Sports News
 Bowled Over
Maxim Success
There is still time to enter Lismore City's Classic Pairs Carnival being held this Sunday, September 9.
After a 9.15am start, three rounds will be played with a break for lunch. A prize pool of $450 will go to winners, runners-up and third placegetters. Entry fee of $25 per team includes lunch and after game refreshments. Register by phoning the club on 6621 5991 or by faxing on 6622 8320.
John P Munro wrote and published a book in April 1951 titled Bowls Encyclopaedia.
He wrote columns for Melbourne newspapers, edited the Bowls magazine for six years and was Secretary and Bowls Historian for the RVBA.
Joyce Cleaver loaned me the book and I have enjoyed browsing its pages and shall share with you some excerpts over the next few weeks. He lists some maxims which were obviously relevant in the fifties and may still be today.
- A good skip can control his ship.
- A good lead is always a need.
- A bowl on the pitch is worth two in the ditch.
- A long length requires more strength.
- A back bowl may become a jack bowl.
- A bowl much short will count for nought.
- A certain one to you is better than a risky two.
- A toucher on the jack, a couple at the back.
- A good draw shot will win a lot.
Coaching Tip
Etiquette on the green (cont'd): When an opponent is preparing to deliver a bowl and executing delivery:
- Refrain from talking or moving
- Ensure your shadow does not fall across their line of delivery
- Always stand back at least two metres
- Remember it is his/her mat until the bowl has come to rest
- Avoid stepping on to the mat prematurely
- Be aware that anything which is likely to break their concentration is a breach of etiquette
- Players at or behind the head on the bank need to remain still when bowlers are preparing for and executing delivery
Umpire's Corner
Question: When the skips are at the mat end of the rink, who makes the decision on a boundary bowl or jack?
Answer: The directors who, for the time being, are in charge of the head. Law 38E
Q: May a director remain in front of the jack when giving directions to the player on the mat?
A: Yes, but the director must retire to a minimum distance of two metres behind the jack as soon as the bowl is delivered. Law 37
Q: The directors agree that a bowl close to the boundary line is in. Subsequent play moves the jack and the boundary bowl becomes shot. May the directors then call the umpire for a decision on the bowl?
A: No. The directors must come to an agreement immediately their attention is drawn to the bowl. Such agreement shall be final and not subject to further determination unless the position of the bowl changes. If they cannot reach agreement THEN they call the umpire, whose decision is final. Law 38E
Until next week, good bowling.
 Hook and Slices
with Stan Bendall
A Classic Farewell
NRDGA
The North Coast Children's Home Charity Day has been postponed until December 9.
The quarterly meeting of the NRDGA will be held on Tuesday, September 25, at the Lismore Workers Club. It is a dinner meeting with the executive at 6.30pm and delegates at 7pm.
The Northern Rivers Golf Classic finishes tomorrow with the farewell day at Yamba. All 13 courses were presented in magnificent condition and thank you to all clubs for making their courses available and another big thank you to The Kooralbyn for their involvement and the holiday giveaways. Well done Northern Rivers and I hope to see all visitors and more back next year!
Ballina
The September medal will be played this Saturday while the ladies play a single stroke for their eighth monthly medal.
The mixed multiplier BBQ Day will be held this Sunday while the RSL play a single stableford event.
The Ballina Charity Golf Classic for the Summerland House With No Steps will be held on Sunday, September 16. It will be a four ball ambrose with a shotgun start at midday. Cost is $22 per player and includes lunch. For bookings phone Trevor Russell 6686 0144.
Andrea Glavocih and Robin Reynolds played out a mighty battle in the ladies club championships last weekend. After the second round Andrea was 4 behind with a nil stroke turnaround in the third. Robin recorded an 8 shot swing on the last round to tie after 72 holes meaning they had to play a sudden death play off. Both of these champs played great golf and Andrea won her seventh championship on the second hole. Robin has won the prize six times so it was very fitting that these two ladies finished one-two. Well done girls!
Coraki
A 4BBB stroke will be played this Saturday.
The mid-Richmond open mixed foursomes championships will be held this Sunday.
Don't forget the big weekend for Lismore Sandblasting on September 22-23. There will be a three person ambrose on both days, a dinner dance on the Saturday night featuring the return of Elvis and proceeds will all go to the Westpac rescue helicopter. Nominate now for prime time slots.
