By CASEY O’CONNOR
HAS the rivalry with our Kiwi cousins across “the Ditch” ever run deeper? The 2015 Netball Constellation Cup remains up for grabs, the All Blacks and Wallabies go head to head in the Rugby World Cup, the Kiwi invaders line-up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup and the Australian cricketers prepare to do battle with the Black Caps in the first Test at the Gabba. Whew.
The Australian Diamonds suffered their first defeat in the Constellation Cup, going down 50-47 last weekend against their Kiwi arch-rivals.
The Silver Ferns stunned the Diamonds clawing back a nine-goal deficit in the third quarter. The Diamonds levelled the match in the dying minutes but the Silver Ferns dug deep scoring four of the last five goals and their first Constellation Cup win since September 2013, forcing the Diamonds to a decider in Perth next weekend. It was a memorable 100th Test milestone for New Zealand captain Casey Kopua and ended Australia’s run of 10 consecutive wins against their Trans-Tasman rivals.
The Rugby World Cup will be decided half a world away at Twickenham next weekend. All Blacks and Wallabies fans finally have the World Cup decider they have been craving, with the All Blacks and Wallabies meeting in the final for the first time. The Kiwis overcame a determined Springboks and the Australians showed plenty of grit to defeat the improving Pumas in the semis. It has been a long haul for players and fans. As a spectator, the first pool games feel like they were an age away; one can only hazard a guess at what the battered and bruised players are feeling.
There is no doubt All Black would start a very short priced favourite at Flemington next Tuesday given the winning form line over Wallaby. It would show only one Wallaby win in 12 starts but dig a little deeper and perhaps Wallaby is on the up as they say. The pair met twice in the space of seven days in August and the one game apiece score line showed Michael Cheika had sprinkled some magic on Wallaby since taking over the reins a little over a year ago.
On Sunday at Twickenham fans will be hoping a new chapter is written in Wallaby folklore.
There is one certainty – plenty of bleary eyes after another 2.00am kick off.
There will be little time for fans to digest that result moving on to the form guide for the Cup on Tuesday.
No doubt there will be plenty of Kiwis staking their claim against a handful of true blue Aussie starters and a host of International marauders.
I am reserving judgement until after this weekend’s Derby meeting but recent form lines show we should really be paying attention to the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate results. With that in mind I have a leaning towards Criterion, Who Shot the Barman, Mongolian Khan and market mover Almoonqith who won the Geelong Cup. Sentimental favourite Red Cadeaux must be included in any trifecta or first four. (Still searching for the Aussie in that lot).
As the champagne bubbles subside, the cricketers and yours truly will be preparing for the first ball of the Gabba Test on Thursday. It will be a true Test of character for a new look Aussie side who face a Kiwi outfit who believe it is their time to turn the tables on the Aussies.
Aussie selectors have plenty to think about as they do their form lines with several players putting their hand up in recent weeks. Steve Smith is set to lead an unfamiliar outfit onto the Gabba pitch.
What a great time to be an Aussie or perhaps even a Kiwi – Trans Tasman rivalry is alive and well and I doubt we will see better examples of our love hate relationship with those pesky Kiwis cousins.
Like all Aussies, I’m rooting for the Constellation Cup to stay with the Diamonds, the Wallabies to give William Webb Ellis a first class seat on the plane home to Australia; The Melbourne Cup to stay at home for a change and Australia to have success in the Chappell Hadlee Test Series – not much of an ask really.
Come on Aussie; Come on.
– Casey
DONALD RECEIVES RECONIGTION
There is no disputing that Tom Donald hits the target as a committed clubman at the Inglewood Sporting Shooting Club. He has been and continues to be one of the driving forces behind the success of the very proactive club. Last weekend, in recognition of his hard work and commitment, Donald was made the inaugural Life Member of the SSAA (Inglewood Branch).
Paul Drier presented Donald with a plaque to mark the occasion at the monthly meeting.
At the same meeting the club also committed to holding a five stand clay target competition next year.
Of course, there was also plenty of action on the range itself last weekend. Action Pistols are proving a popular and fun shoot and the competition was keenly contested. The overall winner was Peter Jones who shot well to relegate Ross Jackson and Iain Bowen to the minor placings.
This weekend the competition will be a mix of clays and pistol and visitors are very welcome.
