Sports News

Hooks and Slices

with Stan Bendall

NRDGA

The quarterly meeting of the NRDGA is to be held on Tuesday, April 29, at the Lismore Workers Club with the executive to meet at 6.30 and delegates at 7pm.

The District final of the Hahn NSW 4BBB Stableford will be held at Maclean on Sunday, May 11. The Northern Rivers Pennant competition is to commence on May 25.

Ballina

This Saturday is a single stableford with Ballina representatives travelling to Lismore for the second round of the Crandon Shield. The Ladies will be playing a single versus par. Saturday will also be an open junior day with Brownie's RSL travelling to Yamba on Sunday.

Peter Salgram won the single stableford on Saturday. A Grade went to Ron Lindsay with David Browne getting up in B Grade and Anthony Camilleri victorious in C Grade. Mark Astley took the gross honours on the day.

Coraki

This Friday is a single stableford for members and ladies followed on Saturday by the annual Invitation Day, a 4BBB stableford.

Club legend Roger Wilton won the single stroke A Grade on Saturday with Guy Stewart winning B Grade. Colin Mills came away the big winner, being victorious in both C Grade and the Anzac Cup.

Kyogle

This Saturday is an open single stableford, followed on Monday by the Ladies' pennant. A single stableford will be held on Thursday, May 1.

Saturday's A grade single stableford was won by Doug Hurley with Luke Henry again victorious in B Grade. Club championships will begin on May 3 with the Mixed 4BBB club qualifying round for the Club Keno Mixed.

Lismore

The annual Anzac Day Diggers Cup is on Friday. Saturday is a 2 BBB stableford in conjunction with a single stroke event. The club will also host Ballina golfers for the Crandon Shield.

On Saturday, May 3, the May Monthly Medal is a vardon-eclectic shootout.

The single matchplay draw is now out with the 2nd round to be completed by May 3.

W'dburn-Evans Hd

Round three of the club championship is this Saturday with Bill Ferrier looking set to take out the title.

The single stableford played on Saturday saw James Luke take the trophy in the overall and A Grade. Dave Baker and Jim Perry won B and C Grades respectively. The consistent Jean Pike won the ladies section and then backed up on Sunday to win the RSL 12-hole stroke event.

Hook, Line and Sinker

with Lindsay Doust - Suffolks Sports Store

Weather stymies Easter fishing

One could not have envisaged worse weather than what was dished up to anglers over Easter. That is, if you were fishing somewhere on the North Coast. Holiday parks seem to have been heavily booked for the start of the break with the numbers dropping as the days refused to get better. There was no outside fishing and in fact very little fishing overall, except for the person who is mad keen.

The best report I've heard to date was of good numbers of jewfish coming from the Ballina South Wall in the rough water caused by the wind and rain. They seem to have bitten for the whole break at the right time of the tide. The best catches seem to have been on the riverside of the wall, with beach worms as the preferred bait.

One other angler I've spoken to had a good catch of greenback tailor, also from the South Wall.

The other report from Ballina seems to do with blackfish. It seems they have made their first move of the winter months. However, trying to get good weed, particularly black weed, is proving difficult. There seems to be some available from the Clarence. As with all green weed or black weed, if we do find a little bit locally in the drains or creeks, we're not going to tell the whole world, or even anyone.

The weather out west was much kinder and it seems a number of people headed that way on shooting or fishing expeditions. The weather was great at places like Glen Lyon and Pindari Dams and for those who enjoy catching redfin and eating them, Pindari is producing some at the present time. Redfin is an introduced species and as such is regarded as a pest. Some people call them English perch but whatever way you think of it, they are a nice eating fish.

With the rough weather currently on the coast, rock anglers should observe the following safety hints. These have been provided as a guide by NSW Fisheries:

• Never fish by yourself, always fish in a group of at least three people and within sight of each other.

• Inform friends and family of where you are going and when you will return.

• Wear light clothing and suitable non-slip footwear.

• Carry safety gear eg life jackets, buoyancy vest, ropes and torches.

• Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas.

• Always check local weather, swell and tidal conditions before going fishing.

• Spend some time watching your intended spot before fishing, to get an idea of conditions over a full swell or wave cycle.

• Plan an escape route in case you are washed into the sea.

• Always stay alert

• NEVER turn your back to the sea.

•  Ask for advice from locals who know the area.

