By Casey O’connor
FINALLY Aussie cricket fans had something to smile about after winning the Adelaide day night Test. Our debutantes acquitted themselves well throughout the match and while Queensland’s Matt Renshaw may have frustrated us all in the final throes of the game, he did what everyone has been calling for and valued his wicket. He wasn’t going anywhere. A bit more bat on ball might have been appreciated by the spectators, but this was a young man on a mission – to be there at the very end – and he was.
The day night format proved once again to be a winner and looks to be the way going forward.
I wonder, was it just me who noticed that neither of the two newbies at the crease for the winning runs claimed a stump as a souvenir? Then again it is probably just my fixation with souveniring stumps that made me pick up on it. Hope someone gave them each a stump after the game.
I am really looking forward to the Gabba day night Test in a couple of weeks, and will like many others be interested to see how the wicket plays. Also looking forward to hearing the great Gary Sobers speaking at a lunch during the Test.
Once again everyone is talking up Test cricket after our win – seems like only yesterday the naysayers were claiming the form=mat was dead in the water.
– Casey
EASY PICKINGS FOR BOWLERS
IN the first game of the Stanthorpe cricket fixtures last weekend, Wanderers played Valleys and after winning the toss Wanderers elected to bat. The Valleys opening bowling combination of Sandro Stefanon (2/29) and Damian Anderson (2/17) had immediate success. With the score at 2/5 after only two overs, the Wanderers were probably ruing their decision to bat.
The opening bowling combination continued to apply pressure and bowled with plenty of aggression. With the scoreboard showing 4/8 the Wanderers were in all sorts of trouble when the pair finished their opening spell taking four wickets for just eight runs in a four-over spell. The Valleys bowlers certainly had the ascendency in this innings. Swing bowler Steve Martin cut a swathe through the batting line-up when he came on to bowl. Kirby Morunga also contributed to a fine all-round bowling performance
SHOOTERS AT WORK
In Inglewood, Sporting Shooters Association hosted events on Saturday and Sunday at the Inglewood range.
The Action Pistol events are a timed event with five second penalties for misses or hitting the wrong targets.
Monica White took out the Action Pistol Gongs in Saturday’s shoot out, outscoring Tom Donald and Glen Small. She was also successful in the Action Pistol Under Attack class defeating
Stephanie Dudgeon and Richard White to make it two wins for the day.
The 25M Standard Pistol event was won by Geoff Pickering. Taking out the minor placing were Ray Dudgeon and Glenn Small.
On Sunday, the same three events were decided.
Ray Dudgeon scored well to take out the 25M Standard Pistol competition beating Tom Donald and Peter Russell.
In the Action Pistol Gongs, Peter Jones picked up a win. Filling the minor placings were Peter Russell and Ray Dudgeon. At the final event on Sunday, Action Pistol Under Attack was won by Stephanie Dudgeon with Trevor Lewis and Peter Russell filling the minor placings.
In Round Two, Stephanie Dudgeon made it two wins for the day when she defeated Tom Donald and Peter Jones.
This weekend the club is holding clay targets and rimfire events.
The club will be hosting an open day on 10 December. Visitors will be able to try a variety of events at a cost of $10 per person, which includes ammo. Additional ammo will be available for purchase if required.
The open day will be followed by the club Christmas party and shoot on Sunday 11 December.
SPORTS BOOST
COLONIAL First State is offering junior athletes or junior teams the opportunity to win $20,000, which would certainly go a long way to making the dreams of any elite junior athlete a reality. Over the past three years, Colonial First State has given away over $135k to the junior sporting stars of the future, through Sports Boost .
It is an initiative helping junior elite athletes fulfil their sporting potential and helping national sporting organisations develop top talent. Now in its fourth year, Sports Boost is open to every junior athlete and team aged 10 to 18 across the country.
If you are aware of a junior talent or team that deserves a sports boost, then you should take a video of the athlete or team and nominate them. Simply upload a photo or short video of them performing at their best. Head to the Colonial First State website for further details.
DICKENSON AND SCHOOR SHOW THE WAY
IN the association croquet games played last week, Margaret Dickenson and Pat Schnoor showed why they are two of the most respected players in the club. Both played at their usual high standard pegged out 26-11 against Val Shephard and Joy Newman. Pat had three breaks of three in the game.
In another game of doubles, Heather Widderick and Val Richardson played Effey Russell and Grace Howard. Russell and Howard had a comfortable 26-14 win. Each had two breaks of two.
Meanwhile, Andrea Denkewitz and Carol Verwey played singles. Andrea had one break of four in the game which she won 26-20. 2.
FULL COURT FOR GOLF CROQUET
IT has been a busy week for golf croquet players. In Wednesday games, 12 players drew into three groups, playing doubles and filled the court.
In the first session, John Castles and Elaine Brown played Shirley Page and Marian Castles; Bev Sullivan and Judy Lock played Dianne Wren and Pauline Inglis; and Justin Liddy and Liz Ellway played Val Fancourt and Teresa Pyne. Results went the way of Castles and Brown 13-5; Wren and Inglis 9-7and Fancourt and Pyne 13 – 8.