The Liquor Trades Day will be held on October 15.
Kerry Latimer won the monthly mug and B grade last weekend, winning by 4 from Steve McDonough. Peter Cordery took out A grade by 3 from young Daniel Rogers and Paul Aitken won C grade from Terry (Wolfman) McBurnie.
Lismore
The ladies Springtime Cup will be played Thursday and Friday of this week with over $3,500 worth of trophies to be won.
The September medal will be played this Saturday.
The Lismore Masters games will commence on Friday, September 14.
Don't forget the club champos will start on Saturday, September 22. The second round will be played on September 23 and the final two rounds played the following two Saturdays. Can anyone pick anybody to beat Freddo? I think not!
The Sherriff of Nottingham, big Al won the single stroke off the back nine last Thursday from Troy Hughes and Barry Pratt. Phil Luckie won the first nine from Ken (Doc) White and Oogie Wotherspoon won the second nine from Jake Hospers. Young club talent Lloyd Kelly won the gross with a fine 1 under par 69.
The Kyogle boys were in Lismore last weekend for the second and final round of the Johnson and Johnson Suzuki Daihatsu trophy which the Lismorians won 10-9. Onya boys!
John Kelly and Jack Smith won the day on a countback from Peter Lampard and Kevin Slade (both on 52). Paul Brosnan and Jack (JD) Hurley won the visitors trophy. Terry Russell (too old, he was 60 this week, congrats) and Geoff Cahill (former quick footballer, now go slow golfer) won the Bradman's trophy - well done boys!
Everybody - don't forget to carry sand buckets and ARE you financial?
Woodburn-Evans Hd
A 4BBB versus par will be played this Saturday while the club mixed foursomes are played over 27 holes.
Debbie McPhie won the A grade in last Wednesday's stableford and Veronica Kelly took out B grade.
Congratulations to Irene Crampton and Joyce Mulcahy for winning the ladies club champos by 4 shots from Debbie McPhee and Dot Cox. Irene picked up her second championship for the year, after winning the club champos. Well done girls!
Jim Clough won the vets' event on Thursday from Charlie Mayall.
Consistent Cyril O'Connor won the overall trophy in the monthly mug last weekend. Bill Blackshaw won A grade, Corey Flaherty won C grade and Dianne Perkins won the ladies.
Jean Pike won the RSL two person ambrose last Sunday.
Casino
The September medal will be played this Saturday.
The Northern Rivers Classic is on at Casino today (Thursday).
Byron Bay's Bazza Andrea has taken over the travelling amateur title from Zac Zytnic by winning the single stroke last Thursday from Mr NRMA, Greg Cowan. Onya fellas!
The Ballina boys travelled inland for the first round of the annual interclub Bardwell-Ellis encounter last Saturday. The Ballina boys should be happy to be only two games in arrears and should win on their own turf. Evergreen Ollie Foster and John MacPherson were the best Ballina combination while grandfather and grandson combination of Ron (who owns up to being 80 something) and Wade Sweeney showed each other the finer points of golf and won the day on a countback from Vern Newland and Lindsay James. Great effort fellas! Balls to 42 countback.
Alstonville Social
Just a reminder to members that the next game is at Ballina on Sunday, September 9, with tee off time at 7am. Who will win the NAGAS award?
 What's My Line
with Ian Clark
Catching a Crab
A couple of weeks ago I received a report about mud crabs in North Creek which I passed on in my column.
Last weekend I headed up North Creek to take some of my own advice.
Yes, there are mud crabs up there! With a time limit of about an hour and a half and the tide just turning to the run up I did manage to snare one.
I put two dillies in behind the airport. There are reports of them further up North Creek but the water did seem very dirty up there. It would be best on the fuller part of the tide and keeping the dillies in deeper water will produce more numbers.
There are a lot of vehicles still getting around with the rocket launcher style of rod carriers fixed to their bullbars.
I spoke with the RTA about this and this particular style of rod carrier has been illegal since June 1997.
Anything projecting forward from the vehicle, such as light brackets or in this case rod holders is illegal.
So unless someone can devise a way so that the rod holders sit in behind your bullbar you could be drawing attention to yourself from the law and, in the case of an accident, be in trouble with your insurance company.
People can interpret our laws differently and owners' vehicles are set up individually so be sure and check it out yourself.
