By CASEY O’CONNOR
WE are all too familiar with stories of sporting stars past and present falling from grace and blotting their copy books. Those stories inevitably make the news, however when the opposite happens, often there is little said.
Joey Johns not 12 months ago found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons while waiting for a flight back to Sydney at Wellcamp airport. Last Friday night an act of kindness from Johns would have gone unmentioned, had it not been for a Facebook post from a grateful mum. Ensconced in business class, travelling to Brisbane for his Channel Nine Friday night duties, Johns noticed a mother and bub making their way to their seat towards the back of the plane. Johns had the on board crew seek out the lady and swapped seats with her saying she and bub would be more comfortable in Business class. Seems this is not the first time he has done this. Well done Joey. For once, a bouquet for Joey not a brickbat.
– Casey
HEADING FOR GRIPPING GAME
ROUND ball fans who tuned in to the A League semi-final between Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney Wanderers were treated to one of the highlight games of the year. Rarely do you see a soccer (sorry football) game where a team can come back from a three-nil deficit – let alone come back equalise and then go on to score a winning goal after 120 minutes of play. I cannot recall such a high-level game where a total of nine goals were scored.
Brisbane could have given no more last weekend and after the club’s shaky start to the season did a magnificent job to make the semi-final.
The Wanderers win takes them to the main dance this weekend in Adelaide where they will face a hostile Adelaide United crowd.
The fabled “toilet seat” trophy is the only one missing from the Wanderers trophy cabinet. A repeat performance of their A League semi-final should see the trophy heading to the Western suburbs however the Reds have also been in great form.
I admit that while I love the game I am not a devotee of watching it on TV – after last weekend I’ll be front and centre watching how this final unfolds.
MORE STRUCTURES MORE FISH IN THE FUTURE
MEMBERS of the Warwick District Recreational Fish Stocking Association Inc. have been busy placing a further 36 pieces of structure into the Upper Condamine River around Warwick last Friday.
The structures were old culverts and pipes unsuitable for use in roadworks and they donated to the club by the Southern Downs Regional Shire for its donation of them. Organisers extend their thanks to Tom Graham for the use of his tractor and his time driving it to install the structures.
The completed work brings the number of structures placed into the river to 167 including recycled garbage bins, old wooden sleepers made into two fish hotels, cement pipes donated by RoadTek and recycled 200 plastic drums.
This work now ensures native fish have a variety of places in which to breed and take shelter all of which will help make the Upper Condamine a great place to fish in the future.
The 20,000 golden perch, 1500 silver perch and most importantly 2000 Murray cod placed into the river recently by Warwick Fish Stocking thanks to the Warwick Shire River Improvement Trust will also bolster future numbers.
The club’s new financial year began on 1 April, so a reminder that the $10 joining fee is now due and can be paid at Tackle and Tusk, Westside; Warwick Outdoors and Sports or directly to the secretary PO Box 955, Warwick. This $10 fee covers husband, wife and children under 18 years of age.
Proposed changes to fishing regulations are yet to be announced but watch this space; we will keep local anglers up to date as soon as they are released.
COWBOYS AMBUSH HIGHFIELDS AFTER HOOTER
IN A nail-biting finish, the Cowboys notched up back-to-back wins in the TRL A Grade premiership race with a come-from-behind win over Highfields. The Cowboys remain level on top of the table with Pittsworth and Souths
Trailing Highfields 22-18 as the time clock wound down Cowboys winger Brodie Quirk dived over in the corner to level the scores. With the full time hooter sounding in the background, it was left to Morgan Taylor to secure a win with a successful conversion. He coolly slotted the ball over from the sideline to give his side a thrilling victory.
For the second successive weekend, the Cowboys made a clean sweep of all three grades to maintain their lead in the club premiership.
The A Grade was a real arm wrestle with scores locked at 18-all at the half- time break.
The Cowboys playing on Highfields home turf scored four tries-to-three in the first half, but managed only one conversion. Highfields scored three converted tries to level at 18-all.
The scores remained deadlocked until Highfields halfback Jarrod Lee ran onto a pass from Jake Cooley to take the score to 22-18 with about 15 minutes remaining.
As the Cowboys struggled to break through the opposition defence 22-18 looked likely to be the final score.
