It was a tough weekend for Lismore’s rugby sides in Round 14 of the FNC Rugby Union competition.

Lismore went down to Evans River, 43-19, after trailing 31-7 at halftime.

The Killer Whales were first to score after just 4 minutes, but Lismore hit straight back, 3 minutes later, with a try to Tait Bailey, converted by centre Braeden Williams to take an early 7-5 lead.

The game was then dominated by Evans River Number 8 Agustin Aversa, who crossed for 5 tries in the 24 point win.

With 4 rounds to go, several clubs are counting down the weeks until the 2024 FNC Rugby season comes to a conclusion.

Consistent one sided scorelines have been been a part of the year so far with the For and Against numbers showing the real evidence.

Officials from various clubs have their own ideas and solutions, and no doubt the answers are out there.

Something needs to change.

One thought is to follow a similar path to the NRRRL, who, several seasons ago introduced a Mercy Rule with a 60 point differential, the marker.

This worked well for the code, with the competition breaking into two divisions come finals time, and the competitive nature remaining all the way through to the Grand Finals. This doesn’t allow for huge discrepancies in For and Against, as everyone is in the same boat.

This would prevent what we currently see, with Wollongbar Alstonville having a +649 point differential at the top of the table and Lismore with a -508 and the Gold Rats -691 at the bottom end of the table. A 1340 point difference between the top and bottom.

There was no winner in yesterday’s 119-0 scoreline in the Wollongbar Alstonville, SCU Gold Rats match. With players unavailable and several injuries throughout the match, SCU could not compete with the Pioneers, but do we need a 119-0 scoreline? Many say no, especially those in attendance.

Putting a halt to one sided matches at a set score difference allows everyone to enjoy a game of rugby, enjoy a beverage and a chin wag after the match and hopefully minimise injuries late in the match when the scoreline blows out.

It has nothing to do with the powerbrokers in Sydney not having a solution to these issues, we need to create our own solutions on the Far North Coast, or the sport will continue its decline.

There are positive signs in the region, with the recent FNC Schools competition attracting record numbers. These numbers need to turn into junior registrations in 2025 and beyond, hold onto these student athletes and get them to bring some friends along.

The FNC Reserve Grade competition has been a relatively close contest this season, and is exactly what players, supporters and rugby enthusiasts want to see.

The undefeated Wollongbar Alstonville sit on top of the ladder with 13 wins, and a +460 differential, but the remaining sides from 2nd to 11th (last place) are separated by just 5 wins and not a great divide in For and Against.

It is also great to see clubs like Richmond Range, SCU Gold Rats, Evans River and Lennox Head moving across from President's Cup last season and aspiring to build their clubs and succeed.

It's not too long ago, that Lennox Head made the decision to play First Grade, big losses were the flavour to start their existence, but they were Premiers within the 3 years.

It is the sport they play in heaven, let's not see it die.

FAR NORTH COAST RUGBY UNION 

Round 14 Results 3rd August 2024

First Grade

Ballina 55(Ben Robinson 2, Harry Bungate, Jack Kindred, Emori Rairailevu, Brett Johnston, Pierce Bryers, Anthony Lolohea, Stephen Paskins tries, Nick Brydon 3, Pierce Bryers 2 conversions) d Lennox Head 5(Atzin Jacobson Try)

Half Time: Ballina 20 – Lennox Head 5

Wollongbar Alstonville 119(Bodi Smith 4, Daniel Damen 2, Bill Johnston 2, Brenden Williams, Blake Henderson, Austin Markwort, Ben Shelley, Sam Kerry, Ben Damen, Zach Hyatt, Wiison Lovokuro, Thomas Parker, Joe Blyth, Nick Pennisi tries, Bodi Smith 7, Sam Kerry 2, Daniel Damen, Blake Henderson, Bill Johnston conversions) d SCU Gold Rats 0

Half Time: Wollongbar 46 – SCU 0

Evans River 43(Agustin Aversa 5, Ben Morris, Michael Miskle tries, Zane Gaiter 4 conversions) d Lismore 19(Max Smith, Tate Bailey tries, Penalty Try, Braeden Williams conversion)

Half Time: Evans 31 – Lismore 7

Casuarina Beach 40(Jessy Kemp 2, Dan Raye, Webb Lillis, Kai George, Levi Dangerfield, tries, Kai George 4, Webb Lillis conversions) d Byron Shire Rebels 19(Oliver Shakeshaft, Angus Wilbourn, Will Latham tries, Will Latham 2 conversions)

Half Time: Casuarina 21 – Byron Shire 12

Casino 31(Bryce Spencer, Vetari Tau, Daniel Cakaubivalu, Jone Quimivula, Hakeem Torrens tries, Jayden Torrens 3 conversions) d Richmond Range 29(Vincent Quigley 2, Paul Hewetson, Reece Manning, Hayden Pratt tries, Bradon Gumbleton, Daine Petty conversions)

Half Time: Casino 19 – Range 12

Point Score – Wollongbar 67, Casuarina 52, Ballina 51, Byron Shire 47, Casino 32, Richmond Range 29, Lennox 22, Evans 21, Lismore 10, SCU 0

2nd Grade

Ballina 26 d Lennox Head 0

Evans River 17 d Lismore 12

Wollongbar 27 d Mullumbimby 0

Yamba 26 d Casino 17

Casuarina 26 d Byron Shire 5

Point Score – Wollongbar 64, Ballina 40, Byron 39, Casuarina 37, Lismore 28, Yamba 22, Lennox 22, Kyogle 22, Mullumbimby 16, Casino 16, Evans River 15

Women’s

Casino 33 d Lismore 17

Casuarina 24 d Byron Shire 22

Point Score – Casino 46, Lismore 18, Casuarina 18, Byron 11

Under 18’s

Lismore 38 d Casuarina 12

Point Score – Lennox 24, Casuarina 12, Yamba 11, Lismore 11

Next Week’s Round 15 Matches, Friday 9th, Saturday 10th August

1^st Grade

SCU Gold Rats v Casino – Friday 9^th August

Lennox Head v Casuarina Beach

Evans River v Ballina

Byron Shire Rebels v Wollongbar Alstonville

Lismore v Richmond Range at Kyogle

2^nd Grade

Mullumbimby v Casino at SCU – Friday 9^thAugust 

Lennox Head v Casuarina Beach

Evans River v Ballina

Kyogle v Lismore

Yamba v Casino

Byron Shire Rebels v Wollongbar Alstonville

Yamba - Bye

Women’s 10’s

Byron Shire Rebels v Casuarina Beach

Under 18’s

Yamba v Lismore at Kyogle

Lennox Head v Casuarina Beach