On second thoughts …

On first call it didn't sound too bad. They wanted to know if I would enter into a celebrity bull-ride to represent The Echo as part of The Lismore Turf Club's race 'n' rodeo promotion.

"Sure", I said, with visions of some retiring beast named Daisy who loves nothing more than to gently lift clover offered from the trusting milk-white hands of five year olds.

I arrived at the Lismore Race Track at the appointed time for the start of the rodeo, children in tow. We saw the ferocious beasts in the main pen waiting to destroy their natural enemies – the professional rodeo riders. I cast my eye warily upon these leviathans as I ushered my children around to the back stalls, where I knew my Daisy must be waiting. My youngest son is not good at hiding his concern. The older one went for the throat – "Aren't you scared, Dad?"

I still couldn't see the little bulls – no little bulls!

"Cos Dad, you should be."

"Thanks son."

The appointed time came and I was fitted with a protective vest, a glove and a helmet with a tight fitting grill across the front. Apparently I'm a little bigger than your average bull jockey.

As the bulls used in competitions are as tall as humans at their shoulder, riders have to get on them via an elevated platform. Once on the bull the attendant had me thrust my hand through a tight fitting strap that was firmly attached around Young Chainsaw's back.

Attached to the bull… hmmm… then I was nervous. "My hand will come out of this, won't it?"

"Usually does," came the laconic reply.

An announcer yelled, the gate swung open and my arm socket luckily stayed intact as the bull lurched out of the pen. It took one almighty buck, shook every bone in my body, and then it stumbled sending me head first into the dirt. It disrespectfully clipped me across the helmet with one of its hooves as it got up, not that I really noticed as I was far more interested in getting upright and the hell out of that bull ring.

The ring announcer offered me a second run because my bull stumbled, but I figured that would spoil the whole "once-in-a-lifetime" aspect of the experience.

The only real injury that I suffered was when I wrenched my knee jumping down from the barrier fence getting out of the ring.

Seems ironic somehow.

Later my boys told me that I had recorded a time of 1.99 seconds.

Congratulations to The Northern Star's Adam Hicks for winning the Media Challenge upon the Daisy that I'm sure was supposed to be for me, and to ZZZ's Greg Young who was easily the best bull-rider amongst us.

Lismore Turf Club Secretary-Manager Michael Timbrell said the night was very successful.

"We were very pleased with the size of the crowd and their response to the bull riding," he said.

A crowd of more than 2000 went to the race meeting, making it the second biggest event on the Lismore racing calendar.

"The Race 'n' Rodeo last year was very popular with the racegoers and we wanted to make it a major part of our schedule. This year we decided to hold it over Easter to give families a Lismore based option for a fun outing."

The racing community also responded well with over 60 horses racing on the five-race card. Timbrell told The Echo that the South Lismore Cup/Race 'n' Rodeo is now likely to be a permanent fixture over Easter for the Lismore Turf Club.

Casino girls in state teams Casino High's Ashlee Northfield and Janice Yates have been selected to play for Queensland South in the National Schools Indoor Soccer (Futsal) championships being conducted in Brisbane from October 1-3. Ashlee (u/14) and Janice (u/15) both played in the under 16 girls competition at the recent Queensland State Schools Indoor Soccer championships. They were part of a 47-strong Casino High squad that travelled to Beenliegh for the Queensland titles. For many of the students this was the first time that they played in a game of indoor soccer. Futsal games only last for 30 minutes, but the game is played at a much faster pace and is far more intense than its outdoor equivalent. The eight teams from the school played a total of 37 games, of which they won 14 and drew two.

Ashlee Northfield Janice Yates

Two-up – the national game

With Anzac Day upon us the minds of many Australians turn to 'The National Game' – two-up. The game, which developed out of 'pitch and toss' contests in the Sydney docks area, saved numerous lives at Gallipoli. The Turks could see the diggers following the path of the tossed coins – the Aussie soldiers' heads would rise and then all drop to the ground in unison to read the result of the coins. The Turks thought they were praying to their God and refused to shoot at people conducting their prayers.

Although the game is illegal it is played every Anzac Day in clubs and pubs across the country.

Two-up players use a number of unique terms. Here are some of the more interesting terms and definitions.

Alley: A well-organised two-up school.

Alley clerk: The person who assists in arranging bets for two-up players.

Alley loafer: A broke two up player who keeps hanging around the game.