A rare mistake from the home team with just two minutes on the game clock gave the Cowboys a sniff as Highfields kicked out on the full.
Cowboys, Joe Fuimano went wide and linked up with his outside backs allowing Brodie Quirk to make crucial yards. As the clock ticked down, the Cowboys had one last throw of the dice. In a slick backline movement, the Cowboys swung the ball wide and Quirk was able to deliver the winning try. The kick to convert may not have looked pretty off the boot but for Cowboys supporters the result was very sweet.
The Reserve Grade game was another closely fought contest with the Cowboys pulling back a 12-6 half time deficit to score two late tries and claim a 16-12 win. David Hallman broke the Cowboys club game record in this match, notching up his appearance number 273 for the Cowboys. He also won the award for the Player of Match. The Under 18s scored a 38-22 win and along with the reserve grade side are undefeated after six rounds.
This weekend the Cowboys have a bye.
EVEN ROUND WIN THE DAY
KEITH Green played solid golf in the stableford competition in Stanthorpe last Saturday. He was out in 22 and home in 22 and that could have been better if not for a washout on the 15th hole. His score of 44 was good enough to give him a three-point advantage over runner-up Aaron Simmers (41). He also had an even round with 20 on the front and 21 the back.
In the Ladies event, Lyn Ludlow returned to form and the winner’s circle with a score of 36 points, giving her a three-point advantage over Kay Webb the runner-up. The day was sponsored by fellow golfer Darryl Boekholt.
Rod Werner and Ian Harvey collected a share of the birdies nest at 14.
Warwick visitor Ian Anderson grabbed the Pro Pin at 5/10; Fred Wharton at 5/14 and Mick O’Brien at 9/18.
No confusion with the pin markers last week with Aaron Simmers collecting 3/12 and Eric McLellan taking 17. There were no takers for the ladies pin at 3/12, however Kay Webb had best approach for the ladies at 17.
In the run down, those with a score of 35 points and better collected a ball.
Another big weekend of golf has been planned by the club for the May long weekend. On Saturday, Jeff and Biz Ihle are sponsoring a medley 4BBB. Organisers are expecting a big field for a shot gun start at 11.45 am. Registration closes at 11.30am.
On Sunday, the club hosts the popular annual Central Motors three person Ambrose event. This event is also a shotgun start, commencing at 9am with registrations closing at 8.30am with a shotgun start at 9am. Registration by 8.30am.
Those intending to play in either event are urged to arrange their playing partners and teams. Time sheets are on the board at the club for both events.
SUCCESSFUL SHOOT FOR MACKENZIE
THE Inglewood Sporting Shooters Club notched up another successful Anzac weekend shoot. The annual two-day event saw enthusiasts competing in several disciplines including military pistol, three positional rifle and also a novelty grenade tossing comp. Not live, of course but imitation lead models.
Each event was scored and the combined scores tallied. Outright winner over the course of the competition was Goondiwindi Councillor Rob MacKenzie who finished just one point ahead of Peter Russell with Paul Dreier finishing in third position.
In the junior event, Brittany Bull outscored Hayden Beling.
The weekend is always popular and another big field enjoyed the 2016 competition.
This weekend the club is holding Clay target competitions and pistol practice.
You can keep up to date with all the Sporting Shooters action on their Facebook page.
CLUB CHAMPION DECIDED
THE Wallangarra Golf Club wrapped up the 2016 Club Championship on Sunday. After four rounds of golf, the overall gross winner was Steven Hampstead. K. Williams won the B grade gross while J. Purcell took out the B grade nett. Steve Williams won the C grade gross and J. Green the C grade nett.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the members who took part. This weekend, it is back to business as usual with a stroke event.
This Saturday it is back to business as usual sponsored by Peter Williams. Club members are reminded that there will be a general meeting following play on 14 May.
FEAST OF LEAGUE
THE Anzac weekend of rugby league was another mouth-watering feast in the most part.
The Broncos and Cowboys continued on their merry way at the top of the table. Melbourne Storm were back to their best, but against the Warriors who simply are dreadful and copped a post-game spray of epic proportions from their coach.
The Sharks showed they have more than a little bite this season. The Panthers and Titans look to be both in the same boat – playing well but unable to take a trick or grab two premiership points.
