Andrew Teuma
Byron Bay Rugby travelled to Albert Park, Casino, on Saturday to play against 7th-place Casino Bulls RUFC. After the bus trip Byron Bay were keen to get underway to complete a round of fixtures this season.
Byron Bay Rugby started strong with hot-stepper Will Aisake showing his running power early on after a darting run, which ended in touch.
The Byron Bay pack showed its dominance with some strong driving from the scrums and mauls.
It didn’t take long for Byron Bay to score with Jack Cooke crashing over after quick play from the ruck five metres out, with John Laughlin converting the points.
Captain Jascha Saeck, who had dropped to fullback for the away fixture, showed his pace and skill by sprinting to the line on two occasions in the first half, evading the defence with quick footwork.
A fantastic performance that earned Saeck Player of the Match.
No 8 Cooke added another try, giving the visitors a bonus point in the first half. Cooke now tops the try scoring tally, bringing his figure to 12 this season.
The second half saw Paul Jeffery putting his replacements to good use with Sean Nicholl showing his patience in choosing his lines with a number of breaks resulting in a try for the American.
Nicholl was involved in the next try with a well held line to pop the ball to Barrell Montgomery who put Laughlin into the corner, the Irishman adding two further points.
Laughlin returned the favour to his Irish counterpart Montgomery into the final quarter after a darting run down the 15-metre line before straightening and a perfectly timed pass while against Casino’s fullback put Montgomery over the line.
Scrum-half Harold Chiffoleau added the final try after he caught the Casino defence napping and dived over the line.
Round 7
Sat 18 June
Casino Bulls 0–52 Byron Bay Rugby
Tries: Cooke 2, Saeck 2, Chiffoleau, Laughlin, Montgomery, Nicholl
Cons: Laughlin 6
In other results around the zone, Lismore City drew to Southern Cross Uni in the Lismore derby 20–20; Bangalow RUFC were defeated by Lennox Head Trojans 31–17; the Rebels third straight loss and a battle between Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers and Ballina RUFC resulting in Ballina defeating the Pioneers 28–20 at Lyle Park.