IN-FORM: Ballan coach Mark Williams has his side two games clear inside the top eight. File picture: Justin Whitelock.BALLAN’Ssquad of developing talent worked relentlessly to secure an important63-point win over Skipton.

The Blues had opportunities to kick away dueto the exceptional forward duo of Zac Peoples and Aaron Speak, who booted six andthree goals respectively.

The majority of Saturday’smatch was contested in muddy conditions at Ballan, allowing for alarge emphasis on tackling and being rewarded for effectively directing theball into open space.

Ballan went into halftime holding a 34-point lead and continued to controlthe flow of the game from the opening bounce of the second half.

Bluescoach Mark Williams was pleased to claim a victory that helps his team break two games clear inside the top eight.

“It was really pleasing that the boys stuck to our structure and played the waythat we wanted to play,” Williams said. “To do that for four quarters was reallypleasing.”

Skipton assistant coach Lee Spry said it would take time for his young players togain the experience needed to operate at a higher standard.

“We were pretty ordinary for the first three quarters, but in the last quarter weactually dug in and gave it a crack,” Spry said. “We’re just improving, we’re ayoung side so that’s the hard part about it.”

Marcus Crook and Shaun Campbell were among the best performers for theBlues, whileMatt Rea and Tyrone Ross bothplayed well in the midfield for the Emus.

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Weekend sporting action | PHOTOS Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Weekend sport in Port Pirie. PHOTOS: Shane Hendrickson

Port v West Augusta: PHOTOS: Trancontinental.

Port v West Augusta: PHOTOS: Trancontinental.

Port v West Augusta: PHOTOS: Trancontinental.

Port v West Augusta: PHOTOS: Trancontinental.

Port v West Augusta: PHOTOS: Trancontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

South Augusta v Solomontown. PHOTOS: Transcontinental.

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ON TOP: Riverina after their win over Greater Northern at the Country Championships. Picture: SuppliedThe value of representative rugby league is being questioned after the controversial selection of the Country Bulls team following theCountry Championships final.

Nick Skinner and Dave Cowhan were the only Riverina players selected in the team,which was dominated by Tier 1 players.

Last season the Bulls team was made up of players from Tier 2, but selectors unexpectedly changed the goal posts this year.

Unsurprisingly, the majority of players in the Country Firsts team are from Illawarra and Canberra, who fought out the Tier 1 decider.

Riverina coach Josh Cale labelled the selection decisions as crazy.

“I’m really happy for Dave and Nick, andobviously they were a couple of standoutsbut disappointed with the way they did the selection process,” Cale said.

“We should have had five or six blokes in that team and I don’t know what their thought process is, but those blokes have put the effort in.

“I was gutted for them, they’ve worked hard, and I think it’s crazy what the CRL has done and they need to have a look at it.”

The likes of Nathan Rose, Jack Lyons and Griffith Waratahs’Kose Lelei should feel very unlucky to have missed out on the trip to Darwin, but it wasn’t just Riverina players whowere snubbed.

Dan Ritter was the only Greater Northern player selected for the Bulls, with all other Tier 2 players overlooked.

The announcement of the Country Bulls teamovershadowed Riverina’s 32-22victoryover Greater Northernin the Tier 2finalat Mudgee.

The Tigers struck first but Riverina hit back with tries to Nathan Rose and Matt Wakefield.Cameron Woo extended Riverina’s lead nearthe breakbefore another Greater Northern try reduced the margin to two points at half-time.

Kyle McCarthy scored a minute after the interval before tries to Warren Lloyd and James Luff gaveRiverina a 32-12 lead with 12 minutes to play.

The Tigers scored two consolation efforts, but Riverina’s strong start to the second half meant they were in no danger of losing.

Cale thought it was the defensive effort of the team that proved most influential.

“I think we defended on our line really well and there werea couple of times when I thought they were certain to go over, but we shut them out and scrambled well, which we have done over the three games,” Cale said.

