From The Sideline - Round 12- Ballina vs Evans head.
Apologies for the tardiness of this week’s edition of Seahorse Nation. Cruzer had some nose surgery done and has been under the weather.
At 4.30 last Friday afternoon, my good wife alerted me to a Trojans Facebook post regarding dangerous conditions and ground closures. A solid 20 knot soueaster was blowing, the sea was up and the rain gauge suggested 8mm had fallen in the previous day. The 4.35 BOM rain radar (pictured) showed very little possibility of rain in the next set of 24. I thought that the conditions would be dangerous for a nipper’s carnival or rock fishing, but rugby, No!
Fortunately the good people of the correctly spelt Evans Head have a more enlightened approach to the game, and despite the fact they had a number of players out with COVID, and there was surface water on their sodden pitch our matches were played as scheduled. Rugby was also played on the Kane Douglas FILEDS YAMABA, and junior fixtures at Quays reserve; I’m not sure about CASURINA though. (Spelling used to emphasise effect.)
The women’s match was played under seven a side format and Kerene ran the show in the absence of coach Paul Davies. Our girls played a simple yet effective game based on solid defence, gaining quick possession and accurate passing across the line. This led to three tries from 60-70 meters, one from 30 meters and a 22-0 lead at the break despite having run into a strong southerly.
A 27-0 scoreline was reduced to 27-7 following a converted quick tap penalty to the home side.Back to back tries saw our girls home with a well deserved morale boosting 37-7 win.
Facing a strong Whalers scrum our men looked in early trouble in their crucial fixture in which the defence of both sides was outstanding throughout. We failed to capitalise on a crossfield kick to Nat Hooper followed by strong phase play and a penalty. Our defence held solidly for ten phases following an Evans lineout win, however sustained attack allowed Evans a 7-0 lead. Our lads dug deep and put the Whalers defence under the hammer scoring twice to establish a 12-7 lead at halftime.
A half time pep talk resolved our scrum woes and a bullocking stepping run from Terry Ferguson ten minutes into the second half extended our lead to 19-7. Lachie Johnson smashed his way over following a burst following a scrum win and a comfortable 26-7 margin. We continued to repel wave after wave of attack until the home side was rewarded for their persistence with a late try and a final scoreline of 26-12. Both sides appear to have a deserved semi final position in their keeping.
The bonus point win was welcomed in a congested points table. Division I men head to Rugby Park, Lismore this Saturday for a must win fixture against City. Get up there, support them and the Lismore club in what has been a tough year for them. Our women are at home to Rangers kicking off at 2.30.