Best in this round were Val Fancourt who scored two hoops in one and top scored with seven in her game and John Castles topped the scoring on the day with eight in his game.
In the second session, Ellway and Brown scored an 8-7 win over Sullivan and Fancourt 7 in a close game. Three of the players scored the four hoops apiece and the other three hoops. Dianne Wren and John Castles had a 13-8 win over Justin Liddy and Shirley Page while Pauline Inglis and Judy Lock defeated their opponents 12-5. Dianne Wren and Pauline Inglis had equal top scores of seven in this round.
FULL TEAMS ON DECK
FRIDAY gateball is proving popular with two full teams of five were on deck. Andrea Denkewitz, Joy Newman, Jenny Tunbridge, Grace Howard and Les Williams formed the Red team taking on the combination of Margaret Dickenson, Carol Verwey, Val Fancourt, Bill Golding and Heather Widderick playing White balls.
Honours were evenly shared on the day, with both teams winning two games. White won the first game 13-11 and the third game 11-10.
The Red team had success in game two, winning 14-12 and went on to win the final game 13-8.
Some players stayed on for a game of triples. Andrea Denkewitz teamed up with Margaret Dickenson and Grace Howard playing Red balls against Val Fancourt, Bill Golding and Les Williams – team White. White scored a good12-9 win to round out a good day’s play.
On Saturday afternoon, Margaret Dickenson, Andrea Denkewitz and Val Fancourt played Bill Golding and Les Williams. The ladies won the coin toss and chose to play the White balls and went on to win all three games with scores of 10-7, 13-11, and 13-10.
Gateball is played at 1.30pm each Saturday afternoon at the Croquet Club (at the Golf Club on Amosfield Road). If you are looking for an enjoyable, relaxed weekend activity, why not give gateball a try. The group is very welcoming and love to introduce new players to their form of the game. All forms of the mallet sports are gaining popularity in Stanthorpe.
BUSY WEEKEND FOR ‘GARRA GOLFERS
M. ELLIS took out the Single Stroke event at the Wallangarra Golf Club last Saturday, defeating Steve Hampstead. It was the first day of a big weekend of golf. Nearest the pin on the third and the ninth was J. Purcel while Gary Sutcliffe claimed the 15th. Steve Hampstead had the approach shots on the second and 14th.
On Sunday, the club hosted visitors from City Golf Club, Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe and Tenterfield who played in the Wallangarra Open 4BBB sponsored by Sexton And Green of Tenterfield.
The net winners were Gary Sutcliffe and D. Eastwell (City). The Warwick combination of L. Sticklen and S. Morrison (Warwick) finished nett runners-up.
Taking out the gross winners were locals Steve Hampstead and M. Ellis. The pin on the third went to S. Dobson. M. Cutmore claimed the ninth and M. Austin had luck at 11. The club would like to thank Sexton and Green for their ongoing support and special thanks to the many visitors and the crew who helped behind the scenes with the lunch and bar. It was a great day. This Saturday members will be playing for the Monthly Medal and Putting, sponsored by the Wallangarra railway station. The Mugs of Mugs will be also be decided.
WIN FOR WALSH
THERE was a big role up for the weekly Sporters competition in Stanthorpe on Sunday. John Walsh defeated Mick Thompson to grab a win. In addition to finishing runner-up, Mick Thompson also had the Best Gross and took the Pin Shot on the third. Figuring in the run-downs were Paul Armstrong and Terry Byrnes. Mark Lynam claimed the Pro Pin. John Walsh wrapped up a good day by winning one of the meat trays while John Rawlings took home the other tray.
A reminder that Sunday 11 December is a big day for Sporters who will kick off with an early start of 7am for a barbecue brekkie to begin their Christmas celebrations. A BBQ lunch will follow golf.
In the meantime, it is normal tee off time this weekend.
OVER 40S LIMBER UP
THE Over 40 cricket brigade in Stanthorpe is limbering up in preparation for their annual cricket game against the Queensland Cricketers Club side on 10 December. The two sides will be playing for the Casey O’Connor trophy which was last won by visitors.
The 50 over game returns after a break of a few years due to poor weather and scheduling difficulties.
QCC are sure to field another first class side in a bid to retain their trophy in what is their final game of the year.
COGS ARE COMING
Junior cricketers on the Southern Downs have a wonderful opportunity to attend a coaching clinic during the upcoming school holidays with former first class and Test cricketer and leading coach Geoff Dymock. The clinic, suitable for players from six to 16, will be held at Slade Park on 16 December from 2-5pm, and is suitable for players at all levels.
Cost of the clinic is $30 and all attendees in addition to a great coaching experience will receive a specially signed memorabilia sheet.
The coaching clinic is run by COGS Australia (Cricketing Old Greats) and guarantees comprehensive, correct cricket coaching.
The skills young players will be taught in this program were carefully chosen by cricket legend Doug Walters and leading first class bowler Geoff Dymock, and provide a wonderful opportunity for young players to learn and master correct techniques in all facets of our great game of cricket.
