By Ron Lane
When Ben Cameron-Hands of the Cooroy Impact Amateur Boxing Academy, stepped in through the ropes at the Nissan Arena on the night of June 19, it was for this young fighter a celebration of two occasions. First was the ending of what can only described as a very successful amateur career: a career of some 90 fights, fights that resulted in him winning no less than six National Golden Gloves three Australian and six Queensland Titles.
But second and perhaps the most important of all, it was the start of what could possibly be a very successful career: a career in the toughest sport of all, the world of professional boxing. For this 20yr old country boy, he believed that the timing to start his return back into the ring, was just right. However, this time it was to be into the paid ranks: and what could be better than to do so, then under the training and guidance of his 10-year coach and adviser, Mark Evans.
“On Saturday night when we climbed in through the ropes” said Mark, “it was for me, a very emotional experience, because it was the 91st time we have done that together. We have been together ever since that first night, when as a 10-year-old, he walked through the doors at our Cooroy Impact Boxing Academy, and told me he wanted to learn to box.”
It was three years ago, that Ben decided that it was time for him to step away from the amateur ranks, to relax, socialise and enjoy life as only a young man can. In making his decision to enter the paid ranks, what could be better than to do so under the continued guidance of his existing coach Mark Evans. For Ben his debut could not have been better: boxing in the lightweight division, he won by a knockout in round1 of a 4-round fight. “This has resulted in a big interest in the boy,” said his very proud trainer. “I am already getting phone calls from various promoters.” The road to success in professional boxing is long and hard, so to our local lad we wish him and his team, a safe journey and all the very best.
For the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club, the weekend got off to a good start. On Friday morning the club played host to the visiting NRL Sydney Tigers club when they visited the grounds to conduct their pre-match Captains run. Apart from giving locals a chance to meet and greet the players plus support group, it gave the young members a chance to catch up with the former Pirate club member, Moses Mbye. After the completion of a light run, Moses was swamped by a group of juniors and he informed them he was happy to meet them and joined in with his fellow team mates, in signing autographs and club jerseys. The importance of such an occasion for country clubs cannot be stressed enough for it gives the country boys a feeling of being a member of the bigger rugby league family. However, the most important factor of all, was that it gave a Sydney club a look at the Noosa community as a possible pre -season training camp.
Saturday, which for Pirates was a home game, saw them clash with Caboolture in four grades: the ladies, which resulted in a win for the visitors 46-4,and in the U/18s Noosa came out on top 24-20. The Reserves saw Caboolture play some heavy barging runs centre field which resulted in two converted tries in 10 minutes. Then keeping the emphases on back line play Caboolture had a half time lead of 20-6. The second half again resulted in some good mid field running and continued support from the centres saw Caboolture continue their dominance. This resulted in a win for Caboolture 40-12.
In the senior game, Noosa Pirates set the trend by scoring the first try, which was converted, to give Noosa a 6-0 lead in just three minutes: this was the result of a quick kick and chase by Isaac Leham. However, Caboolture hit back quickly to score making it 6-4, and then continued to pressure Noosa by keeping possession in Noosa’s half. Good defence from the Noosa forward pack, kept them from scoring, but just as they were pushing the Noosa line, a careless floating pass by Caboolture, saw Curtis Schaller take an intercept and run some 80 mts to score. Score 12-4 Noosa. Caboolture hit back to make the score 12-8.
With both teams playing open football, we saw some heavy tackling, one of which resulted in a spear tackle and a send- off for a Caboolture player: the resulting penalty gave Noosa a 14-8 lead. With Noosa’s centre field play dominating, support runner Dan Robinson cut through to score between the post: conversion by Seaton Reid was successful, 20-8. Minutes later saw Seaton Reid, again prominent, run on to a short ball from Jacob Spark, scoring near the post. With the conversion being successful Noosa went into the half-time 26-8.
Immediately after half time Jake O’Brian scored out wide for Caboolture and the conversion followed making it 26-14. This was followed by Pirates Curtis Schaller who moved up fast to beat two defenders and scored, however the kick went wide: 30-14 for Noosa. Another converted try by Noosa took the score to 36-14. At this stage Noosa backs were running strong and with good clearance from the dummy half Hayden Trask, they repeatedly made good yards scoring twice more, as did Caboolture: thus, making the final score 48-26 Noosa. For the second game in a row both Seaton Reid, playing at number 6, ran well in both attack and defence, while Hayden Trask at number 9,gave his backs plenty of good fast ball from the rucks, thus creating room to move. For Caboolture Jake O’Brien never stopped working and on- the- wing, Rotherby scored twice in what was a good performance. Add to these Hayden Evans, also made his presence felt.
Next Saturday June26 Pirates will once again be the host club: this time they do battle against Maroochydore: good luck to both clubs.
In the world of Rugby Union, the Ray White Noosa Dolphins had only two senior games to report. “Our reserve grade was very disappointed,” said club President Donald McKill, “their Friday night fixture was cancelled, thus leaving them with no game. This left our club with a bus trip to Wynnum Bugs for the A grade and a trip to Nambour for our senior women. The ladies got off to a bad start when Nambour scored in the opening minutes. However, despite strong defence from Nambour it was Noosa who rallied and took total control; the end result being a 60-5 win. This impressive win keeps them at the top of the competition ladder.
For the A Grade they also got off to a very slow start and on a cold and windy day, the locals scored first with a penalty in front of the sticks: however, Noosa hit back with a try and a conversion from Jordy Mayhew. The Bugs quickly rallied, took control of the first half giving them a 25-7 lead at half time. Second half saw a complete reversal, with Noosa scoring an unbelievable, 19 unanswered points. The Bugs had their chance with two penalties shots late in the game, but both went wide of the posts, allowing the Dolphins to scrape home with a one point,26-25 win. “With Noosa having a Bye this weekend It will give them more time to work on several aspects of their game.” Their next game, an away game, will see them up against the much improved, Maroochydore Swans for the John Currie Cup.
On Sunday, at the Noosa Heads SLSC Life Members Annual Luncheon, Noosa’s Open Water Olympic Swimmer Kareena Lee was, along with Dawn Fraser, AO MBE and Bennie Pike ex- Olympian in attendance as honoured guests. After her welcome and introduction by club President Ross Fisher, Kareena spoke not only the hardships of Olympic selection, but also of the added pressure of training in the present atmosphere of Covid restrictions. All present were very impressed by the personality of this young lady and joined in wishing her every success. Following the luncheon, guests retired to the club bar where a massive fundraiser was held to assist Kareena in her quest for Olympic gold. Under the control of compere Bennie Pike, a successful afternoon was enjoyed and again, all joined together in wishing this young lady every success.
