Sports News

Bowled over

One for the Workers women

The first Saturday afternoon women's competition at the Workers Heights Bowling Club will be held on June 30.

Play will commence at 1pm - single names in by 12.30pm, please – and the format will be triples. Traditionally, in most bowling clubs in Australia, Saturday afternoon has been the province of the male bowlers and it is great to see that the times they are a-changin'. Hopefully, this opportunity being presented to women bowlers will be embraced and supported wholeheartedly. Visitors are very welcome to attend and need only to phone the club on 6624 3040 to register their name.

If you would like to have a game of bowls, an enjoyable lunch, try your luck at winning some wonderful prizes and support a worthwhile charity at the same time, then enter a team of mixed triples in the Lung Support Group Charity Day. It is being held on Sunday, July 15, at Workers Heights BC with the day commencing at 9am. I am assured that the giant Tombola will have something for everyone. Single entries as well as nominated teams are being accepted and visitors are very welcome.

There will be a Fun Bowls morning at the Lismore City Bowling Green on Sunday, July 8 beginning at 9am for the 2LM Children's Christmas Appeal.

All welcome: young and old, girls and boys, bowlers and non-bowlers. Bowls are available, all you need is mufti dress and flat shoes. There are plenty of prizes up for grabs and there will be a raffle.

The bowls will be followed by a sausage sizzle. The whole day costs just $6 so why not make it a family day and support the 2LM Children's Christmas Appeal? Names on the board or phone 6621 5991 or just turn up.

Next Thursday marks the anniversary of my column – it is hard to believe that twelve months have passed since I started writing the bowls news. What has made the task easier has been clubs and individuals providing me with information. I would like to particularly thank the phantom umpire for the Laws segment. What has kept my enthusiasm and commitment going have been the positive comments received from many bowlers, most of whom have been men – thanks, guys and girls, I really appreciate your feedback and support. Thanks, also, Simon and Rudi of The Echo, for your help and encouragement. Please keep the contributions coming and let me know if there is something you would like to see included.

Coaching Tip

Here are some practical pointers to enhance the enjoyment of the game for everyone.

Learn to play forehand and backhand equally well at any length.

Always be up when the shot is against you.

Try to have a bowl at the back. Many ends and matches are lost by overbuilding the head. Short bowls rarely score points.

When conditions are difficult, play the kind hand rather than try to master a bad hand.

Beginners usually bowl narrow. Until you become proficient in judgement of grass, take a little more than you think necessary.

Seldom change a winning game but always change a losing game.

Umpire's Corner

Law 52A Playing out of turn. When a player has played before their turn, the opposing director shall have the right to stop the bowl, and it shall be returned to be played in the proper sequence.

(i) If the bowl so played has come to rest as part of the head and it has not disturbed the head the opposing director shall have the option of returning the bowl to be played in the proper sequence or leaving the bowl where it has come to rest and having two bowls played in succession to restore the correct order.

Hook and Slices

with Stan Bendall

Pennants finals this Sunday

Ballina

The members and ladies will play a 4BBB stroke this Saturday as the 4BBB matchplay knockout qualifying round.

The RSL club will host an ambrose fours event this Sunday.

Eric Sellick won the single stableford last Monday from Luke Watling and Cyril F Connors.

David Scourse won the overall trophy in the single stroke last Wednesday. Past preso Tom Dawn won A grade from John (Si senor) Eright, onya John boy! Ray Wilson won B grade from Lismore's Gerry Lynch and Laurie Marchment won C grade from George Buckner.

Club pro Trevor ‘Tricky' Russell showed his prowess last Friday, winning the single stableford from Paul Taylor and Howard Joy.

Nathan Purdy won the gross in last Saturday's single stableford; John Stanton won the net; Barry Spry took out A grade from Peter Galloway; Phil Gordon won B grade from Mac Morley and Arthur Colledge took out C grade from Stan Cowle. Onya Stan! In the cadets Karl Davidson won A grade; Dean Mobbs won B grade and Troy Eistrick and Gus McFarlane tied in C grade. Well done, fellas!

