From The Sideline - Round 9 - Ballina vs WAR & Lismore City
My best mate ‘Pup’ Campbell was rostered to referee our Division II fixture against WAR, and I had decided to write a light hearted piece about the whistle-blowers for this edition. In view of events that transpired later in the afternoon, a more opportune time for that will present later in the season. There is time enough between our last round matches and the semis to programme a four test cricket series.
However I did take the opportunity to pass on my god-daughter Clare’s 18th birthday present with a wink to Pup prior to the kick off, despite the fact she turned eighteen on the 11th of May. I shall state categorically that the above action was in no way meant to influence his decision making during the next 70 minutes; from previous experience I know a six pack of Tooheys ensures two points.
The first twenty minutes of the Division II match was and old fashioned arm wrestle, until Nat Hooper burst through under the posts from a scrum deep in Wollongbar territory. He converted successfully, however Wollongbar equalised with a converted try from broken play. Late in the half we conceded a series of penalties for off side play and went to half time with the scores locked seven all, and the outcome very much in the balance.
Jeremy Tozer broke the deadlock with a pick and drive from the ruck base and Wollongbar replied after some good backline play, their prop bursting over from close range to equalise at 12 all. It was all Ballina in the final 20 minutes with a Zane Barrett try bringing a smile to his old man’s face, a brilliant intercept and 60 metre try to Nat Hooper and a Terry Ferguson five pointer following ten phases of sustained pressure in the Wollongbar quarter. The Nathan Groves kicking game (Yes Muzz) was a highlight for mine! Despite holding a match winning lead of 33-12 our defence remained purposeful and held well under pressure until the final whistle. Pup awarded 3 points to Nat Hooper and 2 to Nathan Groves, while Al mentioned the contributions of Muzz, Toze and Tusi Amituanai in a fine all round team performance.
Firsts took the field before a good crowd in chilly conditions and the hosts went to an early six nil lead courtesy of two penalties. Stan Lolohea crossed shortly afterwards following a great 10 metre drive from the pack. The hosts were gifted two converted tries following scrums in our quarter, a feature of our game in recent weeks that is causing concern. Semeli Salabogi was in for a try which was converted and the break taken with Ballina 12-20 in arrears.
We failed to capitalise on a string of penalties awarded early in the second half, until Ants Lolohea burst through under the posts, the try converted. After a long and stellar career Ben Damon still knows where the black dot is, and his third penalty of the afternoon had the hosts ahead 23-19 with twenty minutes remaining.
My remaining notes contain a series of question marks involving line ball forward passes, Kye Cribb’s yellow card, penalties for what? etc. For reasons unbeknown to me the match was halted and the players left the field with eight minutes remaining on the clock with the final score 39-19 after a late Wollongbar blitz.
Hic awarded his points to Sam Pearce, Benny Wainiqolo and Lachie Anderson while Ants Lolohea was judged Player’s player by his teammates.
I hope Clare’s cash wasn’t taxed on the drive home to Yamba.
Our women’s 10 fixture was transferred to Lismore as a gesture to help them celebrate their first home fixture since the floods of February and March. Our coach Paul Davies dropped into Lyle Park and informed me that we’d had our best game of the season, and was particularly pleased with the improved defence and on field communication of his charges. He reported that the first half was a dour struggle in which the defences of both teams were thoroughly tested. The half time score of 5-5 due to some great cover defence by Ballina. A try apiece saw the scores locked at 10-10 with five minutes remaining, when Illarah saved a certain try dislodging the ball after Lismore had crossed our line. Lismore were not to be denied and scored on the bell to run out winners 15-10.
Just a reminder that Ladies Day is planned for the 16th July 2022 which is our last home game of the year. Let’s finish the home game with a bang and get all of the Ladies in our lives to come along for a great afternoon of fun.