News from Ballina Rugby Club

The Senior Committee is calling for expressions of interest from suitably qualified people who are interested in coaching at Ballina Rugby Club in 2009. The club will field First, Second, and Third Grades in open division next year, as well as an under 19 team.

Interested coaches should apply via this web-site or mail their expressions of interest, together with brief details of their qualifications to The Secretary , Ballina Rugby Club, P.O.Box 485, Ballina, NSW. 2478.

We are also keen to appoint Managers for all four grades before next year and anyone interested in these positions should also contact the Secretary.

Having seen how important it is to bring young players through from juniors we are determined to have an under 19 team next year.

Before the end of this season both a coach and a manager will be appointed.

If you are interested in playing or want to coach next year, contact us through the web-site.

A number of senior players are serious enough about this issue to have approached me and offered their services to not only help this grade but to actively recruit young blokes in the 18 years age group through the summer so that when the season starts we will have this in place.

With this kind of enthusiasm I am certain we can raise a very good team of under 19’s for 2009.

Ballina travel to Casino next w/e to play the Bulls of Casino.

Only two grades on show, but with a little luck and good application we hope to come home with the points in both grades.

As we will have a number of blokes back from injury both teams will be strengthened, and with 3rd grade not playing there should be plenty of players on the reserve bench.

Troy Taylor who broke his neck at Quays Reserve on June 7th this year is well on the way to a full recovery. Troy turned up with Alison to watch the three grades against Lismore this past w/e and is in fine spirits. he is now walking freely and in spite of the “halo frame” on his head seems to get around very well. Troy is on track to a full recovery in approximately two months time. if all goes well, and present indications are that he is on track to make a full recovery, then he will be back to normal by the time summer arrives.

We are holding a TRIVIA NIGHT at the Ballina RSL to help Troy and his family financially, on AUGUST the 2nd. we hope to raise a decent sum for them, and if you read this and want to help just send our treasurer a your contribution and we will add it to the proceeds of the fund raiser.

Ballina Under 17s player James Burrows was recently selected to represent the FNC.

Unfortunately work commitments didn’t allow James to play all games however U17s Ballina Rugby coach, Joel McMahon was extremely proud and said, “The Ballina Under 17s train hard and are proving to be the strongest forward pack in the zone and we are all looking forward to the what the rest of the season will bring”.

By Nathan Wallace, Wizard Ballina

This week saw Southern Cross University host Ballina at Crozier Oval in Lismore, under the new flood lights. There was a chill in the air and moisture in the pitch so it was always going to be a forwards game. The game started well with both Ballina and Uni providing some excellent pick and drives from around the rucks.
The “Gold Rats” really showed there dominance in broken play with a number of brilliant runs made by the back line and equally Ballina was impressive with a far more structured game. The ball was wet and mistakes were going to be made, both sides were up and down the field in a game of who has territory will win. Ballina was excellent at line out time and proved this was an important part of the match.
The second half proved Ballina was the better team on the day and the “Seahorses” were able to wrap the game up with another two tries and nearly a push over try in the dying moments.
Ballina needed the win after two close loses in the previous weeks.
Next week Ballina’s first grade has a week off while it’s second and third grade is up against Mullumbimby side at home.

First Grade
Ballina 26 (Ben Bullock, David Frier, Luke Watling, Paul Lynch tries, Adam Fisher 3 conversions) d Southern Cross 7 (Callum Lenard try, James Wivell conversion)

Grafton 12 (Jason Landrigan 2 tries, Trent Dickson conversion) d Lismore 6 (James Wood, Matt Bermigham penalty goals)

Lennox Head 29 (Matthew Gibson 2, Robbie Kirkwood, Ben Rampling tries, Adam Gordon 3 conversions, penalty goal) d Casino 17 (Michael Webb, Jamie Coe, Khan Choppy tries, David Briggs conversion)

Wollongbar Alstonville 17 (Ben Damen, Ryan Hamilton, Aaron Burnett tries, Ben Damen conversion) d Yamba 12 (Kris Thomsen 4 penalty goals)

Point Score – Lennox Head 19, Coolangatta Tweed 18, Wollongbar Alstonville 15, Ballina 15, Casino 13, Grafton 10, Lismore 9, Southern Cross 7, Yamba 1

Next home game is against Mullumbimby in 3rd and Reserve Grade at Quays Reserve, West Ballina.

