Story & photo Dogwhistle
It was the Great Northern Byron Bay Rams’ turn to savour the bitter taste of a resounding defeat in Saturday’s Anzac Cup Final at Lismore’s Oakes Oval.
The first Rams v Rovers clash of 2016 promised to be an epic precursor to their 2016 competition rivalry and the Lismore lads signalled their intent early with a goal just five minutes in.
The Rams responded with counter-attacks that kept Rovers on the back foot for long periods. Rovers rallied, however and the game see-sawed for much of the first half.
A penalty and a second yellow card for Byron defender Josh McInnerney left the Rams two goals and one man down before the break.
The second half saw both teams attacking strongly, but the Rams failed to find the net and their depleted defence, overwhelmed by the firepower of the Lismore squad, began to leak goals.
Out-manned and out-muscled, the Byron boys never quite found their feet and, in what Rams Captain Ben Ahern described as ‘a comedy of errors’, allowed Rovers to find their way through four more times.
The final score of 6–0 was a big serve of humble pie for the reigning point-score champs.
Chastened by their biggest loss in many seasons, the Rams will need to regroup for this Sunday’s Round 4 clash with Lismore Workers in Lismore.
Reserves kick off at 12.30 and the Prems at 2.30pm.
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