Sports News
 Bowled Over
Slaying the giant
We have in our midst a David in the form of East Lismore's Brian Johnson who recently defeated the Goliath of singles, Steve Glasson.
Brian was playing in the Energex Open at Tweed Heads when he drew Steve in the first round – every bowler's nightmare! At seven ends, Steve was leading 7-4, but Brian won 11 of the next 12 ends to lead 21-11. Steve fought back to take the lead by 23-22, then Brian knuckled down and picked up single shots in the last three ends to take the game. Well done, Brian! We salute you!
An opportunity for non-bowlers to try their hand at the game is available this Sunday, July 15, at East Lismore BC. Men, women and children over 16 are invited to a free introduction from 10am – noon at the club in Nielson St, East Lismore. Casual clothes, flat-soled shoes and an inquiring mind are the only necessities. Contact George Newell on 6622 6587 or Betty Hangar on 6621 2900 to register your interest.
There is still time to enter the Workers Heights Lung Support Group Charity Day this Sunday, July 15, commencing at 9am with lunch to follow. Nominated mixed triples is the format and single entries will be accepted. Organiser Claudette Shearman assures me that the giant tombola is one not to be missed. Register by phoning the club on 6624 3040. Visitors are most welcome.
Alstonville Annual Carnival takes place on July 21, 22. Men's Pairs will have a 9am start on Saturday, playing three rounds. Prize money of over $500 will be given, sponsored by Wappett & Partners and Sarwood Timbers. Entry fee of $26 per team includes eats. Mixed Versatile Sixes takes place on Sunday with two rounds after a 9.30am start. Nomination fee of $15 per head includes a spit roast lunch and with prize money over $750 for the day, this is sure to be popular. Phone 6628 0479 or 6628 7194 to enter.
Lismore City is holding its Annual Carnival on July 27, 28, 30. Mixed fours is the format on Friday with two rounds after a noon start. On Saturday, men will play triples, two rounds after a 1pm start. Men's Pairs is the format on Monday, 12.30pm start and two rounds. There will be prizes for winners, runners-up and best round each day with generous sponsorship from Doug Hogan Station Hotel, Caroona Retirement Village and North Coast Insurance. Entry for all events is $6 per player and can be registered by phoning the Club on 6621 5991 or Doug on 6624 6884.
Workers Heights Annual Pairs Festival still has vacancies in its events being held on August 3, 5 and 6. Open Men's Pairs is on Friday, format being three rounds of a variety of pairs games after a 9.15am start. Entry fee of $30 per team includes lunch. On Sunday, Mixed Versatile Pairs will see teams of four vying for the honours with the same format as Friday. Entry fee is $60 per team. A new event for the carnival is the Open Medley Pairs on Monday, starting at noon and comprising two rounds, one of normal and one of three bowl pairs. Entry fee of $15 per team includes afternoon tea. Prize money for the three days is in excess of $2000. Phone the club on 6624 3040 to enter.
A Coaches and Umpires Appreciation Day, sponsored by the NRDBA and hosted by East Lismore BC will be held on Sunday, August 26. The format is two rounds of open 2 bowl triples (men, women or mixed) commencing at 12.30pm. Lots of prizes donated by NRDBA Clubs will ensure that everyone is in with a good chance, so early entry is advised. Contact co-ordinator George Newell on 6622 6587 or the Club on 6621 5098 to register your team.
Coaching Tip: staying down until the bowl has travelled a few metres and watching until it comes to a standstill, will enable you to determine what corrections, if any, to line and length are needed.
Umpire's Corner
Law 52B: Playing the wrong bowl.
A bowl played by mistake shall be replaced by the player's own bowl by the opposing director or marker.
Until next week,
good bowling.
 Hook and Slices
with Stan Bendall
Michael Cup this weekend
NRDGA
Veterans week will be held at Maclean and Yamba from August 6-10.
The Foxsports men's district final will be at Coraki on Sunday, August 19.
The Zone 4 regionals will be played at Inverell on September 1-2.
Ballina
The members will play a two ball aggregate stroke event this Saturday while the ladies will play a stroke event.
The men's backmarker single versus par is on this Sunday while the ladies will play a single stableford.
Graham Fenton took out the overall trophy in last Wednesday's single stableford. Graham Clarke won A grade from Peter Jenkins; Ken Bracegirdle won B grade from Tony Hughes and artist Vic Yeates took out C grade from George Buckner.