Also on Saturday, the Bidgee Bulls won the under 18s final 30-28 over Newcastle. The Bulls under 16s weren’t as lucky, losing their decider 30-20 to Greater Northern.

RIVERINA 32(N Rose, K McCarthy, J Luff, C Woo, M Wakefield, W Llyod tries; K McCarthy 4 goals) dGREATER NORTHERN 22(T Smith, A Donnelly, J Griffiths, G Mepham tries; M Nean 3 goals)

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SOCIAL SCENE: Lions Club handover dinner | PHOTOS Outgoing president of the Lions Club of Port Pirie, Neville ‘Stax’ Kerr, left, strikes the bell one last time before passing the gavel over to new president Barry McGree. Also pictured is past district governor Don Pritchard.

Robert McDonald, left, Melva Curtis and Cheryl and David Haldane were at the Lions Club’s handover dinner on Saturday night.

Mayor John Rohde, left, with wife Karen, enjoyed the celebrations at the Lions Club’s annual handover dinner.

Gwendolene Hosking, left, and George Rajkovic.

President of the Rotary Club of Port Pirie Graham Nichols, left, with his wife, Mary.

At the handover dinner at the Savoy Soccer Club on Saturday night were Phil and Lyn Price with Julie and Paul Matthews.

Dianne Knauerhase and Kate Kerr.

Daphne and David Aldridge.

Andrew and Katie Hallett-Patterson

Michael Stevens, Chris Baldock, Colin Hards, Deb Tregilgas and Mick Baldock.

Melva Curtis, centre, is presented with the James D Richardson Honour Award by past district governor Don Pritchard, left, and outgoing president Neville ‘Stax’ Kerr.

Outgoing president Neville ‘Stax’ Kerr, left, and incoming president Barry McGree, right, thank charter member Reg Tiller for his half-century of service to the club.

Gillian McKenzie and Beryl McGree.

Beryl, left, congratulates husband Barry on being inducted as president of the Lions Club of Port Pirie.

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Motorcyclist trapped after Otford crash A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday.

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday.

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

A motorcyclist was rescued from a stormwater drain after a crash on Lady Wakehurst Drive, Otford on Sunday. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI

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WATCHING: Michael Deegan watches the path of his ball off the first tee at Goulburn Golf Club on Saturday morning. Photo: Darryl Fernance

WE needed the rain and it was most welcome but only 29 hearty souls hit off, on Thursday, not quite all finished.

Nathan Kowalenko hit off early to have a great score of 42 points off his handicap of nine. Norm Woodward was the next best with 35 points to pick up A grade off seven.

Bill Hughes off 15 with 35 as well won B grade and Norm Aubrey won C grade with 32 points off 24. John Norris got the last ball with 31 on a countback.

The nearest the pins went to John Norris on the Merino fuels eighth with 605cm.

The Birdies Bistro 11th to Nathan Kowalenko with 78cm and Darryl Marr with 177cm on the Murrays meats 15th.

Phil Malone won the cross holes with nine points. Saturday was one of the coldest days for some time, but we still managed 83 men hitting off and 13 ladies.

We had not only the pleasure of our resident touring pro Peter O’Malley but also one of New Zealand best Greg Turner who also has a great professional record, won four times on the European tour.

We also had eight visitors from Royal Sydney and Elanora play today all complimented the course, thanks to the Green staff.

The winner on Saturday with a great score of 42 nett, on a count back, was Graham Callanan playing off two, A grade went to Shane McColl with 41 points on a count back, also off two.

Steve Ridley won B grade with 42 points off 20 and one of our new members Dave Cunningham had 40 points off his new handicap 05 24 to win C grade. Terry Taylor won the last ball with 32 on a count back.

Dick Mackenzie was the closest on the Merino fuels 8th with 259cm,Luke Price was 1740 cm away on the Birdies Bistro 11th and Mark Guthrie 251cm from the Murrays Meats 15th.