Geoff Dymock OAM certainly is well placed to pass on some great pointers. Dymock played 21 Tests for Australia and also captained and coached the Queensland Sheffield Shield teams. A former fast bowler Dymock has acted as assistant manager /coach of Australian tours of West Indies and England and has combined school teaching and cricket coaching skills for more than 30 years. Added to this, he is an all round great bloke with plenty to offer the youngsters.
COGS Australia guarantees it will be a busy but enjoyable session and an opportunity to greatly improve all the basics and skills needed for all forms of cricket.
Some of the topics that will be covered include how to bat successfully against spin bowling and correct batting techniques to play full and short-pitched deliveries. Another important topic that will be covered is the correct bowling techniques to prevent injuries now and in the future.
To register, email info@cogsaustralia.com with details or phone: 0414 255 193. Further information is available on the COGS website or from the Warwick Cricket Association.
SEASON HIGH GIVES ALLORA WIN
ALLORA posted a season high score of 302 runs in their fixture game against Allora Hotel Rascals at Allora on Saturday as they claimed a comprehensive win in the local derby.
Some good solid batting performances from the Allora top order helped the side to the big total. While it was Gavan Schiewe who top scored with 66, the top order all performed well. It was a tough day out for the Rascals but best of the bunch was Matthew Christensen who finished with 2/31 off three overs.
Rascals in reply could only manage 110. Paul Christensen top scored with 18.
The Allora bowlers backed up their batsmen with some tidy bowling. Junior player Sean Bryson starred taking 2/13 from his six overs, but best of the day was Andrew Every who took 3/11 from four overs.
STANTHORPE GOLFERS CELEBRATE
STANTHORPE Golf Club celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Kev Delaney Golf Day last Saturday and combined the wonderful day of golf with the club’s Christmas party. The Delaney Family who sponsor the day were very generous with trophies and the multi draw raffle.
Winners on 52 points were Peter Orr and Dave Williams. First runners-up on 51 points were Mick Thompson and Bob Watts followed by Simon Shannon and Mick Thompson on 49 points and Mark Harris and Peter Patti on 48 points. The Bradman Award went to Bill Pyne and Kay Webb on 39 points.
The Men’s’ Captain’s Match Play Award was also presented. Alan Kerr received the trophy from captain Matt Waterworth).
There were no surprises when Dylan Barraclough was announced as the 2016 Men’s Golfer of the Year and received his trophy from president Stephen Kay. The young golfer who plays off scratch 719 points throughout the year and was a clear winner. Runner-up was Graham Tonkin on 603 points.
The award for the 2016 Saturday Lady Golfer of the Year went to Nikki Waterworth who finished nine points ahead of runner-up Kay Webb.
NEWCOMERS PICK UP BIG WIN
THE Redbacks showed the rest of the Warwick cricket competition that they are not purely making up the numbers this season with a win over current premiers Wheatvale last weekend.
It was an impressive win as the premiers set Redbacks a 197-run chase on the back of some good batting performances. Carter Bilbrough again showed plenty of class scoring 91.
The Redbacks began well with the ball when Sam Waetford claimed a wicket in the opening over, but followed that up by suffering a hamstring injury with the very next ball and did not bowl another ball all innings.
Morgan Gilchrist claimed a five-wicket haul and had Shayne Watson to thank for one of those wickets after the newcomer to the Redbacks side took a blinder off Watson’s bowling.
In reply Redbacks again suffered some bad luck when Glen Mackie suffered a knee injury. With the score at 2/58 Morgan Gilchrist and captain Tyhe combined for a handy partnership. Wheatvale claimed a steady stream of wickets but the Redbacks batsman were adding to the run chase.
In a thrilling finish, the game came down to the wire with Redbacks needing three runs from the final over. Carter Bilbrough took two wickets in that over and the result could have gone either way. Sam Waetford came to the crease with a runner and edged a ball on to his pads to score the winning run in one of the most entertaining games this season.
MARYVALE STILL UNDEFEATED
MARYVALE Condamine continued their good form this season with a win over Warwick Hotel Colts at Slade Park on Saturday in a much-anticipated clash between the two undefeated teams in the competition.
Maryvale opened the batting with a 93-run partnership between openers Will Gordon and Jason Steketee. Steketee was the first wicket to fall when he was on 51. His innings included an impressive five fours and a six. Gordon and Mitch Bourke set about adding a partnership of 77 before Gordon was dismissed for 85. Mitch Bourke made 51 before he was dismissed. Maryvale lost four wickets in quick succession, and were 5/203 when Mick and Tom Bourke combined for a sixth-wicket partnership of 59 before Maryvale set Colts a chase of 262.
Dave Walker took two early wickets in another fine bowling display and Colts were unable to recover and were out cheaply for 94. Rod Hansen top-scored with 37 and the only other Colts batsman to reach double figures was Geoff Thorley who scored 12.
Dave Walker took another wicket to finish with 3/28 and his captain took 2/13.
It was an impressive win for Maryvale who now remain the only unbeaten side this season.
