I’M back home after watching the wheels on the bus go round and around as the Wanderers criss-crossed South West Queensland. Great tour and one of the finest groups of young cricketers I have been involved with for many years.
The Olympics have wrapped up, and for some of us we can now return to normal sleep patterns. It was a games of mixed results and while the debate is going to rage for many weeks over $$$ spent for return of gold medals, for us mere mortals there have been many lessons learned. Take the Modern Pentathlon for instance – who of us knew the event existed – and how many could have explained exactly how it works. Now we have a gold medallist – Chloe Esposito. In fact who of us knew Chloe and her brother were the first athletes to actually qualify for Rio. There was no one more excited than Australia’s tough talking Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller when the Aussie claimed our country’s first ever medal in the event as a past Olympian in the event.
We are all better informed on the intricacies of the art of walking after Jared’s Talent again strutted his stuff.
We are all much more aufait with Rugby Sevens after the amazing win early in the meet of our team of Pearls.
Of course, we were all left in absolute awe of that man Usain Bolt – they say lightning doesn’t strike twice well that particular Bolt continues to strike over and over again.
It’s been a busy week in international sport away from the Olympics. Pakistan have just claimed the ICC crown as the Number I Test team for the first time in history. The Aussies are left to lick their wounds after a disaster sub-continent Test tour.
Closer to home, the Wallabies were left in the wake of a new look All Blacks side and hopes of a Bledisloe Win look further away than that predicted 20 gold medal haul. Back to the drawing board for many.
– Casey
FINALLY FINDING FORM
I could hardly believe it finally after a season to forget in the tipping stakes I cracked it for a perfect round last weekend – shame I could not have found that form earlier in the season much like a few of the NRL teams.
The raffle that is the top four still remains up for grabs, however Melbourne look likely to claim the Minor Premiership and have not put a foot wrong in recent weeks in true Melbourne fashion. Unlike the Storm, the Sharks are swimming in circles. Since their record breaking run of wins came to an end, their form has been questionable. They will be in the top four just whereabouts remains to be seen. The Dogs have dropped the bone as Canberra continued to terrorise their opposition. The Broncos are playing their way back into final’s form as we have come to expect but have some injury and discipline concerns. The Cowboys also redeemed themselves in front of their home crowd and will be fighting hard to make that top four. At the bottom end of the table it is also a derby with four teams vying for spots seven and eight. Things should be clearer after Round 25 – perhaps.
Thursday night the Cowboys head to Belmore for an important game against the Doggies. There will be no royal welcome JT, but I think the NQlanders will have the last laugh and go home with the goodies and more importantly the two points.
Blockbuster game on Friday night as the Broncos take on the might of the Storm at AAMI Park. This is a game that could go either way and will have all the feel of finals football. Corey Oates is under an injury cloud and while my heart says Broncos, I fear there may be a Storm brewing.
The Raiders will be looking to extend their winning streak at Brookvale on Saturday and perhaps get themselves into second spot on the ladder. It won’t be easy. The Eagles are flying high at the wrong end of the season and the Brookvale crowd will be farewelling captain Jamie Lyons. An upset on the cards here.
The Titans host the Panthers in an intriguing clash with both teams looking to cement their place in the eight and finals football. I’m sticking with the Titans who will draw a big crowd for this important game, but there is sure to be plenty of turbulence for the Hayne Plane and passengers.
The Roosters travel to Shark Park on Saturday night and the Sharks will be looking to get their premiership push back on track. Big danger game here as the Roosters have rediscovered their mojo and I think another upset might be on the cards.
The Tigers cross the ditch on Sunday to play the Warriors with the season hopes of both sides on the line. Home ground advantage should do the trick here if the Warriors turn up for this game.
The Rabbitohs have restored some club pride in the past couple of weeks, and will add another win on Sunday when they travel to Newcastle to play the Knights. Newcastle will finish with the wooden spoon this season, but have shown some pleasing signs late in the season however I can’t see a win here for them.