Dylan McPhie won the single stableford last Friday from Rick Glavocih and Neil Bullen.
Wayne Porter won the overall trophy in the July medal last Saturday. Dan Walsh won A grade from Ben Bullock; Max Mulcahy took out B grade from Rod Parker and Guy Clarke won C grade from John Gates. Kyle Davidson won the A grade cadets; Simon Haysom won the B grade and Patrick Hosie, Gus McFarlan and Bede McFadden all tied in C grade. Top stuff boys!
Casino
Casino golfers will travel to Lismore this Saturday to contest the Michael Cup. The return visit will be the following Saturday.
Bert Russell returned to the winners circle last Thursday, taking out the single stroke.
Ron Carney took out A grade in the July medal last Saturday from Mark Patterson. Brett Loy will have to check the handicap board after his brilliant play won him B grade and the medal from Brian Bevan 8 shots behind. Lismore visitor John Rosolen was the C grade victor after surviving a countback from John Brereton.
All the matchplay matches except C grade have now been completed. Brad McLennan defeated Justin Northfield by 1 shot in A grade; Shane White defeated Ben Benn in A Reserve and Darryl Hancock beat Matt McGrath in B grade.
Coraki
The second qualifying round for the matchplay champos is on this Saturday then the qualifiers will play 36 holes on Sunday as their first round.
Gordon Dutton recorded a fine par round last Saturday to win the A grade July mug. Daniel Rogers took out A reserve; Brian Davis took out C grade and the medal and Darryl James won D grade.
Get going Cords Terry 'Wolfman' McBurnie played the par 3 twelfth a little different to most. He recorded a 10 and still finished with net 70. He had a couple of Barry Crockers, a little trouble in the bunker, four putted and whammo – 10. Bet he doesn't do it next weekend!
Lyn Chany and Neil Clarke won the Mazda Mixed four ball district final at Ballina last Sunday and have earned themselves an all expenses paid trip to Riverside Oakes on September 26-27 for the State final. Top stuff folks!
Lismore Workers
The Casino boys travel to Lismore this Saturday for the Michael Cup, which should be a great day.
Don't forget the annual 36 hole Cummings Retravision weekend of golf will now be played on July 28-29, so let's make it a big weekend!
Nev Graham grabbed the winner's trophy from Sege Casagrande and Steve Killingbeck in the single stableford last Thursday.
Adam Riley won A grade by 2 shots from Chris Cotter in the monthly medal last Saturday with young talent Lloyd Kelly winning the gross with a 2 over par. Chris McDowell won B grade and the mug from Matt Sharpe with Pierre Felletti winning the gross. It was a top day, attracting a very good field of 221 but very slow. A couple of groups at the tail didn't finish so this aspect of play will have to be addressed.
Woodburn-Evans Hd
The ladies played an 18 hole stroke last Wednesday with Shirley Payne winning A grade and Dawn Fogylan taking out B grade.
Cyril O'Connor and Jim Clough won the veterans 4BBB stableford last Wednesday.
Geoff Watt won the overall trophy last Saturday in the single stroke. Keith Marquet took out A grade and Jim Gould B grade and Dawn Fogolyn won the ladies.
Rob Windon won the 12 hole stroke comp last Sunday.
 What's My Line
with Ian Clark
Basic Berley
Big seas on the weekend made it near impossible to fish offshore and along the beaches. Thankfully the seas are now starting to settle down.
The Kia Fishing Classic is in its sixth year and starts this Saturday.
I caught up with Neil Scrimshaw earlier in the week and contestant numbers are good and everything is on track. I hate predicting weather but the forecast looks promising for the start to the comp.
I also spoke to Ron, a member of the Evans Head Volunteer Coast Guard.
All members were ready for the increased water traffic and extra volunteers will be manning the radios at the peak times.
A bit of advice from Ron is to keep the boat fuel tank topped up, make sure the battery is in good condition and have a bottle of rum back on shore to counteract the chill factor.
With the fishing comp on this weekend the number of anglers per fish ratio will probably quadruple over the next week.
So how do you keep the odds in your favour?
Although there is no clear cut answer to this what will help is the use of berley.
Every fisherman has their own special blend. You can also buy pre packaged berley which does work. But two basic ingredients for a good berley are pilchards and tuna oil.
There are also various methods of getting the berley into the water. An effective one involves the use of a two litre milk bottle containing the mix. Keep it in the freezer and then when required punch a couple of holes in it with a knife and then throw it overboard with a length of rope tied to the handle and rail of the boat. If you want your berley on the bottom tie it to your anchor rope.
