THE road to the Rio Olympics is a tough one for all hopeful Olympians. How tough it can be has been played out on our TVs this week as we watched the highs and lows of the Australian Swimming championships and Olympic qualifying trials.
Much of the buzz coming into the meet surrounded the return of Grant Hackett and his attempt to make another Olympic team. Many thought it took away from the efforts of the younger brigade, but after failing to qualify for the final of the 400m freestyle, Hackett graciously hung up the swimmers for the second and final time, admitting that age had caught up with him. He lost no admirers in his gracious and honest assessment of the facts. The kids are younger, quicker and it’s their time.
Cam McEvoy soon had us asking Grant Who as he burned up the pool, relegating archrival Craig Magnusson to the back blocks. After battling injury, he failed in his bid to make the team in an individual spot. We will no doubt see him in a relay after he posted the fastest 50m semi-final time prior to this paper going to print.
The Rio Games will be a family affair in the pool as the Campbell sisters, Kate and Bronte continue their rivalry lining up on the blocks for the 100m women’s freestyle.
Joining them will be the brother and sister double act, the McKeon’s after Emma gained selection, joining her brother David on the team.
They will be first brother and sister act since the famous Konrad kids at the Rome Olympics in 1960. These trials have been a showcase of tenacity and resilience, and while we should never count our medal chickens before an Olympics as we saw played out in London, this has the sense of a team of achievers who will give it their all. No prima donnas and hopefully their efforts translate to medals of the gold variety.
Swimming is one of the loneliest of sports with the black line of the pool your only companion.
There will be plenty more stories to emerge before and during the pool deck celebrations in Rio. By then, this group of youngsters will be familiar household names to us all. Let’s hope this group reap the rewards for years of sacrifice, hard work and dedication.
– Casey
EVENT PROVES POPULAR
THE Annual Maureen Bates memorial Golf Day once again proved popular with local and visiting golfers and drew another great role up last Sunday at the Stanthorpe Golf Club.
Taking the main prize on the day was the combination of Angelo Maugeri and Mick Doorley just in advance of the father and son combination of Matt and Tim Goddard. The Goddard family made the trip back to Stanthorpe especially for the occasion, and while the boys were busy on the green Naomi lent a hand to the catering crew.
Figuring prominently in the rundowns were Keith Allen and Robbie Reeves while Josh Anderson and Anthony Marino showed they were equally adept with golf clubs and golf balls as they are with cricket bats and balls. Pin shots went the way of the Goddards with Tim successful at the 12th and Matt taking the 17th.
The traditional multi-draw raffle was again successful with plenty of excellent prizes up for grabs. Sporters extend a big thank you to the Bates family and friends who supplied prizes supported the event and helped with the barbecue. It was another great day.
After all the excitement, it is back to basics this Sunday with tee off at the usual time of 8am – 8.30am but, of course, the club always welcomes visitors looking for a great morning on the greens.
DOING IT TOUGH
THE footy gods dealt tipster another body blow in Round six of the NRL with more upsets. I am almost to the point of resorting to the pin for my tips as logic and stats are simply no longer cutting the mustard.
This week Round seven gets underway at Brookvale as the Sea Eagles host the Eels. The Eels continue to impress despite the debacle that surrounds the club over previous salary cap rorting. The coaching staff should take a bow as they have managed to have the team concentrate on performance rather than rumours loss of points or club fines that continue to swirl and intensify.
Brookvale does not seem to wear the mantle of fear for visiting clubs that it once did, and I am tipping Parra to upset the Eagles despite some improved performances from Manly.
The Cowboys and have continued where we left them on grand final day and do not look like faltering.
I see no reason why the Cowboys will not continue their impressive season start with a win over the Rabbits at home on Friday night. They will however be wary of a Bunnies outfit that was out of sorts against the Roosters.
The Titans are another of the surprise packets this season, and all credit to Neil Henry and his coaching staff who seem to have instilled a load of self-belief in this side. They come up against the Dragons who cannot buy a try. Their task is not quite as difficult here but the signs are not good for Dragons supporters. I think for the third week in succession they will come to grief at the hands of a Queensland side and will be pleased to get back across the border after their stint in Maroon country.
The Bulldogs snaffled an unlikely win against Melbourne on Monday night. It was not their best game, but they got the points and back at home against the Warriors I am tipping another Doggies win. It will be a tough game. Look for plenty of action in the centre of the paddock in this game as the big boppers come together.
The Broncos are on a winning streak, but despite a big win over the Dragons in Round six it was not their finest moment and although I cannot see them being beaten by the Knights at Suncorp they must play better. Good to see the knights finally get a win on the board last round although it sunk plenty of tipsters.
The Sharks are another side who have started 2016 in good form and with the return of Paul Gallen last week posted a narrow win over the Titans. This week they face Sticky’s Raiders in Canberra on Sunday. I think in a tough game they should get away with the points.
I am predicting the Storm to bounce back from a loss at AAMI Park last week. Although still not showing their best, they should account for the Tigers.
We close out the round with a tough game on Monday night for tipsters. The Roosters finally put it together with a solid win over an out-of-sorts Bunnies. They take on the Panthers at Allianz Stadium which has been in the news more than the footballers this week.
