From The Sideline - Round 10 - Ballina vs Lennox Head.
Notification that our matches scheduled for Williams Reserve last Saturday were postponed due to council closure of sporting fields in the shire arrived last Friday. I was naturally disappointed as the local derbies between two clubs that I’ve been associated with in the past have often been great encounters, with both clubs giving their all in order to gain bragging rights. The Trojans had planned a big day, and unfortunately have been forced to cancel their planned indigenous round and sponsor’s day for the last two years due to the weather. Luckily the modern guernsey appears resistant to becoming motheaten, and they’ll get their day in the sun shortly.
What to do…..? Randwick called off after the 4th race, and a bog track at Caloundra. I jumped in the car and headed up to Schulz Oval, Bangalow for the first half of their encounter with Byron which they eventually won 21-20 in an exciting match. Back home for a barbie with a few knowledgeable mates, and on the couch at 7.55 for what we all thought would be an 8-12 win to the Poms. The Wallabies managed to wipe the smirk off Eddie’s dial in a convincing performance in the first leg of the Ella-Mobbs trophy. Poor old Cookie (James not Graham) is having his statues ripped down and his name besmirched in recent years for being the greatest seafarer and navigator in global history.
In other sobering news, Rodney Pita and Stan Lolohea were both cited and found guilty of breaching the ARU code of conduct for showing dissent to the referee in our last match against Wollongbar. They received six and four week suspensions respectively, making our Division I’s hold on fourth position on the ladder somewhat shaky with a tough draw to complete the season. Our Division II’s sit atop the ladder holding a slender one point lead over Casuarina.
That’s the week that was…..bloody miserable like the weather. This Saturday Division II head west in pursuit of the Billy Goat Cup against Richmond Range. Weather permitting, I’ll trek up the range for a geek. Join in, it’ll be an entertaining afternoon up there.
A reminder that our last home fixtures against Bangalow and Mullumbimby follow on Saturday 16th of July. Quays Reserve will be awash with colour as we celebrate ladies day and thank our wonderful sponsors for their ongoing support.