Issue 816
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Sports News
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Stewie Bradhurst finished second in last Friday's Stableford Event at Ballina. |
This Saturday Lismore golfers will travel down to the seaside to take on the Ballina Salties in the second and final round of the Crandon Shield, with the games drawn at 5 all. It will be a top effort by the Lismorians to retain the trophy playing on Ballina's home ground, but you never know in this game.
Last Thursday a single stableford event was played, with Joel Parrey winning the day with 44 points, by 1 from Mal Swatellon on a countback from Craig Lumley. The first nine winner was Bill O'Sullivan with 21, from Bob Carlson. Cec Denny took out the second nine from junior Anthony McLean. Mick Morrissey won the gross with 73 hits, with balls won with 37 with CCR 67.
Last Saturday the postponed M and T Tyres sponsored golf day was held and was a teams stroke. The trophies supplied by Murray and Tim (props) were magnificent with a good field supporting the sponsors which is why the boys put on the day and for that we thank them and as we all know we need em! The winners on the day however all dusted off the opposition. They were Bob McLelland, Roger Boyd, Bill O'Sullivan and Geoff Gaggin, winning on a countback with a very good score of 202 from Joe (the pasho man), Col Pratt, Bruce Nobbs and Gerry Lynch. Nearest the pins - 2nd S Ingram; 5th R Sargent; 8th J Tate; 11th K Flood; 13th (M and T Tyres) L McDonald; 16th D Haselden. Balls to 207 or better with a CCR 68.
Last Sunday a four person ambrose event in aid of the Westpac Helicopter was played and sponsored and Bunnings Warehouse, with another magnificent array of trophies to be played with the day very well supported. The winners on the day with 59 hits - net 51, were Damian Haselden, club Captain Ed Bennett, plus their two partners Kev Slade and Ian Robertson, winning by one from Mick and Janelle (think pink), Craig Lumley and big hitting Northern Rivers representative Brian Deegan. It was a very successful day for the worthwhile helicopter, with a beautiful day and course presented in top condition, with a big thanks to Bunnings!
The Ladies played an 18 hole stroke event with Marie Fitzimmons winning the overall trophy from Sue Pringle. Tracey Makings was the Division 1 winner, with Margaret Harrison taking out Division 2, Cassie Hart Division 3, and Lorna Riordan Division 4.
This Saturday the final round of the club champos will be played and it looks like Bill Ferrier will take the title.
The NSW Club Keno Mixed 4BBB stableford will also be played this Saturday.
Last Wednesday the Ladies played a stableford with Hazel Campbell taking out A Grade and Eleanor Tinker B Grade. The veteran golfers played a 12 hole stroke with Ken Farmer winning the day from Clive Hann.
Last Saturday the men played a single stroke as the third round of the champos. The overall winner was Forbes Murdoch also winning B Grade, while Michael Gordon took out A Grade and Steven Crampton C Grade. The Ladies winner was Marie Kerr, from club Secretary Karen Allen. The leaders in the men's club champos: Bill Ferrier - A Grade; Jim Gould - B Grade; Paul Spencer - C Grade.
This Saturday a 4BBB 'Cock of the Walk' will be sponsored by Joe Falzon and Greg Fairs, with Byron Bay golfers also visiting.
Open day will be held on Saturday, May 18 to celebrate the official opening of the new course - visitors welcome - to nominate ring club pro 6684 1685.
What's My Linewith Ian Clark
Do fish feel pain? Another argument that has been passed around many times with out much outcome.
Obviously they do to a certain degree. There are numerous findings that support both sides of this argument.
There is an actual act in NSW that outlaws the mishandling of fish: The POCTA (Prevention of cruelty to animals act).
Fish have many nerve endings along their bodies for smell, vibrations, water temperature etc. So, naturally, if you slot a gaff through a fish it would feel something.
To compare fish pain to human pain is pretty hard. Almost to the point that they are very dissimilar.
All humans have a different pain threshold.