With the seas abating it would be wise to check out the beaches for some good holes.
The rough seas will have stirred up the bream and no doubt will also bring baitfish back along the shores. Hopefully some good tailor and jew will be in tow.
The Richmond River is producing some bream catches along the stretch behind the main street.
Blackfish are plentiful and the hot spots are along the porpoise wall, inside the north wall, Prospect Bridge and the south wall beach side at Evans Head.
Offshore there is no report, due to the bad conditions, other than a 3.3kg snapper was caught at Riordans Reef late last week.
Good luck to those that are in the comp and until next week fun fishing.
Sprites Show Spirit
North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) netballer Sarah Cowan (Casino) has gained selection into the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) ‘Sprites' program.
The Sprites Program is a joint initiative of the NSWIS and Netball NSW. Its aim is to assist talented regional netballers who are too young to gain selection into the elite level NSWIS Netball Program. Cowan is one of 25 pre-elite netball athletes who have been identified by NSWIS Regional Netball Coach Margaret Corbett as a ‘NSWIS Sprite'.
'Talented players from regional areas play an important role in the future of netball. With the right training and support, they have the potential to go on and play at the state, national and even international competition level,' Corbett said.
Crunch Time for Wounded Workers
 Stars defender Rick Austen during their 2–1 win over Casino last weekend in Soccer Far North coast Premier Division.
Injury, illness and suspension have ravaged Soccer FNC's Anzac Cup champions Lismore Workers since they won the season's first title in April, leaving the Redmen facing a must-win encounter against Lismore Thistles on Saturday to preserve their fading semi final hopes.
Workers have the home advantage for the 5pm kick-off but have a poor record at Richards Oval, winning just one of their six home games and with up to seven players missing, have their backs firmly against the wall.
The only bright spot on the horizon is the return of Eli Gilfedder and possibly Anthony Alvos, but Alvos will be subjected to a late fitness test, along with robust defender Jason Toniello.
The father-son combination of John and Jeremy Wraight remain unavailable with John still recovering from a broken thumb and Jeremy serving the second week of a two-match suspension, while player-coach Andrew Acton and reliable defender Dave Condon are suffering winter ailments and remain doubtful.
Add to this the loss for the rest of the season of Mark Garrington (who has moved to Sydney) and Workers are left facing one of the biggest tests of their depth that the club has ever confronted.
Young strikers Brad Hicks and Tom Jarman will be left to do the work up front, but the Redmen have scored just one goal in their last four games and the young pair face a big ask to turn things around against Thistles experienced backline.
Workers' defence also needs to lift after last week's 5-0 flogging from Maclean.
Coach Acton summed up the scenario by saying 'It's certainly our crunch game of the season, it'll be the youngest side Workers have fielded in years and a huge test of our depth.'
Thistles also have a disrupted lineup, but not to the same extent, with in-form midfielder Anthony Nind and rugged defender Martin Scott suspended after incurring yellow cards in last week's physical 2-1 win over Alstonville and Mick Gooley doubtful.
But the Blues attack will be boosted by the much-anticipated return of striker Steve Morrisey to partner one of the region's best young talents in Daniel Braithwaite.
With leading scorer Darren Beardow in top form and laying off the passes from midfield, fourth-placed Thistles look too strong on paper and should come close to repeating their 2-0 first round win.
Rams Ruminate
Competition leader Byron Bay will be spurred on by memories of an inglorious first round draw with lowly South Lismore, when the two square off for a second time at Souths' Caniaba Street fields from 3pm on Saturday.
'We played terribly against Souths last time and want to make up for it with a solid win this time,' said Rams coach Graham Bird.
And few would wager against a big win for the Rams, who have lost just one game all season and looked in ominous form as they cruised to a 5-0 thrashing of Workers last week.
In comparison, Souths have won just two games this season and are fighting their own relegation battle at the opposite end of the ladder.
While the Bay will be hot favourites, Bird will be forced to make several adjustments, with Chris Kelly and Jed Wright unavailable and Tim Bird doubtful.
Breather for Bobcats
Maclean coach Jamie Harris is expected to gamble on resting key attacking weapons Daniel Fung and Kevin Crofton for crucial games ahead, when the Bobcats host Goonellabah from 3pm on Saturday.
