Tricks and mind games lead in to rugby union finals

CASUARINA Beach will take momentum into the Far North Coast Rugby Union finals after winning five of its past six games to secure third place on the ladder.

The final round will be played this weekend, with Casuarina to meet unbeaten minor premiers Wollongbar-Alstonville at Pioneer Park.

Ballina has sealed second spot and will face the Pioneers in the major semi-final on Saturday, August 16.

Casuarina will then meet either Byron Shire or Casino in the sudden-death minor semi-final.

“The competition has sorted itself out and we’re one of three teams who can probably win it,” Casuarina coach Geoff Townsend said.

“Some of the lower teams are still young and learning, I think they’ll keep improving, though.

“We’ve also picked up a few front-rowers who have given us a bit of a boost.”

Matt Leybourne and Pompy Toolis bolster the forward pack, while five-eighth Harry Hall and fullback Kai George have been key in recent wins.

Casuarina lost a tight grand final 31-28 to Wollongbar-Alstonville last year after having chances to close out the match.

The Pioneers have led the competition again this season and remain unbeaten.

Townsend said the final-round clash would be an intriguing lead-in for both teams.

“We’ll need to decide on how we go about this game, both teams will probably want to keep their cards close to their chest,” he said.

“I don’t think either team will do anything special, but we will have to beat them at some stage.

“We’ll modify some of our plays and maybe add a trick or two in there.

“The best thing will be getting some blokes back from injury which will hopefully give us the best chance of putting it all together in the finals.”

Wollongbar-Alstonville is chasing a fourth straight premiership.

Ballina is looking to play in its first grand final since 2017. The club’s last premiership came in 2005, while Casuarina has reached two grand finals since entering the competition eight years ago.

The grand final will be held at Crozier Field, Lismore, on Saturday, August 30.

LADDER

Wollongbar-Alstonville 55

Ballina 49

Casuarina 40

Casino 22

Byron Bay 18

Lennox Head 5

Lismore 2