Think about the way different people react to pain: some jump around swearing and cursing, others fall in a screaming heap and others don't even batter an eyelid.
Now, take a look at a bream for instance. They eat oysters, pippies and crabs. They have no hands to open or peel off shells so it goes down shell and all, most times.
If we ate a crab with its shell, we would have pretty sore gums. So inside of a bream's mouth there are not that many nerve endings plus it is fairly hard.
So with a 2/0 hook in there, pain would be minimal. No doubt it would be uncomfortable. That's probably why they kick around a lot.
The other factor is stress. Playing a fish can lead to high levels of stress which can later kill the fish after being released. That's why it's important to get them in quick and back into the water with minimal handling.
If you decide to keep the fish then you should still try and be as humane as possible. An ice slurry is the best way to keep them. The cold water knocks them out instantly and keeps the fish fresh and reduces the decomposing process.
Should be another good weekend on the cards.
With Anzac day on a Thursday, no doubt there will be a few sickies on Friday.
Some nice flatties are getting around the Richmond with some bream at the bottom end.
Wardell and Pimlico are boasting some nice schoolies. Worms and squid have been good. Live herrings are the preferred diet.
A few luderick about but it is hard to get some weed.
Tailor are along the beaches with jew taking lures off the rocky headlands in rough water.
Pearl perch are on the wider reefs with squire in close. Mac tuna are in schools along the coast in close and out wide.
The blue swimmers are around in numbers but I have been advised the juveniles out number the adults.
This weekend Yamba might be the go. Some nice flathead are being caught in the 2 to 7 kilo range. Or for a bit of fun on light gear, garfish are in good numbers on the Evans River.
Have a great weekend and to all the diggers on Anzac Day our respect and thoughts go out to you and your fallen comrades.
Kite surfers can get up to 30m into the air!
Australias best kitesurfers will compete in Byron Bay for the first time this week in the inaugural Summer's End Kitesurfing Competition.
Kitesurfing is the world's fastest growing watersport with new innovations and progressive manoeuvres being discovered regularly.
The sport is a blend of many other sports, particularly sky diving, wakeboarding and windsurfing, with skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding and gymnastics contributing much to the manoeuvres being discovered each day.
Experienced kitesurfers can use their kites to boost off flat water and can easily achieve jumps as high as five metres in only moderate winds.
The competition is being organised by local kitesurfing enthusiast Mike Walker(pictured), who also operates a kitesurfing adventure company Blue Line Adventures.
'I'll judge the success of this competition by how many new people take up kitesurfing,' he said.
Mike has teamed up with The Byron Youth Project, a charity aimed at motivating and empowering youth by creating local jobs for Byrons young people.
The Youth Project will be raising funds through a sausage sizzle during the competition. Local DJs will be invited to play their set for the crowd while Australia's top level kitesurfers compete on the water for three separate titles.
The main event will be the Freeride Expression Sessions where riders will show off to the crowd with an astounding array of aerial manoeuvres including multiple flips and spins, inverted rotations and one hand/no hands tricks.
The Big Air/Hang Time competition is a timed event where riders attempt to hang from their kite as long as possible.
The resulting displays often involve huge boosts with riders travelling well over 30 metres and staying in the air as long as six seconds.
The final event is a simple race. The Downwind Dash For Cash will see the kitesurfers put up their super power kites in an attempt to get overpowered for a 5km race downwind.
Using the apparent wind of their moving kite, an experienced rider can travel up to 30% faster than the actual wind speed. In strong winds competent riders can achieve frightening speeds and the not so competent, spectacular wipeouts.
So in the interests of an extreme spectacular, cross your fingers for wind, and watch out for flying kitesurfers.
If you're looking for an alternative to surfing on those onshore days, or just want to know more, call Mike at Blue Line Adventures on 0408 868 231 or email mwalker@bluelineadventures.com
The comp will start on Thursday, April 25, and go till Sunday, April 28. The venue will depend on the wind. Most likely at this time of year is a southerly in which case the comp will be at Suffolk Park near Gaggin Park. In a northerly wind the comp will be on Main Beach.