Together with striker Grant Nielson, the two are part of the premiers' most feared strike-force, but Harris has enough confidence in his squad to rest the pair against a Hornets side that has sat on the bottom of the ladder all season.
With Maclean in second place and looking to catch leader Byron Bay to win their second minor premiership in three years, Harris has his eye on the big picture and wants the pair fresh for the two ensuing games against last year's grand finalists Uni, and the Bay.
Their absence will generate hopes of an upset in the Hornets camp, which is still fighting a rearguard action against relegation but has been buoyed by a win and a draw in their last two games.
Roving for Points
Richmond Rovers will take a full strength lineup to Casino on Saturday and will be looking to return with three points to consolidate their place in the top three.
Within the last month Rovers have beaten leader Byron Bay and drawn with second-placed Maclean, but they still face a host of challengers before sealing a top three finish.
Casino's semi-final hopes will evaporate if they lose, leaving the Cobras with plenty to play for but Rovers should have too much pace and cohesion for their determined but sometimes undisciplined opponents.
No Student Holiday
Southern Cross Uni will field a lineup decimated by the students' semester break, when they take on Ballina at Oakes Oval on Saturday from 3pm.
Uni is already resigned to forfeiting reserve grade and will struggle to field a competitive side in premiers, after losing another two players in last week's 1-1 draw with Souths.
Ballina is also having problems with their best player, goalkeeper Lucas Wagland out for up to six weeks with a knee ligament tear and defender David Betteridge in doubt.
The seasiders also had a draw last week, finishing 2-2 against Goonellabah, and with both sides in need of points as they look to break into the top five, it looms as a hard-fought but unpredictable game.
Stars on the Rise
Premiers Italo Stars are back in the top five after last week's crucial 2-1 win over Casino and should consolidate their place on Saturday, with a home win over Alstonville at 3pm.
The morale-boosting win should see Stars playing with renewed confidence against a Villa side missing key defender Ollie Saric after his send off in last week's 2-1 loss against Thistles.
The games people play
 SCU student Jackie Keast teaching the opposition a lesson about netball during the Northern University Games at Townsville last week.
The world wearied Southern Cross University team is back from its whirlwind tour through Queensland for this year's instalment of the Northern University Games.
A team of approximately eighty students was formed to participate in women's rugby, women's and men's soccer, women's and mixed netball and mixed touch football. This year's host, James Cook University at Townsville, won the Games overall title, inching out the University of Queensland by a single point. SCU finished a respectable ninth.
The highlights of SCU's campaign were the men's soccer and women's rugby teams, who both collected bronze. Although a little disappointed, the teams looked at the results as a small hurdle to the National Games in September.
The male soccer crew cruised through their preliminary rounds, amassing nine goals in their four match Pool competition, mainly thanks to the boot of powerful striker Scott Collins. The university of Southern Queensland stopped SCU's progression with a 1-0 victory in the semis. The boys kept their heads up to defeat Griffith Uni 1-0 in the play off for third place and made sure they qualified for the Nationals in which they are defending champions.
The Lady Rats Rugby Union squad went into the competition as strong favourites to succeed last year's triumph but came unstuck to QUT in the semi-finals 17-15. The girls contended a fearless tournament though and their third placing will only stir their National title hopes.
In by far the most closely contested competition of the week, the mixed touch side plucked an emphatic extra time, drop off win to assure them off fifth place and a berth in Sydney in September. The ladies soccer side eventually posted sixth place in the overall washup. The girls accentuated the courage and never say die attitude upheld by the entire team over the experience. All the action was on court as the ladies and mixed netballers chalked up a number of closely fought wins but were unable to crack a top three standing in both competitions. The Southern Cross University team thoroughly enjoyed themselves in Townsville for 2001 and finished with an impressive list of Merit representative players chosen from the squad. They now look ahead to Sydney at the end of the year and the 2002 Northern games at the Gold Coast with which they hope to double the size of the current team and seriously challenge those Queensland Universities, it is their responsibility as New South Welshmen!
Andrew O'Brien
Workers Week
Workers should finish the weekend with a firm grip on the competition lead after they meet Southern Cross University at 8pm this Friday at Richards Oval in the Soccer Far North Coast women's first division.
After a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Rovers last weekend Workers have emerged as the competition favourite and with Uni having to face playing without a number of players due to semester break, Workers should beat the students reasonably easily. Rose Argent is finding the net beautifully at the moment, as are Joanne Collis and Kim Wraight so Uni will have a difficult task avoiding a slaughter.
