By Casey O’connor
Sadly I was reminded this week that you should never put off until tomorrow what you should and could do today.
I had promised myself a trip to Yangan with Lew Cooper to catch up with Lou Rowan now unfortunately that is something I will not be able to enjoy.
Former Test umpire Lou Rowan passed away last week, and with his passing a little of my own history has gone.
Back in 1970 as a brash young 20-year-old, I had my first experience with Lou Rowan when I may have been the person who swiped a cricket stump during a break in play because of bad light at the Gabba. It was the first Test of the infamous 1970/71 Ashes Tour.
Rowan was not only the Test umpire but a serving police officer, and for him the law and the laws of the game were black and white.
I was pretty fortunate another Lew, Lew Cooper who was secretary of the Queensland Cricket and the Gabba Cricket Trust stepped in that day and cut me a break. It was the start of a friendship with Cooper which continues to this day.
When I became a cricket umpire some years later, the irony of my actions that day were not lost on Lou Rowan. I was fortunate to be able to call on his vast experience from time to time as president of the Stanthorpe Umpires Association. He was always generous with his time and advice. While the game may have changed dramatically since the days when Rowan and his peers including Tom Brooks were paid a pittance for their time as Test umpires, he still held firmly in the belief that the laws were the laws.
While it may be a little outdated in some areas, there is much to read and like in Rowan’s book the Umpire’s Story published in 1972. (I may be a little biased as it includes a now infamous picture of a 20-year-old fleeing the ground stump in hand.)
In the book, Rowan not only recounts his career but also covers the laws of the game and devotes a lengthy section to the Conduct of the Game, something many current players at all levels might do well to study.
I am saddened that I have missed the opportunity to sit with Lou Rowan and Lew Cooper and reminisce on a past indiscretion that in so many ways impacted positively on my life.
I was also looking forward to hearing what I am sure would have been some very strong views on the state of the game today.
Rowan spoke of cricket as his life’s joy, and he truly was a gift to cricket.
In what I believe is a true measure of the man, he finishes his book with the following, “Regardless of how I may be remembered and the success I may be considered to have achieved, I will be happiest of all just to be remembered as a son of Joseph Rowan.”
Rowan was tough and uncompromising, but he was nature’s gentleman and will be sadly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing him.
– Casey
NO JOY FOR REP CRICKETERS
Rep cricketers from both Stanthorpe and Warwick were involved in last weekend’s finals of the Mitchell and Davis Shield. Unfortunately, there was no joy for either team.
Stanthorpe’s Mitchell Shield side travelled to Gatton to take on the Lockyer side. It was the team’s third finals appearance in as many years. Lockyer set the visitors a 223-run chase. Duane Lihou was the best of the Stanthorpe bowlers, finishing with 3/39 from his eight-over spell.
In reply, Hayden Lanza and Ben Staley were the best of the Stanthorpe batsmen. Lanza top-scored with 36 while the captain scored 35. In an impressive bowling performance, Lockyer blowers dismissed Stanthorpe for 132 in just the 38th over.
The Warwick Davis Shield side played Toowoomba in the final of the Dud Davis Shield in Toowoomba.
The Warwick side faced a smart Toowoomba outfit who bowled well and held every catching opportunity.
Warwick batted first on a pitch that had some inconsistent bounce. Wickets fell as the Warwick players struggled to build partnerships and were dismissed for 84. Mitch Bourke and Pat Bourke both got good starts, but were unable to build a big total.
Eighty-four was never going to be enough runs, but the Warwick players fought hard with the ball and fielded well. Toowoomba lost five wickets in their run chase before passing the required total.
COMMON THEME FOR MALLET PLAYERS
Hardly surprising that the reports from the captains of all three forms of mallet sports played in Stanthorpe had a common theme this week – playing in extreme heat; the necessity to keep well hydrated and making the most of shaded areas between shots.
In the association croquet games, Jenny Tunbridge and Andrea Denkewitz played Margaret Dickenson. They scored 14 including a break of three, but it was not enough to defeat Dickenson who had two breaks of three in a winning score of 17.
Joy Newman made a winning return to the game when she partnered with Carol Verwey. The pair pegged out with a score of 26 -16 against opponents Heather Widderick and Grace Howard.
Despite the oppressive conditions, there was a very full court for golf croquet with a new player joining 13 others.
