Sports News

Hooks and Slices

with Stan Bendall

NRDGA

On Sunday the Ballina club will host the Northern Rivers fixtures meeting, with the executive top meet at 8.30am followed by the delegates at 9am.

Alstonville

The major award winners at the club's annual presentation day and Christmas party were Greg Cross, Club Champion and Eclectic Champion; Greg Thompson, Nett Champion; Ross Woolfe, A Grade champion; Sharon Daly, B Grade Champion; and, Michael Kelly, Match-play and Point-score Champion. Robert Hicks was desperately unlucky not to pick up a major award after coming second in the Point-score, Match play, Eclectic and Club Championship. Robert is a talented golfer and will likely figure at the top of the ranks next season. The next game will be at Yamba on Sunday with the bus leaving the rear of the Federal Hotel at 6.15am.

Ballina

This Saturday is the Monthly Medal with the ladies to play a single stableford. Brownies golfers will be playing for the RSL Monthly Medal on Sunday starting at noon. Steven James took the overall trophy last Saturday with John Newton winning A grade, Michael Fahey winning B Grade and Greg Messiter taking out C Grade.

Casino

This Saturday is the Monthly Medal and a single stroke for Christmas hampers. The social club wind-up and BBQ is on Sunday. Last Saturday Shane Hogan and Wayne Mortimer won by one from Ian Elkington and Keith Knight. Ron Sweeney, the runner up in the single stroke event is in his 80s. Outstanding effort. He and Jack (JD) Hurley from Kyogle would make a formidable pairing against the youngsters (the under 75s) of the district.

Coraki

Saturday is a two-person ambrose. Last Saturday's winning foursome was S and G Callahan from S and M Ramsley.

Kyogle

This Saturday, the Monthly Medal is a one person ambrose. Vic Worth won the A grade on Saturday while Kevin Saunders won B Grade.

Lismore

Saturday in the year's final Monthly Medal and the monthly mug play-off. All the winners during the year play for the Wilson Mug. Michael Hughes won the individual last week while the three-person ambrose went to David Harris, Ian Savins And Dean Savins.

The highlight of the day was a hole-in-one by Danny Morton, feathering his 8 iron on the par 3 11th.

The course in outstanding shape for the Red Cross Day on Sunday with places still available at $25 per head.

Woodburn-Evans

This Saturday is a single stroke event for the Monthly Mug. The midweek Ladies winners were Hazel Campbell, A grade, and Judy Davey, B Grade. Alan Thompson won the A Grade veterans.

On Saturday James Luke won A Grade, Sid Rolfe B grade and Tom Durbidge C grade. Karen Allen won the ladies section again. Marina Davey won the RSL event on Sunday.

Hook, Line and Sinker

with Lindsay Doust - Suffolks Sports Store

Enjoy Middle-Earth - at a price

Glen Chilton of Spring Grove caught this 14.5-kilogram, 90-centimetre barramundi recently at Lake Awooga near Gladstone.

Having just been in New Zealand, we should not complain here about the cost of fishing. To go after trout for a day in NZ requires you to purchase a $17 licence. For us here, in NSW, it is $5 for three days. The trip was not for fishing, but a number of tackle shops were visited.

It was interesting to note the difference in the tackle in these trout areas, particularly the lures and flies. One brown trout caught recently over there weighed in at 22 kg; a huge fish, caught trolling very deep in one of the lakes.

The picture today shows a great barramundi caught at Awonga Dam near Gladstone in Queensland. This is only a 10-hour drive from Lismore and this catch is not an isolated one. This dam, as are many in Queensland, is stocked regularly with barramundi and now the efforts are paying off. Fish of this size are being caught in increasing numbers. Another Dam producing good barramundi is Peter Faust near Proserpine. A local Lismore angler caught 14 barra, all in the 10 to 15 kg class. All were caught up amongst the trees using shallow diving lures.

It will not be long before barramundi are even closer to us, as they have been released in other Dams and it will be interesting to see if they do grow into monsters in coming years. At Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast there is an increasing number of saratoga beginning to be caught.