Maclean will have to be on their toes against Rovers this Sunday at 11am at Richards Oval if they are to exact revenge for last week's 2-1 loss.
Although Rovers looked a bit lacklustre against Workers they still managed to best Maclean and after suffering their first loss of the season last week they'll be out to prove they can still win the premiership. Expect Rovers to be fired up and win by a few goals.
Maclean's first game of the weekend should be a bit easier.
The Topcats match up against Woodburn at 7pm on Friday at Woodburn. Woodburn have been playing well for the first halves of their recent games but just haven't had enough stamina to finish. Maclean should win by several.
Leading scorer Scott Collins failed to add to his tally in Uni's 1-1 draw with Souths this week, allowing a host of challengers to move into contention as The Echo's Hot Shots award moves into its final weeks.
Ballina's Troy Percival and Byron's Satis Sthapit both scored to move within one goal of Collins, with last year's winner Daniel Fung a further goal back.
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.
Men's tally
14 – Scott Collins (Uni).
13 – Troy Percival (Ballina), Satis Sthapit (Byron Bay).
12 – Daniel Fung (Maclean).
11 – Bruce Morhaus (Byron Bay).
9 – Kevin Crofton (Maclean),
Women
After a huge four goal haul in Workers 5-1 win over Rovers last weekend Rose Argent has drawn level with Rovers Martene Edwards in The Echo women's hot shots competition.
Argent is now equal with Edwards on 12 goals followed by Maclean's Tracy Want on 10 and then two more Workers players, Jo Collis and Kim Wraight.
Women
12 – Martene Edwards (Rovers), Rose Argent (Workers)
10 – Tracy Want (Maclean)
6 – Jo Collis (Workers)
4 – Kim Wraight (Workers)
No Challenge to FNC
Far North Coast played host to the annual under 14 East Coast Baseball Challenge tournament last weekend at Albert Park.
Far North Coast met Country NSW Blue in their first game and were just beaten 9-8 in the bottom of the last inning on a home run. Starting with one loss, they never looked back. The second game against the Gold Coast was never in any doubt as the local team picked up 14 hits to win 17-7. Then Brisbane Metro gave them a scare but FNC hit themselves out of a close game to win 11-6. The game to determine who met the winner of the other pool in the grand final was a rematch with Country NSW. Country NSW were shut down by pitchers Paul Kenyon and Josh Mulherin holding them scoreless in the last 3 innings for the 9-8 win.
The final was against the Country NSW's other team who were unbeaten in their pool. The game was tied at 9-9 forcing the game into extra innings. FNC pulled out a great finish to win the game 18-12 and win the tournament.
In the four games of major league baseball last weekend Redbirds were the only team to escape without a loss.
Redbirds played a tight game against Norths to win 6-4 and then took care of Workers 13-11. Workers' weekend wasn't entirely unsuccessful as they beat Brothers 9-8. In the final game Norths took charge right from the beginning and never looked back beating Brothers 17-7.
There will be no major league games this weekend while the Far North Coast Timberjacks play the Challenge Cup at Coffs Harbour.
Wallabies Bounce Back
From Foes to Friends
 From left: Asher Rodwell, Bill Johnston, Rick Eggins (Wollongbar),Ryan Graham and David Bermingham (Lismore). Absent Ben Shoebridge (Casino).
After competing against one another last Friday night in a close encounter at Lismore, the above Far North Coast junior rugby union players are preparing to join together to represent NSW Northern Province Country Juniors at the Regional under 15 Championships in Sydney next weekend. The boys will travel to Sydney to go into camp on Friday and prepare to compete in the carnival. They will play against teams from NSW Southern Province, ACT, Victoria and three Sydney Metropolitan regions. At the conclusion of the carnival a NSW Country Team will be selected. If the boys are selected in this team they will play a game against a representative ACT team in Parkes on July 29, a game against a combined Sydney team on August 5 at Gosford and then depart for a tour of Samoa in October.
Oh, Wallabies, how I love thee. Let me count the ways…
No, I won't go into a rant about just HOW good they were, but that second half of last Saturday's test match was something special wasn't it?
If you were not up and cheering after Joe Roff's second try then something is wrong.
The Wallabies finally played to their potential and realised that, after all the hype, this Lions side is very weak in defence after four or five quick phases.
The key is the pace of re-alignment.
The Wallabies are quick to re-align from depth after each phase, whereas the Lions are very slow to adapt their defence patterns.