Boxer; ring keeper; ringie: The organiser of a two-up school. Duties include controlling the centre and the spinning of the pennies, supervising all side bets and receiving an agreed percentage of the spinner's winnings.

Butterfly; floater: A coin that doesn't spin when tossed, thus being treated as a non-throw as determined by the boxer and/or a supervisor.

Call: A player with the call has the right to nominate either heads or tails when the coins are tossed in the air.

Centre: The person who holds all of the bets arranged for the spinner.

Cockatoo: A lookout employed to warn players of approaching police.

"Come in, spinner!"; fair go (mate): The call to all assembled by the boxer to let everyone know that all bets have been placed and it is time for the spinner to toss the coins.

Get set: To place a bet.

Grey: A coin which has either two tail or two head sides.

Guts: The centre of a two-up game.

Head 'em (up); head them; header: To play the game of two-up. Also, to throw the coins into the air and have them land with heads appearing face up on both coins.

Hit the centre: A demand from the boxer for a player to deliver the house a rake off of their winnings.

Kip: A hand-held, thin piece of wood. The pennies are tossed from the kip.

Mick: A throw of two tails; the tails side of a coin, or, the heads side of a coin.

Ned 'em: To throw two heads.

Nob: A two-headed coin.

No throw; evens: A throw of one head and one tail, or, a toss of the coins that doesn't meet the rules of the game.

Odds: The coins land with one head and one tail facing upwards. This is a stand off and a new throw must occur.

One 'em: To throw a head and a tail in the toss making it a no throw.

Ring: The space at the centre of the gamblers where the spinner tosses the coins.

Ring the jack: To cheat by using a double headed coin.

School: A group of people gathered together to play two up.

Spinner: The player who throws the coins in the air.

Swy: Two-up.

Stars can consolidate on top - Soccer FNC

Thistles midfielder, Frenchman Yannick Castella, crosses the ball to the top of the penalty box from the right wing during Thistles loss to Stars in the first round of the premiership.

A full round of matches this weekend brings Premier Division action back with a rush after the Easter break.

Due to the Anzac Cup final between Maclean and Byron Bay being played on Friday matches involving the finalists will be played on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

Round Two was completed on last Thursday when Italo Stars travelled to Byron, bringing home a 4-1 victory and top place on the ladder. Jeremy Pollard scored a double, while 2002 Golden Boot winner Wayne Mortimer added one more to his 2003 tally.

Stars have a chance to consolidate their ascendancy when they host University on Saturday. The students haven't shown enough to be considered a threat this early in the season.

Ballina will be hosting Thistles in a twilight fixture that should see them join Stars as the only unbeaten teams at the end of the weekend. Thistles have yet to earn a premiership point from their first two games and a draw will probably be a good result for them.

Both Casino and Rovers come into their third round clash with cause to be confident. After most pundits predicting they would have a lean year Casino already have a win and a draw to their credit. Rovers started the season with high expectations but were looking down the barrel at 1-5 down in their last start against Maclean. However, they began to find the target in the second half and miraculously clawed their way back into the game to finish with a 5-all draw. Rovers have hit the back of the net nine times in their first two games and Casino's defence will be hard pressed to hold them out.

On Sunday Byron will be hoping to have the services of captain Bruce Moorhouse, missing from their loss to Stars, to help guide their young squad in a tough away assignment against Alstonville. The men from the plateau came away with the points from Thistles last time out and will be keen to notch their first win in front of their new clubhouse.

Maclean and Workers will be battling it out at Maclean in a game that has the potential to kick start a season that has begun disappointingly for both teams.

Maclean has won their way into Friday's Anzac Cup final but in the premiership an opening round loss was followed by the disaster against Rovers in which they squandered a four-goal lead.

Women's soccer

Two Women's First Division matches will be played on Sunday morning with the third match to be played under lights at Byron on Monday night.

The match of the round is undoubtedly Sunday's Thistles v Rovers confrontation. Both teams have a win and a draw to their credit with the winner of the local derby having a chance to make an early break on the top of the ladder with Southern Cross University. Both Thistles' and Rovers' victories were against the hapless Italo Stars outfit. Thistles' victory was an 8-1 drubbing, while Rovers were handed their win as a forfeit.

It will be Southern Cross' turn to take on Stars on Sunday morning. The students have shown that they can play a consistent game across the park and are able to convert scoring opportunities. Stars will be looking to get their season back on track, but they simply need to get the numbers on the training track and playing field if they are to figure prominently this season.

