Coffs Harbour News

Rebels bring Comets down to earth

Published

2 years ago

1 August 2022

JeffG

Rebels bring Comets down to earth

By Tim Howard

The South Grafton Rebels have slammed the door on the Coffs Harbour Comets’ Group 2 rugby league semi-final hopes with a 40-12 drubbing at McKittrick Park on Sunday.

Pre game the players and crowd held a minute’s silence in memory of artist and community figure Irene Daley, who died earlier this week.

The Daley name has featured strongly in the Rebels playing roster over the years and Mrs Daley’s son, country music star Troy Cassar-Daley sang the national anthem at the 2016 grand final between the Rebels and Grafton Ghosts.

On Sunday Rebels winger Brian Quinlin-Randall, who had an outstanding game, was the latest member of the family to turn out for the Rebels.

The Comets flared briefly in either half, snatching the lead in the opening minutes of the game with an opportunist try to halfback Joey Cudmore and for a brief period in the second half when skipper Nathan Curry scored a well-worked try to get the score to 22-12. But apart from that the Rebels, with star veterans Hughie Stanley and Grant Stevens leading the way, dominated all facets of the game. But not far behind them were a bunch of young guns like halfback Jordan Gallagher and brothers Nick and Tom McGrady and Quinlin-Randall

The Rebels made that dominance show on the scoreboard, scoring seven tries to two in a shutout performance. Although the Comets were ahead on the scoreboard early, it was the Rebels who were making the play.

Their opening score was a piece of Stanley magic when the big number 6 surged toward the line from 20m out then squeezed a pass to Lewis Cooper backing up on the inside, who crashed over.

Nick McGrady brought the scores level with the conversion. A crucial call came a few minutes later when massive Comets prop Peter Wong appeared to crash over near the sticks.

Instead the referee awarded a penalty for a double movement and the Rebels swept play downfield. Minutes later Gallagher was in for a try after a clever interplay of passes from a tap restart gave him a clear run to the line. Another crucial moment in the game was the sin-binning for backchat of Comets halfback Cudmore 13 minutes before half time.

The Rebels, 10-6 up, piled on the pressure and second rower Thomas Walker punched a hole in the defence. From the play the ball a short pass put a rampaging Tom McGrady under the posts.

The Comets almost paid double when a massive Austin Cooper run secured 70m of territory. Running onto a pass from the kick catcher Cooper smashed through the first up tackles then headed up field, pulling free of desperate cover defenders as he surged forward.

Poor ball security soon after cost the Rebels a scoring chance, but they kept applying pressure. A teasing Stanley kick drew a mistake from the Comets winger which the home team duly punished with a second try to Thomas McGrady.

In the second half the Comets rallied on the back of an extended period of possession and their skipper put them back in the game with a neatly taken try on the left edge. His successful conversion put the score at 22-12 to the Rebels with a comeback possible. But the Rebels soon snuffed that out when centre Aidan Hyland after some slick passing put him range of the line and he stretched out an arm to score. From there it came a procession. Stanley twice more to take the score to 40-12. Under-18s star Waylon Caldwell came on to take the kicking duties from Nick McGrady and kicked three from three.

After the game Rebels coach Ron Gordon was delighted with his team’s combination of slick attack and solid defence. The Rebels have not tasted defeat since May and after the game Gordon said a second place finish was possible if results went their way. They have beaten all the top four teams as they charged up the ladder and now share third spot with the Grafton Ghosts. But the Rebels ahead on points difference and with a game in hand against Macksville have the most capacity to change the look of the table.

The Ghosts edged out competition leaders Woolgoolga 26-24 to continue their rebound to form after a dismal mid-season slump. But with the Rebels facing cellar dwellers, Nambucca in the last game and the Ghosts hosting a Macksville team desperate to get back into the top four, things can change quickly.

The form of both Grafton teams had Gordon licking his lips at the prospect of both Grafton teams meeting in the grand final. “That would be something,” he said. “They have been the only team to really put points on us (42-10) when they beat us over there in the first game of the season,” he said. “But we’ve come a long way since then.”

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F-35A LIGHTNING II AIRCRAFT TO FAREWELL COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING REPAIRS

Published

2 weeks ago

11 April 2024

Liam

F-35A LIGHTNING II AIRCRAFT TO FAREWELL COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT AFTER COMPLETING REPAIRS

A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft will return to RAAF Base Williamtown following a short stay at Coffs Harbour Airport whilst undergoing repairs following a diversion.