SADDLE UP AT WEBSTER’S
If you can’t be trackside at the 2015 Melbourne Cup and have yet to decide on how or where to celebrate, then book a table at the Rotary Young Ambassador’s Melbourne Cup Luncheon at Webster’s at the Central Hotel Stanthorpe. Gates open at 11.30am and full Tab Facilities available. A big day is planned with form lines on the big race to be provided by visiting compere and former Courier Mail sporting scribe Bernie Pramberg. You could be the lucky winner of a holiday package to the Sunshine Coast or pick up one of the prizes for Best Dressed Filly or Colt or perhaps you might just be wearing the Best hat. All patrons will receive a free Mystery Bet with their ticket and there will be sweeps and much much more in the starting stalls.
Nomination fees (Tickets) are $45 and are available from Samantha Blaxland, Stanthorpe Print Copy or call 0438 813 942. Book now you wouldn’t want to miss the start in this event.
BOXING PROVES POPULAR
THE return of boxing to the Stanthorpe Civic centre last Saturday night proved popular with locals and visitors as over 250 people crowded in to the venue to watch all the action.
A card of 23 fights featured divisions from 22kg through to the big boys – 91kgs.
Ty Miller boxed aggressively against Dylan Lane of Kingaroy for a draw in the 32kg division. In the same weight class, Dean Dunbar lost on points to talented youngster Logan Slis of Grafton.
At 42kg Dylan fought hard, losing on split points to Braydon Marou of Rockhampton and Kaine Doorley lost narrowly to Dylan Lane of Kingaroy.
In the 55kg division, local Stanthorpe boxer Mason Picknell defeated Grafton visitor Logan Slis in a lively bout.
Mason was named best up and coming fighter and received a set of boxing gloves donated by Smithy’s Gym of Toowoomba and presented by Critter Brackin.
In the main junior bout, Marco Kent had a late change of opponent fighting Billy Evans of Rockhampton. In an action-packed three round bout, the judges were unable to split the pair and the fight was declared a draw.
At 85kg Jamie Dunbar proved his toughness when he went the distance with the big hitting Aiden Malloy of Coffs Harbour. Dunbar showed plenty of heart in this crowd pleaser, but lost on points.
The main event on the card was the clash between Adam Martin and the experienced and talented North Coast Superheavyweight champion Tyler White of Woodburn NSW.
In an excellent display of boxing, both fighters landed heavy shots. Martin kept his opponent backing up and counterpunching. At the end of the three rounds, the bout was declared a draw in what was the fight of the night.
The evening was a great success for the Stanthorpe boxing club and organisers wish to thank all of their sponsors, in particular M & D Autos, Glen Aplin Autos and the Stanthorpe Motorcycle Workshop for their support. Thanks to the Stanthorpe community for their support; Dr James Telfer for kindly donating his time and also Smithy’s Gym and the Brackin family for donating gloves and shirts to the boys.
On Saturday, the Stanthorpe boys will compete in bouts at Kirra Beach. In one of the feature bouts on that program, Marco Kent will take on Connor Stamm of Bendigo Victoria.
EAGLE LANDS AT ‘GARRA
A rare eagle landed at the ‘Garra golf course on Saturday during play for the Paul Hampstead Memorials Trophy. Simon Blair nailed an eagle on the par four eight and while it got him neither a win nor even a pin shot, it was definitely an almost unseen species.
Honours on the day went the way of Mick Hurtz denying Simon Blair a win. Scott Williams also played a good round to finish in third spot.
Pin shots went to Damien Moore at three; Hurtz on nine and Steven Hampstead got lucky stealing the Approach Shot.
Peter Williams was lucky enough to win the jackpot hole at 11. Organisers at the club wish to thank the Hampstead family and all competitors who helped make it another great day at the “Garra. This weekend, the club has scheduled a single stableford competition.
CARNIVAL BLOOMS AGAIN
VOLATILE weather conditions marked both days of the popular annual Apple Blossom Carnival at the Summit Bowls club, but the bowlers who came in numbers to do battle for the prizemoney and enjoy had a bloomin’ good time.
Intermittent storms rolled in late on Saturday and about 1.30pm on Sunday. In all only half of one game was disrupted due to a heavy rainstorm.