Congratulations to the five pennant teams who will contest the finals this Sunday and good luck!

NRDGA

The Northern Rivers Pennant finals will be held at various venues on Sunday, June 24.

The Northern Rivers delegates quarterly meeting will be at the Lismore Workers Golf Club on Tuesday, June 26.

There will be a junior coaching camp at Lake Ainsworth from July 8-13. Nominate now at your club.

The Mazda mixed 4BBB stableford district final will be held at Ballina on July 8.

The Coraki and Woodenbong Club Champos will be held in July.

Casino

The Ron Howard memorial day will be played this Saturday as an aggregate stableford event and the third round of the Alex Armstrong Memorial four ball knockout. Members check sheets on board for single and four ball draws and ensure matches are played on time.

Casino legend Aub Schofield has returned to the winners' dais after winning the single stableford event last Saturday from Greg Snow. Onya strawb! Darryl Hancock won B grade from Brian Bevin and Jim Donnelly won C grade from John Brereton.

Sean Colby won last Thursday's single stableford on a countback from Mark Patterson.

Good luck next Sunday to the two pennant teams playing in the final.

Coraki

There will be a single stableford played in three grades this Saturday.

An American foursomes event will be held next Saturday.

Steve McDonough and Guy Stewart took the honours in the 4BBB stableford last Saturday, the second round of the Blanchs knock out. The runners up were Neil Garrett and Ron Fuller, two points away. Stewart also won the eagle's nest on the sixth (26 balls).

Lismore

Lismore Workers Social Golf Club members should note the bus for Tenterfield will leave the Workers Club at 7.30am this Saturday morning.

The annual patrons' day, this Saturday, will be a 2BBB with a single to be held in conjunction and will also be the qualifying round for the matchplay knock out.

The Lismore Workers Women's Golf Club is holding a single stableford on Sunday, July 8, to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The $20 entry fee includes a BBQ lunch at 11am before the shotgun start at midday. Nominate at the club or phone 6621 2255.

The Cummings Retravision open four ball which was to have been held on June 30 will now be played on July 28-29.

Neil Harding won the single stroke last Thursday from Steve Fredericks and Dennis Sirach with Fredericks recording an excellent 6 under par round of 64 (current course record 66). Pity it wasn't off the back, Steve. Jason Fredericks won the first nine from Chris Barbary; Les Amor won the second nine from sweet-swingin' Athol Rogers with young Lloyd Kelly winning the gross with a 2 over par round of 72.

Last Saturday was Edgar Schafer Day. Edgar is one of the longest serving active members of the club, a former director and vice president and a current patron. It turned out to be a good day for the Pratt brothers with Barry winning A grade from Steve Morrissey and Trent Webber and Col taking out B grade and the Edgar Schafer Cup. Greg McRae won C grade from Alan Boyd and Alan Willoughby. Roger Boyd provided some excitement by recording an ace on the 13th hole. Top shot, Rodge! The Bradman's was won by the sponsor, Edgar on a countback from Hep Klemm and Ron Wilcox. It was to have been a play off but it got too dark.

Congratulations to the three pennant teams who won their third match last Sunday and will now contest the Northern Rivers finals this Sunday: Lismore 1, Charlie Johnson's juggernauts and Bendall's Bandits. Good luck fellas!

Get well wishes to Royal Rose (Russ' good wife), who is not very well!

Woodburn-Evans Head

An aggregate stableford will be played this Saturday.

There will be single versus par event played on Saturday week.

Last Wednesday Joy Mulcahy won A grade in the stroke event in round two of the champos. Marge Hodge won B grade and Marie Kerr C grade. After the second round Irene Crampton is nicely in front of Joy Mulcahy by 6 in A grade. Hazel Campbell is leading B grade and June Lowe is well out in front of Gillie Walker in C grade.

Stan Gillam won the vets 12 hole stroke last Thursday.

