From The Sideline - Run to the Finals
The top four teams in all grades of the Far North Coast competition took the field over the weekend at Wollongbar with ten matches played in five divisions. Our three senior teams were involved and in fishing parlance the club caught a mixed bag, unfortunately the big one getting away.
Reserves took the field against Casuarina in the major semi final with a grand final spot the prize for the winner. Despite their scrum being in trouble for the first half they played well in all other areas and led 24-3 at the break courtesy of tries to Kye Cribb, Zane Barrett, Lachie Johnston and Lachie Anderson. A penalty reversal for backchat leading to Casuarina’s three points. The wheels fell off in the second half and nearly cost us the game with Casuarina taking a 27-24 lead with ten minutes remaining. Defensive structure and discipline were abandoned, and it was only due to a brilliant individual try to Benny Wainiqolo in the 27th minute that we prevailed to advance to the grand final with a scoreline of 31-27. I spent much of the second half questioning whether our lads wanted advance to the grand final and if so whether they wanted to play or referee it, a point I’m sure wasn’t missed by their coach Al Barrett who praised the efforts of Benny, Lachie Anderson and Zane Barrett.
On Sunday our women were convincing 29-7 winners against Richmond Range, emerging as the dark (Sea)horses of the Women’s 10 competition. They are sticking to their simple game plan and improvement in their game is occurring on a weekly basis. Jadha King scored a hat trick of tries and Illarah Roberts two in a fine all round team performance. I noted the defensive work of hooker Letia Paton which was outstanding both in technique and work rate throughout the match. The team plays Lismore next Saturday at Ballina Seagulls for a spot in the grand final.
A great crowd was in attendance for the first grade clash between Ballina and Lennox with more than bragging rights up for grabs. In the competition rounds the teams had met twice resulting in a 31-22 home win to Ballina and an unforgettable 35-35 escape a fortnight ago at Williams Reserve. Both teams hit the ground running and an intense match unfolded over the next 80 minutes. With the aid of a dominant scrum and solid defence Ballina went to the break with a slender 10-9 lead, and appeared to have the match under control. Syd Malietoa scored the only try of the first half in the thirteenth minute, and the boot of Jared Lofts kept Lennox in the contest with three penalties.
> After a series of scrums and penalties in our favour Sam Giltrap extended our lead to 15-9 after breaching the defence to score in the right hand corner after 18 minutes of the second half. Shortly afterwards a questionable decision saw us playing with fourteen men for ten minutes and Lennox took full advantage of the situation. A poor clearing kick in the 22nd minute was punished, a hole in our defence was spotted and Lennox scored under the posts, followed four minutes later by a try in the left hand corner scored with a man over in attack. With both tries converted fourteen unanswered points had been scored giving Lennox a 23-15 advantage. Their defence halted many half chances over the next ten minutes until Rueben Saric touched down with four minutes on the clock. Four minutes…….that rings a bell! There were to be no fairy-tale this week with Lennox holding on to win 23-20 and advance to the preliminary final against Wollongbar.
Hic had hoped the team would bring it’s best games to the finals but it didn’t happen on Sunday, with many simple errors across the board and lost scoring opportunities. Our scrum dominance wasn’t converted into points, and that effort and execution need to be coupled in the big games. We wish Mick, Steve and their team the best for the remainder of the season.
Back to the club for Ant’s boombox and pizza, a Fijian singalong and a skinful to round off what has been a successful season for the team.
Stroll down to Kingsford Smith on Saturday to help the girls join Reserves in the grand finals and watch a cracking first grade preliminary final.