While the Waratahs proved on the weekend that it's possible to win when your scrum goes backwards the Far North Coast teams are going to have to work out exactly how if anyone is to stop Wollongbar.
Over at Hill Park the Pioneers gave Southern Cross University Gold Rats a lesson in tight forward play, simply using their size and experience to dominate the game.
Wollongbar crushed the SCU scrum, winning tight-head after tight-head as they pushed the students around like infants in a pram, taking the game 27-3.
Lismore City had a huge 15-0 win over Ballina, showing last year's winners that they are certainly not going to have an easy season.
City Captain Andrew O'Brien made an impressive return to the forwards (after a short-lived one week stint in the centres), leading from the front and making lots of good yards.
While Ballina were without Kane Scott (who ran on for NSW country against the Waratahs B side. Unfortunately country went down 62 to 13 Scott scored 2 pens & 1 goal) they still have an impressive lineup but failed to really gel against Lismore.
Lismore played an aggressive game, taking the play to Ballina and reaping the advantages.
Byron just came away with a win over the Mullumbimby Moonshiners, taking the game 12-10.
Luke Sullivan again starred for Byron, as the young fullback wove through the opposition backs.
This weekend Lismore will have an opportunity to exact revenge from Wollongbar when the two meet at Lismore this Saturday.
The first round match up between these two turned as spiteful as a Mike Tyson press conference with fights erupting quicker than the ref could send players off.
Lismore should be on a high after taking care of Ballina last week.
Wollongbar will also be brimming with confidence after so easily dominating SCU and beating Lismore the first time.
Wollongbar have the best and most experienced scrum in the zone and if Lismore are to get even they need to get the ball out quickly - and not lose too many tight heads. If Lismore can hold their own in at least some of the scrums then they'll have a chance; if not then they've got about as much chance of winning as Robbie Waterhouse does of taking a bet next week.
The question being asked around the grounds at the moment: is the era of Ballina dominating the competition over?
The Seahorses are yet to win a game and will be trying to go one better than the 12 all draw they managed against Casino in the first round.
Casino are a tough, never-say-die team and Ballina will know better than to underestimate them after their efforts two weeks ago.
This game will be a matter of style - Casino have shown a very tough mind-set and don't let up until the final whistle.
Ballina have some brilliant outside backs but haven't quite managed to pull everything together so far this season. With Scott back in the side, and having something to prove after their loss to Lismore the Seahorses could well run riot over the Bulls this weekend.
Byron have been scrambling a bit so far this season but with
The students allowed themselves to be intimidated by Wollongbar last weekend and let Wollongbar define the terms of the game: the forwards. While a scrum constantly back peddling makes it very difficult to win (they give away a penalty and then end up with the ball anyway) the Gold Rats shouldn't have the same trouble against the Bay.
The Bay are again an erratic team: capable of great play but also equally as able to stuff things up.
Uni's all round game has looked much better then the Bay's this season and the Rats should probably come away with the points despite having a terrible away record against Byron over recent years.
Gold Rat Steve Spinks received the call up to join the Far North Coast rep team for their big game today at Grafton against Mid North Coast.
Spinks is a very useful attacking loose forward, not afraid of putting his head down and making lots of ground. The North Coast team for coutry week will be picked from the game today.
The coming week will have the Lismore Swans hosting the Ballina RSL Bombers at Clifford Park Goonellabah where the Lismore Swans will be facing a tough encounter with the early leaders Ballina, and Nimbin travels to Byron for a night game at Shultz Oval Bangalow on Saturday evening.
Nimbin will really enjoy the experience of the night game and will need to keep working on their fitness for a competitive edge, but may find the Byron ground to their liking. The Byron side has had two tough encounters to start the season and with a couple of light injuries to some players they will not have a full strength side. The Demons need to continue the goal kicking and try harder as their running game is improving.
