony Laird made the difference in the final point score as the All Girls Club came away the winner on 31 points.

A family affair

Marist Brothers Blue Under 10, Brody Tate, clubs this one into left field during the soft toss competition against Marist Brothers Yellow on Thew Field on Saturday.

Finally after a year of injury and intervening work commitments the Best and Davis families were together in the top flight for the Redbirds as they pecked the eyes out of Runaway Bay 12-2 at Baxter Field on Saturday.

Shane, Luke and Matt Davis and Peter, Matt and Steve Best combined to post 10 hits for the men in red and white as the young side readied themselves for this weekend's semi final against Brothers.

Meanwhile Brothers managed to nudge out Robina with a tight 3-2 victory in the last round of the Interleague, thanks to another fine effort from Luke Sharpe on the mound. Sharpe allowed just one run in the first six innings before Matt Gahan closed out the match for the men in royal blue. The Brothers usually reliable batting was sporadic, picking up only nine hits during the encounter and they will need to be sharper if they want to get the better of Redbirds this Friday and Saturday.

Norths A's finished their season taking on the might of Gold Coast minor premiers, the Redsox, in Mudgee. The A's started well, moving to a 3-1 lead before the Redsox machine leaped into action to take the game 5-3. Paul Simes controlled the game for the A's well from the mound, but fell victim to the Redsox offence as he began to tire in the fifth and his replacement, Steve Ross, was hammered for a homer straight away as the Redsox asserted themselves.

This Friday and Saturday Easts Redbirds and Brothers will play out a three game semi final series to determine who will play Workers in the finals next weekend. The series starts on Friday night at 6.30pm with the second game after the first division final at around 3pm and third game if required immediately following. All matches will be played at Baxter Field.

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

A bloody title for Ballina and Bovis

JH Williams men's Premier Hockey League

In a relentless display of sustained pressure Ballina humbled the Waratahs 6-1 in Murwillumbah to claim this year's Premier Hockey League.

Often scoring first is the kiss of death in important matches and that's how it was when Matt Butterini scored for Waratahs in the ninth minute. All it did was wake a sleeping giant in the form of the Ballina's masterful midfield.

Scott Hamilton (two goals), Wayno Porter and Grant Smith all scored in a 14-minute Ballina style blitzkrieg that tore the heart out of their opposition. The pace and intensity of the onslaught was staggering as the Bobcats split open like ripe melons dropped on concrete.

Scott Bovis (pictured) played a commanding midfield role that opened up many holes and opportunities, and with the support of Smith, Hamilton, Porter and Peter Taylor the game became one-way traffic; every flicker of an opening was seized upon by the seasiders as Jake Baldry and Daniel Riley knocked in two more in the second half to finish the rout. Bovis was taken to hospital to get stitches for the cut cheek he received with just eight minutes left on the clock; a red badge of courage for the conquering hero.

J H Williams women's Premier Hockey League

Labrador claimed victory after a hard fought 3-nil win over United Vipers in the final of the regional women's Premier Hockey League in Murwillumbah on Saturday. Labrador's Kylie McEniery was the standout player of the match, scoring all three for the women in yellow. It was a tireless performance by McEniery in a predominately midfield battle. Emma Walters, Sarah Payne, Claire Jackson and Sonya Palmer tackled their hearts out and organised enough attacking raids for Labrador to clinch the title. In defence Nikki Coghlan and keeper Carina Curtis were instrumental in keeping their line intact.

Isabel Power was the Vipers best player as she worked tirelessly to break Labrador's stranglehold, while an inspired second half performance by keeper Katie Gresham kept the Vipers in the match, although it was all to no avail.

A gleeful Purdy

Local hockey champion Stephanie Purdy with the gold medal she won with the NSW team at the Australian Country Championship in Berri, South Australia, recently.

After several sterling performances for NSW in the recent Australian Country Championships in South Australia, Glee's Stephanie Purdy has been selected in the Australian Country side to tour Fiji early in 2006.

Hailing originally from Tamworth, Purdy moved to Lismore this year to attend Southern Cross University. She was one of six NSW players named in the Australian side.

Purdy had a field day at the championships, being second highest goal scorer behind player of the championships, Renae Aldridge.

Gold Rats get a sniff

A huge performance by Southern Cross University Gold Rat, Henry Vanderglas, helped the students to a 28-19 victory over the Grafton Redmen last weekend. The bonus point victory was enough to keep the Gold Rats' thin hope of a finals appearance alive. To realise that dream the students need a bonus point win over Yamba this weekend and either Grafton or Ballina need to win their match by more than seven. So perhaps their chances aren't all that slim... Ballina and Grafton are both capable of pouring on the points, but the real trick will be getting the better of Yamba, if round 16 is anything to go by. In that round the Buccaneers held the Gold Rats to a 28-23 scoreline while Grafton disposed of Ballina 19-8. That said, the students have been playing out of their skin lately.

In the other matches of the round Lismore City demolished Yamba 34-13 and the Casino Bulls sealed their first minor premiership in a decade by crushing Ballina 22-7 in a traditionally dominant forward display. This weekend Casino will match it with Wollongbar and Lismore get the bye.

Pointscore:

Casino 62, Lismore 55, Grafton 52, Ballina 52, Southern Cross University 48, Wollongbar Alstonville 18, Yamba 11.

League in good hands

Marist Brothers Under 8, Jackson Smith, turns on the after burners against Clarence Coast at Woodlawn on Saturday. League fans can rest assured that the future of their sport is in good hands, for not only are its young adherents brilliant tacklers, passes and steppers, but their parents are willing to drive for hours every weekend to give them a chance to match it with the best in the region.

