By CASEY O’CONNOR
SPEAK with any fisherman and they will tell you the value of using minnows to catch the “big one”.
The cricketing minnows have certainly helped deliver some big catches in this year’s World Cup.
They have provided us, the cricketing public with some very special highlights and some entertaining cricket games at a time when many critics were suggesting the 50-over game was too predictable.
It is hard to brush aside the image of the Afghanis celebrating after notching up their first international win; the success of the Irish or the joy of the Scots to be playing in the competition.
Of course the big one was the defeat of England at the hands of Bangladesh, which puts the Poms out of the World Cup. Ouch!
As Aussies we all love to beat the Poms at anything – it is part of our DNA and while like everyone I was pretty thrilled for Bangladesh deep down there was a part of me that felt a little sadness for the loss of the glory days of English cricket.
It was only a tiny little twinge and then I returned to reality – I haven’t gone barking mad in the heat.
Back in the old Dart they are sharpening the knives.
England coach Peter Moores is not winning any popularity polls. Fans, former players, administrators and blokes at the local question how the country who invented the game could sink to such a low.
At the same time their coach and captain remain consumed by stats surrounding the game – what was par; data analysis – rah rah rah.
There are plenty of calls to throw away the iPads and laptops and embrace the fact that the shorter forms of the game have moved on and pick teams accordingly.
Never one to shirk from a tweet or two, Shane Warne’s tweet after the loss was pretty blunt.
“Eng had the wrong team, the wrong style of play and everyone could see it, tonight’s result not a shock.’’
Above all else the pool games and upsets have highlighted the value of including the minnow nations in the World Cup.
The ICC in their “wisdom” has flagged a change in format for the next World Cup in four years which will see these nations excluded.
Pressure is already mounting to reverse the decision. If the ICC is serious about growing the game at a global level, the associate nations, today’s minnows perhaps tomorrow’s champions, must be included.
There is still much cricket to be played in the 2015 World Cup and the Aussies face no easy task themselves in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the Poms have one more game in which to salvage some pride. They play Afghanistan in Sydney before heading home.
Now if these minnows down the Poms there will be dancing in the streets of Kabul and the Poms might take up the offer to fly home via Edinburgh so they can sneak home via the back door.
You have to love it, don’t you.
– Casey
CONSISTENCY PAYS DIVIDENDS
MATT Waterworth, captain of the Stanthorpe Golf Club was rewarded for his consistent game with a win in the March Monthly Medal last Saturday, shooting a nett 64 for the round after a par round.
Waterworth had a great back nine, recoding three birdies and one bogey to be back in 34. That effort sealed his win in the event, sponsored by Maddie’s Gift Gallery.
In addition to the win Waterworth also picked up the pin shot at 3/12, the pro-pin at 1/10 and topped it off by winning the balls on offer for least putts – 24 for the round.
Darryl Boekholt, another player who has been in good form, returned a score of nett 67 to take runner-up honours and picked up the pro-pin at 5/14.
That left only crumbs for the remainder of the field. Trevor Ludlow collected the last pin shot.
Hannah Reeves continued her impressive form. She shot 77 for the round to return nett 69. The youngsters also had the best putting record in the ladies competition – 26 for the round.
After a countback Neta Thouard was named runner-up with nett 75 and Linda Kelly had best approach at 17. Tric Fittock and Madeline Jarman took a ball each in the rundown.
On Saturday play will be a single stroke and the second of three rounds for the Pike Trophy.
Golfers should be aware of the later tee-off, at 11.30am. The time sheet is on the board at the club.
MARCIA WON’T KEEP THEM DOWN
THE JP Racing Eighth Mile Drag Racing Series will be held at the Warwick Dragway this Saturday. Organisers were forced to postpone the event in mid-February due to the severe South East Queensland weather event.
Things are shaping up for a great event and another good year ahead.
Event organiser, John Winterburn said: “We have an excellent entry list already in the works for our first event of the year at Warwick, with big fields already subscribed for all six brackets and entries still open on the day.
