By Casey O’connor
THEY are saying 2016 is the Year of the Upset, so take heart Aussie cricket fans – perhaps there is still an outside chance going on that theory that we might snag a win somewhere this summer, but after the disaster at Bellerive – don’t hold your breath.
“Things is Grim in Gunga Din” as they say.
I guess for cricket tragics of my vintage, we have seen this type of result – albeit not quite so bad – before and watched teams pick themselves up off the deck and come out the other side.
Difference is that this time there does not seem to be the limitless pool of talent we are used to choosing from.
With the Sheffield Shield competition being devalued and seemingly a thousand other competitions running simultaneously, if the goose that laid the golden egg is not dead then she’s almost on life support in this country.
While the blowtorch is now on almost all players – barring the few who have not totally lost their way – the coaches and those who run the game must also come under scrutiny.
Questions are now being asked whether it is time for these players – many of whom are on huge dollars and travel with an entourage that outnumbers the team – to get back to cricket basics.
Steve Smith’s comments that he wants players with him prepared to have a go and dig in, were spot on and may hint that all is not well in the dressing room and inner sanctum.
As the saying goes – take a spoonful of cement and harden up before the third Test in Adelaide in a couple of weeks.
My private theory is that it all has to do with the displeasure of the cricket gods who are taking vengeance on cricket Australia and the team after the first Test was moved from the Gabba for the first time in 30 years!
Beats saying our team is hopeless.
Casey
TAKING ON THE BEST
TWO of the most experienced members of the Rose City Boxing Club will take on the best when they compete in the Queensland Boxing Titles at Acacia Ridge this weekend.
Jake Whylie, who will weigh in for the 60kg division, has lost only one bout this year and is currently the Australian and Queensland Golden Gloves champion in the division.
Jacko McMahon is the reigning and defending Queensland number one in the 75kg division and is undefeated in his home state this year.
Both boxers have prepared well for the upcoming competition, putting in overtime in the ring with plenty of sparring, pad work and strength exercise.
Head trainer at the Rose City club, Damien Lawler says he is looking forward to the title fights where the two boys will come up against the best boxers in Queensland.
He says both boxers have had a big year in competition and have been very dominant in their respective weight divisions. The trainer is quietly confident both boys can come away with titles in their divisions.
THIRD TIME LUCKY
AUSTRALIA’S champion Rugby Sevens player, Charlotte Caslick, was named International Rugby Sevens Player of the Year earlier this week.
It is the third time Caslick has been nominated for the award and is the icing on the cake after a stellar season which included the gold at Rio where she was the Player of the Tournament.
SPEER WINS SPORTERS
STANTHORPE golfer Mick Speer banked a win in the Sporters competition last Sunday. Runner-up in the competition was with Paul Armstrong. Aaron Simmers and Marg Locke both figured in the run downs while Mick Thompson returned the best gross. Julie Page took the pin shot on the third and there were no takers for the pro pin. Dick Hilton and Mark Lynam were the happy winners of the meat tray.
Sporters will tee off at the same time next Sunday between 7.30am-8.30am.
COMMUNITY FORUM
BENDIGO Bank Community Bank is inviting representatives of Not for Profit Organisations on the Granite Belt to attend a Community Forum on 29 November at the Stanthorpe RSL.
At the Community Forum representatives will outline the bank’s Sponsorship Process and how local organisations can benefit. The forum gets underway at 7pm.
ON THE COURT
JOY Newman returned to the court for the Association Croquet games last week after a nine week holiday break and partnered Effey Russell in a game against Pat Schnoor and Heather Widderick. Schnoor had breaks of three and five as she and her partner pegged out to win 26-19.
Meanwhile, Val Shephard and Grace Howard defeated Andrea Denkewitz and Val Richardson 16-13.
In the opening game of the day in the Golf Croquet games later in the week, sisters Bev and Pauline Sullivan defeated Val Fancourt and Liz Ellway 13-9. It was a great result for Pauline Sullivan who is the newest member of the group. She top-scored after nailing seven hoops.
The group playing Triples chose a later hit off time and Justin Liddy, Dianne Wren and Bill Fancourt proved too strong for Teresa Pyne, (playing two balls) and Marian Castle, defeating them 13-9.
In the second session Dianne Wren and Liz Ellway scored nine hoops but it was not enough to defeat Justin Liddy and Bev Sullivan (13).
In the second game of triples Val Shepherd (playing two balls) and Marian Castles outplayed Teresa Pyne, Pauline Sullivan and Bill Fancourt to win 9-5.
The Gateball group hit the court on Friday and the White Team claimed an overall victory after wins in three of the five games played.
Games could hardly have been closer. In two games countbacks were required to determine the winners after scores were all locked up at the end of regular time (30 minutes). The countbacks resulted in a win each for both the Red and White teams.
More than the other forms of the game, Gateball is very much a team game. Players try to hit their ball to a position that helps a team-mate, or they may try to hit an opponent’s ball off the court.
The best player on the court in the games played on Friday was Bill Golding, while several players tried their hand at refereeing the games.