It was the Len Covill’s Summit team including Rod Newlands, Paul Zamprogno and Alex Mattiazzi that was able to put their local knowledge to good use and grab the top prize and the 2015 Cup. Congratulations to the whole team. They played consistent bowls throughout the carnival, scoring aggregate wins over the two days. The runners- up also had a local flavour, the Stanthorpe team of Frank Taylor, Brian Brown, Cliff Jones and Rob Alcock. Saturday winners: Richard Middleton’s Texas team – go Texas. Runners-up: Quinton Stanley’s Summit team.
Sunday winners: Terry Banditt’s Tannymorel team; runners-up: John Cooke’s Stanthorpe team. Not everyone can be on a winning team and for the rest of the players, it was an enjoyable carnival with plenty of witty banter, multi draw raffle wins ; the odd liquid refreshments; a tasty lunch and some very tidy and some not so tidy shots. Teams from Beenleigh, Glen Innes, Urbenville and Stockton joined teams from our region to make this another spectacular success and the club and players look forward to Apple Blossom 2016.
Mossy and his crew turned the greens out in spectacular fashion. The greens drew plenty of positive comments from the many visiting players.
Despite some late minute withdrawals and a few hiccups, the club with the help of members was able to deliver an even number of teams for both days. A shout out to Ray Rankin from the members of the club who hope you are well keep the bowls rolling Ray.
Thanks to a raft of fantastic sponsors including Elders; Wilmot’s House Removals; I&L Rizzato and Sons; M and D Auto One; MJ Cleaners; Maddie’s Gift Gallery; Aqua Rural; Qld Farmers Warehouse; Pink Poppies; Bendigo Bank Community Bank; Granite Belt Fruit Freighters; Paul Zamprogno and Chris’s Carpets Blinds and Tiles.
Without your support and the efforts of a dedicated band of volunteers from the club the carnival would not be possible.
VALLEYS EXPEREINCE TO THE FORE
UNDER the threat of rain, Valleys and Souths did battle last weekend on the CF White Turf.
Valleys won the toss and took first use of the wicket. It proved to be a handy toss to win and Valleys were off to a flyer. Valley’s put pressure on the young Souths side and stepped up the pace and when the game was interrupted by rain just two balls short of the innings, Valleys had piled on 4/288. John Fletcher top scored with 88 not out. Fletcher found the boundary on no less than 10 occasions and added a six for good measure. Dave Gavin showed his strength with the bat with a slashing 48 which included seven boundaries and another big six. Phil Irvine also got among the boundaries his 47 included nine fours.
Souths were faced with an uphill battle. When the conditions improved, they were facing a revised total of 260 runs from 32 overs. South’s captain Ben Staley and fellow opener Danny Folkers ensured Souths would be competitive with an opening stand of 82. Souths lost Folkers and Jordan Lanza in quick succession and found themselves chasing 115 runs at better than 10 an over. When Staley had his wickets rattled by the opposing captain Damian Anderson for 78, Souths were in trouble. Their young and inexperienced line-up had no answers against the more experienced attack and finished on 198 well short of the Valleys target.
It was a solid win for Valleys who look to have a good side this season. After being one of the competition heavyweights for a decade or more, Souths are in a rebuilding faze and their young players can be proud of their efforts last Saturday.
The game between RSL and Tenterfield was washed out and will be rescheduled. This weekend Twenty/20 games will be played with Rep cricket returning on Sunday.
SHARED SPOILS
HONOURS were shared between locals and visitors last weekend when as a large contingent of golfers Wallangarra players Tony Murphy teamed and A. Thompson, teamed up to win Saturday’s 4BBB stableford with a score of 50 points. Both players contributed evenly played very consistent golf, scoring well on each hole. In second place was another visiting team. Rob Perrin and Stephen Dengate from the Wantima Golf Club scored 48 points to claim second spot. Local players missed out on the top prizes for Saturday, but did feature in the minor prizes in pin shots and run downs.
Sunday’s events, a single stroke for members and a stableford for the ladies, saw a field of 109 players out on the course.
The Open Stroke event went to another Wantima Club visitor, Alex Stephen. His score of 74 was good enough to win the event. Richard Reardon restored local pride by taking out the nett event. All local players took out the grade events, Dylan Barraclough was successful in the ‘A’ grade. Trevor Ludlow won the ‘B’ grade and Tom Fittock took out ‘C’ grade. Best nett scores went to Stephen Kay, Marshall Grundon from City GC and Rod Werner.