“While it was unfortunate to have to postpone the first date of the year, it was the right thing to do and we are very thankful for all of the support we have received from our racers, sponsors and officials who have all rallied together to make the 14 March event will be bigger and better than ever.
“This will be our first competitive outing for 2015, and with all of our sponsors back on board for another year, each of our tracks excited to see us coming to their venue across the year, and large amounts of racer support behind us, it is going to be a great year ahead.”
The action starts at midday on Saturday.
FINALS PICTURE CLEARER
THE make-up of the teams to contest the Stanthorpe Cricket finals is much clearer after last weekend’s fixtures.
RSL, who have led the charge since the first ball of the season was bowled, continued on their winning way on Saturday when they defeated an under-strength Valleys side.
It was a game that looked likely to be a one-sided affair, with Valleys missing the services of six of their regular frontline players.
Not even the toss went Valley’s way, and RSL elected to bat first.
Opener Dave Becker made a handy 36 while Mr Consistency, Luke Brady topscored adding another 50 to the collection. RSL posted an innings total of 206.
One of the young guns in the Valleys side, Kirby Morunga stepped up and was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets.
Valleys were happy to be chasing only 206 and saw it as a gettable target. It was not to be, however. Captain Josh Anderson topscored with 39, Ian Dobson contributed 26 runs and Sunny Stefanon chipped in with 15.
On another day with a full complement of players, the result could have been different. RSL were not at the top of their game, despite getting the win and the points. Their innings in the field was littered with dropped catches, not something we have seen throughout the season.
In the remaining fixture game Souths were fighting for their season survival but went down to Wanderers by over 100 runs.
Souths were also missing several players. Tom Cameron (72) and Captain Ben Staley gave Souths supporters hope while they remained at the crease but eventually they fell well short of the 270-run target.
It is season over for Souths who, although disappointed, are in the midst of a rebuilding phase. With a host of premierships to their name this is one proud club that will be back bigger and better in the future as they transition some talented youngsters through the ranks.
It has taken some time for Wanderers to hit their straps this season, but they have certainly found form at the right time of the season and are looking the smokies of the competition.
There is an air of quiet confidence surrounding the team and there were pleasing performances from several of the Wanderers batsmen last weekend.
Tim Haslett fell just shy of a ton, scoring 96.
Jamie Carnell and Damian Petrie added 70 and 60 respectively. Damian Petrie has been a welcome addition to the Wanderers side, giving them more depth in batting and greater options with the ball.
The side will be bolstered by the return of Andrew Einam and Mark Matthews Fredricks as they head into the finals.
With one round of fixtures still to be decided the top three sides – RSL, Valleys and Wanderers – will all be hoping to take winning form into the finals which start on 21 March.
This weekend Souths play Valleys and RSL take on Wanderers.
BUSY BEES
STANTHORPE golfers are reminded that a working bee has been scheduled for Sunday at 1pm.
Many hands make light work and volunteers are required to prepare for the coring of the green, which will be completed on 23 March.
STRATEGISING FOR NAUGHT
THERE was plenty of strategising and careful noting of pin positions and plenty of thought about club selection during last Friday’s Red Rooster Rumble. Players took in all the elements of the championship-ready course keen for an edge come Saturday.
All that hard work was for naught as players arrived to find those pin positions changed by the next morning.
Not that any of that worried the eventual RRR winner, Keith Carney who dropped in a lazy 24 points on the front nine for his win. His closest rival was Gordon Barker on 21.
Rundown balls went to19 or better. Nearest the pins at five, seven and nine earned Geoff Doug Wilson and Peter Morrison the much sought-after RR vouchers.
SWEENEYS HANG ON FOR DISTRICT WIN
THERE was plenty happening on the fast Summit greens on Saturday. In all, 22 bowlers were on the greens as the finals of the District Pairs and three social triples games were decided.
The father and son team of Michael and Tyler Sweeney hung on to win the final of the SDMDBA pairs. In a thrilling and entertaining match they overcame the experienced pairing of Dale Barker and Rob Capelli to win 21-17.
