By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE Queensland Regional State School Football Championships played in Stanthorpe last weekend were a great success. While parents and supporters were left to deal with the cold and blustery conditions, there were some good performances on the pitch.
State convenor Martin Hodgson said 50 team officials, 360 players from 12 Queensland regions and their supporters arrived at Stanthorpe for the carnival.
Stanthorpe was represented in the Darling Downs sides. Brayden Spiller and Vasilise Erceg played in the Under 12 Darling Downs boys side which was placed third overall in the competition. The squad certainly punched above their weight in the competition and won the Leschke trophy for the highest-placed country regional team.
One of the most impressive players in the Darling Downs girls team was Ballandean player Lauren Coelli. The young keeper showed plenty of skill and talent in her matches. The Darling Downs girls team finished sixth in the girls competition.
The carnival showcased the outstanding sporting facilities in Stanthorpe, and it was great to see some good old-fashioned cross code co-operation.
Mr Hodgson was full of praise for the support the carnival received from the junior and senior rugby league, Football Stanthorpe, Ballandean Soccer Club, Inter, United, City and Carlton and Stanthorpe Cricket.
With such an array of outstanding facilities in Stanthorpe, let’s hope we can attract more of these type of events which provide such an economic boost to the region.
– Casey
FEW SURPRISES IN ORGIN TEAMS
THERE were no real surprises when coaches Laurie Daley and Kevin Walters announced their teams for Origin Two at Suncorp next week.
The only change to the Maroons was the inclusion of Jacob Lillyman for the injured Nate Miles.
The NSW team will line up this way: Greg Bird, Robbie Farah, Blake Ferguson, Andrew Fifita, Paul Gallen (c), Wade Graham, Josh Jackson, Michael Jennings, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Josh Mansour, Josh Morris, Matt Moylan, Adam Reynolds, James Tamou, Dylan Walker and Aaron Woods.
In a tough game, I think the Blues will be weeping again next week.
SELECTIONS FOR NRL ROUND 15
Only four games this round – Rabbitohs; Storm; Warriors; Titans are looking like winners.
COWBOYS IMPRESS
WARWICK moved to third spot on the TRL ladder with an impressive win over the Gatton Hawks on their home ground in round 12 of the TRL competition. Warwick looked to handle the windy conditions better in a game where the lead see-sawed from team to team.
Cowboys Brodie Quirk scored right on half time to give the Cowboys a 16-12 lead. A try to Dennis Burgyone shortly after the break handed the Hawks back the lead.
The game was a real arm wrestle as the Cowboys hit back to take the lead back through a try from Joe Fuimaono. With the game going from end to end, Dennis Burgyone grabbed his second try of the game to give the Hawks back the lead.
The turning point in the game came seven minutes before full time, when the Hawks lost the ball from the scrum only to see Joe Fuimaono swoop and score his third try of the match.
The Hawks were their own worst enemy, turning the ball over on several occasions on the first tackle, however they had several chances to win the game and right on the full time siren their winger Riley Godwin went within inches of scoring. It was an impressive win by the Cowboys who were forced to play out the full 80 minutes and dug deep to get this win.
Trent Richardson who has been selected in the Queensland Rangers side continues to play impressively for the Cowboys and won the Hutchie’s player of the round. Fuimaono, Ryan McIvor and Paul Cantrell all had eye-catching performances in the Cowboys four-point win.
Warwick 30 (HT 12-16) (Dylan Galloway, Joe Fuimaono 3, Brodie Quirk, Trent Richardson tries Morgan Taylor 2, Mick Bloomfield) defeated Gatton 26 (Michael Frohloff, Tye Gray, James Robinson, Dennis Burgoyne 2 tries Callum Woolacott 3 goals).
The Cowboys Under 18 side had a 42-20 win and in second Division Gatton defeated Warwick 62-0.
WIN FOR STEELE
REGULAR Sporters’ player Norm Steele enjoyed the far better playing conditions last Sunday on the Stanthorpe course, bagging himself a win over runner- up Chook. The run-downs went to Jim Mitchell and Marg Locke. Paul Armstrong had the best gross and the pin shot on the 12th. Jim Mitchell grabbed the pin shot on the 17th and one of the meat trays on offer also headed home with Jim to Dalveen. Toby Steele took the pro pin. Len Leigh completed the proceedings by cleaning up with the last meat tray.