In the first session, Shirley Page and Sharyn Roser had a 13-8 win over Teresa Pyne and Val Fancourt. Liz Ellway and Justin Liddy proved 13 was a winning score when they beat Marian and John Castles 13-5. Bev Sullivan and Judy Lock had a narrow 7-6 win over Pauline Inglis and Dianne Wren. Johnno, the new recruit was put through the nuances of the game by Elaine Brown, and word has it that he is already showing plenty of natural ability.
Some of the players called it a day after the first session, but there were eight stalwarts who battled on for a short game after the morning tea break.
Bev Sullivan and Di Wren shrugged off the heat to take a 7-5 win over John Castles and Justin Liddy 5. Shirley Page and Elaine Brown had a convincing 6-2 win over Marian Castles and Pauline Inglis.
The most notable performances on a tough day were from Justin Liddy who scored eight hoops in the first session and Dianne Wren who scored seven in the second session.
A small but enthusiastic group played on gateball on Friday despite the extreme conditions and the show holiday.
In the first game, Andrea Denkewitz, Sharyn Roser and Johnno played the White balls against the Red team of Joy Newman and Grace Howard. John Draper took on the referees duties. The White team had a comfortable 16-10 win in game one. In game two, their opponents struck back to win 11-7. Following the break, Newman and Howard switched to White Balls and scored a close 10-8 win in game three and went on to win the final game 14-7 after taking full advantage of their opponents’ errors.
KAY STEALS THE SHOW
President of the Stanthorpe Golf Club Stephen Kay stole the show in Saturday’s competition for the February Monthly Medal. Kay selected a seven iron at the 12th and watched as his shot landed just short of the pin and gently rolled into the hole to give him an ace on his scorecard. He had no difficulty in winning the pin shot at 12.
While Stephen Kay celebrated his hole in one, it was Greg Fraser who was celebrating the win in the Monthly Medal after he shot a nett 67 for the round. Fraser played in the middle of the field and had to wait until the remainder of the field before his win was confirmed. Two players were snapping at his heels. Runner-up in the event sponsored by Dixon Homes and Wes Smith was visiting Warwick Golf Club player, Ian Anderson, who finished just one shot back on nett 68.
Dylan Barraclough was one under par for the round and claimed the Best gross score. Barraclough also shared the putting honours with Lyle Bryant. The pair had 26 putts.
Richard Reardon collected the pin at three and Aaron Simmers at 17. Pro-pins went to Richard Reardon at 1/10, Stephen Kay at 5/14 and Dylan Barraclough at 9/18. The birdies nest at 18 was shared by Adrian Jannenga, Matt Waterworth and Dylan Barraclough.
In the run down, a ball each to Keith Jones (68), Darryl Boekholt (69) and Paul Mills (70).
Helen Jones was the winner in the Ladies competition, shooting a nett 75 which put her two shots in advance of runner-up Kay Webb (99). Nikki Waterworth had least putts (31) and picked up a ball in the run down.
This Saturday, club members Nikki and Matt Waterworth are sponsoring a Single Stroke event with tee off from 11.30am. A time sheet is on the board at the club house.
THREE ON THE TROT
The Warwick Clay Target Club held their February shoot in extremely hot conditions.
Warwick shooter Dan Johnson made it three wins in succession when he won the prestigious Robin Loy memorial shoot. Early in the difficult event which sees two targets released simultaneously and the shooter needs to shoot both James Bomford shot a creditable 48/60. Bomford saw his lead disappear soon after when John Lee (Mt Lindsay) scored 51/60. Lee maintained his lead almost to the end of the event only to see Dan Johnson score 53/60 to snatch the win. It was a similar result to the 2015 memorial when Dan shaded John Lee by a target to win.
Results Event 1 Shelley Industries 25 Target Double Barrel:
AA: John Lee 95/95, Dan Johnson 92/95
A: John Wiggins 77/77, Terry Shelton 76/77
B: Tom Ham 25/27, Ian House 24/27
C: Mick Lawlor 24/25, Hugh Brown 21/25
Event 2 Olsens Home Hardware 25 Target Pointscore
AA: Dan Johnson 75/75, John Lee 74/75
A: Terry Shelton 75/75, Wayne Eastwell 72/75
B: Brian Hodgens 71/75, Tom Ham 70/75
C: Mick Lawlor 66/75, Liam Walker 65/75
Event 3 Robin Loy Memorial 30 Pair Double rise
Overall: Dan Johnson 53/60
AA: John Lee 51/60, James Bomford 48/60
A: Terry Shelton 47/60, John Wiggins 44/60
B: Tom Ham 44/60, Andrew Mauch 41/60
C: Mick Lawlor 37/60, Liam Walker 34/60
The Encouragement award was won by Liam Walker.