In the social games A. Nicoletti, R. Parker and Dale Stanley drew 15 ends all with T. Morris, Joe Zeppa and W. Thomas. In other games A. McGlashan K. Empen and A. Mattiazzi went down 30-11 to Attilio Zamprogno, Mick Mills and Eddie Zanatta. C. Parker, C. Stratford and Keith Mungall had a close 20-18 win against B. Brown, Andy White and Quinton Stanley.
A reminder to all members, the club is hosting the Downs Diggers on Sunday morning.
The game is scheduled for a 9am start and will be followed by lunch. Summit bowlers should advise the club by Saturday or earlier if you intend to play.
The all-important bar roster this week has Graham Rubie on duty Friday; Quinton Stanley Saturday and John Shannon on Tuesday (St Paddy’s Day) for Turkey Triples.
HOT CONTEST IN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE opening rounds of the Warwick Golf Club championships were played last weekend and there were some stand-out results.
Some 76 golfers threw their hats in the ring for the first of four rounds on Saturday. The first round was played in conjunction with the Warwick Real Estate sponsored monthly medal.
Winner of the March monthly medal, Division One with nett 66 was Trevor King. Runner-up was Alan Thornton with nett 67.
Trent Watts, one of the club’s newer players, partnered club champion Nathan Dionysius in his first round. Something must have rubbed off. He had the nett score of the day, carding 63 to take out Division Two. Runner-up was Jesse Harris with nett 65.
Former club champion Steve Gander won best gross with 73 off the stick and junior Nathan Jones was on fire finishing with 71 gross.
Round two was played on Sunday and attracted a field of 59. It was also a stand-alone single stroke event sponsored by Advance Metal Products.
Warwick Junior Tom Smith shot a breakthrough score of nett 61 for a win. A countback was required before Jamie Saunders was named as runner-up with a score of nett 64.
Rundown balls to those with scores of 64 or better.
Pin shots went to Steve Gander (5); Scott McLennan (7); A Skinner (9); Phil Economidis (11); Shane McKenzie (13) and Wayne Wiedman (16).
After two rounds Nathan Jones leads the charge in the A Grade brigade with scores of 71 and 72 (143). He is followed closely by Shane McKenzie 74 and 71 (145), and Nathan Dionysius 76 and 73 (149).
All scores were not available in other grades, however Carl Simmons (84 and 81 gross) and Jamie Saunders (86 and 79) are worth watching in B Grade. Jesse Harris is well placed to cause an upset in C Grade.
Round three of the championships on Saturday will be run on a timesheet and round four will be a seeded draw with tee times blocked off for eight players in each grade. All other players will hit off earlier.
It is shaping as a hot contest across all grades so it might be time to reserve your place on the deck and watch the players come up the 18th hole – it’s the best time of the year in the club.
DONALD HOLDS FORM
TOM Donald has been in sparkling form during recent meets at the Inglewood range. He shot well again last weekend and got the prize in the Single Action event. Filling the minor placings were Mark Locke and junior cowboy Alex Redmond.
In the rimfire event Stephanie Dudgeon defeated Quentin Chapman and Ray Dudgeon.
This Sunday the club is holding muzzle loading and centrefire events.
A reminder that the club’s annual Anzac Tribute shoot is not too far away.
MARYVALE THROUGH TO FINAL
MARYVALE bowlers were instrumental in the win of Maryvale Condamine over Warwick Hotel colts in last weekend’s Warwick Cricket Association game.
Colts got off to a flyer and were 80 for the loss of only one wicket and looking for a big score.
Kev Bourke stepped up and his gentle medium pacers were immediately effective. Bourke finished with the good figures of 4/19. He found plenty of support at the other end from Scott McLennan who also had the better of the batsmen, taking 3/15. A good performance in the field and a stumping by wicketkeeper Pat Bourke off his father Kev’s bowling backed up the bowler’s efforts and restricted Colts’ score to a very gettable total.