The Panthers were another side to be ambushed by the Cowboys, and I think they will post an overdue win here in a game that may go either way.
WARWICK HUB FOR HOSE EVENTS
WARWICK once again stamped its place as the hub for equine events last weekend. After the success of the recent polocrosse carnival, the focus last weekend was on eventing. More than 200 riders and their horses flocked to Morgan Park for the Inglewood Quarries One Day event and was the first in a series events that will be held by the Warwick Horse Trials club this year.
Overall winner was the very experience Matt Gaske who along with his brother Ross have a big team in work at Kalbar.
Gaske came to Warwick with a team of three horses and was successful with Kolora Stud Triple 8. Eventing requires a mix of talents from both rider and horse. From the beauty of dressage to the stamina of cross country and the skill of show jumping. It is by no means an easy discipline for either horse or rider. Gaske was placed third in dressage, second in cross country and when last year’s winner Sheridan Sullivan faltered in the show jumping, he took out the event with a total of 73.9 points to Sullivan’s 76.7.
WINNING FORMULA
DYLAN Barraclough had the winning formula down pat in last Saturdays’ club competition in Stanthorpe. With three birdies on the front, the nine and one on the back nine, he was back in the clubhouse with 68 and nett 67. Nett 67 gave the exciting youngster a two-shot win over Mick O’Brien 69 and kept Max Hunter in the run down stakes. Neta Thouard came out on top in the Ladies event. Following some pre-round inspiration from club president, Stephen Thouard returned a winning score of 70 well clear of runner-up Kay Webb (76). A countback left Margie Locke in the rundown stakes. Sponsor Richard Reardon was pleased to see a few golfers who stand on the wrong side of the ball featured in the awards.
Rob Reeves held the pin shot at 3/12 with Matt Waterworth doing the same at 17. Rachael Hendry collected both pin shots in the ladies competition – holding 3/12 and the approach at 17. Pro-pins went to Mick O’Brien at 1/10, Mark Hendry at 5/14 and Bill Pyne at 9/18. The Birdies nest at 12 was busy – shared by Tric Fittock, Dylan Barraclough and Rob Reeves.
In the run down, Max Hunter (69), Mark Hendry, Kev Rowling and Keith Allen (70) each took home a ball.
Recent events at the club indicate that there may be a couple of new unofficial positions on the committee. Prominent Wednesday RSL players and club players now have new titles. Viv Thouard has been declared the “dog catcher” and Tom Page shall be henceforth known as the ‘snake’ after recent events highlighted their skills in the relevant fields.
This Saturday a single stableford will tee off from 11.30am – the time sheet is on the board in the club house, and the event will be sponsored by Michael Lane.
WARWICK COWBOYS PINCH THRILLING WIN
THE Warwick Cowboys squandered a half team lead against Oakey in last weekend’s clash and were forced to pull out all stops to snatch a win with just three minutes left on the clock.
The Cowboys had a handy eight-point lead at the half time break with the score 20-12 in their favour.
In the second half, some poor ball handling and several errors allowed Oakey back in to the game. With the clock counting down, the Cowboys trailed 30-28 when a backline move put winger Brodie Quirk over for a try.
Morgan Taylor nailed the conversion to wrap up what midway through the half looked like an unlikely win. Coach Craig Mullaly was pleased with the resilience of the team, and late in the game he emphasised it was far from the Cowboys finest performance. He is sure to be stressing that during this week’s coaching sessions. In Reserve Grade the Cowboys were 46-22 winners over Oakey. The Cowboys’ Under 18 side had a bye.
This weekend the Cowboys host rivals Wattles in the local derby which will be played out at Fr Ranger Oval on Sunday.
Wattles will be keen to erase the bitter taste of defeat after going down to Highfields in all three grades at Platz Oval last weekend.
The A Grade side was defeated 37-26; Reserve Grade scores were 34-24 and Under 18s 28-24.
HAMPSTEAD BANKS WIN
STEVEN Hampstead banked another win in the club event at Wallangarra on Saturday. Hampstead returned a score of 40 points and finished ahead of placegetter John Green and Gary Sutcliffe.
Hampstead was certainly landing the ball well. He claimed nearest the pin at three, 15 and 14. Justin Moore stole one on nine. Andrew Thompson held the Approach Shot at the Second. To complete what was almost a white wash, Hampstead took all the eggs from the Birdies Nest on 14.
This weekend Wallangarra Club will be playing the first and second round of the Club Championships on Saturday and Sunday.
CROQUET COME N TRY
DON’T forget the Come and Try days this weekend at the Croquet court at the Stanthorpe club this weekend. Members are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the various forms of croquet which are played on a regular basis.
On Saturday, the public have the chance to try the challenging game of gateball. It is a shorter game played with small metal mallets and wide hoops on a smaller court.
On Sunday you can try golf croquet. It is a simple, but very enjoyable and very social game. The sessions begin at 1.30pm, and afternoon tea will be provided afterwards.
(From past experience, the afternoon tea alone is worth joining the crew for a closer look at croquet and its different formats.