Sporters go round again this Sunday at the same tee off time of 8am – 8.30am.
CENTRAL CROWS SELECTION FOR YOUNG GREMLIN
STANTHORPE Gremlins under 16 player Matt Murphy has been named in the Central Crows side to play in the Queensland under 16 trials in Toowoomba on 30 June.
Murphy has been selected as a front row forward in the side which will come together on the Sunshine Coast for a four-day training camp prior to the trials. Teams from all QRL divisions will play in the State trials.
Murphy, who plays in the Gremlins Under 16 side coached by David Fleming, said he was excited to be selected in the side. “I’ve been playing league since I was six years old, and this is the first Rep team I have ever made, so it is fantastic,” said the Stanthorpe State High School student.
Murphy a Maroons supporter, identified Corey Parker as his favourite Queensland player and when asked why said, “Because he always puts in,” and it’s hard to argue with that.
With talent scouts sure to be on the hunt at the trials, an eye-catching performance may have Murphy following in the footsteps of Michael Hancock and Billy Moore.
VISITING GATEBALLERS BOOST NUMBERS
THE Stanthorpe Gateballers hosted a visiting group from the Toowoomba Mallet Sports Club last Friday. The Toowoomba club has been playing gateball for many years and the visit provided local players a chance to learn a great deal more about the tactics of the game.
The visiting group boosted the numbers and both courts were fully occupied with 19 players involved in a round robin of games with teams divided into a mix of visiting and local players.
In association croquet, Margaret Dickenson and Joy Newman went head to head in a game that finished early with the scores at 15-all.
The pairing of Val Shepherd and Jenny Tunbridge scored a 20-17 win over Andrea Denkewitz and Grace Howard in their doubles game with Val Shepherd and Grace Howard both snaring breaks of four in an entertaining game. In the remaining game, Pat Schnoor scored two breaks of four as she and Carol Verwey scored the full 26, defeating Heather Widderick and Effie Russell 13.
Golf croquet players were out in force last Wednesday taking advantage of kinder playing conditions and played two games of doubles with more experienced players partnering the newbies in the group.
Val Fancourt and Bev Sullivan defeated Dianne Wren and Justin Liddy 10-6. Bev Sullivan top scored with six hoops and Val shot a hoop in one in this game.
The second group played a very tactical game. Elaine Brown and John Castles narrowly overcame Bill Golding and Marian Castles. The final score in a nail- biter, 7 -6. Elaine top scored in this game with six hoops.
Games after the break were played to the best score at finishing time. Bill Golding and Bev Sullivan had a 13-10 win over Elaine Brown and Justin Liddy. Bev Sullivan top scored with 10 hoops and Elaine Brown claimed a hoop in one. Dianne Wren and Marian Castles had a narrow 10-9 win over newcomer John Castles and Val Shepherd. In this game, Shepherd shot her second hoop in one for the day while Dianne Wren top scored with a total of six hoops.
HAWKS TOO GOOD IN PRESIDENTS CUP
THE Gatton Reserve Grade had a comprehensive win over the Cowboys in the Reserve Grade President’s Cup game. TRL chairman Brian Gilroy was on hand to present the first trophy of the season to the Hawks.
The Hawks led 14-0 at half time and shut Cowboys out of the second half to win convincingly 36-0.
Despite going into the game with a strong side the Cowboys suffered injuries to two of their players in the opening minutes and were on the back foot from early in the game.
Gatton 36 (Scott in the Cubit 2, Jack Pender, Wayne Hayes, Jayke Jackwitz, Bruce Milsom, Raymond Erbacher tries Wayne Hayes 2, Cory Schmidt 2 goals) defeated Warwick 0.
GOOD FIELD FOR SATURDAY COMP
THIRTY-ONE players hit the greens in Stanthorpe last Saturday for Single Stroke competition. Winner of the Men’s competition with a score of nett 66 was Reno Piovesan. Alan Kerr was this week’s runner-up carding a nett 67. Keith Allen played a beautiful shot on the 3rd/12th and was rewarded with the pin shot while Santo Cavallaro had the pin shot at 17.
Luke Reardon and Steve Kay claimed the pro pins and after another great shot at the third, Keith Allen made birdie and was the only taker. Rundowns went to Mark McCosker, Trevor Ludlow and Luke Reardon.