In reply Maryvale Condamine passed the required total for the loss of only three wickets (3/128). The Bourkes all contributed with the bat – Pat 27, Kevin 22 and Michael not out 15. McLennan also backed up his efforts with the ball, scoring 25 not out.
It was an important win for Maryvale Condamine who with the win have qualified for the grand final. Their opponents will be decided this weekend when Wheatvale and Colts play in the preliminary final.
WILLIAMS CLEANS UP
LIKE other clubss in the area, Wallangarra Golf Club played for the March Monthly Medal and putting competition last Saturday.
P. Williams had a field day.
His score of 69 nett won him the monthly medal. He also had the best putting of the round (27) and the pin shot at nine.
That did not leave much for the remainder of the field. D. McMeniman was not too far adrift and picked up the runner-up spot. S. Williams took the only remaining pin 3/15.
The club held a stroke competition on Sunday. B. McMillan and Alan Lutter finished tied for first spot, however after a countback McMillan was declared the sole winner. There was only one pin shot to speak of on Sunday and that went to J. Green on 3/15.
This weekend the final rounds of the Club Championships will be played; both stroke events.
MALLETS KEPT BUSY
Grace Howard made a welcome return to the ranks of the croquet association last week.
Val Shephard and Joy Newman played Pat Schnoor and Val Richardson in doubles matches. Pat had a break of six and four, her pairing was beaten 25-22. Val Shephard played a few good hoops after morning tea. In the other results Margaret Dickenson and Heather Widderick defeated Andrea Denketwitz and Jenny Tunbridge 17-12.
It was the hoop runners in action on Wednesday and in stifling conditions they played two close games.
Shirley Evans was playing at her best, scoring another “hoop in one.” Evans now leads the competition for hoop in one for the season.
For a smallish group there always seems to be a reason to celebrate and last week Teresa Pyne’s birthday was enough to lure players off the greens and into the shaded area.
There was no urgency to brave the heat and return to the greens but players managed a shortened game after the break.
The Gateball crew ensure the facilities in Stanthorpe are getting plenty of use – they hit the greens on Fridays for “triples”. Each team had three players using the 10 balls, meaning all players had extra turns.
In game one, Reds beat Whites 17-9. Whites came out after the break and notched up two wins and two losses. Heather Widderick had her eye in and played some good shots. Several members put their hands up to have a shot at refereeing and while the electronic clocks posed some challenges, refereeing certainly gives players a better understanding of the game.
SUPPORT IN NUMBERS
SUNDAY Sporters in Stanthorpe is enjoying good numbers each week and last Sunday another good field teed off.
Winner of the round was Jaidyn Milne, relegating Bob Watts to the runner-up position. The rundowns went to Paul Armstrong and Josh Anderson while Hannah Reeves had the best gross. The pin shot at the third went to Tony Steele and Julie Page took the Pro Pin. Lucky meat tray winners and grinners were Keith Green and Clarky. Same time same place next Sunday (7.30-8am) – why not join in the fun?
SOFTBALL SEASON WRAPS UP
UNDER the threat of storms and rain Granite Belt Softball held their Grand Final on Monday night. Three high quality games of softball were decided in the first official competitive season since the return of softball to the region.
In C Grade, The Farques defeated Wests. In the B Grade competition it was a win for “We Got the Runs” who defeated Mattiazzis in what looked (and sounded) like a fun game.
In the A Grade the two Steven Bradbury teams, Slydogs and Scramblers played an entertaining grand final. In the end it was Scramblers who took out the inaugural competition. The first official season of Granite belt Softball has been very successful thanks to a dedicated band of volunteers and in no small part the efforts of Melanie Westerhout. Without Melanie’s work behind the scenes, the inaugural season would not have been such a success. Onwards and upwards next season!
CAMPAIGN TO RE-INSTATE TOOWOOMBA
THE Intrust Super Cup get underway this season with teams from throughout Queensland and Papua New Guinea. The one thing missing will be the Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Not since 1996 has Toowoomba fielded a state league side and there is a concerted push for that to change.