The rain has been good for the course but players are asked to keep off the fairways while using motorised transport, particularly when there is a frost.

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GOT YA: Griffith centre Andrew Madden is wrapped up by the Albury defence in his team’s six-point loss to the ladder leaders at Coro Club Oval on Saturday. Picture: The Area News

A 20-minute spurt was just enough for Albury to return to the winner’s list against Griffith at Coro Club Oval on Saturday.

The Steamers trailed for most of the first half, before scoring four quick tries to take the game away from the Blacks late in the second half.

The Blacks went went from being on top with a 19-5 lead halfway through the first half, to trying to catch their breath as before a powerful charge from the Steamers saw them go into the second half with a31-19 advantage.

Although they managed to keep the Blacks tryless in the second half, they couldn’t chase down the top team in the competition to fall 37-31.

New South African recruit Lex Botha had a big influence on the game, scoring three tries to help Albury score its eighth win of the season.

The speedy centre has already impressed in Southern Inland and Brumbies Provincial representative duties, but pulled on the yellow and blue hoops for the first time.

One of his three tries was an intercept effort which helped change the fortunes of the game.

Coach Mick Raynes was impressed with his ability to find the line, and wants to ensure they Steamers provide him with quality ball.

Despite coming away with the win, Raynes expects more from his team.

“We got away with one,” hesaid.

“It wasn’t that impressive and I think Griffith played better football on the day.

“Their forwards were cracking, they possessed the ball and picked us off straight up the guts.

“We scored an intercept and a couple of opportunistic tries kept us in the game.”

After giving the Phantoms a big start in its only loss so far this year, starting slow is becoming a trend for the Steamers.

It’s something Raynes is looking to iron out.

“We can’t be giving up big lead like that and expect to hold in games,” he said.

The Blacks started well with tries to Vaea Mateo, Nick Gleeson and Semisi Rogoyawa before the Steamers’ onslaught hit.

Mateo reduced the margin shortly after the break, but James Olds slotted two penalties to keep Albury out of reach.

Mateo crossed for his third with five minutes to play, but the Blacks couldn’t make any more inroads to slip to consecutive losses.

The Blacks had plenty of opportunities to score late, and the Steamers goal-line defence was one pleasing aspects for Raynes.

Albury have a bye on Saturday which will help prop Jean-Laurant Pozzobon recover from a shoulder injury.

ALBURY 37 (L Botha 3, S Allen, L Krautz tries; J Olds 3 cons, 2 pens) d GRIFFITH 31 (V Mateo 3, N Gleeson, S Rogoyawa tries; V Mateo 3cons)

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WINNER: Alex Antonelli scored the only goal. FILE PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER.

AFTER three disallowed goals, Sebastopol Vikings eventually broke through for a 1-0 win over Truganina Hornets on Saturday.

A 78-minute winner to Alex Antonelli proved the difference, ending a curse that saw three earlier goals flagged down with offside calls.

Vikingscoach Michael Busija felt his sidedominated the match at St George’s Reserve but simply could not convert on the scoreboard.

“It was probably the best full 90 minutes we’ve played all year,” he said.

“I thought it might have been one of those days where you just can’t find a goal but we finally converted.”

Having conceded six goals last week, Busija said it was especially pleasing to keep a clean sheet and actually leave little work for keeper Nick Dean.

“To turn it around after last week was really pleasing,” Busija said.

The Vikings remain in sixth sport on the FFV state league four table, but are only two wins away from top side Maribyrnong Greens.

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EXCITED: Goulburn 15 and under netball representatives: Back: Emma Hayes, Sarah Absolom, Tiarna Brooker, Holly Boyland, Visharn Edwards. Front: Amy Canty, Kyra Baker and Rose Canty who will be competing in the NSW Age Championships next weekend.EXCITEMENT is building for the young Goulburn Representative netball players as they prepare for the NSW Age Championships next weekend.