Alan Sheather won the overall trophy and A grade in the single stroke last Saturday; Fred Moss won B grade and Geoff Watt C grade. Lorraine McDonald won the ladies from Jean Pike and June Hitchin.

What's My Line

with Ian Clark

Don't tinker with the tailor

I remember when we chased tailor along Fraser Island. Amongst the other thousand four wheel drives were the professionals tearing up and down the beach in their vehicles.

They were easy to spot, with their oil and dust covered wheel rims and big ice boxes strapped onto the back tray. Back at the camp site you would hear the locals talking about the professionals' hauls of the previous night being in the 20 to 40 tonne bracket.

With the fish on ice and packed to the brim they would tear back down the beach to meet the ferry onto the mainland. By the time they reached the Co-op the bottom layers were unfit for human consumption and would attract a price for catfood.

Thus the Queensland public has been pushing for tailor to be classified as recreational only and for the netting of tailor to be stopped.

A marked decrease in the size of tailor has been a concern for both fisheries and recreational anglers. This is usually a good indication of a pressured species.

Back in New South Wales the state government has raked in over $4 million from the introduction of the recreational fishing licence. Don't worry as this money is in a trust fund dedicated to fishing purposes only.

The other day I was complaining about the saltwater spray that you get on your sunnies when you're out fishing. Old matey I was with said to use Rain X, the invisible windshield wiper.

It was designed to disperse rain on contact and works just as effectively with saltwater spray by eliminating the salt spray's ability to dry.

There is not much to report this week. Long hours with little result was the main story from last weekend.

Bream and tailor have been the main catches. Most of these have been caught on slabs of mullet.

Schoolies are still around the rocky headlands on lures and some mackerel have been caught off Evans Head.

This weekend looks as though it will be the same as last but I hope I will be proved wrong.

White face might

Southern Cross University Lab Rats goal defence, Andrea Evans on the chase against Workers Purple last weekend. Uni won 42-20.

If Daleys White are to have a chance of making the top division when the competition splits then they need to defeat the very strong Cecil when the two meet this Saturday at 3.10pm in the premier division of the Lismore District Netball Association.

With only three rounds remaining before the divisions are decided for the rest of the season every game and every goal counts. Cecil have only had one loss so far this season but must play competition leaders Daleys then the formidable Daleys Reps in their last two games.

White have also had a very successful season so far despite suffering a 48-25 loss to Daleys last weekend. With only the top four teams to play in the first division the competition for spots will be fierce over the next three weeks. If White can knock off the formidable Cecil then they will still have a shot at making the cut but Cecil won't make it easy for them. Cecil have the best defence in the competition and more experience than the young Daleys White. Cecil will win but expect White to give them a competitive showing.

One of the closest games this weekend should be at 2.05pm when Workers Purple play Rous 2.

Workers went down 42-20 to SCU Lab Rats last weekend but when they settled their passing they played some very good netball. Stacey O'Neill has been organising the centre court attack extremely well recently for Workers and Rous will need to shut her down if they want to win. Rous 2 gave a spirited showing against Breakaways, eventually going down 41-29. Both Pauline Ianna and Mandy Lisetto have been shooting very accurately throughout the season so if Rous can keep feeding the ball into the circle they're in with a decent chance.

If Workers can cut down the number of wild passes then they should come away with the win in what should be a very close game.

The other Rous team, Rous 1, face one of their toughest games of the season at 1pm when they take on Breakaways. After just losing to Daleys Reps 36-30 last Saturday Rous 1 have a difficult task backing up against Breakaways. Breakaways should win fairly easily.

The two university teams will face each other at 2.05pm. Terra Rats suffered another loss last weekend, losing 42-23 to Woodlawn Falcons. Lab Rats' Andrea Evans had another stormer in defence and will provide many of the turnovers against her clubmates this weekend. Lab Rats should teach their fellow students a hard lesson.

Daleys Reps take on Pink Panthers Comets at 3.10pm. Reps look to be back to their best with Catherine Edmonds shining in defence and will prove far too strong for Comets.

