By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE world’s focus this past week has undoubtedly been on the tragic death of Phil Hughes.
We have witnessed unprecedented outpourings of grief across a spectrum so vast that it is quite amazing.
The death of Phil Hughes will reverberate across the cricket landscape for some time to come.
Down the track I suspect we will see some modifications to the batting helmet being tested.
I cannot see that it’s necessary for there to be any knee-jerk reaction resulting in changes to the laws of the game that have served cricket and its players so well for so long.
What I can see is a new generation of youngsters who have a hero to aspire to become and there could be no greater role model for a young cricketer.
The most poignant of tributes I think came from the unknown junior cricketer who reportedly on the weekend retired on 37 because he had “completed Hughesy’s century”. Who would have thought? I suspect that this remarkable young man has left a last legacy that we will see through our current juniors who will now retire not on 50 runs but 63, his final score, as a mark of respect.
His death is set to inspire a generation of young cricketers to be the best they can be.
The decision of CA to reschedule the first Test is the biggest decision I can recall in cricket. No doubt they will come in for plenty for flak from some quarters – probably those people more inclined to be impressing their guests in a corporate box than watching the action in the centre.
Now that the second saddest day in cricket (the funeral of Hughes) has passed; it is time for the caravan to roll on and the focus of the media and the players to return to the national game. It is after all what Phillip Hughes would want; it was what he lived for.
Given the circumstances I think it is quite fitting that the return to Test cricket will be at the Adelaide Oval, Hughes’ adopted home.
And while we all know different players will handle this occasion in different ways, no-one should forget what Sean Abbott has to deal with.
The first ball of the first day of the first Test 2014 will be an emotional event. I hope that uppermost in everyone’s mind will be Hughesy’s simple philosophy of “where else would you rather be than playing cricket for your country”.
We will never again get to see this amazing young man in action at the crease but his legacy will live on. In this series and many more there is no doubt that his footsteps will be on the crease alongside those of his mates.
He will forever more be the Aussie’s 13th man.
– Casey
GREMLINS WAIT FOR DECISION
The Stanthorpe Gremlins should learn their fate for season 2015 on Friday evening. The club’s appeal against the decision of the BRL to refuse to grant them a release to join the TRL in the forthcoming season will be heard by a three-man panel from the QRL Central Division prior to the meeting of the full Central Division board on Saturday in Brisbane.
The decision is set to have major ramifications for both the TRL and BRL and will be eagerly anticipated by parties from all quarters.
If the decision goes against the Stanthorpe club they will be entitled to appeal to the QRL.
GETTING MIGHTY FIDGETY
As the green and fairways begin to feel the effects of the long dry – the golfing folks are getting mighty fidgety, especially it seems on Fridays.
Last Friday’s “fidget,“ the Red Rooster Rumble, turned up 24 points for the win. Well done Eddy Kemp – who has won a golf shirt from the pro shop’s sale rack.
For the next month regardless of the number of players (it’s a sweepstakes after all), the winner gets to choose an item off the sale rack. Must be Christmas! Runner-up in the RRR on a countback was Brad Rose with 20 points.
Pins were won by Doug Wilson (13) and Gordon McKeen (16) and 11 was a skinner.
On Saturday the men’s competition was sponsored by B&K Motors. The 4BBB was won by Jamie Saunders and Ian Anderson with a score of 48 points.
Filling the runner-up spot was the pairing of Lennie Williams and Brendon Jones on 44 points. Run down balls to 43 went the way of the following teams: – Charlie Morrison and John Porter; Dion Phillips and Cameron Scutt; Ian Anderson and Brad Rose: Trevor King and Herbie Ware.
Jamie Saunders picked up pins at 5, 7, and 13 (after a lesson with Rob). Nine and 11 belonged to Ben O’Dea and Herbie Ware took the pin at 16.
It was Patron’s Day on Sunday and Club Patron Rodney MacDonald and wife Dian sponsored the trophy which went to Mary and Scott Young (45 points). One point in arrears were Ken and Marge Burley. Run down balls score of 42 and better.
This Saturday is the single stroke monthly medal event sponsored by Warwick Real Estate Monthly Medal. It will be played in two divisions – 0-15, and 16+. The timesheet is in the pro shop or call 4661 3664 to guarantee your tee time.
Visitors from other clubs with a current Golflink handicap are welcome to play in Warwick Golf Club competitions (comp fee is $15 for all competitors). Sunday is the shootout for men and women – tee off is from 8.30 am. If nothing else it will be interesting to watch and wonder at the sight of the 19 different golf swings teeing off on the first tee. Vision could even find its way to Youtube. You just never know.