The event is reputed to be the largest sporting events in the southern hemisphere. Goulburn Netball Association will have two teams at the 2015 State Age Championships, to be contested from Saturday 27 to Monday June 30 at venues across Sydney’s north-west region.

The Goulburn Association is fielding 15 and Under and 13 and Under sides in Division Four at this year’s tournament, which will see 294 teams representing 83 Associations from around the State.

Four venues will host three days of back-to-back netball action for the 47th instalment of the competition. Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association (Championship division), Eastwood Ryde Netball Association (Division Two), Penrith Netball Association (Division Three), and Hawkesbury City (Division four). With four divisions in four age groups – 15/U, 14/U, 13/U and 12/U – the State Age Championships will showcase potential future stars of Australia’s number one female participation sport, Netball.

Goulburn Rep coordinator Louise Manning said that competing outside of the local competition gives the players an idea of the way the game is played by other associations and helps them to develop skills and tactics.

“It is good for coaches and officials as well as parents to see how players of similar ages from other areas perform,” Manning said. Umpires can also learn a lot about the interpretation of rules and game flow through exposure to inter association competitions.”

As part of their preparation for NSW State Age Championships next weekend the Under 13 girls attended the Belconnen Netball Association at Charnwood on Sunday May 31.

The first game of the day was against Canberra Netball Association (CNA) and the girls jumped out of the blocks with easily their best half of netball all season, holding a slight lead at halftime.

A sickening collision between two opposing players rattled the girls for a bit and CNA were able to finish strongly, finally taking the game 7-5.

It was an encouraging start to the day and the girls were fired up for their next game against South Canberra Netball Association .

The girls hit the court full of running and took control of the game early and never looked in danger running out comfortable winners 10-3.

The next two games were against strong sides Belconnen Netball Association and Arawang and the girls were far from disgraced in these games and put it to the opposition.

Overall performances on the day showed the continued improvement in the girls play with all players contributing throughout the day. Goulburn’s 11/12 development squad also attended the Belconnen Association competition day along with the 15s.

The 11/12 squad will not be participating in the State Age Championships but still get opportunities to play against teams from other associations.

On this occasion they won two of their seven games and drew one. A opportunity for the Goulburn Rep teams to prepare for the State Championships was a carnival in Campbelltown where the girls faced a mix of of Sydney and country associations on June 14.

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Emojis are becoming increasingly popular among Australian phone users. Photo: SuppliedEmojis were used in code by an alleged drug dealer to organise MDMA and ecstasy deals, police claim.

The emoji text messaging symbols originated in Japan, but are becoming increasingly popular among phone users in Australia. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is a fan, famously conducting an entire interview in the language in February.

On Saturday, Sergeant Shane Turner told the Brisbane Magistrates Court that Regan Peter Howett used “lightning bolts and hearts” to represent drugs in text messages with customers.

Sergeant Turner said police downloaded Mr Howett’s text messages when he was charged with supplying drugs after being arrested in Fortitude Valley this year.

Mr Howett, 19, was arrested again on Friday at his home in Springfield Lakes. Officers allegedly found a knife, 11 MDMA pills, a bag of white powder and four mobile phones in his bedroom.

He was charged with 26 counts of supplying a dangerous drug and trafficking.

“It will be alleged he used these phones to conduct the business of trafficking drugs. He declined to take part in a record of interview,” Sergeant Turner said.

Mr Howett’s lawyer Brendan Ryan said a police theory that the white powder was cocaine was wrong.

“It’s not cocaine – it’s flour. It was a joke made on a friend,” Mr Ryan said. “It’s not cocaine and analysis will prove that in due course.”

Mr Ryan was able to secure bail for his client again, ahead of his next court date on August 3.

Magistrate Michael Quinn allowed Mr Howett’s temporary release because he had secured a full-time job and agreed to comply with reporting conditions and surrender his passport.

On social media, Mr Howett described his overnight stay in the Brisbane watch house as “easily the worst night of my life”.

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