WOLLONGBAR-Alstonville is on the verge of club history after all three senior grades qualified for Far North Coast rugby union grand finals.<\/p>\n
First grade, reserve grade and under-18s will all play in the decider for the first time at Crozier Field, Lismore on Saturday, August 30.<\/p>\n
The club will be chasing a fourth straight title in the top grade after a convincing 43-19 win over Ballina in its major semi-final at Pioneer Park.<\/p>\n
The Pioneers raced out to a 22-0 lead after tries to centre Rory Collings, flanker Joe Blythe and winger James Vidler.<\/p>\n
“It was one of our only dry games this season, so it was nice to be able to use the ball,” Wollongbar-Alstonville captain Ben Damen said.<\/p>\n
“It was a fast start for us; we had them on the back foot and really took control of the game in the second half.<\/p>\n
“The job is only half done for all three grades, but it was a great day and shows the depth in the club.”<\/p>\n
Damen was injured early in the game after a late tackle with Ballina clawing back to 22-12 at halftime.<\/p>\n
The five-eighth returned to the game before a second stint off the field when he received a yellow card for a lifting tackle.<\/p>\n
Once he came back on the Pioneers clicked into gear again with strong performances from hooker Bill Johnston, flanker Wilson Lovokuro and Blythe.<\/p>\n
In reserve grade, Wollongbar-Alstonville centre Matt Nean scored two tries in a 31-18 win over Casuarina, while winger Aaron Hanna bagged a try-scoring double in a 20-5 win over Mullumbimby in under-18s.<\/p>\n
Other winners on the day saw Lismore qualify for the women’s grand final along with Mullumbimby in the Presidents Cup competition.<\/p>\n
In the minor semi-final, Casuarina were dominant in a 50-15 win over Byron Bay.<\/p>\n
They will take on Ballina in the first grade preliminary final at Crozier Field, Lismore this weekend.<\/p>\n
Ballina reserve grade and women’s team advanced to preliminary finals along with the Lismore under-18s and the Richmond Range President’s Cup team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WOLLONGBAR-Alstonville is on the verge of club history after all three senior grades qualified for Far North Coast rugby union grand finals. First grade, reserve grade and under-18s will all play in the decider for the first time at Crozier Field, Lismore on Saturday, August 30. The club will be chasing a fourth straight title […]<\/p>\n