Monday night we wrap up with the Eels and Dragons at Pirtek Stadium. Semi is back for the Eels and Benji looks likely to be sacked by the Dragons. The Dragons another mob who will be glad to see the back end of season 2016. Oh the comings and goings – a win here to the Blue and Gold, I think.
HOT BACK NINE SETS UP WIN
LAST Saturday Hayden Smith had a hot round on a cold day. With 82 off the stick, Smith returned a nett 65 to win the stroke event in Stanthorpe. Smith played the front nine fairly, but a hot back nine of 38 set up the win. Runner-up was Matt Waterworth after both he and sponsor for the day, Ian Pickering, returned nett 70 when Pickering opted out of a countback.
The ladies event was won by Helen Jones with nett 74. Lyn Ludlow and Nikki Rossow both finished with nett 77. After the countback, Lyn Ludlow got the nod for the runner-up while Rossow settled for a ball in the run down however she held the ladies pin at 3/12 while Ludlow had the Best Approach at 17.
Mike McAuliffe claimed the pin at 3/12. The other pin at 17 once again went unclaimed. Pro-pins went to Fred Wharton at 1/10, Matt Waterworth at 5/14 and Keith Jones at 9/18.
In the run down, a ball each to Ian Pickering (70), Len Leigh (71) and Ian Harvey (71).
In match play, Matt Waterworth advances to the next round following his win over Keith Allen.
This Saturday a medley 4BBB Stableford will be played. It is a shot gun start at 11.45am with registrations to be completed by 11.30am. The event is sponsored by Howard and Sons.
Some upcoming events for the golfer’s diary.
The men’s and ladies’ club foursomes championships will be held on Sunday 11 September, and the Inglewood Open will be played on Sunday 18 September.
GREAT WEATHER GREAT SHOOTING
ON the Inglewood range on Sunday, it was great weather and great shooting.
The day kicked off with the muzzle loading competition which was won by John Draper who outscored regulars Tom Donald and Ray Dudgeon.
Following lunch in the clubhouse an Action Pistol competition finished off the day’s competition.
It was a day of second placings for Tom Donald when he was beaten in this event by Iain Bowen. Peter Jones finished in third spot.
This weekend is dedicated to pistols with events commencing at 12.30pm on Saturday the earlier starting time of 9.30am on Sunday.
No doubt there will be people getting in some lever action practice in readiness for the State Lever Action Championships the following weekend.
WIN FOR WATTS
Sporters’ members enjoyed a round of golf on Sunday morning in magnificent conditions and it was stalwart Bob Watts who claimed a win. Runner-up to Watts was John Walsh. Rundowns went to Angelo Maugeri and Jim McPherson. Brendon Barker had the Best Gross and also took the Pin Shot on the third and the Pro Pin.
Heading off with a meat tray were Ray Thorn and runner-up John Walsh.
Tee off on Sunday is once again at the normal time of 8am – 8.30am and Sporters always make new and visiting players welcome.
PLAYERS FINDING FORM
Several players were in great form last week at the association croquet games played last week in Stanthorpe. Andrea Denkewitz pegged out 26 to 10 against the team of Val Richardson and Effey Russell. Included in her score were two breaks of two.
Also in good form were Pat Schnoor and Heather Widderick who played very well in a very close game Widderick scored 20 with two breaks of three. Pat pegged out with 26 to win the game. Her game included three breaks of three.
The other game was also a closely fought affair with Val Shephard and Carol Verwey scoring a close win over Joy Newman and Grace Howard. Final scores in this game were 26-21.
ROSE CITY BOXERS BOUDN FOR GOLDEN GLOVES
MEMBERS of the Rose City Boxing Club will be on the road again on Thursday when they compete in the Qld Golden Gloves Titles which will be held at Acacia Ridge. The titles are held over four days and organisers anticipate in excess of 500 boxers from all states of Australia as well as New Zealand and other countries will compete .