Lismore is without key ruckman Simon Lovell for eight weeks with a shoulder injury and also missing Ian Holder who injured a shoulder complaint before the season started. Greg Westbrook is roving the centres with his usual tackle-busting style to keep the red and white returning to the attack, and the three Howard brothers combo could provide dividends when they play at their peak.
Big Mac James McIntosh scored a goal last week for the Swans and will give his best again, and the coaches will be looking for something special, as a strong Ballina team will be primed for a good match.
The Ballina RSL Bombers are looking good at the early stages of the SAFL season with good numbers enabling some players to rest and recover.
This is a game of significance for ex-Swan veteran Roly Barrett who faces up against his old side for the first time after pulling on the Black and Red jumper for Ballina with work and family commitments keeping him on the coast.
Damian Holland was again in fine form for the Bombers on Saturday scoring another four goals, supporting Peter Plummer's five. Ballina's combo of Lohman, Plummer, Holland, and Barrett is a dangerous attacking forward line, and the Swans are going to have to look at their match ups.
Ballina also will have to look for key taggers to mark the likes of nippy Lismore forward Matty Moore who has already kicked 18 goals in the first two games. He was the Swans 2001 Leading Goalkicker and is in fine form in front of the sticks. Scott Shelley also slotted five and Dale Nevin has returned to the Swans lineup with a couple in each game to be a contributor.
The match of the round last weekend was played at Fripp Oval Ballina between the home side Ballina RSL Bombers and reigning premiers Byron Magpies.
A top game resulted in a Bomber blitz with the final score Ballina RSL Bombers 17.11.113 over Byron 11.10.76.
Byron have not lost a game since the end of 2000 with 21 consecutive wins giving the side a big reputation, but on Saturday it was the home side who showed more desire, ending the Magpies' long run of wins.
With Gary Lohman not available on the weekend, Ballina had coach Peter Plummer at full forward and he posted a game high five majors. Damian Holland again scored important goals for the red and black side, slotting four, and steering the defence was Kane Haley, who was outstanding at the centre half back position.
The final score Ballina RSL Bombers 17.11.113 to Byron 11.10.76.
Goals: Ballina - Peter Plummer 5, Damian Holland 4, Roly Barrett 4, Frank Miller 2, Tony Singe, Rodney McMillan.
Byron - Chuck Draper 4, A Gaffey 2, Jason Rawnsley, Levi Dunn, M Gabriel, P Borrick, J Peters.
Best: Ballina - Frank Miller, Kane Hayley, Paul Hindson, Luke Crowe, Tony Singe, Craig Borley. Byron - David McLean, Tim Donahoe, Tim Fisher, Cade Davidson, Chuck Draper, Chrispen Myers.
At Nimbin the Demons resurrected their goal kicking with a solid eight scored against the Swans, who ran out convincing winners, 23.14.152 to 8.1.49.
Goals: Lismore - Matt Moore 11, Scott Shelley 5, Dale Nevin 2, Simon Howard 2, James McIntosh, D Schmidt. Best: Lismore - Matty Moore, Greg Rolfe, Travis Eddie, Scott Shelley, Hoffman.
Ballina is now the early leader in the SAFL Ladder with two wins, and for the first time in a long time, Byron sits at third, split with the Swans by percentage. Ballina RSL Bombers 8, Lismore Swans 4, Byron 4, Nimbin.
by Roly Barrett
It's time to see if Grafton have what it takes to win the premiership when they meet the Ballina Seagulls this Sunday in the top of the table match this Sunday at 3pm in Grafton.
After three rounds only the Ghosts and the Seagulls remain undefeated after both won their games last weekend.
Grafton annihilated Workers Tigers 76-6, showing the Lismore team they have a lot of work to do if they are to be in finals contention this season.
The Tigers began the game promisingly when prop Eddie Solomona ran half the length of the field to score but the conversion was the end of the scoring for Workers as the game simply vanished to the Ghosts.
Brothers had a good win over Casino, taking the game 42-16.
