Around the Grounds - Round 7.
After some back and forth and even now we are into Round 7, all the coaches will be submitting a weekly match report for publishing. Make sure you sign up for the email newsletter and share with mates and players so that we can let more supporters and sponsors stay in touch with our clubs progress.
go the seahorses.
First Grade Report - Bangalow match - Andrew Fraser
First grade took on a determined Bangalow on Saturday at home.
A physical contest ensued, and Bangalow’s insistence to play direct and tight meant the Ballina pack had to work hard for the whole game.
After the initial stages, The Seahorses class was able to shine through. A series of tries in each half saw Ballina win 55-19.
Second Row 1st grade debutant Jack Pippo was strong, as was Nick Brydon who slotted in at 5/8. Tupou Lolohea was also very good, and scored himself a hat-trick of tries.
Yet the performance of Luke ‘The Flash’ Simpson at full back had the crowd, referee and his team mates singing his praises. Three tries in attack and very robust in defence - he has started to transition well to his new code.
The Seahorses take to the coast road and head to Byron Bay next week to take on men of many nations. Byron have dramatically improved over the last few weeks and tested the Alstonville team on the weekend. See you up at Hipster-ville.
Players Points
3. Luke Simpson
2. Siua Kolota
1. Isaac Pratten & Callam Turner
Players Player : Brad Brown
Second Grade Report - Mullumbimby match - Chris Long
BRC 2nds took on the Mullumbimby Moonshiners at home in the top of the table clash, both teams were undefeated before Saturdays game.
The warm-up was not what the Seahorses needed losing a winger & prop in the warm-up. The bench was light on with the team only having 16 before the injuries. Some help from the 1st grade front rowers and a late minute registration coming through which helped the Horses start the game with 15 on the paddock.
As expected, the Moonshiners came out all guns blazing and it what was a very physical encounter. Injuries struck the Horses again in the 1st half losing flanker Jack Reynolds and lock Brad Grono. Recruit Jack Ingham replaced Reynolds at flanker and had a great game, stiffening up the Horses’ defensive line. With Grono leaving the field it opened the door for 2019 most anticipated return Josh “big horse” Lupton. Despite the 8-year hiatus from playing, he didn’t miss a beat in attack and defence and was last seen streaking away down the sideline to score a meat pie (one of many pies for the day).
The half time whistle blew with scores 0-14 Moonshiners way.
The second half was just as tough as the first. The Horses staged a second half come back with tries to both Lupton and Cal “ Scooby-Doo” Vanderstock. Seeing the score become 14-10 Moonshiners way. In the end the Mullum boys ran away with the victory and the 1st place bragging rights in the second grade comp 24-10.
Points could have gone to any one of the players on the field who all put in a massive effort with so few numbers.
Players player – Seamus “Fergus” Reen
3 – Cal Vanderstock
2 – Josh Lupton/Seamus Reen
1 -Nat Hooper/ Kye Cribb
Seconds have the bye this weekend due to Byron not having a 2nd grade team. All players and fans are encouraged to head north and watch the 1st grade boys take on Byron bay at home.
Presidents Cup Report - Yamba match - Jamie Coote
The BRC Pres Cup side travelled to Yamba on the weekend with numbers looking thin due to injuries and club suspensions.
A 15 man squad was scraped together with no reserves available for the day. Included in the side were our two over 50’s, Al Noble and Gary Murphy.
With the team unaware of our lack of numbers until the warm-up, reality started kicking in and the team had to switch on to the fact that they were about to go into battle with 15 men,…… and battle they did!
Some solid contact and scrambling defence saw an even matched 1st half and the score set at 10-5 with Yamba in front. A great effort from the under strength Seahorses.
The 2nd half saw Yamba run in a few quick tries after possession swayed their way and the speed of the game shifted with Yamba gaining momentum.
The Seahorses hung in there and were unlucky not to score a few points themselves. 2 injuries later and 13 men on the field, Yamba scored a late, breakaway try to seal the game. We could not have been prouder of the effort and comradeship the Seahorses displayed.
Final score: Yamba 22 BRC 5
Players Points
3. Danny Lickiss
2. Gary Murphy / Joey Cunningham
1. Rick Randall
Player’s Player - Gary Murphy
Womens 7’s - Yamba match - Paul Giltrap
A 31-15 win against a well coached and physically intimidating Yamba side who had largely dominated their previous oppositions.
Try scorers; Melissa Leyton, Keira Clark, Kate Healy, Sharron Blundell and Karene Bienke. Conversions by Sharron Blundell (2) and Mel Proffitt.
MVP Keira Clark.
Awesome team effort, tremendous courage by all and some good continuity in attack.
Sponsors Spotlight.
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