A score of Nett 72 ensured a win in the Ladies competition for Nikki Rossow with Lynette Ludlow runner-up. Ludlow also won the Ladies pin shot and the approach shot. Rundowns went to Kay Webb and Madeline Jarman.
A single stableford sponsored by Tom and Trish Fittock has been programmed for Saturday and players will also be competing for the Finch Cup. The time sheet is on the board at the clubhouse. To help with catering, get your names in early.
BUSY BUSY DAY
WITH three ranges operating concurrently, it was certainly a hive of activity on the Inglewood range.
In the Rimfire Rifle event – a 50m Benchrest event, Ray Dudgeon shot well to take a win over Ross Jackson and Stephanie Jackson.
Monica White was too strong for the opposition in the 25 metre pistol rimfire. She outscored Richard White and Peter Jones.
In the Single Action competition it was a win to Wild Bill Fisher. In second spot was Buckshot E. Brown of Texas and Kat Fischer finished in third spot.
With a weather forecast of cold and wet conditions next Sunday, the competition could well be a coffee drinking comp beside the pot belly stove, however in the vent some people want to venture away from the warmth, we understand, and organisers have also scheduled Muzzle loading and Centre fire events.
A reminder that you can follow all the Inglewood Sporting Shooters news on their Facebook page.
SOLID ROUND REWARDED
AFTER playing a solid round in the Single Stableford competition at Wallangarra last Saturday, Denis McMeniman finished with a score of 43 points and was rewarded with a win. McMeniman just snuck home for a win with over second-placed Jamie Purcell and Shane Purcell in third place. Purcell and Purcell Inc. finished the round with 42 points.
Four pin shots went off with Hampstead, Blair, Thompson and Jamie Purcell all tasting success.
This Saturday is the annual Patron’s Day event at Wallangarra. A two ball Ambrose competition sponsored by the Wallangarra Store has been scheduled for the following weekend 25 June.
RAHEEN PURCHASES SNIPPETS FILLY
BASIL Nolan’s Raheen stud was one of the top purchasers at last week’s mammoth nine days of selling at the Magic Millions National Sales.
On the opening day of the sale, Nolan purchased a filly by Snitzel for $220,00 after it initially was passed in at$210,000. The filly was the top-priced yearling on the first day of the sale. Her purchase came shortly after Snippets Land who was bred and sold by Darling Downs breeding nursery Raheen Stud upstaged some more fancied opponents to win the Group 3 BRC Sprint. Snippets Lad is trained in Sydney by Peter and Paul Snowden.
TIGERS TOP OF THE TABLE
THE Tenterfield Tigers has a big win over the Killarney Cutters on the weekend and now sit at the top of the BRL table with a better for and against record.
In cold conditions, the Tigers were simply too strong across the park for the Cutters. Club journeyman Coedie Tandy was at his best, weaving his magic against his former club.
The Cutters did well to field 18 players on Saturday and continue their rebuilding phase.
At the halfway point in the season, the Tigers and Roosters both have 14 points. This weekend the Tigers are away to Wallangarra with both Men’s and Ladies teams playing. The Roosters who had a bye last weekend will host the combined Texas/Stanthorpe team.
BORDER BUSHRANGERS GRAB WIN
THE Border Bushrangers Under 18 side claimed the scalp of the Highfields’s Under 18 side in the game played at Charlie Andrews Oval last weekend. It was the Bushrangers second win in their maiden year in the TRL Under 18 competition.
In a solid display, the Bushrangers held out a fast finishing Highfields team to win 24-20 after leading 12-6 at half time.
The Bushrangers came out in the second half and extended their lead after two good tries but looked to take their foot off the pedal and allowed their opponents back in the game.
Zak Wilmot was the Player of the Match.
BRL GAME FINISHES IN DRAW
In the last game of round two of the BRL, the Wallangarra Rams and combined Stanthorpe Texas side played a 36-all draw in a high scoring game.
Both teams have struggled with player numbers this season, and after a crisis meeting at Wallangarra only a week ago it was good news for the competition to see the Rams field a full side plus bench players.
Wallangarra were quickly into stride to take an early lead in the game and Stanthorpe Texas were forced to play catch up in the first half.
Both teams were guilty of poor ball control as they traded tries however there was some good skills displayed in patches from some of the young players in both sides.