NSW Fisheries have just released the latest salt and freshwater fishing guides. We have copies for you to pick up, at Suffolks Sports Store. Locally, with the summer months here, it should be all go for your flathead on lures and particularly soft plastics such as squidgees. The reports of a few good sized whiting are already to hand and an indication of how dry things are is the number of bream being caught on lures near Lismore whilst anglers are bass fishing.

Happy fishing.

Crowd sees red

The shot that caused the hubbub, Wade Sweeney, in a defensive mood plays at a ball from Daniel Wells. The ball ballooned forward and Wells took the return catch.

In a humorous aside to the Casino innings, the dismissal of Wade Sweeney brought calls for the video umpire from the crowd.

Sports editor John McPherson was beside the scorer, photographing the action when Wells claimed Sweeney's wicket. McPherson asked the scorer who took the catch. The reply, that it was a forward of the wicket catch, surprised McPherson when he looked at the camera's viewfinder. It appeared as though the ball was behind the bat, indicating that the catch was taken off a bump-ball and that the batsman should not have been given out.

The scorer concurred, as did a flurry of spectators who crowded around the camera. The jocular calls by the crowd for a video replay was accompanied by spectators standing up and tracing out the umpires signal for a replay with their fingers.

As it turns out, the ball was NOT behind the bat. What everyone was looking at (in miniature) was the red strapping of Sweeney's pads.

The fact that the scorer was a blood relative of Sweeney's in no way influenced the interpretation of the photo.

The good news for Sweeney is that he has just been selected in the Northern Region team to play in the NSW CHS Championships in Gosford from 16-19 Feb 2004. With cricketers from four zones competing for places, an impressive five local cricketers were selected: Josh Hanley (Kadina HS), Wade Sweeney (Casino HS), Lee Barnett (Southern Cross HS), Ben Johnson (Alstonville HS) and William Bickel (Ballina HS).

Lismore breaks Country Cup drought

The words of the Lismore District Cricket Association secretary, Norm Ryder, at the September 16 meeting were firm but prophetic. "We have a good chance at getting into the final 16 of the Country Cup. We've never done it before and this is the year," he said.

On Sunday, after their third win on the trot, the Lismore team proved Ryder's confidence was not out of place.

After victories over Tweed and Ballina, the match against Casino loomed as a potential pitfall. The Bulls were playing superbly this season in the LJ Hooker League and Lismore was missing their century maker against Tweed, Tom Cooper, who was on state duties for the Under 19 side.

Lismore, batting first on the unpredictable Oakes Oval pitch looked set for a massive score after reaching 3-117 and then 4-139. But the wheels fell off and they collapsed to be all out for 154 off just 44 overs, leaving Casino a very reachable target.

Opener Paul Simes (40) was the backbone of Lismore, but only three other players were able to get into double figures. The Casino bowling was tight, led by speedster Al Nowlan (3-22 off 7 overs) and a cameo appearance by spinner Michael Woods (3-4 off 4 overs with three maidens).

Ian Gregory, who took three early wickets, hamstrung the Casino response. Gregory's Easts teammate Daniel Wells then put the Casino middle order to the sword with his leg-spin. Wells finished with 4-14 from his 10 overs, including a wicket off his final ball. Scores: Lismore DCA 154 d Casino DCA 98.

Lismore now play in the finals in Maitland after Christmas. The win also qualifies the Lismore team to play against Manning River for the final Northern Star Cup, a one off match between the leading Country Cup teams from the Far North Coast and their Lower/Mid North Coast counterparts. The date and venue for this fixture has yet to be set.

Lismore has been drawn to play in the half of finals of the Country Cup, December 27-29 in Maitland. They meet Western Districts first, and if victorious, takle on the winner of the Tamworth and Southern Lakes fixture for a place in the semi finals.

Cleaver cuts a swathe

Luke Cleaver

Young Luke Cleaver, who featured in the Echo's sports pages on October 23 for having scored a 'platinum duck', sat for his photo at the time on a promise from the Echo that he would get a mention the first time he passed 50 this season.

It almost happened a fortnight ago but alas his innings ended in the forties. Plumbing his good form on Saturday he struck a masterful 93 for the Marist Brothers Reserve Grade team.

