Seahorses have plenty in reserve

BALLINA is in the box seat after progressing to the FNC rugby union reserve grade grand final with a 25-10 win over Wollongbar-Alstonville on Saturday.

The Pioneers dwarfed the Seahorses across the park – their monstrous front-row dominating the scrum.

But a spirited Seagulls outfit, led by lock Ben Rippon and flanker Danny Lickiss, played smart rugby and outpointed the Pioneers hands down.

Rippon and Lickiss spent so much time doing the tough stuff at the bottom of the ruck that by the time the final siren sounded the white numbers and blue stripes on their jerseys had turned black.

The Seahorses led 22-5 at the break but just moments later the Pioneers were given a lifeline when Ballina scrum-half Beau Milner was stretchered off with a knee injury.

No 8 Lee Thomas stepped into the playmaking role and you wouldn't have known the difference – he was delivering balls that George Gregan would have been proud of.

The Pioneers rallied and scored the only try of the second half through speedy Simon Perkins but the Seagulls held strong to book their grand final berth.

Lennox Head awaits Wollongbar-Alstonville next Saturday in the preliminary final to be played in Lismore.