The Final game of the weekend sees Daleys against Woodlawn Falcons. Woodlawn are a solid team but Daleys are a class above and will win this one by a sizeable goal difference.

Netballer of the Year

Emily Cooper, from Daleys White, is still in the lead in The Echo Netballer of the Year competition. Cooper received two points last weekend, taking her total to 18.

Hayley McAnelly, Kate Hilard and Chloe Duncan are next on the ladder, all on 13.

The season's eventual top scorer will receive a weekend for two at the luxurious Watermark hotel on the Gold Coast, courtesy of The Echo.

18 – Emily Cooper (Daleys White)
13 – Chloe Duncan (Breakaways), Hayley McAnelly (Daleys Reps), Kate Hilard (Daleys)
12 – Karen Wilson (Rous 1), Pauline Ianna (Rous 2), Linda Ball (Rous 1), Kerry Gooley Cecil)
11 – Jackie Scotcher (Pink Panthers Comets)

Athletic Pursuits

Susannah Hahn of Alstonville High training for the high jump at the coaching clinic held in Lismore last Saturday.

High school track and field athletes from Mullumbimby, Ballina, Alstonville, Kyogle, Evans Head and Lismore took advantage of an athletics coaching clinic conducted in Lismore last Saturday.

The clinic was presented by the Lismore Athletic Club and well attended by those athletes keen to maximise their chances of progressing through their Zone athletic finals, scheduled for June 27.

Twelve year old thrower Michael Singh, of Kyogle High made real progress with his discus under the guidance of throws coach Don McNamara.

The sprints group coach, Terry West, was impressed by the efforts and potential displayed by Farrah O'Shaneh and Tacita Powell both of Trinity Catholic College and Asher Rodwell and Ben Williams of Alstonville High.

Middle distance runner Lisa Barnett also impressed with a show of speed not often seen in young 800/1500m runners.

Dean Skillings and Susannah Hahn of Alstonville High both showed they had outstanding potential in the Long Jump while 13 year old High Jumpers Anthony Winters and Kristy Roberts of Kadina High impressed jumps coach Phillip Newton.

The challenge for all these talented young athletes is to continue training on a regular basis to give themselves the best possible chance of realising the potential they displayed in their chosen events. To assist with this the Lismore Athletic Club will conduct a follow up clinic on Saturday, July 14.

Due to the success of this clinic Lismore club coaches are planning to offer similar coaching opportunities for primary school aged athletes in the near future.

Workers' Chance at top

Workers striker, Joanne Collis shows her skill with the ball. This weekend Workers have a chance to take the lead in the Far North Coast women's soccer first division if they can win both of their games.

Lismore Workers have a chance of taking the lead in the Far North Coast Soccer women's first division competition this weekend.

Workers are currently in second spot, just two points behind Richmond Rovers, and playing two home games this weekend while Rovers only play the one. Workers' first game is against the Maclean Topcats at 7.45pm this Friday.

Maclean have been troubled by injuries recently but with Leila Duroux and Tina Newbold returning last weekend to join star striker, Tracy Want, the Top Cats were back to their impressive best, taking care of Southern Cross University 2-1.

Workers will have to play well to top the Topcats but if Jo Collis and Rose Argent are in good touch Workers could well come away with the win.

Workers will then back up and play SCU at 10am on Sunday.

University have finally found some form and these two sides drew the last two times they met so it is no definite win for Workers. However, it is Uni holidays, traditionally a time when SCU struggle for player numbers. If SCU can field their top side then they'll give Workers a fight; if not then Workers should come away with the win.

Workers will probably manage to win both games and will then overtake Rovers to head the ladder.

In the final game of the weekend Woodburn head to Lismore to take on Rovers at 10.30am on Sunday. Woodburn suffered another thrashing last weekend, this time losing 7-0 to Workers. Woodburn haven't won a game yet this season and Rovers haven't lost one so it's pretty easy to predict the result: Rovers by lots.

