Around the Grounds - Round 16 - Ballina Seahorses vs Bangalow / Mullumbimby / Yamba..
With a big fat forfeit late on game day from Bangalow, there was some chaos on the sidelines. It had been a hectic week mustering players to make up numbers so it was a bit of a blessing that the forfeit came. First grade still got the points. 2nds went down to a high energy Moonshiners side and the dark Horse Presidents Cup side got pipped by Yamba.
Go the Seahorses.
First Grade Report - Ballina vs Bangalow.
FORFEIT from Bangalow.
Second Grade Report - Mullumbimby Moonshiners - The Ballina Touch Judge.
So with first grade without a game, it was all hands on deck to stiffen up the 2nds and Presidents Cup sides. There was a great showing of team work when surplus first graders volunteered to play for either 2nds against Mullumbimby or drive back down the highway to give Presidents Cup some more soldiers at home against Yamba.
The 2nd grade game was always going to be a belter. Top of the table as well as the major fund raiser for Beyond Blue as well as remembering one of their clubs players who passed away in tragic circumstances meant that Mullumbimby would be riding an emotional roller coaster. Maybe. Emotions will only get you so far and from the sideline, the Ballina Touch Judge could sense that Mullum were up to the challenge against our strong 2nds side.
With some initial heavy hit-ups and even a brief melee involving Seahorse legend Troy Nichols who made the trek down from the Gold Coast to support his old mates was worth a watch. Grant Knight was keen to run hard at anybody in a Mullumbimby jumper. Whilst the initial exchanges were somewhat savage, tries were difficult to come by but after some dropped ball and anticipation from Mullum backs, they were able to scoot ahead.
It was a hot and steamy day, and Isaac Pratten and Callam Turner were brought on to add some further muscle. Isaac was lucky to have their 68kg flanker run high at him and he bludgeoned him and knocked him back to the goal posts. Seamus Reen was very effective in a hittack and defended well.
Ryan Briscoe who made his debut for the Ballina Seahorses had a stand out match and it would be great to keep him around to see what he can offer. Zac Allen was also unlucky not score but the touch judge deemed that he was taken out before scoring. The multifocals really do make a difference!
The Ballina Touch judge did witness Brett Johnston scoring in the norther corner, but the referee being able to see through a ruck of bodies and without consultation declared a no - try. Even the Mullumbimby supporters agreed that it was a try. Oh well. Move on.
With the big Mullum bodies looking to tire in the 2nd half, this was a great opportunity for Ballina to claw back some tries but some dropped ball and tough line calls meant that Mullumbimby came away with the win.
Other standouts for the week were Jack Pippo in the tight stuff and Robbo who threatened when allowed some space.
Points:
Ryan Briscoe - 3
Jack Pippo - 2
Seamus Reen - 1
As this was the major fundraiser for Mullumbimby, some of the team stuck around for the auction of players jerseys and Karl Lupton bid on the man of the match No. 4 who bled everywhere and Karl and the club were able to show our clubs support with this kind and generous gesture by successfully bidding. Actions such as this really do strengthen the relationships with other zone clubs.
Well done.
Presidents Cup Report - Ballina vs Yamba match - Mick GreenDog
Top of the table Yamba travelled to Ballina for the reverse leg of a somewhat mixed up draw. After a heartbreaking last minute loss a week earlier, the Dark Horses were battered and bruised but somewhat confident going into this one. Yamba had other ideas though, and came out strong. The hits were big and the bruises eventually even bigger. The first half was tight with the Buccaneers having all the field position. The Buccaneers grabbed an early try and it was catch up from there on in. The 2nd half was much of the same. The Dark Horses got some fresh legs with a big club effort with guys helping out but it just wasn’t enough. Yamba showed their class out wide and their strength up the middle. The Buccaneers securing the minor premiership in convincing style with a 20-0 victory over the dark horses. We’ll lick our wounds and keep going. On to Evans Head this week in another tough hit out.
Thanks for the report Mick. I hope you never have to write a report up on me.
Womens Rugby 7’s - Ballina Seahorses vs Yamba - Paul Giltrap.
A good 24-15 win against a very tough Yamba side. This was our first game in quite some time after a bye, holiday and some forfeits, so to play as solidly as we did, is a real testament to the quality of this team. Our defence was strong, communication was good and commitment in all areas, as usual, was excellent. Yamba scored twice from kicks, a tactic that we had not struck before, but are undoubtedly now much the wiser.
Point scorers;
Binks (2), Taz and Mel with Mel converting 2.
Big game this week at home against Byron who spanked us last time we met.
Junior Seahorse Reports
Under 13’s vs Wollongbar - Alstonville - Coach Paul Davies.
This weeks game was a short trip away up the cutting to a cold and a bit damp Lyle Park in Wollongbar. We were met by a well drilled and well structured opposition who pushed us all the way.
Our first half was impressive with some really good straight running from both forwards and backs, none harder or straighter than our first try to Blake McQueen who took a pass from a tap after a penalty and ran straight through the opposition to score. The second try came again from some great hard running up the middle by the forwards then some slick back-line passing resulting in Lucy Bowen going over out wide after about 12 min. The game then swung from one end to the other with some great defence from Khi Edwards leading the backs and Finn Jonsson leading the way for the forwards. Our third try started deep in our own half with another great run from Taz Milner starting it off, about 8 phases ensued and we were on the Wollongbar line and Finn Jonsson picked up from the back of a ruck and crashed over under the posts to score.
The second half was again a tight tussle, and a stand out for me was the work of the backs at the break down, Taz stealing balls, Khi and Kobi cleaning out and all other backs doing great work. Our fourth try of the night was again on the back of some great forward runs led by Charlie Paskins, Zeke Moran and Adam Parsons, some more great cleaning out by Alexa Busteed and Zayne Jonsson, which led to the ball landing in the hands of Taz who carved them up to score.
Final score Ballina 22-0
Points; 3pts Khi Edwards, Great all round display in attack and defence
2pts Taz Milner, always dangerous with or without the ball.
1pt to each Charlie Paskins and Zayne Jonsson, both toiled hard all night.
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