From The Sideline - Round 8 - Ballina vs Casuarina & Evans River
A mini fest of rugby took place at Casuarina last Saturday in perfect winter conditions. I must admit to being somewhat confused when I arrived as Casuarina were doing battle with Casino in a Division II fixture on the main oval. A glance to the north confirmed Ballina were warming up for their top of the table encounter with Evans River. Heated pre-match discussion about the proposed kick-off time ensued between team management before all agreed on a 1.25 start. Evans lost the argument and more importantly the match. Ben Wainiqolo and Letty Drugutnelevu donned the blue for their club debuts and both made telling contributions in the win. We allowed Evans an early 8-0 lead, before left winger Letty crunched his opponent leading to a turnover and a converted try. Failure to secure the ensuing kick-off resulted in Evans scoring the softest of tries earning them a 13-7 lead at oranges. Both teams tried desperately to wrest an advantage in the second stanza, and Kye Cribb burst through the defence in what for him is becoming a customary manner to score under the posts. The conversion giving Ballina a slender one point lead. Poor Ballina backline defence led to an unconverted reply, before we sealed the match on the bell when Benny Wainiqolo broke through for a late try which was converted resulting in a narrow 21-18 victory thereby retaining the lead of the division II competition. Despite the closeness of the match Al Barrett congratulated his team on what he conceded was their best game of the year, and was full of praise for the valued contribution made by the many replacements needed during the match. Rueben Saric and Nathan Groves were jointly awarded player’s player.
During the second half, I was glancing at the scoreboard on the main oval where our women’s 10s team were doing battle with Casuarina. Scores of 7-5 and 12-5 to the hosts well into the fixture looked promising. When I caught up with Comish post match, I enquired as to the result. Alas, four late unanswered tries had allowed Casuarina to run out comfortable 43-12 victors.
Anticipation preceded the Division I fixture following the first round 22 all draw at Quays and the one point margin between the teams on the ladder. The teams took the field accompanied by a backdrop of a hen’s party and blaring music for what turned out to be a fast, pulsating and entertaining match. Another poor start in defence allowed the home side to race to a 14-0 lead in the first five minutes and a very long afternoon appeared to be on the cards. A well directed cross field chip saw Emori Rarrailevu gather and cross for the first of a well deserved hat-trick of tries. Casuarina replied with a converted try on the left hand side of the field to take what appeared to be a match winning lead of 21-5 approaching half time. Emori then scored a brilliant individual try wrestling possession after a determined chase downfield and mesmerising five defenders with dazzling footwork on the way to his second touchdown. Half time was whistled with Ballina trailing 10-21. During the interval a very attractive blonde won second prize in the raffle, a bottle of pink bubbly which didn’t last long.
The second half was edge of the seat stuff with Ballina pressing hard for the win with some well controlled passages of phase play. Casuarina took a 31-10 lead with back to back tries. Good pressure from the kickoff saw Emori in for his third try. Ballina dug deep and attacked from all points of the ground, playing the last 20 minutes with only 14 men due to a brace of yellow cards. Both sides went flat out for the win with one phase of play resulting in an intercept to both sides. Wilson Lovokuru crossed for a brilliant try to the left however the concerted late rally failed, and Casuarina deservedly took the points with a 31-24 scoreline.
A quick trip up the hill this Saturday will see the lads up against Wollongbar in both grades. These matches will be crucial as teams vie for semi final spots in the second half of the season. Your support is needed and appreciated……..be there!