There are a few styles of rod carrier brackets that sit on your roof so I shall check them out next week.
The fishing conditions are starting to improve although the wind is persisting.
Bream and whiting are around the beaches at Evans Head and the odd tailor on dusk towards Broadwater.
Outside is very quiet. Only a handful of boats have been going out due to the rough conditions.
There are reports of whiting in North Creek. I fished the lower end of North Creek using fresh yabbies on the run out and did not do any good.
If I was to try again I would look at adding worms and fish the run in tide.
The odd flathead is in the Richmond while bream and tailor are along the beaches. Bigger bream and the odd jew are being taken from the Ballina walls.
There is a good looking gutter at the northern end of Sharpes Beach which, at the time of going to press, looks good for jew or tailor at dusk.
That's all for this week.
Until next week fun fishing.
Aussie Rules
Finals Time
This weekend the first round of the Summerland Australian Football League finals takes place at Ellem Oval, Grafton.
The day starts at 9am when the Far North Coast Junior AFL play a representative game against the North Coast Junior AFL.
With Grafton a halfway point for both Junior Leagues it's a great opportunity to see what our local kids have to offer. The North Coast Junior AFL is very well established in the Coffs Harbour Region while the FNC Juniors are still in the building stages and showing excellent signs of potential interest.
Swans tackle Tigers
The minor semi final kicks off at 11.50am. The elimination final is between Grafton Tigers, and last week's winner of the preview match, the Lismore Swans.
Lismore notched up a morale boosting victory over the Tigers at Goonellabah in the last round of the season scoring 15.16.106 to 8.7.55.
Returned stalwart Rod Blizzard played his 100th game for the Swans in fine fashion when he scored the first goal of the game, firing up the Swans. He was outstanding throughout the game as he notched up three goals, delivered constantly, and deservedly took the best on the ground honours.
Roly Barrett had an exciting match as he found some old form to boot six goals, his best bag, and one of his best efforts of the season.
Steve Kremers will remain the danger man for Grafton after Lismore's Mitchell Boyd wore him closely, to limit the playmaker to only one major last week. Ricky Hayman is also a hard ball-getter for the Tigers and there will be some key match-ups going on this weekend as each coach tries to work his best combination.
The last time Lismore travelled to Grafton, they led the whole game only to lose in the last few minutes to a Grafton side which showed dogged perseverance to claw back from defeat, kicking the last two goals to steal victory.
The Grafton Tigers always seem to find that something extra at home, and play the smaller ground well.
Onballers Sebastian Steenhuis, James Howard and Travis Baulch will be looking to feed the forward pack in Matty Moore and Roly Barrett who have been good goalkickers this year.
They finished third (40) and fourth (35) respectively in the SAFL Leading goalkickers list with Ballina's Peter Plummer winning on 61, and Byron's Jamie Smith second with 51.
The minor semi will be a showdown of desperate proportions, as both of these sides know that the loser is out.
Byron Battle a gainst Bombers
The Byron Magpies are to be congratulated for the amazing effort of completing a 16 game home/away season without a loss, and are the first side to accomplish such a feat since the Goonellabah Swans in the inaugural year of the SAFL, 1984.
The Maggies were far too strong for Ballina at Ballina last week when they scored a neat 15.10.100 to 8.3.51.
They are strong favourites for the double chance major semi when they replay Ballina at 2pm this Saturday.
Nathan Moss was again an instigator for the Magpies' dominance, and showed why he will be one of the top contenders for the SAFL Best and Fairest this year.
Ballina's Brian Walshe again showed great form, and Peter Plummer scored three goals, but he was bettered by the visitors' Tim Fisher who slotted five.
Ballina never looked the goods and will need to reverse their form when they take on Byron again in the second chance major semi final.
The presentation of the SAFL Season 2001 Awards will take place after the major semi final at the Post Office Hotel, Grafton.
It will highlight the season round by round and culminate with the presentation of the Best and Fairest winner and runner up and the presentation of the leading Goalkicker.
FNC Rugby Union
And then there were two...
 Casino forwards driving maul against Lismore during their dour 10-all draw in the preliminary final last weekend.
Concerns over the state of the Alstonville showground hosting this weekend's grand final has led to a last minute switch of grounds by officials. The host club, Wollongbar-Alstonville, withdrew its offer of hosting the games on Tuesday night after becoming aware that Far North Coast Rugby officials has received complaints from coaches about the state of the ground and were planning a final inspection on Wednesday.