The ladies stableford winner was Cara Frires from City Golf Club with a score of 39 points. Divisional winners were Ann McCleery from Maryborough, Mandy Benussi and Nikki Rossow.
Runners-up in each division were all local players, Hannah Reeves, Christine Welstead and Di Kirby.
The club committee were thrilled with the support from local players and the many visitors now make this a regular event and have done for many years.
The course was well presented and many good comments were passed onto Stanthorpe’s hard working green keeper, Bill. The work put in to the day was much appreciated and members who took part in the preparation and operation of the day should be very pleased.
Sponsorship of the day was also greatly appreciated. Maddie’s Gift Gallery has been a long time sponsor, not only of the Open but of golf throughout the year. City Golf Club in Toowoomba have also sponsored the Open for a number of years, as they do for other smaller clubs in the area and always bring a bus load of participating players. With the support of members, players and sponsors, the day was very successful and enjoyable.
BUSY WEEK FOR MALLET SPORTS
IT WILL be a busy week for gateball enthusiasts this week. The Stanthorpe Gateballers will host the Australian Gateball Union on Friday to assist with the planning of the Gateball triples event on 21/22 November. In triples there are three rather than five members to a team. The captain plays one ball and plans the tactics while the remaining two members play two balls each.
Club games close again this week, with each team winning a game. There was plenty of time spent practising different and alternate strokes.
In association croquet games, Grace Howard and Andres Denkewitz scored 18 hoops, but it was not enough to hold out Heather and Pat Schnoor who made it to 24.
Andrea following instructions attempted a long shot which ended up putting the opponent through the hoop. Margaret Dickenson scored 24 in her game against Joy Newman and Effie Russell 22.
Hoop runners played two games of triples. Shirley Evans, Val Fancourt and Elaine Brown had a narrow with 13 against Billy Golding, Judy Lock and Teresa Pyne 12. All six players played well, however with Shirley Evans top scoring.
Because of the weather conditions the second game was limited to a first to seven score. Winners were Billy Golding, Judy Lock and Teresa Pyne.
ON THE GREEN IN WARWICK
DRY course, lots of run, lots of high stableford scores. The Red Roster Rumble is no different. Mark Coote country member living in Townsville managed half a dozen games and at least one win. He carded 24 points in last Friday’s nine hole event. It was a slim win by one point from Brian Sullivan on a countback from Mark Coote. Other run downs went to Brett Donovan 22, Neville Heard 21 and Gordon McKeen 21. Nearest to the pin winners receive a voucher to Red Rooster for a hot chicken. They were Gordon McKeen, Mark Coote, and Paul Coote. Saturday’s single stroke event was sponsored by the golf club. Regular competition play for Neil Moore is clearly improving his game. He scored a nett 61 to win. Runner-up was Greg Sellick on 65 nett after a count back from Ross Kannar. Run down balls went to Shaun Campbell, Graham Clark and Peter Collett (67), Phil Economidis, Jesse Harris, and Eddie Kemp (68). Nearest to the pins went to Shaun Campbell, Dion Phillips, and Graham Clark. Brendon Jones collected at 11, 13, and 16. The mixed foursomes championships were held on Sunday with 40 players (20 teams) competing. The best gross winner getting the honour board spot. With a lead of 13 shots, the winners were Sam and Geoff Hinze, followed by Nathan Jones and Christine Hankinson Jones. Nett winners were Dion Phillips and Donna Keogh, followed by Kerrin Delaney and Judy Stiff. Run down balls were given to Marge and Ken Burley, Liz and Eamon Cockram, Melanie and Sam McLennan, and Mick and Annice Payne. Pins went to Sam McLennan Judy Lester, Geoff Hinze, Anna Cox and Dion Phillips.
This Saturday is Big W Day with a shotgun start at 7am and then again at noon. It’s a Four Ball Ambrose competition, and there are still some spots available, particularly for the 7am tee off. On Sunday, the club is hosting the Darling Downs junior classic which will attract around 80 players from around the region. The pro shop will be running a Ping demo/club fit day on Thursday 19 November from 11am – 3pm. Bookings are essential. For information regarding golf in and around Warwick, call the pro shop seven days a week on 4661 3664.
