From The Sideline. (Round 6 - Bangalow & Mullumbimby)
Hasty last minute planning and the greatly appreciated efforts of Casuarina Rugby Club allowed our away fixtures against Mullumbimby and Bangalow to take place last Saturday. They were the only games played in the zone due to ongoing ground closures.
Our division two team took the field with only one fresh reserve player, yet started positively courtesy of a penalty and a converted intercept try to Terry Ferguson. Missed tackles and general loose play saw the score 10-5 at half time, which was locked at ten all shortly after the resumption. Corey Threlfall scored back to back tries from the base of the ruck, which allowed us some well earned breathing space at 22-10. Mullumbimby fought back gamely and the result was in doubt until Rick Randall scored on the bell. The try was converted and the fulltime score 29-17 provided relief to all. To their credit our lads whilst running on tired legs and making plenty of errors hung in tenaciously throughout the match.
The Hickey Bros (Greg and Andrew) were out in force to congratulate nephew Ryan and Lachie Anderson on making their first grade debuts for the Seahorses against Bangalow. When I wished Ryan good luck he observed ‘probably the oldest ever at 38’, which could well become a hot topic of debate around the bar.
The division 1 fixture was played with finals intensity from the opening whistle between the two teams who were sitting on top of the ladder. Defensive lapses and a waste of field position cost us dearly in the opening twenty minutes. This allowed Bangalow to gain an early 19-0 lead courtesy of tries from the base of the ruck, quick thinking from their halfback Vinnie Quigley and our defence being outpaced on the right flank. A bullocking try by Ants Lolohea which was converted led to a halftime score of 19-7.
Neither side was willing to concede an inch during the second half, and both were up for it. Showing true grit we clawed our way back to 21-22,before Bangalow with two late converted tries ran out deserved 36-21 winners.
Ants Lolohea was awarded player’s player and Sam Pearce rewarded for his tireless effort in the scrum and leading the forward momentum of the pack. Bangalow’s coach Ross Larsson conceded his team was hungry for the win, and both coaches were thankful that the referee allowed the players to play the game and decide the outcome on the paddock.
We’re back at Quays this Saturday with all three teams playing from 1.15 pm, Div 2 v Yamba, Womens 10’s v Evans Head and Div 1 v Byron Bay. These games will be followed by ‘Island Night’ which will be a celebration of Pasifika culture and will showcase our club members. There will be a roast pig on the spit for Pork and Gravy rolls for $5.00, the bar will be available and surprise Pacific themes and more!
Be there! It should be a lot of fun.