Five boxers from the Rose City Club will contest the titles.
Jake Wyllie 60kg division and Jacko McMahon 75kg division are in the open class. Teresa Poole 60kg Division and Charlie Sweedman 70kg division will compete in the B class while Luke Gillies will debut for the club in the C class at 42kg division.
The group of boxers have enjoyed a great preparation for the titles. There has been some quality sparring over the last couple of weeks at Nerang Boxing Club, All Star Boxing Club, Strathpine, Pony Shaw Boxing, Toowoomba and the Beaudesert Boxing Club.
PERFECT DAY TO INTRODUCE A NEWCOMER
CONDITIONS were perfect for golf croquet during last week’s games on Wednesday. It was a great day to welcome Peter Harrrington who joined the players to try the game. In the first session, Elaine Brown put Harrington through his paces with a coaching session while the remaining players enjoyed a game of doubles.
Dianne Wren and Bev Sullivan paired for a 13 – 11 win in a close game against Teresa Pyne and Shirley Page. There was a hoop in one from Bev Sullivan while the top-scorer was and Dianne Wren with eight hoops.
In the other game, Val Fancourt and John Castles had a 13-10 win over Marian Castles and Justin Liddy.
Following the break the group divided into teams of six to play triples and four playing doubles. Marian and John Castles, and Bev Sullivan defeated Val FAncourt, Teresa Pyne and Shirley Page. 11 – 10
In the doubles group, new player Peter Harrington, played well to score an excellent four hoops, however it was Justin Liddy who top scored with seven hoops. Liddy and playing partner Elaine Brown won with 13-9 against the newcomer and his partner Dianne Wren.
In Thursday’s game, a tough and long game of triples eventually saw Joan Potter and Justin Liddy squeeze out a 13-10 win over Elaine Brown and Marian Castles.
While this group were enjoying the game, Pat Schnoor and her husband were working on the gardens around the court. Their efforts are greatly appreciated.
COWBOYS GALLOP AWAY WITH MINOR PREMIERSHIP
THE Warwick Cowboys wrapped up the TRL Minor Premiership with an emphatic 78-10 win over Goondiwindi in their final fixture match of the season on Saturday night at Fr Ranger Oval.
With their closest rivals Pittsworth going down to Souths in a bit of an upset in their final game, the Cowboys finished clear on 33 points at the top of the table. It is the club’s first minor premiership in 29 years.
In Saturday’s game, the Cowboy’s outclassed the Boars. Winger Dan Watson starred, scoring four tries and kicking 11 goals as the Cowboys bolted away with the game.
The overwhelming win in A Grade capped off a great day for the club after wins in the Reserve Grade and under-18s ensured the club back-to-back club championships.
The Cowboys get this weekend off as Souths and Highfields go head to head in the Minor Semi at Clive Berghoffer Oval on Saturday night and Pittsworth and Gatton face off on Sunday in the Qualifying Final at the same venue.
The job is not yet done for the Cowboys who must be favourites to take out the TRL premiership and they will be preparing for their semi final clash on 4 September.
WINNERS AND SURPRISES
WITH the close of the 2015-’16 season, NSW and Qld Racing have celebrated all that was great. On Saturday night NSW racing identities celebrated at the NSW Night of Champions awards. Many of the Awards were predictable and had punters wishing winners were as easy to find on the track.
James McDonald claimed his second George Moore Award for the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership with 89.5 wins for the season.
Rory Hutchings took out the Theo Green Award for leading Sydney apprentice.
Chris Waller blitzed the field to win another Bart Cummings Medal and also collected the T.J. Smith Award as Sydney’s leading trainer after his record-breaking 169-win season. Waller continues to raise the bar in racing ranks. His champion mare Winks was a shoo-in in the Horse of the Year while other stable gallopers picked up awards.
