McClintock’s perfect boot seals Ballina’s 2024 NRRRL Grand Final victory

The Ballina Seagulls won the 2024 NRRRL Grand Final in a low scoring 16-10 point thriller.

The faultless goal kicking of Hamish McClintock ultimately proving to be the difference nailing 4 from 4 attempts at goal with both teams scoring 2 tries.

Bilambil were the first to score after just 3 minutes when a pinpoint kick from Harry Fitzhugh was acrobatically battered back in field by Reiven Smallman past a Ballina defender to Kalani Hensby in support.

Ballina hit back through Captain Anthony Coleman who barged his way over like he has 13 times in 2024 and took the lead through the ensuing McClintock conversion. The lead swung back to Bilambil after a try to Caleb Nicholls in the left corner was converted by Josh Quinn from the sideline in front of a packed and boisterous “Yobbo’s Hill” giving the Jets 10 points to 8 lead going into half time.

As was the case in the semi final v Cudgen Ballina, elected to go to the reliable boot of McClintock to square it up at 10 all and kick a penalty goal at the 58-minute mark.

Jordan Lee pounced on a McClintock grubber to put the Seagulls in front with approximately 20 minutes to go, the McClintock sideline conversion took the lead to 16-10 which would ultimately be enough for the Seagulls to hold on.

Bilambil continued to throw everything at the Seagulls for the final 10 minutes but were unable to crack the rock-solid Ballina line.

Player of the Match was awarded to Ballina Captain Anthony Coleman who also took out the NRRRL Player of the Year award.

In other games

Reserve Grade- Tweed Seagulls 30 finished over the top of Byron Bay 18 to cap a dominant season which will no doubt see them in first grade in 2025.

U18s- Byron Bay 36 came from behind to defeat Bilambil 28 in a see sawing battle.

Women’s tackle- Northern United 46 dominated the second half over Bilambil 18 racking up the points late in the game.

League tag- Tweed Seagulls 12 outlasted Marist Brothers 6 avenging their preliminary final result scoring 3 tries to 1.

Congratulations to the NRRRL and all 14 senior clubs on a wonderful season.

Group 18 held their Juniors Grand Finals at Cudgen. Group 1 hosted a massive crowd at Crozier Field Lismore with 3 extra time thrillers across 7 matches with a biggest margin across the day of 1 try.

Thanks to the Gold Coast Titans for providing representatives and prizes for all Junior League games.

Junior Rep Trials will be held at Lismore on Saturday 14th September before the Lismore KO wraps up an eventful 2024 on the Northern Rivers on the 20 – 22nd September.