LOCAL CRICKETERS PAUSE TO PAY RESPECT
Like cricketers right across the nation last weekend, senior and junior players in the Stanthorpe and Warwick paused to pay tribute to Phil Hughes prior to the start of their games last weekend as all players wore black armbands in a mark of respect.
Players all agreed that the tragic accident put much into perspective – that a simple accident could have such catastrophic ramifications has been a sobering thought for all.
The games however went on and in Stanthorpe RSL continued their winning run and Valleys showed their win the previous weekend was no fluke.
A good performance from the Valleys bowling attack saw a steady fall of Souths wickets. Souths batsmen were restricted to only 89 runs.
In reply Valleys made short work of the required run total. Led by opening batsman John Fletcher it took Valleys only 11 overs to reach the target.
Fletcher scored a quick fire 40 runs which included several boundaries and a six. The game looked to be in the bag when Fletcher was dismissed with the score at 2/77. There were a couple of nervous moments as Valleys lost two wickets for the addition of no runs when Ben Staley had Crome caught behind and Anthony Marino was bowled but the additional runs were soon accounted for giving Valleys the points and a much needed bonus point.
The battle on Sheahan Oval was much closer as Wanderers tried to chase down RSL’s total of 152.
RSL captain and opening bat Sam Dowie helped himself to a half century as his side applied pressure to the Wanderers bowling attack.
Luke Brady also played a pivotal role in the innings He came to the crease with the score on 2/76 in the 10th over and made sure he was there at the end of the innings. Brady finished not out 38.
Wanderers suffered an early loss when opener Yates was out cheaply in only the second over. Opening partner Tim Harslett was out shortly after and Wanderers looked to be in trouble at 2/23. A steadying hand was needed and A. Hill stepped up. He took the score to 117 before he was caught by Luke Brady off the bowling of Anthony Di Bella with the game in the balance.
The RSL bowlers applied more pressure. Peter Patti added another 19 runs but Wanderers fell 17 runs shy of the total. Garland (2), Dowie Becker and Di Bella were the wicket takers for RSL.
The win propels RSL to 34 points on the competition ladder well ahead of their nearest rivals Valleys (13 points).
Front nine popular
Sporters played the front nine of the Stanthorpe course last Sunday and Keith Green revelled in the conditions to notch another Sporters’ win. Runner-up was another up and coming golfer from the junior ranks, Jaidyn Milne who also picked up the Pro-Pin. The rundowns went to Jim McPherson and Nic Casey.
Ian Anderson played very good golf to win the best gross. Mark Lynam pulled out a cracking shot to win nearest the pin on the third. Clarky and Jim Mitchell were seen leaving the clubhouse meat tray in hand, each searching for a barbecue.
As Christmas draws ever closer a reminder that Sporters’ Christmas knees-up is December 14. In the meantime tee-off on Sunday is at the normal time of 8am-8.30am.
SUMMIT BOWLERS ON THE ROAD
The Summit Bowls Club was well represented in the Don Sengal Fours Day at the Peranga club last weekend. Len Covill, Gaye Wilmot, Judi Holmes and Paul Zamprogno bowled well to score 3 +22.
They finished runners-up just three shots behind the winning team skipped by Geoff Gill (3+24) from South Toowoomba.
While some members went touring others preferred social bowls on the greens at the Summit which were turned out in style once again by Dale Barker and Ray Spiller.
Dale Barker, David Parker and Brian Brown defeated Michael Sweeney, Quinton Stanley and Attilio Zamprogno 22-18 in a close game. Artie White and Tyler Sweeney had a comfortable 28-11 win over John Harslett and Alex Mattiazzi 11.
A reminder that the Summit club will be celebrating their Christmas party this Saturday. Members are asked to contact the club (07 4683 2366) or Mary Zanatta (4681 1020) with catering numbers.
BIG WEEKEND FOR REP CRICKETERS
Stanthorpe cricketers came away from the local derby against Warwick with a comprehensive win in the Mitchell Shield but the Davis Shield social game went down to the wire and Warwick came away with a win in the Hendry Bourke trophy.
In the Davis Shield a fine opening knock 68 from Chris Williams put the visitors in a good position. He was bowled by Collins with the score at 5/106. Some solid partnership followed as Stanthorpe piled on the runs. Simon Mascadri ensured the Stanthorpe tail wagged he finished the innings unbeaten on 64. His innings was peppered with boundaries and a six as he took to the Warwick bowling attack. At the close of the innings Stanthorpe had set the Warwick side a hefty 217-run chase.
The opening partnership of Ross Thorley (42) and Lachlan Gross (77) got Warwick off to a good start and at 2/116 it was game on.