RED HOT SCORES AT ‘GARRA
A good field played the Wallangarra Monthly Medal and Putting competition last Saturday despite the scorching heat. There were some red hot scores returned in the event sponsored by the Wallangarra Railway Cafe.
The winner with nett 62 was B. McMillian. He also topped off a great day by taking out the puts (25) on a countback. Runner-up with nett 64 was K. Williams. T. Murphy picked up the captain stakes with 66 nett. Only two pin shots were claimed during the round. J. Purcell took the ninth and S. Hampstead snared the elusive 11th and also picked up the Approach at 14. Murphy rounded off a good day, claiming the birdies nest at the first.
The club extends a special thank you to their Monthly Medal sponsor Amanda Blair and the staff at the Wallangarra Railway Cafe for their continued support.
This Saturday, the club is holding a single stableford. Three players from the club are off to play this Saturday at Borneo Barracks, and are wished the best of luck in that competition.
A reminder to all members and other golfers that Wallangarra is hosting Darling Downs Golf Association (DDGA) Open Carnival on 19 February. Tee off is from 9am to 9.30am QLD time and the cost of $25 per person includes lunch.
CLAYS AT INGLEWOOD
Inglewood Sporting Shooters held a Clay competition last weekend. Tom Donald out pointed Graham Morgan and Stephanie Dudgeon to win the event.
An impromptu Benchrest rimfire event was also held and saw Ray Dudgeon relegate Ross Jackson and Stephanie Dudgeon to second and third placings respectively.
This weekend the club has scheduled Single Action and Rem Fire Bench rest competitions. After the lunch break, there will be an Action Pistol Match using existing setup or another scenario set up by Richard White.
DECISIONS ON JUNIORS IN SENIOR COMP
At the monthly meeting of the Warwick Cricket Association held on Tuesday evening, several important decisions were made regarding Junior cricketers playing “up” in the Senior competition.
“The minimum age of a player to play in the Senior Competition will be 13 years of age.” It was also decided that all players between the age of 13 and 18 years of age must have parents’ consent and inform the captain of the team they are playing in. All under 18 players will be required to bat with a helmet and also wear a helmet if fielding close and keeping up at the stumps as part of Cricket Australia recommendations.“Should the parents decide they don’t want their child to bat or bowl or field close, they are to inform the captain of these conditions.
These conditions were passed at the meeting and will take effect immediately. Queries should be directed to the Warwick Cricket Association.
SPORTERS OUT IN NUMBERS
There was a good roll up of Sporters who were out in numbers last Sunday despite the conditions. It was Paul Byrnes who did best in the heat to claim a win with Terry Roser grabbing the runners-up spot. The run-downs went to John Rawlings and Bob Watts. Mark Lynam played well to score the best gross and also claimed the pin shot on the 12th and topped off the day with a meat tray. Ray Thorn took the pro pin and Phil Zikan the remaining pin shot at the 17th. It was Ian Anderson who went off with the last remaining meat tray.
Hoepfully, this Sunday there will be some reprieve from the heat for Sporters when they tee off at the usual time of 7am – 8.30am. A reminder that if you have the urge to chase a little white ball around the gold course on Sunday morning while enjoying some great company, visitors are always welcome to join the Sporters crew.
FISH FISH MORE RELEASES
It has been another busy season for the Warwick District Recreational Fish Stocking Association Inc.
As the restocking season draws to a close, another 13000 Silver Perch fingerlings were recently released. They are expected to grow to legal size in a little over 12 months.
There are another 50,000 golden perch due for release into Leslie Dam in coming weeks when they are delivered from the Granite Belt Fish Hatchery. The final release will take the overall number of fingerlings released into our waterways and impoundments this season to 230,000. That should ensure the waterways and impoundments remain hot spots for fishermen and women over the next few years.
THINGS GET INTERESTING AT TANNY
It has been another busy week for the Tannymorel Bowlers. Lorna, Tuck and Mick O’Leary ventured to Tenterfield and won their Triples competition. Not satisfied with that success, two days later they were joined by Pedro Collis to win the Tenterfield Fours. My spies tell me that although Lorna was not the difference between winning and losing, she has been very vocal about the win. Tuck seems to be missing his prizemoney.
After all the excitement of the away win of the group, it was down to important business on Friday Round four of the Classic. The roll up for these nights just grows each week. Last week 44 players turned out for a super night.
