Hi Bomber Fans!
Round 4 took both Ballina and Lismore back to that special place where both Team have the privilege of honouring those who have served and are serving in our armed forces via our ANZAC Day Match. We want to thank Lismore for picking up the mantle in this our second year of the ANZAC Memorial Shield and hosting an excellent day.
We commenced with introductions and then some wonderful words from the Lismore RSL as well as welcome to country. The formalities were concluded with both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems being played to the gathered crowd.
Then on to the first ball up! As has been the theme for the Bombers this season Kris Davis opened with superb dominance in the rucking contest feeding down to a rampant Simon Thorsen. The Bombers started with their faces into the considerable breeze, but none the less set about some solid mid-field structures to consistently move the ball forward. the hard work was rewarded with 5 goals kicked in to the what was considered to be a 6 goal breeze against. The ball only made a few entries in to the Bombers back-line for minimal outcome to the Swan's forwards. At the first break the scores sat - Ballina 5-1-31 to Lismore 2-1-13.
The second quarter was set to be a big run on for the Bombers with the breeze still strongly heading in their direction. However, despite still outscoring the Swans the conversions did not come as freely. The back-line continued to work overtime as the ball moved in to the Swan's attacking zone more than the Bombers would have liked. Still strong efforts from Luke Cornwell, Will Ward and Jacob McPherson ensured the boys kept their heads and saw the Swans go goalless for the second term. At the other end of the park the Bombers sought to take advantage of the wind and Jesse Leeds in particular sent long drives toward goal. Accuracy was still a problem and skipper Tim Price had a tough day in the forward line with balls either dropping short or sailing over his head while creating good space. At half time - Ballina 8-5-53 to Lismore 2-3-15.
The third quarter proved to be much more of a match up and the pendulum swung back and forth. New recruit Stephen Adam seemed to just be everywhere and if he wasn't there the ball still seemed to find him. Along with Sam Kennedy and another young recruit, Joe Lee the boys fought all the way through this quarter and although Ballina took the points on the board it really was a tight affair. John Vincent also stepping up in the back-line to shut down Swan raids. Close of term - Ballina 10-7-67 to Lismore 3-5-23.
The last quarter saw the Bombers showing a little fatigue. The boys had worked hard for the first three quarters on executing practiced plays, but fitness also started to show who had made training and who might have been a little lax. Leigh Hair and Roy Dunnett continued the theme of working for the hard ball, while Rory Walton just continued to find space across the ground. The goals, however, were somewhat of an enigma as the boys just couldn't seem to work them out. Much like the third term the ball went back and forth through some really hard contests but neither side was really able to gain the upper hand. Lismore took the quarter but not by much. The final score:
Ballina 11-10-76
Lismore 5-5-35
Goal Kickers - Jesse Leeds 5; Simon Thorsen 2; Joe Lee 1; Tim Price 1; Craig Saad 1; Harley Schmidt 1.
Best Players - Harley Schmidt, Rory Walton, Steve Adams, Jacob McPherson, Kris Davis
Next round will see the Bombers finally get to face other competition front runners Byron Bay at home on a Friday night. So get your club colours on and find your way down to Fripp Oval to feast your eyes on this top of the table clash.
Go Bombers!
Squadron Leader