First game kicks off at 1.50pm with reserve grade, the main game to follow.

By Nathan Wallace, Wizard Ballina

Once again an extremely tight game in the Far North Coast Rugby union competition with Casino taking a one point lead, to take the game from Ballina who have lost there last two games.

Both teams started off well with ball security and possession having an important involvement in the game. Casino was fortunate to snuffle up an early lead in the first few minutes from a backline move but the “Seahorses” weren’t going to let Casino run away with an easy game.

Within 10 minutes of the break Ballina was able to come back with a stunning individual try to Adam Fisher who evened the playing field.

After the break the game was very much like the first half with good ball control and aggressive plays around the ruck and mauls. With another try to each team, and penalty goal Ballina had the lead up until the 75th minute. Casino were then offered three points on a plate with a penalty goal in front of the posts. With a few minutes to go Ballina were unable to climb back and again lost the game in the dying minutes.

Overall Ballina played an excellent game and were unfortunate to not come out victors

Ballina’s next game is against the Southern Cross uni students away

Casino 18 (Andrew Barnes, Craig Connolly tries, Wayne Dean conversion 2 penalty goals) d Ballina 17 (Adam Fisher, Mick Lord tries, Adam Fisher 2 conversions, penalty goals)

First Grade

Grafton 8 (Tom Ellem try, Paul Cameron drop goal) d Yamba 0

Coolangatta Tweed 21 (Penalty Try, Todd Heywood, Nathan Jacobs tries, Todd Heywood 3 conversions) d Southern Cross 11 (Phil Abrahall try, James Wivell 2 penalty goals)

Lismore 39 (Rory Richardson, Heath, Matt Mckee tries, James Wood conversion, 9 penalty goals) d Lennox Head 23 (Trent Gasnier, Sam Stewart tries, Beau Milner 2 conversions, 3 penalty goals)

Point Score – Coolangatta Tweed 18, Lennox Head 14, Casino 13, Wollongbar Alstonville 11, Ballina 10, Lismore 8, Southern Cross 7, Grafton 6, Yamba 0
 

Sam Giltrap (on left) and Jake Lyon

Congratulations to two of Ballina Rugby’s boys who have made the Under 13’s Far North Coast rep side for 2008. Well done boys, keep up the good work.

Keep an eye on these boys they are the future of the game.

By Nathan Wallace, Wizard Ballina

With Lismore hosting its 40th year as a club, all eyes were definitely going to be on the home team.  Leading up to the match Ballina were undefeated in the season, while Lismore were yet to rack up a point.

It was always going to be a hard and hot game under the conditions and the weather did not disappoint. Both teams got off to a steady start with Lismore securing the first points to a sideline try to Glen Paisley.  Balllina later came back with a penalty goal to number 10 Adam Fisher. Lismore held onto the lead at halftime with a 8-3 scoreline

The second half proved that it was anybodies game with ball possession and territory being played at both ends of the paddock. Ballina had a number of chances close to City’s line but were not able to convert to points. Within a few minutes to the final whistle Lismore countered - attacked a Ballina kick and ran in the final try to Heath Conlan to seal the game.

Next week Ballina is up against a big Casino pack, who will be looking to put some points on the board after they also had a loss to an improved Coolangatta-Tweed side.

Lismore 15 (Glen Paisley, Heath Conlan tries, James Wood conversion, penalty goal) d Ballina 3 (Adam Fisher penalty goal)

Lennox Head 19 (Mathew Barnes, Joe Witt tries, Trent Gasnier 3 penalty goals) d Grafton 18 (Paul Cameron 2 tries, Trent Dickson conversion, 2 penalty goals)

Wollongbar Alstonville 27 (Adam Law 2, Tim Perkins, Luke Nunn tries, Ben Damen 2 conversions, penalty goal) d Southern Cross 25 (Paul Fisher 2, Adam Penfold, Andrew Carter tries, James Wivell conversion, penalty goal)

Coolangatta Tweed 19 (Ashley Mareroa, Tamhiti Coates, Simon Campbell tries, Todd Heywood 2 conversions) d Casino 13 (Terry Llewellyn try, Wayne Dean conversion, 2 penalty goals)

Point Score – Lennox Head 14, Coolangatta Tweed 14, Wollongbar Alstonville 11, Ballina 9, Casino 9, Southern Cross 7, Lismore 4, Grafton 2, Yamba 0