The Cougars made far too many mistakes, something Brothers took full advantage of. Casino did play better in the second half but their play was still too loose to really threaten Brothers lead.
Byron Bay notched up their first win over the season last weekend, taking down the Kyogle Bush Turkeys 26-18.
The Bay managed to be ahead 20-8 after the first half but the Turkeys almost managed a comeback, clawing the margin back to 22-18 before losing their half back to the bin.
The Red Devils took advantage of the extra man and crossed again to seal the victory.
Kyogle will have a tough one this weekend when they head to the Lower Clarence to take on the Magpies.
Although the Magpies lost to Ballina 48-24 last weekend, since rejoining Group One they've looked like a very professional outfit and will be difficult to beat at home this season.
The Turkeys need to do some more work on discipline if they are to give the Maggies a challenge.
Mullum should be able to sort out the Casino Cougars this weekend, after taking care of South Grafton 30-8 last weekend.
In a much improved performance over the previous week Mullum defended well and broke the line consistently to dominate the Rebels.
Casino are yet to win a game this season and with the strong support of their home crowd behind them the Giants should be able to make it two in a row.
The North Coast Road Racers held a Race day at the Grafton Motor Racing Complex recently which was contested by riders from Port Macquarie to Mullumbimby.
Racing was contested in two classes, Amateur and pro, with the excellent weather providing close racing through the three heats of 10 laps followed by the 15 lap final race.
The winner of the Pro class was Barry McDonald of Lismore who narrowly fought off the excellent riding of Kyogle's Neil Parker who claimed second place and strong rides from Michael Fischer of Byron Bay who took third position for the day.
In the Amateur division a consistent performance from Ken Shepherd saw him take first place. The very spirited riding of James Chaponnel, both from Grafton, gave him second place despite two falls, with Heath Pead from Port Macquarie taking third despite mechanical failures.
Despite careful running in of newly rebuilt race engines, two of the club's faster Pro division riders, Tony Brearly of Byron Bay and Alstonville's Alan Chesworth, could not mount their usual challenge due to engine seizures early in the meeting.
Young Grafton rider James Chaponnel is continuing to show strong improvements and with his increasing pace and the latest modifications to his bike is expected to mix it with the Pro class competitors in the near future.
The club's second meeting for 2002 was held at the Lismore Kart track on Sunday, April 21, with talented Byron Bay rider Luke Cardan winning the day against a strong field of 14 riders.
Strong rides from Luke saw him take first place in race 1 followed by two second places to win the Pro division on his Honda, fighting off strong challenges from Murwillumbah's Anthony Cram who took second place followed by Barry McDonald of Lismore in third after crashing out of the 15 lap final. The club's oldest participating rider, John Sinclair, also put in an excellent performance to take 6th overall.
The Channon's Craig Hatherell showed consistent form to take out fourth position for the day, despite not having raced for several seasons.
The Amateur class also provided some excellent racing with Young Grafton rider James Chapponal taking first place from Ken Shepherd, also of Grafton, followed by Norm Balzer of Dunoon taking a well earned third place in his race debut.
The club's next meeting will be on Sunday, May 26, at the Grafton Circuit. Spectators are always welcome and are guaranteed to see some close and exciting racing, and for further information can call Barry McDonald on 6624 4358.
The North Coast Road Racers meet monthly at the Eltham Hotel at 6.30pm on the second Monday of each month, and all are welcome to attend.
The Trevan Ford East Coast Grand National is now going to be held all on one night, this Saturday, April 27.
The night promises plenty of excitement featuring the top Super Sedans in a 30 lap Feature.
Also, on the same night, the awesome V8 Dirt Modifieds in the Brunswick Valley Coaches Night Of Thunder, plus support classes of Club Sedans with their NSW Title, AMCA's round 5 of the Woolgoolga Hardware series, Stockers, Streeters, 4 Cylinders and Juniors.
This is now the biggest meeting of the season with more than 120 competitors!
And over 300 laps of racing!