There were a couple of noticeable awards. Another that went the way of the Waller stable was the Sydney Strapper of the Year Award which was won by Waller Racing strapper Ali Iftikhar. It was one of the stories of the evening. Formerly a licenced professional jockey in Pakistan Iftikhar drew high praise from Waller who rated his horse handling skills as exceptional.
“Ali does everything with a smile on his face and is a bit of a character,” Waller said.
Waller revealed that since coming to Australia, Iftikhar lost his wife in 2007 and has since lost his father and one of his sisters. He has four young children between nine and 13 who still live in Pakistan and are being raised by one of his sisters.
Unfortunately, he rarely gets the opportunity to travel home however he sends the majority of his wage home and also funds a school bus to ensure local children get to school each day.
Waller went on to say, “Ali is a key member of staff and we feel privileged to have him on our team.”
High praise from the best in the business and a reminder that behind the stable doors there are many amazing stories.
Recently retired AJC chief steward Ray Murrihy was perhaps the most surprised winner in the room when he was announced as the NSW Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year. He also shared in the NSWROA’s ‘Industry Recognition Award’ with former ATC members Colin Tuck.
Not often stewards are rewarded for doing their job, but Murrihy who hung up his binoculars and famous range of pork pie hats at the end of June after a career spanning 40 years is widely recognised for his no nonsense but fair approach to one of the most difficult jobs in Australian sport. Murrihy joked that there were probably a few in the room who at one time or another would not have rated him Personality of the Year.
Meanwhile, at the Queensland Thoroughbred Awards a darling of the Queensland turf Buffering picked up the Horse of the Year gong for an amazing fifth time.
One of Queensland’s favourite sons, former champion jockey now trainer Chris Munce was inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame. Munce who fell fowl of the NSW Racing Personality of the Year on a few occasions is one of only seven jockeys to claim Australian Racing’s Grand Slam; the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper and Caulfield Cup.
ROOSTERS CROWING
THERE has been little between the Inglewood Roosters and the Tenterfield Tigers all season and last Saturday in the BRL major semi-final at Rugby League Park Tenterfield that trend continued. The Tigers had narrowly pipped the Roosters to claim the Minor Premiership on for and against points but on Saturday it was the visitors who were doing all of the crowing as the home side had their colours lowered. The Tigers must now find their way to the grand-final the hard way while the Roosters will take full advantage of a week off to help counter those niggling injuries that plague all teams at this time of the year.
In what both sides described as a tough encounter, the home side had plenty of opportunities in the final stages of the game with the majority of possession but had difficulty cracking the Roosters solid defence.
The strength and commitment of the Roosters pack has been one of the highlights of the team’s performance this season after a couple of years out of the BRL competition.
A big contingent of Roosters fans travelled to Tenterfield for Saturday’s game and with the grand-final to be played at McIntyre Oval on Sunday 4 September, you can expect to find Inglewood painted in Red and Black for the event.
The Roosters named winger Nash Killen as their Players Player after last week’s game.
Tigers Marc Mc Grady and Jarrod McIntosh both played well in the beaten contingent. The Tigers will now regroup as they host the Stanthorpe Texas side in the preliminary final in Tenterfield on Saturday. The Stanthorpe Texas side bounced back from two heavy losses to defeat Killarney 50-20 ending the Cutters season. Their task this weekend will be a much tougher assignment as the Tigers have been superior in all of their clashes this season. However, in a sudden death game anything can happen.
WALLANGARRA FINDS A REASON TO CELEBRATE
IT has been a tough year for Wallangarra supporters after their Men’s side pulled out of the BRL competition and the closure of the Meatworks has had a damaging effect on the whole town. On Saturday, however, there was some joy as the Ramettes defeated Stanthorpe Texas in the semi-final of the BRL league Tag competition.
The 10-4 victory was sweet for players, coach and supporters, who turned out to cheer on their players.
The Wallangarra girls now take on the might of the unbeaten Tenterfield Tigerette, but you can be sure they will be giving their all for their club.