Timberjacks Strike Gold

After the second round of the East Coast Challenge the Far North Coast Timberjacks have proved themselves the dominant side.

Coffs Harbour already had pulled out of the weekend series still licking their wounds from the Timberjacks' first round performance and Far North Coast handed out more of the same last weekend, defeating the Gold Coast convincingly in both games.

Far North Coast won the first game 12-3, then the second 7-2, making it four wins against the Gold Coast for no losses.

An add on feature to the series was 6 masters over 35 teams meeting as well as under 14 teams from Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour and an under 16 team from Gold Coast. The FNC under 14 and 16 teams split their games with a win and a loss each.

In this weekend's major league games Brothers take on Redbirds at Albert Park at 2.45pm on Saturday and Workers play Norths.

Redbirds and Brothers should be fairly evenly matched, each having won against the other in previous games during the season.

Both sides have improved their fielding and are making fewer errors than in the earlier part of the year.

It should be an entertaining, close game in which Brothers will just slide home in the seventh.

Workers are currently leading the competition thanks to their strong batting lineup, headed by homerun master, Dallas Knapp.

Norths will have to be extremely tight in the field to contain Workers batters and keep the errors to a minimum.

Workers should win by a few runs.

Echo/Hazelton Home Run Competition

Dallas Knapp is just one run ahead in The Echo-Hazelton home run competition.

Knapp has smashed five homeruns so far this season, including an incredible three in one major league game.

Coming hot on Knapp's heels are Redbirds major league players Mark Newstead and Graham Snape who each have four homers to their names, followed by two of the McClelland boys, Scott and Damian, who both have three.

Croquet

Alstonville is the proud owner of the Northern Rivers Croquet Association's Blue Pennant for 2001.

This is a remarkable achievement as Alstonville only has seven members and this year is the first they have been able to field a team in the competition.

The final, held at Ballina last Monday against Lismore was an extremely exciting day of croquet as the two sides each won the same number of games, meaning Alstonville took victory on hoop points.

Croquet is a great game, engendering team and club spirit. If you have never thought of playing this sport it's time to reconsider! There are clubs in Alstonville, Lismore, Casino, Kyogle, Ballina and Byron Bay, all prepared to welcome new members.

For more information please call Lesley Smith on 6624 4145 or Bev Bass on 6621 2865 or contact your local club.

Tigers Need to Let Out a Roar

Workers will have a chance to restore some of the dents inflicted in their pride by Casino last weekend when the Tigers host the Kyogle Turkeys at 3pm on Sunday in the Beach Hotel Group One Rugby League.

The Cobras took care of the Tigers 30-26, keeping their finals chances alive and kicking but the Tigers shouldn't have too much trouble against Kyogle, who are yet to win a game this year. Workers have a lot of talented players in their side including Milton Thaiday, Martin Griese and Ben King but haven't really pulled together as a single entity so far this season. If the Tigers are to be a serious finals contender – as on paper it looks like they should be – then they need to use games like this weekend's against Kyogle to iron out some of the kinks in their play.

The Turkeys went down 34-2 to Brothers last weekend but played competitively for the entire match and performed much better than was expected.

Brothers are off to Red Devil Park this weekend to show Byron Bay how rugby league is supposed to be played. The Red Devils lost again last weekend, going down 36-13 to Ballina after being unable to maintain a first half five point advantage. While Byron are beginning to look a bit better, especially in defence, they don't have a chance against Brothers this weekend. Brothers are just too professional for the Red Devils and will win by another cricket score.

The Grafton Ghosts are off to Casino this Sunday for what should prove to be a very interesting match. The Ghosts have been performing very well on the paddock this season and the last time these sides met Grafton won 54-10. However Casino played very well last weekend; another win would do wonders for their semifinal claims and they have the home advantage. The Cougars will put up a brave fight but Grafton should get home in the end but by a much lower margin than their last game.

Mullumbimby lost to the Ghosts 32-20 last weekend and travel to take on the other Grafton side this Sunday.