In the Monday game Workers will travel to Byron. Both sides have had a draw and a loss to start their season, but have displayed enough on the pitch to show that they will be a difficult assignment for any team in the competition. Byron should win given their home-ground advantage.

Golden Boot Awards

Mortimer makes early claim

The Echo Golden Boot award will reward the player in Soccer FNC's Premier Division (men) and First Division (women) that scores the most goals in the 2003 home and away season. The winners will receive packages from Trevor Oram's Living Entertainment worth $750.

Golden Boot 2003 – Men's Premier Division

Wayne Mortimer is making sure that he will again be in the running for the Premier Division Golden Boot title after finding the net against Byron to bring his 2003 tally to three. He is one goal ahead of a logjam of players who have each scored two goals.

3 – Wayne Mortimer (Stars)

2 – Ben Haigh (Alstonville), Adam Bostock (Alstonville), Grant Nielson (Maclean), Andrew Gray (Rovers), Brett Lane (Rovers), Jeremy Pollard (Stars), Dan Henderson (Workers).

1 goal – 22 players

Golden Boot 2003 – Women's First Division

Leanne Shipman maintains her lead at the top of The Northern Rivers Echo Golden Boot competition for the Soccer FNC Women's First Division. Shipman did not add to her tally this week, but maintains her two-goal break as all five goals scored this round were by first-time scores for 2003.

5 – Leanne Shipman (Thistles}

3 – Janelle Poletto (Thistles), K. Zellner (SCU)

1 – Greta Couldwell (Byron Bay), Megan Janezic, (Byron Bay), Rose Argent (Byron Bay), Martine Edwards, (Rovers), Katie Field (Rovers), Thaya Evendon (SCU), Michaela Brauer (SCU), Tracy Want (Thistles), Cathy Soward (Thistles), Kim Wraight (Workers), Alison Bell (Workers).

Swans settle into new nest - Aussie Rules

by Roly Barrett

The Lismore Swans play the Nimbin Demons in the first game at the new home 'downtown' ground, Mortimer Oval, Lismore, this Saturday from 2pm.

Club President Neil Winterbon said the new home ground, directly adjacent to Lismore Square, offers much more visibility which should lead to stronger support and more interest in the Club.

The Swans will be looking for a big show after they comfortably accounted for Byron by 44 points in their last game. Scott Shelley has been leading the way for Lismore, and code convert Ben Hughes was outstanding.

Nimbin showed they have potential with a win against new club Casino, but Lismore will be a far sterner test. The Demons will be looking for more support for forward David Scott, Grant Treloar and 2002 SAFL Best and Fairest winner Cameron Hatty.

Grand final rematch

In a replay of the 2002 Grand Final Ballina host Byron at Fripp Oval, Ballina, on Saturday from 2pm.

Byron has lost some key playmakers, but have several talented new players in the wings. New bloods Purdy, Hope, and Aworth have shown that they will be an asset, and Magpie stalwarts Porritt, Nash, and Lunan were prominent in their last outing. Byron will be eager to make amends for last year's grand final loss.

The Ballina Bombers stumbled in the first quarter against Lismore, and then again when playing Casino. The Bombers' ball delivery into the forward line was hit-and-miss against the Lions. If they can strike targets accurately, they might be able to control the scoring. Sean Wallington was underused at full forward and will dominate that spot if given the opportunity, while Jeff Aikman was devastating in the half forwards.

Tony Singe constantly drove in from the wing, but a team effort will be needed if Ballina is to relive last year's victory. Defence will be key to who controls the board, as the centre contest should be an even one between the two sides.

Casino crush premiers - Rugby League

After their stunning first-up 45-0 whitewash of reigning premiers Grafton Ghosts, Casino will be looking to consolidate at home against Lower Clarence on Sunday. Clarence accounted for Ghosts the previous week making this a good early-season test for both sides. The forward packs from both teams appear to be where the strength lies. The first half should be a tight affair with the forwards dominating. Once one pack gains clear ascendancy it should pave the way for a late try-scoring rush and a one-sided scoreline. With the home advantage Casino should win.

Byron Bay will be at home to Ghosts, who appear to be in the midst of a deep premiership hangover. Byron should run away with this one. With the second round bye Byron Bay haven't played a game since their close tussle with Kyogle on April 6. This should have given coach Chris Economidis time to settle his newer players into the squad.