The Wollongbar club decided to use the showground so it could charge admission, and because it offered increased parking.
Zone president Maurie Ryan announced the decision to relocate to Casino following a meeting of the FNC executive on Tuesday night.
But despite the dramas, this Saturday features a record effort by Lismore Rugby Club, which has all junior and senior grades in the grand final for the first time in the FNC zone's history. Lismore are contesting premiership in under 13s, 15s, 17s, 19s, thirds, reserve and first grade.
Last week saw one of the dourest games of rugby to be played this season when Lismore and Casino battled out a 10-10 draw in the preliminary final. No extra time played in the semis, so the Greens progressed after finishing higher on the season table than the Bulls. The game was defensive, with attacking rugby kept to a minimum as each side attempted to contain the other with positional kicking.
The difference was the base level of fitness Lismore have thanks to Craig Whitby, who is the prime reason why the club has all its senior grades playing on Saturday. Whitby had another hand in his club's success by coming from reserve grade to replace Joe Allen, who was sidelined before the game.
Whitby has been a feature of Lismore rugby sides since 1981! That he can still slot into first grade is testament to hisimmense skill and fitness levels.
The senior grand finals are between Lismore-Ballina (firsts), Lismore-Ballina (reserves), Lismore-Yamba (Under 19s) and Lismore-Lennox Head (third grade).
A grudge match is assured in third grade as Lennox has been in every grand final over the past three years and Lismore is desperate to put them to the knife.
Key players for the Lennox side are ex-first graders, Len Blok and Mick Koellner, along with the effervescent Dave Arthur.
Lismore has put together a remarkable team this year, including Andrew Hoolihan, Dion Crether, Kelven Singh, Dave Cannon, Guy Latham, Norrie Blume and Brad Tulk. Many could play in first grade.
My pick is Lismore to win by 7.
The Lismore Under 19s have not lost a game this year. Their undefeated run will be challenged by Yamba, which has a very strong side, in players like Jason Schlusser, Mitch McLennan and Michael Webster, who promise strong defence and powerful running.
Lismore's team play is their main strength and if they remain calm and focused I can only see them continuing their undefeated season to win by 10.
Reserve grade will be another close battle between the old foes Lismore and Ballina.
Lismore won 5-0 in the finals a fortnight ago but Ballina are always great at pressured footy in the big game. The Seahorses will be best served by Chris Lynch and Scott Borneholt who scored the winning try last week.
Lismore have a powerful side, and with players of the calibre of Heath and Brett Conlan, Damien Maher and Vaughan Gallen all in top form, I think they'll get up by five again.
In first grade, Lismore have lost to Ballina three times in five weeks. For the Greens to win their first Premiership since 1990 they need a fast, expansive attack to tire the large Ballina team.
If players like Andrew O'Brien, Cameron Lambert and John Robotham can secure quick ball there will be room for the Lismore. If the quick phases are not forthcoming, and Ballina is allowed to control the pace of the game, they will dominate the scoreboard once again.
Ballina do this through the experienced heads of Karl Lupton and Mick McGregor - who have calm, decisive heads in pressured situations - along with the young, mobile talent of flanker, Chad Duensing.
Chad is the king of slowing the opposition attack through his body positioning at the breakdown. Lismore will need to counter it - pick him out when he tackles someone and clear him out immediately, otherwise he will either win the ball or slow it down.
My head says Ballina by three, but wins by the other Lismore teams may give the first graders the momentum and passion to pull off the big one.
Games begin at Casino Rugby grounds from 10.30am with the thirds and first grade scheduled to kick off at 3.45pm, admission $7.
Ed Rummery
Premier Division
Stars Set to Siege 'Fortress Maclean'
The first side to book a place in Soccer FNC's premier division grand final will be determined on Sunday when pointscore champions Maclean host defending premiers Italo Stars in a major semi showdown that promises to be one of the highlights of the season.
The two sides finished first and second on the ladder and many pundits see the match as a grand final preview, but the ultimate decider will be fought out on neutral ground at Oakes Oval, while Sunday's major semi will see the Bobcats on home soil at 'Fortress Maclean.'