The disappointments of the round were, of course, the Tigers who have lost their meow let alone their growl. It is obvious there are deep-seated issues that must be addressed at that club in front and back office and in the playing group.
Raiders supporters will be happy to bank the for and against after the 60-6 mauling of the Tigers while the Eagles overcame an improved Knights to add another win to their tally.
The traditional Anzac Day clash between arch rivals the Dragons and Roosters was overshadowed by the post-game blow up from Roosters coach Trent Robinson. His swipe at officialdom cost him a cool $40,000. There were undoubtedly some dodgy calls which did not go the way of the Roosters but coaches surely by now realise the post-match press conference is not the time and place to hurl accusations. Well at least you would think so.
It took away from another good contest which saw the Dragons successful once again in Anzac Day clash.
Round Nine opens with the Bunnies hosting the Tigers. Hard to see the points going anywhere but the Bunny hutch after last week.
The Eels and Dogs go head to head at ANZ on Friday in a tough clash. I am looking for the Eels to bounce back after their loss to the Cowboys.
The Panthers certainly deserve a win especially after such close results. The Raiders were a try scoring machine last weekend, but will find it tougher here. Panthers for me.
The Roosters have to put the dramas of round eight behind them when they take on the Knights. The Knights are playing improved football, but I think the Roosters will have those ruffled tail feathers up and ready to rumble here.
The Cowboys travel to Brooky on Saturday, and with an unchanged line-up will be hard to toss. Cowboys to add another notch to their belt.
The Dragons cross the ditch to take on the Warriors at Mt Smart. They are coming off a win in the Anzac Day headline event while the Warriors are coming shellacking from the coach. Hard to have the Warriors after their lack of effort. – Dragons here.
The Titans are another team playing well, but out of luck. This week they host Melbourne who had a good win last week, but might be upstaged on the Coast. Leaning to the Titans here.
In the final game of the round, the Broncos are away to the Sharks. This will be the game of the round, and we will get a good indication of just how well the Sharks are swimming this season. The Broncos – but only narrowly.
NEWBIES TAKE TO COURT
REGULAR golf croquet players were joined by two new faces from the Come N Try day last week. Marion Castle and Justin Liddy are both already showing skills in the game. In the first game, they each paired with experienced players to be coached along the way. The game was a little slower than usual as there was plenty of discussion about the finer points of the game and coaching so an amended game of first to seven points was played. In a close game, it was Justin Liddy and Elaine Brown who won 7-6 against Dianne Wren and Marion Castle. Newcomer Justin Liddy top scored with seven hoops.
Val Fancourt and Bill Golding teamed up to play for a big 7-2 win over Judy Locke and Shirley Page in another game. Val Fancourt top scored in this game with six hoops.
After the break a second first to seven game was played with the newcomers teamed with Judy Locke and Shirley Page.
In this game, the Locke and Liddy combination proved too strong, winning 7-4 over their opponents. In the remaining game, Dianne Wren and Bill Golding defeated Val Fancourt and Elaine Brown. Brown scored a hoop in one in this game.
A shortened game of triples followed, and in another close finish Fancourt, Liddy and Page defeated Golding Wren and Brown. The win gave newcomer Justin Liddy a taste of three wins for the day – a great start to a new game for him.
The skills of Grace Howard and Andrea Denkewitz were pitted against those of Joy Newman and Carol Verwey last week at association croquet. It was a relatively close game. Joy Newman had one break of four and Verwey a break of three. They took out the game 23-20. Andrea Denkewitz scored well also finishing with a breaks of three and four. In the other game played, Pat Schnoor defeated Heather Widderick and Effey Russell 26-19.
The gateballers were out on the court on Friday for another fun day.
Late in the first game, Joy Newman playing for White produced some outstanding shots helping her side to a narrow 11-10 win over the Red team.
In game two, results were reversed with Margaret Dickenson showing good form for her team as the Red team took a 16-13 win. The final two games also went the way of the Red team with scores of 13-9 and 16-8. Bill Golding showed a welcome return to form for the Red Team.
STEELEY WIN
TONY Steele and Phil Zikan both had good round at Sporters and filled the winner and runner-up spots after last Sunday’s round. The rundowns went to Norm Steele and Mick Doorley. Doorley also had the Best Gross and collected the Pin shot at the 17th. The Pin Shot on the 12th went to Ray Thorn while the Pro Pin going a begging. John Walsh and Clarky did not leave empty-handed, they were the meat tray winners last week.
