Around the Grounds - Round 11 - Ballina vs SCU Gold Rats.
Another disjointed week of footy with 2nd grade taking the points due to a SCU forfeit and Presidents Cup having their game moved to Maurie Ryan Oval in their match against the Kyogle Cockatoos and their part-time Wollongbar - Alstonville player, NSW Country Rep - Alex Gibbon.
Aside from the ordinary steak sandwiches cooked within an inch of their lives and snags burnt to a cinder on a BBQ that had never seen soap and the inability to drink beers from the sideline, it turned out to be a successful day for the Ballina Seahorses.
Go the Seahorses.
First Grade Report - S.C.U. match - Andrew Fraser
The Seahorses had the privilege of travelling to Lismore and playing the Gold Rats of Southern Cross University (SCU) on Saturday.
The SCU team on the back of 3 wins and super playing surface in Sunny but brisk conditions.
The game started with Ballina mounting phase after phase from the kickoff, and there were some positive signs in the initial minutes.
SCU decided to play direct and deep in our half. The next 25 minutes saw SCU score 2 quick tries - through soft defence throughout the ruck. It was evident that SCU was up for the contest, whilst Ballina appeared hesitant to get off the line in defence,
Ballina replied shortly in attack with a neat inside ball from Beau Clarke to Nick Brydon. 7-12 to SCU.
The next ten minutes were bizarre - Ballina gave away 13 straight penalties and saw three players sent to the bin with yellow cards. The Seahorses scrummed and defended with 12 men. Luke Kliese making a debut in the front row! Amazingly SCU could not break the line. Minutes later - Clarke combined with Tupou Lolohea and he darted over out wide to see the score at 12-12.
Nearing the half time break - SCU scored out wide and converted and the half time score of 12-19 reflected the half. Ballina were unable to string passages of football together and a lop sided penalty count and missed tackles allowed the students a good half of football.
The second half was totally different affair.
Ballina played multi phase football. Wave after wave saw SCU tire. Hayden Warneke was rewarded for hard and direct running - he scored his first ‘meat pie’ for the club with a barging run from 15 metres out. This try flicked the switch for the team.
A well worked scrum and many phases saw Nick Watson cross over. Joe Janson was elusive at full back and started to come into his own.
Highlights of the second half was the running and blistering speed of Leigh Foster - he set up tries and scored a cracker jack try whereby he fended off his opposite and motored over in the corner.
Tommy Watson returned to the paddock after an absence due to injury - he linked up well with Tupou Lolohea and both scored doubles for the game.
The last 40 minutes saw Ballina score an unanswered 39 points - and play the rugby that is expected from the top grade.
Special mentions to Arthur Penisini who made his debut off the bench and Joe Janson who started in his return to 1st grade.
Also pleasing to see was the return of the 3rd grade side before the game and the Womens team after 1st grade, There was a good feeling of club unity on a cold winters afternoon.
We head back to Lis Vegas this weekend to play Lismore City in 2 grades.
POINTS:
3. Leigh Foster - Players Player
2. Hayden Warneke
1. Luke Kliese / Tupou Lolohea
Second Grade Report - Ballina vs SCU match - Chris Long
30 - 0 due to forfeit from SCU Gold Rats.
Presidents Cup Report - Ballina vs Kyogle Cockatoos match - Jamie Coote
With SCU forfeiting reserve grade, the Kyogle Turkeys agreed to meet BRC at Maurie Ryan Oval to play in the reserve grade time slot.
The field was in beautiful condition and the weather was perfect... the game, however, was far from it!
Kyogle played to out-muscle BRC up front and poor defence from The Seahorses saw the game swing Kyogle's way early and get out to a 0-5 lead through a try to 'club jumper', Alex Gibbon. The 1st half was then dominated by the referees whistle and Ballina somehow got to half time with a 12-5 lead.
Some colourful, verbal encouragement from coach, John Dokter, saw the Seahorses perform better in the 2nd half, however the whistle kept blowing against them and stifled their momentum. A slow, scrappy game ensued and Ballina scored late through Beau Milner to seal a 17-5 victory.
1 point Cam McQuhae
2 points Matt Lloyd
3 points Mark Pitt, who played his 1st game at no.9 and also picked up the Player's Player award
Womens 7’s - SCU match - Paul Giltrap
I (Coach Paul) was away on sat so this report comes via the Tazzy devil.
With some key players missing and an absent coach, the Seahorsettes (Mares) came away with a fine 39-0 win against Uni. A positive attitude adjustment from last week and the Lions share of possession resulted in the girls simply going out and having fun; displaying many of the skills they have worked on at training over the course of the season. The talk and communication was excellent while our passing, support play and ability to mix up the attack through switches were highlights.
Gemma had her best game while Keira's ability to pinch the ball from the Uni runners was outstanding.
Try scorers were Jerri (2). Keira, Jemima, Gaby, Jade and Binks while Jade converted 2.
Sponsors Spotlight.
Please show your support to the businesses that support your club. The growth and financial support provided by these businesses goes a long way towards the benefit and success of the Ballina Seahorses. If you need products or services then click the links to see how these firms and businesses can help you with your plans.