In the big local league, Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL), Brothers finished third, the highest of all the local sides, with Ballina and Mullumbimby also making it into the final six.

This weekend Brothers and Mullumbimby will lock horns in one of the elimination semi finals. The game is a replay of last year's grand final, which Mullumbimby won, and David Latta has his men once again playing their best for the final series.

Meanwhile, Ballina will be forced to travel to Cudgen to play the home side. Like all of the Gold Coast sides, Cudgen has been a dominant force in the NRRRL and Ballina will be hard pressed to keep their season alive.

Suns to shine at Suncorp

Soccer Far North Coast's Under 21 youth team, the North Coast Suns, have been invited to play a curtain raiser at Suncorp Stadium on September 18 before the Queensland Roar run on against Melbourne Victory in the new Hyundai A-League. The Suns' match against Brisbane Men's Soccer Select will be an extraordinary opportunity for local players to shine on the national stage.

"Chances to represent the region are growing and high profile games like this only come along occasionally," said Soccer Far North Coast general manager, Matt Kelso. "We are delighted that our hard work over the last four years has paid off. Queensland clubs are recognising that we produce talented and competitive players and that our organisation is run professionally."

Trials for the North Coast Suns are open to all players aged between 16 and 21 and will take place on Monday, September 5, and Wednesday, September 7, at the Italo Australia Club. All players are invited to trial.

Hornets kill Seahorses' hopes

Ballina top goal scorer Lisa Kelly evades a studs up tackle from Richelle Kelly as the women in sky blue lost the major preliminary semi final to Rovers 5-2.

Tursa men's Premier League

Goonellabah did more than secure their first minor premiership in seven years in the local Premier League when they blitzed Ballina 5-1 at Weston Park on Saturday.

The rout also brought Ballina's season to a crashing halt. The Seashorses have ridden high atop the ladder for most of the year but Saturday's loss shunted them out of the top five and out of the finals.

However, Goonellabah's jubilation was soured by the late send off of their inspirational captain John Eakin. Eakin reacted to a late challenge by Ballina firebrand Clint Colless, pushing him to the ground. The rules of soccer are harsh regarding retaliation and the officials were left with little choice but to red card the Hornets leader. The send-off should mean Eakin will miss the major semi final next week. It's a major loss for the men in yellow.

Rovers last minute 1-nil win over second placed Byron Bay on Tuesday came courtesy of a generous substitution policy as the Rams looked to save their players for this Saturday's rematch against the men in black and white at 3pm. The win lifted Rovers above Italo Stars and Workers, who will now do battle at Barrow Lane in the minor preliminary semi final this Saturday at 4pm.

Workers have been plagued by injuries this year but look like going into this Saturday's do or die game with all hands on deck. The Redmen's 2-1 win over Rovers last weekend was another grand exhibition. Their dead-ball work is without doubt the best in the division and that was proven once again as Lucas McPherson curled in an excellent free kick during the game. John Wraight's low raking corners will also be a concern for the Stars' defence, particularly with Damien Keevers drifting up into the box.

Stars' recent defensive reshuffle has strengthened their flanks, which has forced opposition attacks back into the middle of the park. It's been a powerful strategy and last week it kept Byron goal-less, which is very unusual.

The major semi promises to be a desperate encounter as both sides play the same fast-paced game, relying on the speed and precision of their flankers and the size and strength of their defensive unit. If anything Rovers' finals experience will hold them in good stead.

Pointscore:

Goonellabah 40, Byron Bay 36, Richmond Rovers 32, Italo Stars 31, Lismore Workers 30, Ballina 29, Maclean 18, Thistles 16, Casino 13, Bangalow 7.

Southern Cross Credit Union women's Premier League

Rovers booked a major semi final match up with their nemesis, Workers, after pummelling Ballina 5-2 on Sunday afternoon. Rovers burst away to a sizeable lead in the first half but weakened as the second half wore on. Fitness is a concern for the women in black and white and it could prove the difference when they run onto Rec 12 this Sunday against the minor premiers.

Meanwhile, the loss means Ballina will host Byron Bay at 10am on Sunday to stay in the finals series after Byron Bay ended Stars' season with a hard fought 1-nil win on the haloed turf of Barrow Lane.

National accreditation for surf lifesavers

This season surf lifesavers will be able to gain accreditation in Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue), which is a nationally recognised award under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) lifesaving manager, Peter Agnew, said the initiative represented the biggest development in training of surf lifesavers since the inception of the Bronze Medallion in 1910.

"For nearly a century, SLSA has provided training to equip our lifesavers with the skills necessary to perform rescues and administer first aid, and the success of that training is evident when you consider that we have carried out nearly half a million surf rescues and provided first aid to almost one million people over that time," Mr Agnew said. "It's now time to seek broader recognition for our qualifications in order to improve our existing high standards."

For further information phone Sean O'Connell at SLSA on 9300 4000 or 0407 286 619.

Getting Nimbin active

James Roberts is working hard for NSW Sport and Recreation to get Nimbin's youthful sporting leaders to attend a free weekend adventure camp at Mebbin Springs. The project, aimed at people between the ages of 14-18, is designed to get Nimbin active through sport.

The free weekend camp, to be held in September, will focus on a variety of team building skills and activities including raft building and a high ropes course.

For more information on this program phone James Roberts at NSW Sport and Recreation on 6687 7168.

Applications close next Friday, September 2.