As mentioned in the previous article, although Luke was dismissed on the first ball he faced for the season, he is a promising opening batsman and after his recent form with the bat it would not surprise many to see him get a run in Marist Brothers first grade before long.

And Luke, if you are wondering who it was that 'ratted' on you this time you have to look no further than a very proud grandmother.

Guinness gong helps bowl cancer over

David Brann sends down one of the 4,540 balls rolled during a 57-hour World Record-breaking marathon at Ballina, watched by team mates Rick Rodziewicz, Paul Artis, Terry Rogers, Narelle Wilson and Val McKenzie. Photo: Robin Osborne

Six Ballina bowlers have written themselves in to the Guinness Book of World Records while raising $12,000 for their local Cancer Care and Haematology Service.

By 6pm last Sunday the team had bowled non-stop for 57 hours - five more than the record, set by a Toowoomba team, and an hour longer than their original target - 'Just because we could,' as coordinator, Val McKenzie put it.

They completed 370 ends between Friday and Sunday, playing competitively against relays of other bowlers from Ballina Bowling & Recreation Club, the marathon venue.

"We won 11 of our 23 games, and drew two,"Val McKenzie said. She singled out one opponent, Len Smith, a cancer survivor himself, saying his group 'played with great spirit.'

The money will go towards a chemo-therapy centre in Ballina Hospital.

Grand finalists decided

The grand finalists for the 2003 Summer season were decided in all three grades last week at the Goonellabah RSL Table Tennis centre.

In Division One Marianne Dengate and Ken Hudson narrowly defeat Henning Hansen and Rod Hearne 3-2 to set up a clash with Werner Borkhardt and Graham Bultitude in the Grand Final.

The Division Two first semi was also a close contest with every singles contest going to the fifth game. In the end Bruce Thomas and Brett Phillips defeated Peter Magrath and Paul Griffin 4-1. The other semi-final saw the minor premiers Geoff Simes and Gary Kennedy knock over Mark Simes and Chris Strybos 3-1.

In the Division Three Grand Final the minor premiers, Warwick Robson and Jacob Griffin, take on the 2nd placed team of Adam Kennedy and Julian Dimbleby.

The A + B Competition preliminaries were also concluded last week with Geoff Simes and Paul Griffin finishing on top of the ladder. Their opponents in next weeks final will be Col Gradwell and Adam Kennedy.

The finals will be held on Wednesday December 3, as this publication is going to print. Look for the results in next week's edition of The Echo.

Suns look to climb ladder

North Coast Academy of Sport boys player Jacob Heffernan of Lismore in action recently.

The North Coast Suns faced an in-form Palm Beach on Saturday. But despite coming home with a 3-nil defeat they still have an excellent opportunity to challenge for top spot and a place in the competition decider against the winner of Group Two.

This Saturday they line-up at home against the South West Queensland. In their first encounter this season, in Toowoomba, the Suns won 2-1. With a number of games now under their belt the team is operating as a tight unit and should give the South West Queensland 'keeper a thorough work-out.

Although the Suns are sitting in fourth at present, four points adrift of leaders Palm Beach, the gap could close, with Palm Beach facing the third placed Queensland Lions.

The North Coast Flames women's team continues to be outstanding. After three convincing victories this summer they lined up against Palm Beach last weekend and surprised them with their size, strength, speed to the ball and skills.

It was an outstanding team effort and the Flames have rattled in an astonishing 24 goals in just four matches. They now have a week off before their next game against the Qld Rockets in Brisbane on December 13 as a prelude to the Suns game.

The curtain raisers this Saturday at the Italo Stars ground in Barrow Lane are the North Coast Academy of Sports Girls team playing the FNC Grade 14 rep side at 4pm, with boys Academy side playing the FNC Grade 15 rep team at 5.30pm. The main game will kick off under lights at 7pm.

Tigers show tennis élan

The Lismore High School tennis team has produced an outstanding series of performances in the finals of the Australian Schools Tennis Titles at the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre in Wagga Wagga.

Dubbed the "Lismore Tigers" because of their distinctive yellow and black uniform, they were complimented by the tournament referees for their professional demeanour and behaviour.

