Preliminary rounds are played out and footballers across the Northern Rivers, in all codes, are preparing themselves for finals footy.
Rugby League
It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for the Byron Bay Red Devils as their reserve-grade side went down to Cudgen, who dominated 46–10.
But the Byron Bay U/18s flew the flag with gusto as they posted a 48–16 win over Northern United. They have another elimination final this Saturday when they take on Bilambil at Oakes Oval in Lismore at 11.30am.
The first-grade minor premiers Ballina play Bilambil this weekend at Kingsford Smith Park in Ballina, to see who will play in, and host, the grand final. Ballina and Bilambil also play at the same venue in reserve grade to determine the first grand final team.
Football
In women’s premier league football, Lennox Head and Byron Bay will go head-to-head in a qualifying final this Friday night in Lennox Head from 6.30pm.
The winner will go on to play the minor premiers, Alstonville, in a major semi-final next week.
In the men’s premier league, table toppers Bangalow get a weekend off, while Richmond Rovers play an elimination final against Alstonville.
Byron Bay takes on South Lismore in the qualifying final at the Recreation Grounds on Saturday at 3.00pm.
The winner of this game plays the Bangalow Bluedogs for a grand final berth next weekend.
Rugby
The Byron Shire Rebels first, and second grade; sides both lost their first round of finals last weekend.
They have another chance this weekend.
Both teams were minor premiers but firsts went down to Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby 33–17, and in second grade Casuarina beat Byron Shire 17–15.
In first grade Byron Shire will have to beat Casuarina this Saturday, to play in the grand final against WAR, while seconds play WAR to make it into their grand final against Casuarina. Play from 1.00pm at Lyle Park, Wollongbar.
AFL
The Byron Magpies senior men’s AFl squad has continued their winning ways by beating Port Macquarie 12.14.86–9.5.59 last Saturday afternoon in Coffs Harbour.
Byron was behind by 11 points after the first quarter but soon clicked into gear, winning the next three quarters.
The team has qualified for the grand final on September 2, against the winner of this weekend’s game between Port Macquarie and Grafton.
In Wonen’s AFl the Ballina Bombers senior team has finished second on the Queensland (division two south) table at the end of the regular season, after winning their last seven games.
The side skips the elimination finals this weekend after booking a semi-final on September 2.
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