Story & photo John Campbell
It was not the sort of afternoon to have a delayed kick-off. But after an ugly incident in which the referee of reserve grade suffered intolerable abuse, to the shameful discredit of the hosts, the Northern United v Byron Bay NRRRL clash started twenty minutes late at a chilly Crozier Oval in Lismore on Sunday.
Byron won the two competition points, but it was only by the hair on their chinny-chin-chin. Or, more accurately, it was by the boot of stylishly coiffed fullback William ‘Peppi’ Goldsmith. Having already scored a runaway try in the last minute of the Under-18s victory, Goldsmith’s conversions trumped United’s five tries to four advantage to help get the Devils home by 26–22.
After crashing in their previous outing against Ballina, it was crucial that the Red Devils quickly return to the winner’s circle. They are finals-bound, but there is a huge psychological difference between limping into the play-offs in fifth place and striding in as feared contenders. Their effort against the Dirawongs was less fearsome than efficient, but it’s a good side that can win away from home when not on song.
A long dummy-half break by Tyler ‘Blackie’ Blanch took Byron into United’s twenty in the sixth minute. Probing cross-field, Ben ‘Spider’ Webber shot a pass to phlegmatic centre Chris ‘BB’ King, who took on the defence. Reaching out across the tryline like Mister Gadget, he opened the scoring for the Devils, but Northern struck back immediately. It was like that for the duration. Byron just could not shake themselves free of the persistent Dirawongs’ pursuit.
Though never headed – and never looking likely to be – Byron were unable to dispel a nagging sense that, at the death, they might snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Chris King registered his second four-pointer and shortly after, with United pressing, his fellow centre, Bill ‘the Lion’ King, took an intercept and sprinted 80 metres untouched to the line. Ahead 18–4, the result was inevitable. Wasn’t it?
It wasn’t.
On the back of the metres gained by their monster props, United dragged it back to 18–12 and the spring was in their step as the red defensive line began to show signs of tiring.
Possession is nine-tenths of the law in footy. The other tenth says when you’ve got it you must make the most of it. With a bit more of the pill coming their way, Chris King put up a towering bomb, United faltered, Byron earned the scrum feed and in the ensuing set Webber went over.
Trailing 24–12, it was, however, premature to think that United had been delivered the last rites, especially with Byron’s penchant for taking their foot off the pedal.
Goldsmith, who has grown in stature with every appearance since being promoted to the seniors, coolly converted a penalty to make it 26–18, but the eight-point buffer was whittled away when, not unexpectedly, United made one last surge to score a try with four to go.
It was a nail-biting finish that should never have been.
The Red Devils outplayed United, but they only sporadically out-enthused them. If they want to be champions they will need to do that to their opponents for eighty minutes.
Sunday’s return derby, at home to Mullum, should tell us much.
Recent stories tagged NRRRL:
No splendour in the farce for NRRRL
Story and photo John Campbell Every year, the Byron Bay Red Devils ask that their bye be allocated to the weekend of Splendour in the Grass, as they are most drastically affected by absenteeism it causes. And every year, presumably...
Red Devil women undefeated in new tag-league competition
Shannon Hulbert A tag rugby league competition started a month ago in the region and the Red Devils have had three wins from three so far. The women follow the Red Devils men’s team around and play the opposition clubs that...
Byron Devils score big win over Mullumbimby in league derby
John Campbell The Byron Bay Red Devils enjoyed their first win of the 2017 season when they romped home against a lacklustre Mullumbimby side 36–4. As local derbies go, there was a curious lack of intensity when the Red Devils hosted...
Mustangs prepare for grand final after death of teammate
The Murwillumbah Mustangs are preparing themselves for a grand final match against Cudgen despite the death of their teammate Grant Cook during the semi-final against the Casino Cougars on Sunday afternoon.
Man dies during rugby league match at Murwillumbah
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner after the death of a man during a rugby league match at Murwillumbah yesterday (Sunday September 11).
So near and yet so far for Devils against comp frontrunners
Winning becomes a habit. The Evans Head Bombers, an honest but not outstanding team, have acquired it. Byron Bay’s Red Devils have gone cold turkey on it.
Cometh the hour, cometh capitulation
My dad was a man of few words, but he had an expression: ‘what you need is a good kick up the arse’.
Cougars’ composure in wet leaves Devils down but not bowed
All of a sudden, the threat of the wooden spoon looms larger than the prospect of a finals berth for the Byron Bay Red Devils.
The Bay’s vital point in Red Devil cliffhanger
Footy teams strive to make a fortress of their home ground. Playing in familiar surrounds, in front of one-eyed tragics, without having to travel far and wide, is the ideal scenario in rugby league-land.
Luck takes a back seat as Hornets sting Devils revival
It’s easy to be a smart arse after the event, isn’t it?