The performance is all the more meritorious because the average age of the team is much younger than their opponents. The oldest player for Lismore is Year 11 student Alex Fielding, 16, with team mates Luke Edwards, 15, Luke Devlin, 15, and Toby Fielding, 14.

Team manager, Betty Lindabury, speaking from Wagga on Tuesday, couldn't say enough about the Lismore boys. "Most of the teams at the titles come from wealthy private schools that have comprehensive support structures. Our lads have come through on the basis of their talent and the local coaching structures.

"A lot of these schools have tennis programs and academies at their school, drawing the best tennis players in their regions, with up to three tennis coaches at their schools. Also, many of the teams were totally funded with their travel, accommodation and food all paid for completely."

Although there was generous support from sectors of the Lismore business community the teams members still had to contribute around $900 each to make it to the championships.

As the first NSW country team to make the championships in 20 years they are determined to use their age advantage and this years experience to have another tilt at the title next year.

They started their finals campaign with a close 2-4 loss, on synthetic grass, to eventual tournament winners Essendon Keilor College. One of Lismore's looses to Essendon was a tight three setter and could have gone either way. On Saturday they played on crushed granite losing to Nudgee College on a count-back after tying 3-all.

On Sunday, this time playing on clay, they whitewashed ACT's Erindale College 6-0. Their match against St Michael's College, Adelaide on Monday provided Alex with his only loss out of six matches, to Dalibor Tavic, an outstanding junior who will be taking up a college tennis scholarship in the United States in the new year.

In the rankings play-off on Tuesday they defeated St Ignatius College, Riverview, to take 11th position overall.

Considering the quality of the Lismore team's performance it speaks volumes for our local competition and coaching personnel, plus the determination of the boys in the team.

Croquet re-union

Lismore Croquet Club wants to contact ex-members to invite them to attend the 75th Anniversary. The club was formed in November 1928, with the first games being played in March 1929, so the anniversary celebrations will be held in March 2004.

The club also wants anyone with memorabilia, photos and the like to display during the celebrations.

If you are an ex-member, or know of one, contact the club on PO Box 1195, Lismore, or give Faye or Bob Ross a call on 6622 3776.

Swim lessons

Bookings for this summer's Swimsafe learn-to-swim program are now being accepted.

The Swimsafe program instructs children as young as 18 months, school children and adults about basic swimming and water safety.

Phone the NSW Dept of Sport and Recreation on 13 13 02 for more information, or to make a Swimsafe booking.

Hawks fly again

The Murwillumbah Hawks have reformed and plan to form a team in the Summerland League in 2004.

Red letter day for Red Cross

Come one, come all! That's the message from Scott Krueger, Red Cross's Regional Fundraising Coordinator (left). Scott is being assisted by Red Cross Charity Golf Day sponsors Craig Blackler of the Ballina Street Mobil and Max Thompson, President of the Lismore Workers Club.

One of Lismore's favourite golfing days, the Red Cross Charity Golf Day, will be held this Sunday.

The annual event, now in its sixth year, raises money to provide assistance to the local Red Cross activities, including the Telecross service, a program in which volunteers call up people who are elderly, injured or isolated at home providing them with ongoing contact with the outside world.

As always it will be a day on which amateur hackers will be out there alongside the single figure handicap players - all for the sake of one of the most respected charities in the world, and the money raised stays right here on the North Coast.

Last year the event attracted over 120 players and organiser Scott Krueger is anticipating a similar number this year. "It is a fun day with a combination of seasoned players lining up with those who may never have played the game before. Last year the event was a lot of fun and around $5,000 was raised." Scott said.

The event has been given outstanding support from the Lismore business community with generous support coming from major sponsor the Lismore Workers Club and from companies such as the Ballina Street Mobil, Westpac, Lismore Phones and Car Audio, Instyle Waterbeds and Sleep Centre, Thomas Noble and Russell and The Northern Rivers Echo.

Registration will begin at 10.45 with lunch to follow at 11am. The golf, a three person ambrose, will kick off with a shotgun start at midday. Bookings for the event, at $25 per head, can be made through the club on 6621 2255.

Remember, the Red Cross is always looking for people to assist with programs like Telecross. Call the Red Cross on 6622 3244.