The Rebels are one of the best sides in the comp this season and while the Giants have played some good games they will struggle in defence against South Grafton. The Giants won't be able to contain the Rebels at home so South Grafton should have another good win.

Success Breeds Success

The Success Martial Arts Far North Coast Karate Championships are on this Sunday, June 24, beginning at 9am.

One of the most exciting features of the weekend will be the State Of Origin where the Success senior team will try to prove that Lismore is the Karate Capital of Australia. Origin beings at 1pm and will see five top Lismore fighters take on Queensland's top five.

The tournament's trophies are being sponsored by local businesses and all proceeds will assist local state team members compete in the National Karate Championship in Perth in August.

There will be 47 divisions, covering all ages and grades from under 9s all the way to male and female masters.

Members of the Queensland Karate team will be competing as the tournament is a compulsory event for the Queensland senior team in their preparation for the National Championships.

Local state team members who will be competing include Tim Short, Dean Bowen, Marcus Duroux, Ari Carr, Tasman Wales, Joel Parrey, Jenni Mann, Russell Creighton, Matt Cordery and Tim Pearson.

Bowen, Parry and Carr will also represent Australia at the Oceania Championships in Vanuatu in September.

For information about entry forms, spectator tickets and sponsorship please contact Success Martial Arts on 6622 4799.

There are more than 100 entrants in the tournament this year and all proceeds go towards sending the State Team members to the Nationals.

Lusanda Panda will also make an appearance, to hand out the accolades to the kids.

Rovers Batter Rams

Richmond Rovers did the competition a huge favour by ending the unbeaten run of leader Byron Bay last week, but need to get their feet firmly back on the ground for this Saturday's clash with South Lismore, at Oakes Oval from 3pm.

Rovers' 2-1 win over the Rams has opened up the premiership race and given an enormous boost in confidence to their younger players.

With the result lifting Rovers to fourth place and opening the door for a top three finish, a slip-up against the lowly-ranked but unpredictable Celtics would be a major blow to their momentum.

But with only Ian McGregor missing from an otherwise fully fit squad, Rovers will go in as hot favourites after last week's impressive showing.

Souths have several ex-Rovers players in their ranks who would love nothing more than an upset win over their old club and if wily veteran Brett Towner can put some runners into space or have a chance or two on goal himself, it could be a closer game than most expect.

Villa Left to Face Rams on the Rebound

Alstonville are sure to be cursing Rovers for ending Byron Bay's unbeaten streak last week, leaving relegation-threatened Villa to face the wrath of a Rams outfit stung by a rare taste of defeat and hungry to return to their winning ways at Crawford Park on Saturday from 3pm.

With central midfielder and playmaker Dean Klower a doubtful starter, Villa will struggle to match the Rams methodical attack, but will be encouraged by their first round encounter when the Bay had to work hard on home soil, before earning a tight 2-1 win.

Byron have midfielder Jens Walter and defender Andrew Marks missing and could also be without flanker Jed Wright, but with plenty of depth the Rams look odds on to stay on top of the ladder with another win.

Bobcats on Song

Second-placed Maclean is the form side of the premiers at present and will be expected to take the points from Casino in their home clash on Saturday from 3pm.

The free-scoring Bobcats have smashed in 17 goals in their last five starts, while Casino has a meagre four goals to show for their efforts over the same period.

With the Bobcats attacking trio of Daniel Fung, Grant Nielson and Kevin Crofton developing an almost telepathic combination, the Cobras' defence, marshalled by sweeper Stewart Coughran, faces one of its biggest tests of the season.

With Maclean just four points behind leader Byron Bay, the Bobcats look to have their best chance of taking the pointscore championship since their historic win in 1999, when they became the first club to take the title outside Lismore in its 50-year history.

Ballina to see Stars

Italo Stars and Ballina are both expected to field full strength sides for their crucial clash at Stars Barrow Lane field on Saturday at 3pm.