Every team to take the daunting road trip to the Clarence this season has returned a beaten side and with the Bobcats at full strength and determined to give themselves a chance at their first premiership double, Stars face the ultimate test of their own resolve to claim consecutive titles.
Maclean are determined to make up for unfinished business from 1999, when the Bobcats became the first club in the 50 year history of the league to take the minor premiership outside Lismore but then self-destructed, losing two semis and missing out on a place in the grand final.
With motivation high and a squad rested after having last week off, Maclean coach Jamie Harris will have his chargers jumping out of their skin to make amends and move straight into the grand final.
Harris was named Coach of the Year at Soccer FNC's annual presentation night last week and the astute Kiwi will be guiding a talent-laden squad headed by 2000 and 2001 golden boot winner Daniel Fung.
Ably assisted by the likes of Grant Nielson, Kevin Crofton and Aaron Bylos, Maclean boast an awesome attack and with Craig Anderson leading the way in defence, give little away at the back.
The Bobcats finished the premiership rounds with the best attacking and defensive records to take the pointscore championship by a massive eight points, leaving Stars coach Jim Holmes with plenty of respect for their opposition.
'Maclean has definitely been the benchmark this season and while we're also in good form, we know we still need to lift 10 percent if we're going to win this one,' Holmes said.
Last time Stars travelled to the Clarence they suffered an embarrassing 5-0 mauling from the Bobcats in their second round encounter, but since then the defending champs have won all eight of their remaining premiership games, before an impressive 2-1 win over Richmond Rovers in last week's preliminary semi.
Key players such as Jason Monk, Nick Harris, Craig Wiblin, Aaron Nugent and Jeremy Pollard all showed good form to overcome a dangerous Rovers outfit and with a well balanced side that looks to be still approaching its peak, Stars certainly have the potential to blemish the Bobcats' proud home record.
With Garth Andrews and Kyle Jensen giving Stars plenty of depth on the bench, the defending champs have a chance to rattle the confidence of the pretenders to their crown and remind them of their fate in '99.
Last Resort for Rovers and Rams
Richmond Rovers will be hoping the return of three of their best attacking players will boost their scoring potential when they line up against a confident Byron Bay in tomorrow night's sudden-death minor semi-final at Richards Oval from 8pm.
Rovers lacked penetration up front in last week's 2-1 loss to Stars, their only goal coming from the penalty spot late in the game, but with three attacking options coming back into the squad, hopes will be high for a crack at a grand final berth by moving into next week's preliminary semi with a win.
Pacy ex-Newcastle striker Tony Harrison, elusive Adam Sheridan and young prospect Aaron Smee are all expected to be available for coach Noel Field to fit into the side.
While Rovers search for the right balance, Byron Bay coach Graham Bird found it with his lineup last week, using a new combination for the first time with immediate success in the Rams 3-1 win over Lismore Thistles in the elimination semi.
Bird will run on the same 11 players and will be hoping for another whirlwind start after two goals in the opening 15 minutes last week.
The Rams' stability up the centre will be crucial, where the performances of sweeper Aaron Richter-Steers, midfielder Todd Knaus and striker Bruce Morhaus could swing the game.
While Rovers won both premiership encounters 2-1 and will go in as slight favourites, the Rams are determined to reverse the trend in the game that really counts on Sunday.
Baseball
Birds Meet Workers for Grand Final
Redbirds will meet minor premiers Workers next Friday and Saturday in a best of three game series for the grand final in baseball Far North Coast's major league.
Redbirds won the preliminary final series 2-0 over Norths last weekend to set up the grand final series against this season's dominant team, Workers.
In the first game last Friday night Norths looked close to a win with a complete game performance from pitcher Mark Robb but Redbirds came from behind to take the game in the bottom of the 10th inning 6-5.
Redbirds strategy of Andrew Ferris pitching 3 innings followed by Robbie Pruess, Brett Clarke and closing with Robbie Pruess worked as they held on for the victory.
The second game, on Saturday, started with Norths pitcher Paul Simes easily retiring Redbirds in the first inning.
Redbirds pitcher, Andrew Ferris, started shakily as Joel McCarthy and Lee Robb led off with singles, but finished the inning quickly as the next three batters got out.
Redbirds picked up 2 runs in the second inning on 2 errors and a triple by pitcher Andrew Ferris. They scored another in the fourth on Mark Newstead's single and Matt Best's sacrifice.