There will be no Sporters this weekend owing to the annual Central Motors Golf Day. Sporters return the following Sunday (8 May) at the normal tee off time of 8am – 8.30am as the mornings get a little cooler.
INJURIES COSTLY FOR WATTLES
WATTLES hosted Pittsworth in round six, but the news was not good for their supporters with the visitors leaving with wins in all three grades. Wattles led 12-10 at half time in the A Grade game and in the second half stretched the lead to 28-20 with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Injuries were costly for the Warriors. They lost lock Nick Morris with a concussion midway through the first half while rep forward Dale Perkins dislocated his shoulder late in the game.
Pittsworth, finished the better scoring four late unanswered tries to push the score out to 42-28.
The game was a scrappy affair with both sides missing opportunities.
Jason Wilmot played well for Wattles and as always was solid with the boot kicking four conversions. Former Texas player Bennett Sutton, who recently signed with Wattles, also crossed for a try for his new club.
Pittsworth 42 (Daniel York 2, Matthew Briggs 2, Thomas O’Sullivan 2, Brayden Gibbs, Braydon Wilson tries Jake Johnston 3, Thomas O’Sullivan 2 goals) defeated Wattles 28 (James Johnson, Max Somes, Joseph Morris, Bennett Sutton, Cameron Shannon tries Jason Wilmott 4 goals).
The loss compounded a bad night for Wattles who were beaten 28-30 in Reserve Grade and 22-34 in Under 18s. This weekend Wattles play Brothers in an away game
1966 BULIMBA CUP REUNION 50 YEARS
A REUNION for the 1966 Bulimba Cup sides is currently being organised. The TRL is hoping to contact the following players from that era: Ian Harvey (Valleys); Denis Sullivan (All Whites) and Trevor Smith (Newtown). The elusive Dennis Pennisi was on the list but has been tracked down, thanks to the efforts of Stanthorpe’s Johnny Scott.
If you have any photos of the Toowoomba 1966 Bulimba Cup side or club photos of any players in that side, organisers would be like to arrange for copies. They are also keen to get hold of a Toowoomba jersey from that era which they could borrow for the day.
If you are able to help, contact Janeen Maguire at the TRL Office – admin@trl.org.au or Phone 0746324748 or Justin Roach – roachjj@icloud.com.
UNDER 18s NAIL FIRST WIN
THE combined Border Bushrangers Under 18s wrote their own piece of history last weekend when they trounced Gatton 40-10 to claim their first- ever win in the TRL competition.
Stanthorpe teenager Corey Rashleigh scored a hat-trick as the Bushrangers put away the Hawks in a tough win.
The Bushrangers took an 18-6 lead to the half time break and extended their lead with a dominant performance in the second half.
It was a well-deserved win for the young group who have improved with every outing. It will give the side much-needed confidence when they step out against the unbeaten Cowboys on 7 May at Tenterfield.
TENTERFIELD SCORE A TON
THE scoreboard looked more like a cricket game than a game of rugby league. None for 100 in the game between the combined Stanthorpe Texas side and Tenterfield last Friday night at the Reg Saunders Oval in Texas.
Rugby league made a welcome return to Texas on Friday night, but the result was not what the home side was looking for.
While it is great to see Texas back in the BRL competition alongside Stanthorpe, the scoreline highlights the difficulties and complexities of combined teams who are not able to train together. Hopefully, in coming weeks organisers will be able to arrange some combined training runs and fans from both centres will see an improved performance.
The Tigers were giving no quarter against the underprepared opposition and ravaged their try line running in 17 unanswered tries. Brendan Minns alone notched up 40 points, scoring two tries and kicking 16 conversions.
BRL and TRL journeyman Coedie Tandy playing for the Tigers this season added four tries to his career tally. Jarrod McIntosh continues to impress and is sure to be on the radar of TRL club’s next season. He also claimed four tries.
In the second BRL game, an understrength Killarney went down 68-16 to the Roosters.
This weekend the Cutters play Stanthorpe/Texas and Wallangarra host the Roosters. The Tigers have a bye. In the Ladies League Tag competition, the Tigerettes continued their domination with a 40-nil win over Stanthorpe.