A small group of players played on Saturday afternoon. Margaret Dickenson, Andrea Denkewitz and Val Fancourt played Bill Golding and Les Williams. The Golding/Williams combination had a great afternoon winning all three games.
STORM DELAY
A FIERCE mid-morning storm caused delay in play for the Peirce Trophy but a good field headed out on course when play got underway in the mixed four-ball stableford event with players keen to add their name to the trophy.
Competition was fierce and at the end of play two teams returned best scores of 45 points. A countback was required to determine the winners.
After the countback, Helen Jones and Aaron Simmers were declared the winners while Nikki and Matt Waterworth took the runner-up prize. Richard Reardon and Lyn Ludlow claimed a ball in the run down.
It was unfortunate that this year that Bob Peirce and his wife from Toowoomba – who sponsor the annual trophy – were unable to attend. However, club president delivered a message from the couple which was well received, and the club and members appreciate their ongoing sponsorship.
For those orphan players without partners a single stableford was played. President Stephen Kay returned a score of 39 points to win this division after another countback was required to determine the winner. Runner-up was Graham Tonkin.
Pro-pins were won by Matt Waterworth at 1/10, Lyle Bryant at 5/14 and Stephen Kay at 9/18. Waterworth also collected the pin at three, Richard Reardon at 12 with no one claiming 17.
After a fine shot at three and an excellent second shot at 17, Helen Jones took the ladies pin best approach. There were no takers for the birdies nest. In the run down, Len Leigh, Bill Pyne and Ian Harvey each claimed a ball.
Congratulations to Alan Kerr after his narrow win over Mark Hendry in the final of the Captain’s match play which was decided during the week.
Play on Saturday will be a single stableford sponsored by club member, Eric McLellan. There is a time sheet on the board and play starts at 11.30am.
There is also a sheet on the board for the Club’s Christmas break-up. To assist with catering please add your name if you will be attending.
T20 ROUNDS GET UNDERWAY
WITH the first round of representative cricket played on Sunday, clubs in Warwick and Stanthorpe were scheduled to play their first round of T20 games for the season.
A fierce storm threatened to disrupt play in Stanthorpe, however unlike Warwick – where games were washed out – Stanthorpe was fortunate to be able to play after conditions cleared for an afternoon of entertaining cricket.
RSL played Wanderers on the CF White Oval in what turned out to be a nail-biter. Wanderers had first use of the wicket following the earlier downpour and set RSL a target of 106 at the completion of their 20 overs.
Jamie Carnell headed the RSL scoring with a handy 38 and was well supported by Andrew Einam 18, John Dixon 15 and Damien Petrie 12no.
Will Dowie was the best of the RSL bowlers taking 2/16 while Anthony Di Bella also bowled well and finished with 1/17.
The Wanderers’ 106 looked a moderate target for RSL to chase but the result came down to almost the last ball.
Will Dowie (31) backed up a good bowling performance top-scoring for RSL with 31. Stalwart Duane Lihou and Luke Brady both helped the total along – each scoring 25.
The batsmen did not have it all their own way as the Wanderers bowlers got amongst the wickets. Damien Petrie, Jamie Lawrence and Jamie Carnell each took two wickets.
As wickets fell, neither team looked to be on top and heading into the final over the game could have swung either way. RSL got home with one ball to spare in a very entertaining game.
On Sheahan Oval, Tenterfield faced the tough task of taking on Valleys. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat.
Things began badly for Tenterfield when one of their openers was cleaned bowled by Valleys skipper Damian Anderson with only the second ball of the innings.
Tenterfield pushed the score along to 1/49 before Brett Lacey turned back the clock and started ripping through the Tenterfield line up. Helping his cause was the safe hands of Tom Bonner who took three great catches fielding at first slip.
Tenterfield’s solid start turned sour as Lacey claimed six wickets for a miserly seven runs in a busy four over spell to have the visitors all out in the 19th over for 72. Merchant top-scored for the visitors with 29.
The defending premiers run chase did not start well, slumping to 3/10.
The skipper joined Dave Gavin at the wicket and the big hitting pair steadied the innings. Damian Anderson top-scored with 27 and Dave Gavin add 15 in a significant partnership. Valleys closed out the game winning in the 13th over and picking up a bonus point on the way.
Looking at the table after the first four rounds – Valleys are on top with two bonus point wins; one bye and a wash out. All other teams have had one loss in what is shaping as a close competition.
Details of the weekend’s Rep games were not available at the time of printing.
LOCALS CHASING CHAMPIONSHIP WINS
THE CAMS Queensland Motor Racing Championships come to Morgan Park Warwick this weekend.
There will be plenty of action and local interest with 15 local drivers competing.
Among those is Matt Clift, who will be striving to hold onto a narrow lead in the Nc historic touring class the State Championships. Another local driver challenging for a championship win this weekend is Gary Beggs.
In total there are 110 nominations this weekend in the 10 classes.
With most titles still undecided, patrons should be treated to some tough rounds of racing in the last meeting for 2016 at the Raceway.
Gates open on Saturday at 9am and 8am on Sunday.
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