Redbirds grabbed another single run in the fifth inning on an error and 4 in the seventh inning on hits from Robbie Pruess, Matt Best and 2 more errors.
Redbirds picked up another run in the ninth for the final score of 9-0. Norths had at least one hit in every inning up to the seventh but could not convert any of them into a run. Norths pitcher Paul Simes put in a good performance allowing 8 hits and striking out 7 but the 7 unearned runs hurt the side. Redbirds pitcher gave up 9 hits but spread them out enough for the shutout and to take the spot in the grand final.
Redbirds: 020 110 401. 8H, 9R, 1E. Winning pitcher - A Ferris. Hits: Robbie Pruess(D,S), M Newstead(2S), M Best, A Ferris(D,T), A Smith.
Norths: 000 000 000. 9H, 0R, 8E. Losing pitcher - P Simes, Hits: J McCarthy(2S), L Robb(2S), P Simes, S Elliott, M Robb(2S), G Hall.
In other finals:
Under 14: Norths beat Workers and will now play Redbirds in the grand final.
Under 16 East: Workers 13 d Redbirds 6 and will play Alleygators in the Grand Final.
Under 16 West: Robina 16 d Alstonville 1.
Under 18: Redbirds d Norths 9-0 and will meet Workers in the grand final.
Division 1: Workers Cubs d Alstonville 6-4 and will meet Norths Legends in the grand final.
Division 2: Redbirds d Alstonville 23-10 and will meet Norths Bears in the grand final.
Division 3: Kyogle d Brothers 16-10 and will play Norths in the grand final.
Division 4: Norths d Redbirds 16-9 and will play Workers in the grand final.
Group One Rugby League
Rams' Fifth Straight Grand Final
 Brothers' Paul Latta steps around Workers Tigers defence during the weekend's final.
The Marist Brothers Rams will have the chance to make it five premiership wins in a row this weekend when they take on the Ballina Seagulls in the group one rugby league grand final.
Brothers defeated Workers Tigers 46-22 in the preliminary final last at Oakes Oval weekend, the win setting up the grand final clash with Ballina.
The Rams have been the most consistent side throughout the season but go into the grand final having lost to the Seagulls in the major semi final two weeks ago. Brothers coach Michael Woods has a quiet determined air about him going into the game.
'I don't place any significance on the loss to Ballina in the semi, my focus has been competing this week and playing Ballina this weekend. We played pretty well last weekend. The first half wasn't as good as it seemed and the second half not as bad as it may have appeared so we have a few things to work on and a few things to be pleased about,' Wood said.
 Brothers defeated Workers Tigers 46-22 last weekend to qualify for their fifth grand final performance in a row.
Wood believes the key to victory this weekend is defence.
'Big games are always dictated by defence. Ballina's defence isn't something I'm thinking about. I'm basically concentrating on our guys. Last time one of their dominant aspects was their kicking game and we have to minimise the effect of that,' he said.
Brothers have a few injury concerns to important players. Andrew Hodge is definitely out and Mark Siveright still in doubt. Dylan Coleman was heavily concussed against the Tigers and also in doubt for the grand final.
Despite the injury worries and playing away Brothers are still a force to be reckoned with. They are the best drilled, most disciplined team in group one. Ballina will have to shift up a gear for the grand final if they want to deny Brothers their fifth championship in a row.
Women's Soccer
Rovers try to Topple Workers
Richmond Rovers will take on Lismore Workers in the grand final of the women's first division of Soccer Far North Coast at 5.30pm this Sunday at Oakes Oval, Lismore.
Rovers easily took care of Maclean, defeating them 3-0 in the preliminary final last weekend but the grand final will be a very different task.
Workers have been the dominant side throughout the competitiion and Rovers will have to play well to deny them the final prize.
Rovers have the awesome attacking weapon of Martene Edwards, who has scored numerous goals throughout the season and can slot them from almost anywhere on the field.
Workers will be trying hard to contain Edwards and if they can manage to do so, as they did two weeks ago in the major semi final, then Rovers' attacking options will be greatly diminished.
Workers, on the other hand, have multiple options in attack with players like Rose Argent and Jo Collis ably supported by Kim Wraight, Rose Palmer and Nicole Strong. All those players have the ability to net difficult goals from all spots on the field and if Rovers want the premiership title then their defence will have to be spot on.
