Words and photo Dogwhistle
There were mixed fortunes for the Northern Hotel Rams in Saturday’s preliminary fnals at Byron Bay.
The Reserve Grade Rams met a very determined Richmond Rovers and were unlucky to concede first against the run of play. Rovers fired up at their early lead and fought hard to keep it for the remainder of the half. A soaring header from Kazuhiro Tsukamoto early in the second half equalised for the Rams, and Rovers were again under pressure.
A second Rovers’ goal inspired the Lismore boys to dig deep in the final 10 minutes and they carried their lead to the final whistle.
The Rams Reserves now need a win over Lismore Thistles this Saturday at 3pm at the Recreation Grounds to make it to another grandfinal against Rovers.
The Premier Division Rams had what was widely described as an ‘intense’ battle with neighbours Bangalow in the main event of the day. In one of the Rams’ toughest encounters this season, the Byron boys fought hard for the full 90 minutes to contain the passionate Bluedogs.
Gianluca Bongiovanni opened for the Rams 13 minutes in off a cross from Aaron Walker, but an equaliser in the final minute of the first half kept the Dogs fighting hard. But the Rams got two more to seal the win and a grandfinal.
Bangalow will now face Rovers again this weekend to decide who will meet Byron in the grand final in Lismore on September 16.