The Warwick innings stalled with the score at 5/154 and they lost three wickets without troubling the scorer.
As wickets tumbled Carter Bilbrough scored freely, adding much-needed runs. With only one ball remaining he scored the two runs required for a narrow win.
Toby Culhman (4/43) was the best of the Stanthorpe bowlers. He was well supported by Brendan Drayton.
MITCHELL SHIELD WIN
In the Mitchell Shield game played at Slade Oval, Warwick won the toss but failed to capitalise on their decision to bat first scoring just 111 runs.
A good bowling performance by the Stanthorpe bowlers was matched by a good performance in the field.
Warwick lost opener Jamie Saunders for six and found themselves 2/8 when Hayden Lanza despatched Michael Bourke for a duck.
Paul Cantwell and Cameron Peterson took the score to 5/66 before Duane Lihou and Sam Dowie combined to dismiss Cantwell. Peterson batted well taking the score to 96 before he was also dismissed by Lihou.
The Stanthorpe bowling attack of Lupton Lanza Lihou and Anderson had restricted the score to a very gettable 111.
Duane Lihou took three wickets from his five-over spell and was the most successful of the bowlers.
Lupton was again economical finishing with two wickets from his nine overs for only 17 runs. Damian Anderson bowled tightly. His 10-over spell included five maidens and two wickets.
There was plenty of purpose about the Stanthorpe openers Ben Staley and Hayden Lanza as they pushed the score to 86 before the loss of the first wicket. Hayden Lanza was 32 when he was caught by Jamie Saunders off the bowling of Michael Bourke.
His opening partner and captain Ben Staley pushed the score along to 93 before he too was caught off a ball from Michael Bourke.
Luke Brady was the only other Stanthorpe batsman to lose his wicket as the visitors coasted to an easy win in only the 26th over. Michael Bourke took all three wickets for Warwick.
It was a disappointing result for the Warwick side who have won the past two Mitchell shield competitions but will be struggling to make the final this year. In stark contrast Stanthorpe have now made it two wins from two outings.
GOOD SUPPORT FOR WALLANGARRA EVENT
A solid field turned out last Saturday for the Wallangarra Club’s stroke event. The eventual winner was Dennis McMeniman with Alan Lutter snapping at his heels. A. Pearce took pin shots on 3/15. McMeniman and Lutter were in the thick of things, claiming the pin shots at 11 and nine Word around the traps suggest that McMeniman shot on 11 was a thing of pure beauty.
This Saturday the battle is on for the Monthly Medal and Mug of Mugs.
There will also be a general meeting held after the presentations take place on Saturday. Need more information on the Wallangarra Golf club – follow them on their Facebook page.
STANTHORPE LOCAL ACCEPTS TRL POSITION
Popular Stanthorpe sporting administrator Michael Jensen has accepted a position with the TRL as Operations Manager. Jensen said early in the week that he was thrilled to have been offered the position after two years working to assist an array of Stanthorpe clubs with his role with the Stanthorpe Sports Association.
The Toowoomba-based position will see Jensen commuting between the two centres on a weekly basis.
Jensen expects to know more regarding the exact nature of the position this weekend following the QRL Central Division AGM and board meeting in Brisbane.
For Jensen, who has a deep passion for the game of rugby league, this is a dream position and he is looking forward to assisting clubs in the TRL to develop and improve.
He takes a wealth of knowledge in the area of grant funding to the position and his expertise will be a big loss to the Stanthorpe sporting community.
Expect to see Mick Jensen back in Stanthorpe regularly as he supports his boys who play for the club he holds dear, the Gremlins.
Jensen takes up his new position on January 5 and says he is looking forward to the challenge of the new role.
WALLABIES LICKING THEIR WOUNDS
The Wallabies returned home with their tails between their legs after a disastrous spring tour – their worst since 2005.
While Michael Cheika and senior players are publicly saying things are fine and on track for the World Cup, there is obviously lots of work to be done.
Cheika has an unwavering belief that the Wallabies can turn their game around in time to be a contender.
The Wallabies scrummage was shambolic and has been the consistent weak link in the Wallabies game. There is no easy fix. Australia fortunately has a great line-up at the back – Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Tevita Kuridrani and Adam Ashley-Cooper. They’d give any team nightmares if the forwards give them time and space to work with.
There seems to be a lot of flair but not a lot of grunt up front. If the Wallabies could add some much-needed firepower to their forwards they would be an awesome attacking outfit. Big test for Michael Cheika.
In his defence Cheika hadn’t met two thirds of the Wallabies squad a day before the team flew to London in October. He used 32 players in five games to test those he didn‘t know.
The next 10 months could prove very interesting in Australian Rugby.