South Grafton have had impressive victories over Mullumbimby and Ballina and are unlikely to be troubled by Kyogle, who have so far been valiant in defeat against Byron, but were thoroughly outclassed by Brothers.

Ballina play their first Sunday game of the season when they face Mullumbimby at home. Mullumbimby suffered on the scoreboard against Brothers in the opening round but bounced back to take South Grafton all the way the following week. Ballina had their first win of the season against Lower Clarence in the last round and will be confident of a win against Mullum.

Marist Brothers have the bye.

Greens and Bay hit the turf - FNC Rugby Union

Lismore and Byron Bay will open their accounts for the season in round two of the FNC Rugby Union premiership.

In an unusual start to the season six teams played their first match on April 5 while Byron and Lismore had a bye. This week Southern Cross University and Grafton both have the bye, making it a full month between their first and second games of the season.

Lismore City will host Ballina in a daunting first up outing. Ballina are coming off a 45-0 flogging of Casino and are brimming with self-belief. Lismore will be looking to home ground advantage and a solid display from their forward pack to give them a winning start to the season.

The Casino Bulls will be trying to make amends for their Ballina loss when they host Byron Bay. The Bay are reputed to have put a lot of effort into player recruitment and the other teams will be looking on with interest to see if they have picked up any genuine talent.

Wollongbar should be far too strong for Mullumbimby at home. The Pioneers forward pack is loaded with representative talent and experience. This should give their backs a constant supply of ball and numerous scoring opportunities.

In Second Division Kyogle will host SCU, Grafton will travel to Yamba while Lismore will be at home against Ballina in all four grades.

Titles loom

The entry forms for the Maddog Junior Surf Titles are at all surf shops and with club secretaries and close on Monday, May 5. Any later and you may miss out on getting a t-shirt sponsored by Maddog.

The NSW State Championships have been changed to August 28 – 31 and will be held at Cronulla. Far North Coast surfers are looking to make a big impression this year after a strong summer.

Bus travel and accommodation is being put together at the moment for the Far North Coast and the North Coast teams. Contact your club secretary for details.

Lismore Centenary Easter Carnival

Adam Rhodes, a former Lismore Club Champion, plays (and sinks) a testing putt on the elevated 11th green during Saturday's play in the Lismore Centenary Easter Carnival.

The Lismore Easter Carnival was one of the most successful golfing tournaments ever held in the Northern Rivers region. Well over 200 golfers, coming together from all parts of the compass, teed off, including two scratch players and 12 one-markers.

Unfortunately the 2001 and 2002 winner, Robert Penman, had to withdraw due to a severe bout of tonsillitis.

This left the draw wide open and by the end of the first day there were three scores registered under par. Unfortunately the early pace could not be maintained and the scores on the leader-board dropped away over the weekend. Ian Noble, from Keperra in Queensland took the Richmond River Centenary Amateur Title with a five-over par 215, a new course record, thanks to alterations to the course during the past 12 months.

Lismore's club champion, Steve Morrissey, was three shots back in second place, beating scratch marker Matt Farley from Newcastle on count-back.

The Lismore Easter Open, a nett event, went to Lismore junior Andrew Savins from fellow Lismore members Jason Schofield and Alan Hurley. Hurley is also a junior boding well for a continuation of Lismore club's recent record of producing outstanding junior golfers.

The 54-hole Les Mancell Memorial Trophy went to Lismore's Brett Forrester from Murwillumbah's Chris Dean.

The senior title went to local member Brian Whelan for the second year running, beating out Peter Michael with the nett going to Lismore's Claude Gardiner.

Noble's Keperra club-mate, Greg McIntosh, took out the A Grade 54-hole gross event with Warren Selway (Lismore) and Peter Heilbron taking B and C Grades.

In the 54-hole nett A Grade title went to Nathan Scroope, B Grade to Jason Scofield and C Grade to Andrew Savins.

The condition of the course impressed many of the visiting golfers. The merger with the Workers Club three years ago, and the millions of dollars that this released to course development, has allowed major improvements to be undertaken. Within 12 months the course will be one of the best in the Northern Rivers region.

Visiting dignitary, Ray Vise, the NSW Golf Association Chairman of Handicapping and Course Rating, presented trophies and was generally impressed by the professional presentation of the tournament and the course.

Another major feature of the Lismore club's centenary will be a $20,000 pro-am to be held as part of the Spring Carnival of Golf.