Yes, in the first couple of phases after set-pieces, such as scrums and line-outs, the Lions' tackling is punishingly effective, but it becomes disorganised after that.
The Wallabies have learned that with a little pressure applied, the Lions lose their confidence and become flustered, doubting their own training.
This Saturday's test in Sydney won't be easy but Wallaby coach, Rod Macqueen, is keeping his men solely focused on that task at hand, and Stadium Australia is the only ground where normal Aussies can get tickets to finally make the crowd support what it should be.
In a perfect world we should see our country's first ever series win over the Lions... you little beauty!
Wallabies by 10.
Now to our local stuff.
Upset at Byron Bay!
Lismore will go into the bye this week ruing their scrappy game at Byron Bay last week, where they went down 24-21.
Other results were as expected, with Ballina doing Grafton 33-10 and Wollongbar giving it to Mullum, 38-0.
This week sees Ballina welcome Casino, Mullum host their local derby with Byron Bay and Wollongbar travel to Grafton.
These should all be entertaining games.
At Quays Reserve, Casino will look to ensure their finals spot with a win, while Ballina will be equally determined to extend their first place lead over Lismore, who have the bye this week.
Ballina are getting stronger every week but Casino know how to make an upset happen.
If the passionate Bulls forward pack can starve the Seahorses of possession they will have a chance.
Yet the Ballina pack boast just as hardened forwards as Casino and will combine this with an in-form backline to make life difficult for the away side.
Ballina by 12.
Grafton trail Wollongbar by 5 points in fifth place on the ladder, making this game a sink-or-swim affair for the Redmen.
But they know this and have been preparing for it.
This will be the hardest to pick.
Wollongbar should win, on paper, but the Redmen have been improving and made Lismore work very hard a couple of weeks ago.
The ‘Bar are uncompromising though, and all things point to a fiery encounter come Saturday.
It will be the battle of the forward packs, as both teams are very reliant on their forward play, although the Grafton backline was effective at times against the Greens defence.
Close to call, but Grafton by 5.
Mullum will play for pride against Byron Bay this week.
Yet to win a game in 2001, the Moonshiners will struggle against a strong and aggressive Byron side.
Byron could have beaten Lismore by more than three points last week, and are the definite dark horse coming into the business end of the season.
I'm sorry Moonshiners, but again you will lose by 20 odd.
Lastly, I encourage all of you who will be watching the Wallabies play this Saturday (and want them to win) to send the boys a fax showing your support.
They DO read all of them, in fact they post them on the dressing room walls, and your support means a great deal to these down-to-earth lads.
Tell them you are with them by faxing 02 96893959 and then watch them win – Go you good Wallabies!!
Ed Rummery
QantasLink
Best and Fairest Point Score
A battle royal is brewing in the Best and Fairest competition this year with three guys vying for the top spot.
Byron Bay's star flyhalf, Luke Sullivan leads the ladder on 17 points from Lismore's barnstorming inside centre, Mitch Mowle.
Mitch is only one point clear of SCU giant, Sandy Maxwell who has played well in a losing side most weeks.
These guys will have their work cut out to win as each is playing first rate rugby each time they play... watch this space.
Rachel Crosses the Country
 Rachel Brown.
Rachel Brown is one school student who has no trouble getting out of bed on cold winter mornings.
The 11 year old St Joseph's Alstonville student is out pounding the roads almost every morning, training to realise her ultimate ambitions of representing Australia in triathalon and becoming an iron woman.
'My hereos are Reen Corbett and Karla Gilbert. When Reen was in Alstonville I did a swim session with her,' Rachel said.
Rachel also draws inspiration from closer to home.
'My Dad really is my role model and the Fettel family have all been very supportive, especially Kelly,' she said.
Rachel's father is her inspiration for a very good reason. While crossing the street at a pedestrian crossing in Alstonville last year Rachel was hit by a car. Her father's quick reflexes saved her life. When he realised the car wasn't going to stop her Dad lifted Rachel into the air and instead of bearing the full impact of the accident Rachel was hit by the car with much less force.
Di, Rachel's mother, believes her daughter would have been killed if not for the quick actions of her husband.
'It was a miracle she wasn't killed. Rachel still had some bruising but if her father hadn't acted so quickly it would have been much worse,' Di said.