Toowoomba fields teams in the under 16 Cyril Connell Cup, under 18 Mal Meninga Cup and under 20 FOGS Cup Colts Challenge and junior development squads, but not an open team in the state league.
The Clydesdales board, headed by chairman Paul Reedy, has been working towards re-admission into the Intrust Super Cup. Many believe it is time for players in this region to be able to chase their dreams locally, rather than lose their talents to bigger players in other areas and that the flow-on effect to other competitions would be positive.
WHEATVALE WIN SEMI
WHEATVALE dashed Inglewood’s hopes of earning a spot in the Warwick cricket grand final when they toughed out a win in last weekend’s minor semi-final.
Inglewood gave their opponent a 202-run target to chase. Jamien Smith was impressive, scoring a half-century. The Inglewood batsmen had problems handing the Wheatvale bowlers, especially Paul Cantwell and Carter Bilbrough. Wheatvale reached the required target for the loss of five wickets.
A highlight of the batting was the performance of Neil Cantwell who topscored with 80. Wheatvale will now meet Warwick Hotel Colts on Sunday at Slade Oval to decide who goes through to the Grand Final.
PETRIE PLEASED
THE Stanthorpe Gremlins last weekend opened their 2015 season with a trial game against Inverell. It is the first game the side has had together and Coach Damian Petrie was pleased with the performance of his players at this early stage.
Petrie was full of praise for the youngsters in his side who have stepped up to A Grade this season. The Gremlins fought their way back to level the scores at 20-all after trailing 16-4. A try to Inverell in the dying minutes tipped the game in their favour.
The Stanthorpe Ladies League Tag team also had a hit-out, playing a newly-formed side from the Warwick. With a season of League Tag under their belts, Stanthorpe won 22-18.
A combined BRL under 18 side went down 40-4 to Inverell. The BRL teams are now trying to put together a nine a side under 18 competition, an initiative that was discussed on several occasions last season.
TENTERFIELD LADIES DISTRICT CHAMPS
THE Southern Downs District Ladies Bowls Association recently held the Ladies District Championship Fours at the Tannymorel Bowls Club.
Eight teams played in the championships over two days. There were two Warwick teams, Warwick East, two teams from Southern Cross, Tannymorel, Tenterfield and The Summit. Some outstanding bowls was played over the course of the championships, with the final going down to the wire.
The winning team of Daphne Kirkman, Shirley Tribe, Cheryl Vidulich and Marie Parker were visitors from the Tenterfield Bowls Club. The Tannymorel team of Margaret Thompson, Lorna Tunk, Robyn Griffith and Myrtle Wagner were runners-up.
RIDERS GET A FINAL LOOK
A GROUP of 125 riders took part in a round of the Southern Downs Road Race Series and the Queensland Road Racing championships last weekend in Warwick. Among them were 10 new riders keen to come to terms with the Warwick track before the Australian Superbikes Championship round to be held in Warwick in April.
All riders took the opportunity to have a close look at the track prior to the April series – unfortunately for some they got a little closer than anticipated. There were minor injuries to some of the riders.
Organisers are seeking volunteers to assist over the 10-12 April round of the championships.
COMMUNITY BANDS TOGETHER
IT HAS been wonderful to see the sporting and wider community of Stanthorpe banding together for Karen and Damian Anderson and their young family in the past couple of weeks. The popular couple were devastated to learn two weeks ago that Karen was suffering from leukaemia.
Since then there has been a groundswell of support from the community as Karen begins treatment in Brisbane. Fund-raising via Facebook which was organised by Karen’s friends Kristy Fittock and her sister Haley Kirby will provide the young couple and their family with some additional funds during what will be a tough few months.
There has also been plenty of support from the Stanthorpe cricket community – Damian is a popular member of the Valleys team.
Karen has a tough road ahead but is determined and has a positive outlook. We wish her all the very best in the coming months.