Adults $ 22, Pensioners (aged and invalid only) $15, Students $15, Children 5-12 yrs $5, Family (2A + 3u/16) $55
The Bartercard Lismore Speedway is located at Lismore Showgrounds, Alexandra St Lismore.
For Grandstand Bookings Ph 66832417, 0428 632417.
In the first two weeks of the season, Workers and Marist Brothers each had two wins and no losses leading to a double header clash last weekend.
Both games were competitive but Workers came up with the points.
In the Friday night clash, Workers took the lead in the first with 1 run when Wayne Devlin doubled Michael Lewis home.
Brothers capitalised on an error in the third inning and scored 2 runs on singles .
Workers came right back in the third inning with 3 runs on a walk, a single to Dallas Knapp and the first home run of the season to Scott McClelland to take the lead 4-2.
Brothers regained the lead in the fourth with a single to Matt Herington and doubles to Mick Youngberry, D McAnelly and Steve Egan to lead 5-4.
Not to be outdone, Workers tied 5-5 on a Dallas Knapp double and single to Troy Pruess. Brothers scored another run in the sixth inning on an error and Workers scored two to take the lead 7-6 on Luke Tucker's single, Michael Lewis' bunt and Mick McCelland's single.
In the eighth inning, Brothers' pitching collapsed and Workers capitalised, scoring 10 runs to finish the game 17-6. Workers pitcher, Michael Lewis picked up his third win of the season going the distance and scattering 10 hits, allowing 3 earned runs and striking out 6.
The Saturday game began with Brothers taking an early lead in the first inning, scoring 7 on hits to Mick Youngberry, Craig Bateman, Jeff Mackney, Steve Milgate and David McAnelly. Workers came back in the second inning with 5 runs on hits from Michael Lewis, Dallas Knapp, Nathan Olley and a double to Martin Tucker.
The game finished in dramatic fashion as Brothers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with none out and Workers winning 12-8. Relief pitcher Martin Tucker struck out the 4th batter of the inning and finished the game with a double play ground ball. Tucker also helped his cause with 2 doubles and 2 singles.
Troy Pruess pitched 7 innings giving up 8 hits and 7 runs. Only 3 hits and 1 run were allowed after the first inning. Martin Tucker relieved in the 8th inning for Workers allowing 2 hits and no runs. Steve Egan relieved Brother's starter Matt Herington and held Workers to 7 hits and 3 runs in the final 5 innings.
The game between Redbirds and Norths where both teams were looking for their first win in three starts ended in 7 innings with Norths winning 24-7.
Southern Cross Uni faces the toughest assignment of its young but potentially record-breaking season on Saturday, when the students travel to Byron Bay to take on Soccer Far North Coast's early premiership favourites at 3pm.
The rampaging Rams have shot straight to the top of the ladder after being the only side to win all four games so far, presenting Uni with an awesome challenge as the students back up from today's Anzac Cup final against Italo Stars at Oakes Oval from 6.30pm.
Last week the Rams maintained their unblemished record by defeating Italo Stars 1-0 without the services of Tim Bird, Brendan Parkes and Shaun Packham, who all return to bring the Bay to full strength.
The Rams' water-tight defence is yet to concede a goal this season, leaving their well-drilled squad as favourites against a Uni side sure to be suffering Cup final after-effects.
While what occurs tonight may well effect Uni's lineup and is sure to test the students' stamina to the limit by Saturday, one thing is certain, if Uni does win its first ever title and holds the Anzac Cup aloft, they will be on an enormous confidence high come Saturday's showdown.
Lismore Workers will need to live up to their name to re-build their midfield for Saturday's vital clash with second-placed Lismore Thistles at Richards Park from 5pm.
Workers were hoping to shape their lineup around the central midfield pairing of Anthony Alvos and Craig Murphy this season, but both will be missing as Alvos enjoys his honeymoon and Murphy recovers from an ankle injury.
Young prospect Dan Henderson will fill one gap, with coach Kevin Keevers still uncertain on the other.