The fact that she had such a horrible experience makes Rachel's recent athletic achievements even more impressive. After winning her school cross country Rachel then won her age group at Zone level, qualified at the Diocese race for the Catholic State championships where she won a bronze medal and then competed in the Primary Schools Sports Association cross country where she came 23rd out of 130 runners.
Not bad for only one year's training! With all the travelling involved in cross country running Rachel is looking for some help with sponsorship. If any businesses would like to help this young, motivated athlete please call Di Brown on 6628 5713.
Tigers to Take on Seagulls
After a good 42-16 win over South Grafton last weekend Workers will be looking to knock off Ballina at 3pm this Sunday at the Seagulls' home ground in the Beach Hotel Group One Rugby League.
Workers fullback, Milton Thaiday, had a stormer against the Rebels, scoring three tries and if the Seagulls cannot contain Workers outside backs then the Tigers should take the game. The Tigers will have to watch their defence, which has been patchy this season, as any loose play will see the Seagulls through the gaps. Although Workers look like they're beginning to take the season seriously Ballina will genuinely test their finals prospects. The Seagulls will probably win in a very close game.
Brothers are at home to the Grafton Ghosts this week and although Grafton are having a great season Brothers will be just too disciplined and strong in defence.
Grafton went down 28-22 to Ballina last weekend after throwing away a 16-6 half time lead. Brothers will punish the Ghosts if their concentration fades again and the Rams should win pretty easily.
After scoring almost as fast as Adam Gilchrist last weekend the Casino Cougars embarrassed Kyogle 86-8 and should have no trouble taking care of Mullumbimby this Sunday, even if the Giants do have the home advantage.
The Giants won their derby against Byron 20-14 last Sunday after being down by 2 at halftime.
Byron will take on South Grafton at home this weekend and will have to put in a much better showing if they are to even be competitive against the Rebels. The Red Devils aren't likely to have made enough of an improvement in one week and the South Grafton Rebels will make Byron look as hapless as NSW in Origin three.
Grommets Shine
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12 Boys finalists: 1 Owen Wright (Culburra Beach) 2 Stuart Kennedy (Lennox Head) 3 Michael Levitt (Palm Beach, QLD) 4 Sam Wrench (Ulladulla)
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12 Girls finalists: Jessica Welch (Gisborne NZ) 2 Ashleigh Smith (Cabarita) 3 Raimy Mathews (Lennox Head)
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The huge surf last week proved no impediment to the North Coast's biggest junior surfing tournament, Rusty Gromfest, which was held at Lennox Head from Friday to Monday.Organisers Max Perrot and Kellie O'Brien were extremely pleased with the way the tournament turned out.
'It was really an historic contest. We burst the boundaries in a lot of ways,' O'Brien said.
'It was great for the young surfers to be able to have a new look at big swells and with all the tow-in surfing that was happening there was something special for all the 400 competitors and their families. It was an awesome Gromfest – it's the vibe that makes it so special,' O'Brien said.
'The 4th day of the event produced magic conditions for the finalists, with offshore conditions and waves of 1-2m. The standard of surfing was outstanding with very little separating the top surfers. Competitors displayed good sportsmanship throughout the finals as the large crowd cheered on their favourites,' Perrot said.
Demons Fire
In a surprise season turn-around, the Nimbin Demons are now looking to cement a spot in the finals after moving ahead of Grafton on the SAFL Ladder.
They are at home to the Byron Magpies this weekend and expect a large crowd as they tackle the unbeaten leaders on Saturday from 2pm at the Nimbin Showground.
Byron should win easily, but if they don't take a rejuvenated Nimbin seriously then they could be surprised. The large home crowd has really helped the Demons to lift their game and anything could happen.
The other game to be played on Saturday sees the Lismore Swans host the Ballina Bombers at Clifford Park, Goonellabah.
With most of their side still away on Uni holidays, the Swans will be struggling to field a side and will want to focus on keeping Ballina's forwards contained. Ballina should have an easy run with rover Brian Walshe in top form. Roly Wintle has been consistent in the ruck and a good battle with the Swans' Luke Meldrum should be the highlight of the day. The Swans rookies need to look for leadership from their senior players for any chance of a decent score.
The Nimbin Demons recorded their third consecutive win last weekend when they surprised the Ballina Bombers to come from behind to steal a thrilling one-point victory.
Grafton forfeited to Byron on Thursday citing lack of numbers, and as the Nimbin Demons were very undermanned they had the option to either play with only 15 or use some of the Lismore and Byron players who had missed out.
By Roly Barret
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