Both sides had good wins last week, with Stars downing Thistles to move into third place and Ballina whipping Alstonville 5-1 to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

The return of Clint Willoughby will boost Stars' defence, while the good form of Garth Andrews and Jock Olley should see them start up front for the premiers.

Troy Percival will spearhead the seasiders' attack who is in good touch at the moment after four goals in three games.

Their first round encounter resulted in a draw and with plenty at stake for both sides another close game can be expected.

Beware the Wounded Redmen

Lismore Workers will field an injury-riddled lineup for Saturday's clash with Goonellabah at Weston Park from 5pm, but should take the points from a Hornets side still searching for its first win.

Anthony Alvos, John Wraight and Mark Garrington head the unavailable list for Workers, but the Redmen survived without them to earn a point from last week's scoreless draw against danger side Casino and should still have too many big guns for a Goonellabah side down on confidence after the Hornets 5-0 whipping from Uni last week.

Workers still have plenty of experience in the likes of Paul Wiltshire, Dave Condon, Andrew Acton, Jason Toniello and ‘keeper Scott Collis to blend with their younger players coming into the side, leaving the Redmen firm favourites to consolidate their place in the top five.

Testing Times for Depleted Students

After finally breaking into the top five with last week's 5-0 drubbing of Goonellabah, Southern Cross Uni faces a double-barrelled challenge to consolidate their position, with two tough games in three days in the midst of the students' semester break.

After an erratic start to the year Uni was finally finding some consistency with last week's win their third on the trot, but with many of their regulars away during their break from studies for Sunday's home clash with Thistles at 2.30pm and next Wednesday night's away meeting with Workers from 8pm, both loom as daunting assignments.

Among the missing will be the premiers top scorer Scott Collins, creative midfielder Marcel Munoz and in-form defender Justin Hathaway.

Just to inject some added pressure for Uni's twin challenge, the students are locked together with both Thistles and Workers on 19 points in a three-way tie for fifth place (at time of print), leaving all three with no room for error in their quest for a semi-final berth.

Demon Spirit

The Nimbin Demons blasted their way to their first win of the season in the Summerland Australian Football League last weekend, defeating the Grafton Tigers 16.15.111 to 5.6.36.

Playing in front of more than 300 supporters at the Nimbin Showground the Demons gave their American imports, Doren and Johnson, the best possible farewell present with their first and only win in Australian Football.

Tony Grumly booted six majors and Frank Reid four in Nimbin's first win since their re-entry to the SAFL.

The Demons now have a week off with a bye, and their next game is at home to Lismore in two weeks.

Swans Take a Dive

In their worst performance for years, the Lismore Swans were embarrassed by a strong Byron performance last Saturday when they were crushed by 91 points. The Byron Magpies 20.10.130 defeated Lismore 5.9.39.

The Swans should put in a much better showing this weekend when they host the Grafton Tigers at 2pm at Clifford Park, Goonellabah.

The Tigers have struggled with their away form this season and after their loss last weekend the Swans will be out to prove they can still win the competition. While Lismore currently sits third on the ladder on percentages to Ballina, a win this weekend will probably mean a promotion to second as Ballina play competition leaders Byron.

The Magpies are the team all the others want to knock off and the Bombers will be doing their best to achieve that this Saturday. In their last encounter the Magpies were extremely competitive against the Bombers, keeping the pressure on until the final whistle dashed their hopes on a comeback. If the Bombers want to go one better this weekend they will need to shut down Byron's Nathan Moss, who has been on fire recently, making mincemeat of the Swans last week. Ballina will give Byron a run for their money but the undefeated Maggies will probably still be undefeated after the game.

SAFL ladder: Byron 28, Ballina 16, Lismore 16, Grafton 8, Nimbin 4.

Surfing

The North Zone Junior Surfing Titles will begin this Saturday after meeting at Broken Head at 7am.

The North Zone is Far North Coast versus North Coast in boys under 14, 16 and 18 year old divisions for the right to compete at the State Titles at Curl Curl on August 24-26. The girls will go straight through. A bus and accomodation for families will be organised.