In the past, many groups have hired the courts for social days and there have been expressions of interest in the game by those playing the game for the first time.
It is a fun and social game and group, so pop along and check out the action this weekend.
For the uninitiated, the croquet courts are located adjacent to the Stanthorpe Bowls Club and Stanthorpe Golf Club on Amosfield Road
PLAYER NUMBERS DOWN FOR REP GAMES
The Border Bushrangers travelled to Miles last weekend for the South West Country trials. Several injuries after round two of the BRL and late player withdrawals saw a team of only 15 players make the trip.
While injuries are unavoidable and suspensions aggravating, it is disappointing and frustrating for officials, coaching staff, organisers and team-mates when players make themselves unavailable at the last minute. This lack of commitment impacts on everyone involved. It is unfortunate that some players take selection in rep teams so lightly these days. Their clubs, the BRL and QRL officials go to a great deal of time and effort to arrange Rep games and provide pathways and opportunities for players to step up. Shame some players do not see the benefits.
With player numbers down, coach Matt Gainey was forced to throw on the boots, but is adamant that he will not be seen on the field again this season after announcing his retirement at the end his season with the Cowboys in 2015.
The Bushrangers were forced to borrow players from opposing teams and despite a disjointed preparation, Gainey was pleased with the performance of his side.
In the two games played, the Bushrangers found themselves outclassed by a slick Roma outfit, going down 28-10 and in the second game found the combined Western Districts side too hot. The final score 32-12.
Despite the scoreline, there were some good performances from the Border players. Tigers Jarrod McIntosh and Roosters Tim West both had eye- catching games. McIntosh earned himself a spot in the South West Country side. He will be joined by Stanthorpe players Gary Skimmings. Another Stanthorpe representative Nathan Brannigan earned himself selection in the South West under 20s side after a strong performance.
Tigers Marc Mc Grady was unable to play due to suspension, but his club form sees him named as a shadow player in the South West side which will play in Mitchell in June.
This weekend attention returns to the club arena with round three of the BRL. The Stanthorpe / Texas side enjoy a bye this weekend while the Tigers and Roosters go head to head in Tenterfield and Killarney and Wallangarra face off for the first time.
In Ladies League Tag, the combined Stanthorpe Gremlinettes / Texas Foxy Terriers will play Pittsworth this weekend in Tenterfield in round one of the Steph Hancock Ladies League Tag Competition. This game which kicks off at 12.30pm will be followed by an under 18s game with the Border Bushrangers under 18s, chasing their first win of the season when they also take on Pittsworth.
MALLET NEWS
PAT Schnoor returned to her best form at association croquet scoring breaks of five, four, three and two to finish and with the aid of partner Val Shepherd pegged out with 26 against in their game against Joy Newman and Heather Widderick.
Andrea Denkewitz and Carol Verwey were involved in a singles duel in which saw Andrea peg out with 26 against her opponents 16.
Effey Russel and Margaret Dickenson combined to defeat Val Richardson and Grace Howard 21-16.
A tough game between the triples teams of Teresa Pyne, Bill Golding and Elaine Brown against Val Fancourt, playing two balls, and her Liz Ellway opened the week at golf croquet.
The game was close from start to finish, with a tie breaker required to settle the game. Val and Liz eventually winning 13-12. In an indication of the closeness of the game, Players from both teams (Teresa Pyne and Liz Ellway) top scored with five hoops each.
This was a hard-fought game and each hoop took some time to play as a result there was only time to hold a first to seven hoops following the break. This was decision in decisive fashion by Bill Golding and Teresa Pyne who were strong from the get go, reaching the required seven hoops in short time leaving their opponents a little dazed as they struggled to score just one hoop.
Numbers were down a little at gateball, but players spent some time on skills practice prior to commencing regular games.
Skill exercises such as stroking a ball through a gate to end up within one mallet length of the gate – sounds simple but is actually tough and requires plenty of practice.
With practice done and dusted, it was on to triples games. Andrea Denkewitz captained the White team and Margaret Dickenson took the lead in the Red team.
Game one went to White 16 points to 10. Heather Widderick played very well for team White, getting two balls onto the centre peg for maximum points. Game Two was a much closer affair and Margaret Dickenson’s Red team claimed an 11-9 win. Dickenson was by far the best players for the Red team, leading from the front. The third and final game saw another win for the Red team. In this game Grace Howard showed good form to get two balls on to the centre peg for maximum points. Final score 16-12.
NO JOY FOR UNDER 18s
THE Border Bushrangers 18s played Goondiwindi last Saturday and are still searching for a win in their maiden season in the TRL competition. Despite playing well in patches, numerous handling errors and some defensive lapses let them down. They were starved of possession for much of the game, but showed real fight. Inglewood player Will Poulos played his first match for the season and several Tenterfield players including Brandan Brown, Jordan Kelly-Kilpatrick and Lachlan Patterson-Teedale from the Tenterfield under 16s bolstered the numbers. The final score 46-10.
As a mark of respect, the players wore black armbands in memory of Zak Sweetman and Luke Smith who recently lost their lives in a tragic car accident.
This weekend the Under 18s met Pittsworth in Tenterfield.