The aircraft was participating in a Royal Australian Air Force training activity over the ocean off the NSW coast when it diverted to Coffs Harbour airport following an in-flight technical issue.

RAAF technicians have conducted repair works at the airport to ensure the aircraft was serviceable as soon as possible.

Residents are advised that an engine-run will be conducted at 2pm prior to the aircraft’s departure to ensure it is safe to return home to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Elevated noise levels will be associated with the engine-run activity, which is required prior to confirming the aircraft’s readiness for departure.

Strict security protocols are in place to safeguard the F-35A Lightning II aircraft whilst undergoing repairs.

The Royal Australian Air Force would like to thank Coffs Harbour Airport for their hospitality, and the local community for their ongoing support.

For more Coffs Harbour news, click here.

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Coffs Harbour News

Six charged following OMCG drug supply investigation – Coffs/Clarence PD

Published

1 month ago

15 March 2024

JeffG

Six charged following OMCG drug supply investigation – Coffs/Clarence PD

Six men have been charged with a combined 124 offences following an investigation into drug supply in the state’s north.

Strike Force Showview was established by Coffs/Clarence Police District in May 2023 to investigate an alleged drug ring operating across the north coast with significant Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) links.

Following extensive inquiries, Coffs Harbour Firearm and Drug Unit – assisted by Raptor North, Mid North Coast Police District, Coffs Harbour Region Enforcement Squad and the NSWPF Dog Unit – executed three search warrants across the Coffs Clarence and Mid North Coast Police Districts yesterday (Thursday 14 March 2024).

During the searches, police allegedly located and seized a range of drug and drug paraphernalia items including cocaine with an estimated potential street value of over $24,000, methylamphetamine, cannabis and cannabis seeds, prohibited weapons, fireworks, and $11,700 cash.

Police arrested six men who were all taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.

A 31-year-old man was charged with 43 counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, three counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, two counts of supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, use unauthorised firearm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s), and aggravated enter dwelling with intent – inflict ABH.
A 73-year-old man was charged with 27 counts of supply prohibited drug, seven counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, and affray.
A 33-year-old man was charged with eight counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, three counts of possess prohibited drug, and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
A 31-year-old man was charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of take part supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, and aggravated enter dwelling with intent- inflict ABH.
A 65-year-old man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and possess prohibited drug.
A 29-year-old man was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, and supply prohibited drug.
All six were refused bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court today (Friday 15 March 2024).

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Advertising NSW Northern Rivers

Hold a garage sale this Second Hand Saturday!

Published

7 months ago

11 October 2023

Liam

Residents are gearing up for another fantastic day of Second Hand Saturday garage sales to promote reuse across our region.

Hold a garage sale this Second Hand Saturday!

ADVITORIAL

Second Hand Saturday – the North Coast’s biggest day of garage sales is back again and registrations to hold a garage sale are now open.

Over this month, Northern Rivers Council’s together with North East Waste, are hosting a series of free workshops for Buy Nothing New Month, to encourage reuse and repair over landfill. This year, Second Hand Saturday will conclude these celebrations and be held on one date only – Saturday 4 November.

Linda Tohver from North East Waste is inviting people to get involved in this year’s event, held across the Council areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Lismore and the Clarence Valley.

“With millions of tonnes of waste being sent to landfill by Australian households every year, the humble garage sale is one of the easiest ways we can reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ ending up in landfill,” Linda said.

Selling pre-loved goods and buying second hand is a great way to keep items circulating within our community, especially when many of us are looking at options to reduce the cost of living.”

Second Hand Saturday Poster

Residents who register for Second Hand Saturday will once again have the option of holding their own garage sale, or to organise a joint sale with family and friends.

“We always encourage people to join forces with their local community to attract more attention – get your neighbours involved and hold a street sale, run a fundraiser or collate your efforts at your local club, school or church. That’s just one of our tips for the day to get the crowds to your sale!” Linda said.

This year all registered garage sale addresses will appear in local newspapers, with full details listed on the Second Hand Saturday website. All you need to do is register online at www.secondhandsaturday.com.au before 25 October to ensure your address will be printed in your local newspaper. Alternatively, as listings go live after the registration process is complete, you can still register up until the 3 November, for a web-only listing.

For more information, visit the Second Hand Saturday website www.secondhandsaturday.com.au, follow the mysecondhandsaturday Facebook page or contact your local Council.

For more entertainment news, click here.

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