All competitors should already have their entry fees in and reserves are asked to attend. If for some reason you are unable to attend please contact Keith Anderson as the team may have to be reseeded.

The following weekend there will be a Level 1 surf coaching course held in Byron Bay. Body Boarders are encouraged to attend as there are a huge number of these surfers looking for coaching.

Close Games Ahead

Oh what a tangled web we weave.

You just can't put a label on any team this year or they will undoubtedly show you up.

Last week saw the little fellas worry the bigger ones with Grafton making Lismore work for their 18-13 victory, Byron toppling Wollongbar 25-23, and the Mullum Moonshiners putting in a gritty performance to hold Casino to 20-5.

The other game was a more one-sided affair with Ballina Rugby Club celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a 40-7 walloping of SCU.

This week is Round 12 in the VB Far North Coast Rugby Comp and it brings some interesting clashes with it.

Lismore play Mullumbimby at the Greens' Rugby Park, Casino host Byron Bay, Grafton get a welcome home game against SCU and the Pioneers play Ballina at Lyle Park, Wollongbar.

It is hard to pick between these for entertainment value as they will all be tough games.

Casino will find themselves up against a committed Byron Bay team who are on a steamroller ride towards the Finals at present.

As expected, it was the Byron inside backs that put the ‘Bar to the sword last week, and it will be them that the ‘Bay look to again this round.

Should the Bulls allow Byron fly-half, Luke Sullivan, time to run with his outside men then there will be trouble.

Conversely, should the Casino back-row manage to contain the Byron fly-half and recycle the possession needed for their pick and drive forward game, then they will excel.

This is all about cutting down Sullivan's reaction time at fly-half - if he is allowed time to set his backline up he is dangerous; if not, the mistakes will come.

The key will be Casino's defence and work-rate in the loose forward and centre combinations.

Yet, success breeds success and I think the ‘Bay will be on a roll again, but it will be close.

Byron by 5.

Grafton will have their chance to grab a vital win this week against SCU as they are at home to a side weakened by university holidays.

Grafton showed remarkable grit against Lismore last week, and this will give them confidence going in to this ‘must win' game.

SCU will be best served by concentrating on speeding up the pace of the game through their young back-row, and playing the attack out wide.

This expansive ploy should have the bigger, older Grafton forwards begging for a break by half time.

It will then just be a matter of straight running from depth, and moving the ball to ensure crossing the line.

However, if the SCU players are away, they are away, and Grafton will get up by 10.

Wollongbar will struggle against Ballina following their loss to Byron last week, whereas the Seahorses will be on a confidence high.

But the Pioneers never lack passion, and they will look to this for inspiration this round.

Ballina are playing good, simple footy at the moment - efficient rucking through quality forwards and then quick hands to their flying outside backs, especially fullback, Kane Scott.

Kane is having a belter of a season, and the Pioneers will need to target him to have any hope this week.

However, whenever you double-mark a player, it tends to open gaps in other places.

Ballina by 15.

Lastly, the game at Rugby Park will be fun as it is Ladies Day at the club, but will be another unsuccessful one for the Moonshiners.

Lismore had another bad game on the right side of the scoreboard last week and will look for improvements this week.

Quick phase play and straight, deep running would have killed the Redmen last week, yet Lismore allowed them into the game by slow ruckball and shallow, sidewards backplay.

This should not happen against Mullum, but the Greens would desperately love a dominant performance to take into coming games.

Lismore Under 19 flanker, Nick Ryan had a blinding debut in First Grade last week, and should Lismore's star loosie, Andrew O'Brien remain injured from a sickening head clash, Nick will get another chance this week.

Lismore by 25.

Another reason to get down to the ground this week is your chance to see all the Lismore rugby players get their heads shaved to help raise funds for Camp Quality - a good cause and what a beautiful sight it will make too!

Finally, how good do the British and Irish Lions look at present?

For all the whinging the Northern Hemisphere unions do about the Australian style of play, it sure looks like they are doing their very best to imitate it!

By Ed Rummery.