NRRRL teams show courage and commitment beyond scoreboard

How some teams in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League judge their players and teams on more than simply numbers on the board.

NRRRL ACTION: Mullumbimby's NRRRL Ladies League Tag team were successful when they played the Kyogle Turkeys, 44 to 0 on May 16, 2021. But Turkeys president Sonny Slater said his team which features many players new to the sport, can hold their heads up high. File Photo

It was a weekend of victory and defeat, blood, sweat and tears, where strength of character meant everything and the scores on the board did not reflect the integrity of human endeavour.

In other words, it was business as usual for all the clubs and teams playing in the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League.

Murwillumbah Mustangs president Nigel Lofts said he was proud of his players who gave the game their everything when they took on the Lower Clarence Magpies at Yamba.

“We got up in all three grades against Lower Clarence,” he said.

“The Mustangs went really well, there’s no doubt that Lower Clarence first grade were down on troops, they had many players out with injuries from the previous week.

“And we are very proud of Zac Johnson who made the first grade Mustangs team and played in the centre.”

Lofts said the score did not reflect just how gutsy and committed the Magpies played.

“Respect to the Lower Clarence teams, some of their members played in the reserves then stepped up to play in first grade, that shows commitment,” he said.

“We know how this feels, only 15 years ago at the Mustangs we were in the same position.”

On social media, the Lower Clarence Magpies made a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported their club.

The post read: “To all the players across our three club grades who refused to throw the towel in and pushed through and showed a lot of pride today.

“To all our loyal supporters who turned out today and who we hope will continue to turn out throughout the rest of 2021 season, to all the players who helped out from the girls from the LLT squad who spent time in the canteen after their game, the players who cleared the warm up area and cleaned up after everyone left and the injured players who couldn’t play today but turned up and helped our volunteers throughout the day.

“Lastly to the Murwillumbah players who made the effort to come over and offer their respect and gratitude and words of encouragement for the effort that the Magpies Squads put in today. “Thanks for making the trip and best of luck for the rest of your 2021 season.”

Meanwhile, Kyogle Turkeys president Sonny Slater said his players really showed their grit and punched above their worth when they took on Marist Brothers.

He said the first grade result which saw the Turkeys defeated 24 to 44 is no mirror to his players potential.

“I am really proud of all the players who did extremely well,” he said.

“Maybe we got outclassed, but I bet every Marist Brother player who left the ground knew they had played a game of rugby league.”

Slater said considering the Turkeys have a small pool to draw from, his players are sensational.

Meanwhile, the Turkeys Reserves took out Marist Brothers 20 to 16 and Turkeys U18s won 20 to 16.

In Ladies League Tag the Turkeys lost 0 to 44 Marist Brothers.

“We have lots of new players learning the ropes and maybe were not world beaters but we have a population of 3,000 to draw from and I can’t fault them, they are great.”

Slater said the Turkeys remain committed to training hard and playing their hearts out.

“We had a few injuries but are not looking too bad when we come up against Casino this weekend.”

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