Ross Kendall
Lennox Head has finished the regular season of the Far North Coast rugby union competition with a hard fought 35–18 win playing away against Bangalow last Saturday.
Going into the game Bangalow was placed fifth and needed a win to try and force their way into the top four, and finals rugby, in the 2020 season. Despite strong scrumaging that gave them plenty of possession in the first half Bangalow weren’t able to transfer this into points, and went to the break down 14–11.
They got their noses in front early in the second half after they were awarded a penalty try, after a string of scrum penalties against Lennox Head. But the Lennox Trojans, the more complete team on the day, were able to build strong attacking platforms, and the backs were able to run in three unanswered tries.
‘We were beaten by a backline that had a lot of cohesion, and backed each other up. Our defence didn’t adapt,’ Bangalow coach Ross Larsson said.
The Bangalow side will miss the finals but there have been plenty of positives for the club this year. according to the coach.
‘I’m proud of the boys, we had a good win ration of games this year, and did a lot better than last year,’ Ross said.
‘Bangalow really took it to us in the scrum,’ Lennox Head coach Doc Tredinnick said.
‘I’m very happy with the result, we have been building up to this,’ he said.
Three way tussle
Going into the game it was a three way tussle for the minor premiership with Lennox Head, Ballina and Wollongbar-Alstonville all equal on top of the points competition.
The pecking order for the finals was decide in a nail-bitter that saw Ballina playing at home against last year’s premiers, Wollongbar-Alstonville. The home side won 46–45 and took out the minor premiership on for and against, after joining Lennox Head on the top of the table, with 29 competition points apiece.
‘The Lennox Head side is fit, has a good attitude and they all play for each other,’ Doc said. ‘We also have great supporters’.
The side has benefited form plenty of youth in the squad this year as well as a rigorous training regime.
‘If you get fit early you get to score tries later on,’ he said.
The Lennox Head team won’t be able to enjoy a home ground final as they have been banned form hosting because their home crowd has been deemed too boisterous.
‘It’s disappointing,’ Doc said.
Casuarina had a solid 66–26 win over Casino and also made the top four finalists.
In Reserve grade a depleted Mullumbimby Moonshines were beaten 52–0 by Lennox Head.
‘Far North Coast rugby has done a great job to get a competition running this year,’ Ross said.
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