Workers played some good soccer against Uni in their last start, but still went down 2-1 to a late goal, leaving the Redmen with just one win so far and desperate for points.
But taking points from Thistles has proven a tall order for their opponents so far this season, with the Blues' experienced lineup still undefeated and yet to concede a single goal.
Thistles' only doubtful starter is Anthony Nind who is nursing a hamstring strain but the nuggetty midfielder loves clashes with Workers and will be hard to keep off the paddock.
Alstonville will be hoping to shrug off a poor start to the season when they host Casino Cobras at Crawford Park on Saturday from 3pm.
Villa started with a draw against premiers Maclean, but since then have crashed to three straight losses, conceding 13 goals in the process.
While Villa has plenty of enthusiasm and a new, experienced midfield playmaker in Joe O'Rourke, they've struggled to find the net and with just three goals to their credit are the lowest scoring side in the comp.
Casino have also had a mixed start to the season, but showed plenty of application in last week's 2-0 win over Goonellabah, giving the Cobras two wins and two losses to sit mid-table.
With Matthew Frost and Matt Woodrow returning to bring the side to full strength, Casino will see the game as a real chance to get their season on track with another win.
Maclean's campaign to defend its twin premiership titles could lie in tatters by Saturday night, if the Bobcats fail to win their crunch game against Italo Stars.
Maclean has the home advantage for the 3pm kick off and will be hoping for plenty of crowd support as they chase their first win.
With just two points to show from the first four rounds, Maclean cannot afford another loss and are sure to lift their intensity.
The Bobcats have several things going for them, with a full strength side on home soil compared to a Stars outfit still recovering from tonight's Anzac Cup final and facing the long bus trip south.
The risk for Stars is that Maclean, who have been playing well but just not scoring, could finally click on the day.
Stars dropped to fifth place after a tight 1-0 loss to Byron in their last start and another loss would be a serious blow to their premiership hopes, setting the stage for an enthralling contest.
Ballina has emerged as the early surprise package of 2002, giving little away at first by opting not to contest the pre-season Anzac Cup, before starting the premiership season with a flurry of wins to grab a share of third place with Rovers.
Saturday's home clash against a still winless South Lismore presents a golden opportunity for the Seahorses to build further momentum and with a full strength lineup, Ballina should register another win.
The seasiders demonstrated their ominous scoring potential with three goals in the opening ten minutes of last week's 3-1 win over a disbelieving Alstonville and will relish the chance to assault a Souths defence that has already conceded 14 goals.
With attacking options such as Peter Edwards, Troy Percival, Justin Stockham and Danny Vincent at their disposal, Ballina will look for another blitzkrieg opening to unsettle Souths, who have several danger players of their own capable of upsetting a complacent defence.
Goonellabah are on home soil at Weston Park this Sunday against Richmond Rovers from 3pm.
On paper it looks a clear-cut win for Rovers, who sit in third place after winning three of their four games, including last week's impressive 3-0 win over premiers Maclean.
In comparison, Goonellabah have just one win to their credit and despite some gutsy performances, the Hornets' young side still looks in need of time to toughen up.
A 2-0 loss to Casino last week was a blow to Goonellabah's hopes of beating some of the 'softer' sides, leaving the Hornets now facing the challenge of taking points from one of the competition heavyweights on Sunday.
Young Goonellabah striker Brady Larkin is the surprise early leader of the Echo's men's Hot Shots award for 2002.
Larkin has averaged a goal a game over the first four rounds, one more than a cluster of more familiar names on three.
The eventual winner will receive a weekend for two at a luxury Gold Coast resort.
Winner for the last two years Maclean's Daniel Fung, must have enjoyed his prize so much he has moved to the Gold Coast, opening the door for a new name to be etched on the 2002 golden boot trophy.
4 - Brady Larkin (G'bah)
3 - Steve Morrissey (Workers), Adam Sheridan (Rovers), Peter Edwards (Ballina), Luke Glanz (Byron), Nathan Jones (Byron)
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Bowled Over
Hooks and Slices