Workers have been the team to beat all season and it will take all of Rovers skill to achieve that on Sunday.
In the lower divsion grand finals: Workers will play Thistles at 4pm in the second division grand final at Oakes Oval on Sunday after beating Casino 4-0 and Ballina take on Lennox Head at 2.30pm at Oakes Oval on Sunday in the third division grand final.
Congratulations to Tracey Want of Maclean for taking out The Echo Hotshots award.
Want held off much stiff competition to take the award and was presented her prize at the Soccer Far North Coast presentation night last Friday.
Want received a weekend for two at the luxurious Watermark Hotel on the Gold Coast, courtesy of The Echo.
LDNA Netball
Grand Final
Daleys will have the opportunity to exact revenge for their only defeat this season when they take on Breakaways at 3.30pm this Saturday in the grand final of the Lismore and District Netball Association premier division.
Daleys defeated Cecil in the elimination final last weekend 55-19, meaning this year's grand final will be a repeat of last year's and Daleys go in to the game having lost the last time they met Breakaways although that was their only defeat for the entire season.
Cecil were without star defender, Cheryl Gooley, which meant Daleys' shooters, Jane Wiltshire and Maria Durheim, ran riot in the circle, getting themselves into great shooting positions and then nailing shot after shot.
Breakaways will need to concentrate on disrupting the momentum of Wiltshire and Durheim if they are to repeat their performance of two weeks ago when they doled out Daleys' first defeat of the season.
Breakaways also have some very talented players in their lineup including Sarah Cowan and Chloe Duncan, both of whom shone in their last encounter against Daleys. Breakaways also have the best attacking record in the competition, having scored more goals than any other team this year.
Although Daleys lost the last time they met Breakaways, they did win both times the two played in the preliminary part of the season and after their dominant performance over Cecil last weekend certainly look capable of taking the title once again. It should be a fast paced, aggressive game as both teams play a skilful, attractive brand of attacking netball and have talent to spare.
Daleys White will take on Southern Cross University Lab Rats at 1pm on Saturday in the first division grand final after beating Rous 1 for the first time this season in the preliminary final last weekend.
Daleys White have been a force this year, the young team mixing it with the more experienced sides and more often than not coming out on top. White are the sort of team who never give up and fight for every goal, as Rous 1 learnt last weekend.
Lab Rats have improved throughout the season and are in very good form at the moment, not having lost a game since the competition split into smaller divisions but White overcame tough opposition last weekend and will make Lab Rats contest all aspects of the game.
Workers Purple play Rous 2 at 2.15pm for the second division grand final.
And finally the winner of The Echo Netballer of the Year Award will be announced and given her prize at the presentation after the grand finals this weekend.
Congratulations to all participants in the top three Lismore netball divisions. More than 100 players received points in The Echo Netballer of the Year competition, showing that the standard of play is extremely high and the teams extremely competitive.
The winner will receive a weekend for two at The Watermark Hotel on the Gold Coast, courtesy of The Echo.
Master of the Games
 Masters not in disguise. Organisers and supporters of the Lismore Masters Games: Joe Pirlo, communications manager from Telstra, Dave Arthur and Peter Cordery from Southern Cross University and Masters Games organiser, John Bancroft.
A big increase in entrants in the Lismore Workers Club Masters Games has resulted in organisers declaring that the games are here to stay.
Games manager John Bancroft is extremely pleased that the Lismore masters will be able to improve on their strong beginning in 1999.
'It's absolutely sensational. I'm incredibly happy. We wanted to have a certain number of entrants and we've well and truly exceeded that so now we can make sure we deliver a wonderful event,' he said.
'The better the games are the more chance there is that people will come back. If we all work together then we can build a good reputation for Lismore - you can't buy that, you have to earn it,' Bancroft said.
The number of participants has increased from 1596 in 1999 to more than 2200 in 20 sports for this year.
'One of the best things about the Masters is that we have over 800 local participants. It'll be very enjoyable. Last time the games were widely enjoyed and well organised - obviously we did a good job then. This time we'll do even better,' Bancroft promised.
Games staff and local sports delegates are presently preparing draws and information bulletins for competitors which should be available from Thursday, September 6.
From September 10 the Games office will be situated at the Lismore Workers Club with actual registrations taken from 5pm on Wednesday, September 12.
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