The winning team was Geanie Lambert, Hamish Hoffman, Venus “Ole Gal” Smith and Tuck who brought along his winning Tenterfield form. Runners-up were Michelle Amos, and Myrtle and Aaron. It has been great to see so many non-bowlers joining in and trying a sport they haven’t previously played and enjoying plenty of laughs. Geanie Lambert and Leonie Rickard are said to be skiting in their households about being No 1. Is there some practice going on in the hallways of some houses while the Jims are busy working?
After Friday night, the leader board is very tight. Tuck sits on 11 points. Venus “Up to No Good” Smith is one back on 10 while Marg T, Jimbo Rickard and Geanie “No.1” Lamberton are all on nine points. Close enough on seven points are Vic, Peter Gynther and Myrtle. There are a swag of players with seven points and are not out of the game yet. With two rounds left in the Classic, a win this week could see any of those players jump to 11 points and challenge. A winner looks a long way from cut and dried – anyone can win from here. Why not get along to Tannymorel this Friday night and join the fun.
Results last week went this way: Kushla Reddington, Vic Nelson and Darren Rabbit defeated Shaun Kelly Richy Tartan and peter Gynther 19-7. Clayton Frank Geoff Farmer and Mick O’Leary (another in winning Tenterfield form) were too strong for Sidwood Lamb and Sue and Ant Butz, winning 11-4 (Ant apparently put off his game by his Mother telling him what to do all game). In a closer game, Wayne “Corn Cob” Petersen, Lorna T and Jimbo Rickard defeated lane Hoscher, Marg T and Johno Johnson 15-9.
Ken Grayson, Fritzy and Koala had a 13-9 win over Brett Grayson Wayne Frank and T.B. Geanie “No 1” Lambert, Hamish “Young Gun “Hoffman, Venus “Ole Gal” Smith and Tuck teamed up for a 21-5 win over Mavis Lawardon, Jim Lamb, Brian Walsh and Donnie Coultens. Gary Amos, Matt “Tie Down” Shepherd and Thommo defeated Lloyd Johnson, Geoff Davis and Grumpy 13-9. Michelle Amos, Myrtle and Aaron had a 22-8 win over Leonie “No1”Rickard Iro Fordyce and Burt – finals score 22-8.
CLASSY PERFORMANCES IN T20
It was back to T20 for Warwick Cricketers last weekend. There was some great cricket played at all venues and some classy performances.
Dion Galloway who is better known as a footballer showed he is a versatile sportsman and a better-than-average cricketer when he took a seven-wicket haul for Wheatvale in their game against Railway Hotel Rascals.
Wheatvale had set their opponents a run chase of 74 with Brendan Malone topping the batting with 65.
Galloway ripped through the Rascals line-up to give his side a comfortable victory.
The impressive performances continued at Slade where Colts set Sovereign Animals a 234-run chase. John Cleary was on fire with the bat, scoring a T20 ton. His 104 and partner Shaun O’Leary’s 74 provided the backbone of Colts big score. Sovereign Animals were dismissed for 105.
Colts 7 for 234 (John Cleary 104 Shaun O’Leary 74 Glen Doyle 3/39 Cahil Davis 3/39 d Sovereign 7 for 105 Cahil Davis 21no. A. Nero 19 Ben Gross 2/5 Alister Costello 2/11
Top 2 teams from Pool “A” to play in semi-finals of T20 are Colts (498 runs scored) and Wheatvale (486 runs scored) with two wins each. Maryvale topped Pool “B” with three wins and the second spot will be determined once all three teams have submitted their runs totals.
In other games at Mayhew Oval, Redbacks defeated Inglewood in a closer game. Redbacks were dismissed with 8/145. Jamie Saunders topped the scoring with 60. Next best was Tyhe Clarkson with 44 runs. Inglewood bowler Garth Miller took three wickets. In reply, Inglewood fell just six runs short. Garth Miller backed up a good bowling performance to top score for Inglewood with 35. Redbacks Tyhe Clarkson took 2/29 after his efforts with the bat.
The final of the T20 competition will be held on 25 February. The semifinals will commence at 10am with Maryvale and Wheatvale playing at Slade Oval. Allora play Colts at Mayhew Oval. The grand final of the T20 will commence at Slade at 2pm with Pink Balls being used in the final. A barbecue and presentation will be held following the game.
ROUND 12 CONDAMINE CUP
There is one game on Sunday with Maryvale playing Redbacks at Slade. Coin Toss for this game is 10.15am.
