The all-rounder is summering in England, heading there soon after the Manning first grade grand final, where he was a member of United’s premier team.

Anyway, in a recent game against Rusugen Burley returned 3/49 from 12 overs as the Rusugen cracked 270. He then opened the batting  and top scored with 85. He made a hefty contribution in his side’s innings of 160 from 37 overs.

Burley isn’t generally known as an opening batsman around here, but put his hand up when his team was struggling to fill the position.

He will be back in Australia in time for the next cricket season.

THERE were some heated scenes at the conclusion of the Ratz-Gloucester rugby game over in the Avon Valley last Saturday, we’ve heard.

There was a bit of aggro all game betwixt a group of locals and some Ratz supporters and this looked set to escalate just before fulltime. When things became heated players from the Ratz and Gloucester intervened and peace was restored. We’re not sure what, if any action, the Mid North Coast Zone will be taking. Gloucester won what was a tight clash on the footy field in what was the opening game of the second round.

WINGHAM’S faithful turned out in force for the Group Three Rugby League clash against Port Macquarie at Wingham last Sunday.

Tigers treasurer Craig ‘Food’ Martin reports the crowd was the biggest at the complex since 2003 grand final. The gate was a hefty $2830, however, anyone associated with Wingham Junior Rugby League was let in gratis as were Wingham Old Boys, and there was no shortage of them in their black and gold shirts.

“Our canteen was $5000 and the bar $3000,’’ Martin said.

Playing in front of a packed crowd must have been a new experience for most of the Port Sharks, used to the cavernous and near-empty Port Regional Stadium.

“There’s nearly as many Port supporters here as there is at there home games,’’ a Wingham follower quipped.