From The Sideline - Round 11- Ballina vs Lennox Head - Catch Up
Saturday 13th August, 4.54pm Williams Reserve Lennox Head. Four minutes remain in the match. Ballina playing with 14 men, scoreline Trojans 35-14 and counting the clock down with a string of cynical penalties on their line. We’re shot….season over. I’m thinking how can I softly break this news to my readership of four this week: a successful rebuilding, lost opportunities, close but no cigar, there’s always next year and reserves and the gals are in the semis? I scan my phone for Kent Shay’s (L.J. Hooker)number to list the house for sale, and after a losing day on the horses kick myself for the grand I had wagered on a Ballina win with a Lennox mate at the bowlo on Friday. I’ll pay up by bank transfer, not game to show my face around the village. I’m down, lower than a black snake’s belly. Another penalty awarded by Louis Trisley. Brad calls scrum. I scribble late pushover, Benny. We’re soon back in the attack zone, more scribble, typical Ants burst, try on the bell. The scoreline 28-35 at least showing some semblance of respectability. Louis calls last play as Lennox kick off. A costly mistake leaves the ball in play near the left hand touchline. Wilson pounces and sprints 60 metres down the touchline then infield through the mud and scores. Sam makes it five from five from the tee…. 35-35……we’re still alive, three down four to go!
12.09 pm Sunday 14th……lost for words, bewildered, trembling, still trying to recount the most pulsating five minutes of rugby I’ve ever witnessed.
Division II ran onto the heavy field under drizzly conditions and were soon defending grimly at one stage with only 13 men on the paddock. A forty metre break from the scrum base by Benny Wainiqolo after 20 minutes relieved pressure, and we were awarded a penalty for offside play which Nick Brydon slotted for an invaluable 3-0 lead. We managed to take that scoreline to the break, the match very much in the balance. Lennox were rewarded for their persistent attack with a converted try from the base of a ruck and took a 7-3 lead five minutes after the interval. Both teams went at each other hammer and tong trying to gain an advantage in the difficult conditions, until Nathan Groves barged over for a try after five one out plays from the ruck twelve minutes into the half. We managed to hold onto the 8-7 scoreline for the duration. We crossed again in the 20th minute, however Cookie correctly ruled held up. Despite our strong finish the Lennox defence held solidly and thirty tired bodies traipsed off the paddock after a seventy minute slugfest. Benny was voted player’s player and Al awarded his points to Benny, Andy Grono and Lachie Anderson.
The drizzle cleared and firsts took the field and lined up for a touching ‘welcome to country’ ceremony with the vale Ian Hooper shield at stake, and a semi final spot up for grabs. An early 10-0 lead to the Trojans was reduced to 10-7 after Syd Malietoa crossed for the first of a well deserved treble, unfortunately only two counting as he was held up on the middle occasion. The break was taken with Lennox holding a 17-7 lead courtesy of a converted try after 35 minutes. Despite the atrocious conditions, the match had a bit of everything including a good old-fashioned stink at the 67 minute mark, resulting in Emori receiving a red card for repeated indiscretions, and Lennox were cruising towards a deserved victory……….until…….4.54
A relieved coach awarded his points to Brad Brown, Syd and Wilson, noting that it was a remarkable finish which spoke highly of his team’s composure and determination. Wilson was player’s player and the referees who also had a fine match leant the way of Lennox Head’s Jared Lofts.
Our last home matches for the year will be against Premiership leaders Bangalow in firsts, Mullumbimby in reserves and the women play Casuarina, appropriately on ladies day. Get out there and help them all cement their semi final spots.
P.S. 2nd Division take on Casino on Wednesday 17th August at 7:00pm at Albert Park and the Women’s 10’s take on Lismore at 6:30pm at Quays Reserve.
