By CASEY O’CONNOR
WHY why why … my my my … another season opening just around the corner for our football codes and wham bam thank you ma’am we have another mind-boggling scandal unfolding.
I am sure the majority of sports fans, like me view the latest allegations with a mix of disbelief, disappointment and anger.
We can only begin to imagine the disappointment of Graham Annesley, Neil Henry and Dave Smith.
Is it my imagination or is Graeme Annesley former leading referee, refereeing mentor, NRL chief operations officer and a State Sports Minister ageing before our eyes.
While we must be mindful that these current allegations are yet to be proven in a court of law you have to wonder just how many chances some of our elite sportsmen should be afforded before they are punted.
Perhaps the furore may cause a re-think of the way we treat our gifted athletes.
Talented these sportsmen may be, but they don’t save lives, they don’t alter humanity, they don’t run a company or the country.
They are good at playing a game – that’s it a game and it seems apparent some have precious little between their ears.
Yet from an early age they are fawned upon, reminded frequently of their extraordinary talent, given opportunities to enter university on accelerated programs, afforded every opportunity to excel, courted by big business and most are ultimately paid money that mere mortals can only dream of without the winning lotto numbers.
In return, some (and I stress some) live their life in a bubble believing their own personal actions have no impact on their sport, club, fans, team-mates and family and seem to care even less.
Meanwhile at grass roots and junior level, sports struggle for their share of the dollar pie; kept afloat by hard-working volunteers.
They say everything runs in a cycle; well perhaps it is time this cycle turned. Time for long-suffering clubs, administrators and coaches to grab the whip hand – time for overpaid and over-indulged sportsmen to go out and earn a living doing a decent day’s work. Perhaps then and only then will they appreciate the rarefied and privileged atmosphere in which they exist and behave accordingly.
As we brace for apparently more bad news to come, football codes will take another battering but despite the best efforts of a few idiots in the end the game is bigger than the individual and all three codes will bounce back … again.
– Casey
NO CYCLONE BUT LIGTHNING STRIKE
THE effects of Cyclone Marcia did their best to disrupt the final of the Mitchell shield in Stanthorpe on Sunday but it was the Lockyer Lightning that inflicted the most damage.
Stanthorpe won the toss and invited the visitors to have a bat.
The opening bowling partnership of Ross Lupton and Hayden lanza has proved a handy combination throughout the Mitchell Shield Series and in the final restricted the Lockyer batsmen with a good opening spell. Wickets were fairly evenly shared among the bowling attack which limited Lockyer to a total of 178.
Stanthorpe Captain Ben Staley praised the performance of his bowlers, saying it was good pressure bowling from the openers and the entire bowling attack.
Stanthorpe was left to rue what might have been when Lockyer’s top scorer Daniel Pollock was dropped three times before going on to make 71 not out. Valley’s captain Damian Anderson admitted after the game that Stanthorpe’s performance in the field was not up to their normal standard and there were several other costly misses in the field.
Chasing a total of 178 the Stanthorpe players and their supporters were still confident of pulling off a win and at 37 without loss they looked on target when rain interrupted play.
Opener Hayden Lanza was once again solid with the bat scoring 30 runs and Luke Brady a defiant 24 but the momentum of the game changed after the stoppage.
Lockyer’s strike bowler Chris O’Brien was getting plenty out of the wicket and in a fine performance took five wickets. Lockyer took their chances in the field holding their catches as Stanthorpe wickets tumbled. Stanthorpe were dismissed for 92 in only the 37th over.
It was a comprehensive win by the young Lockyer side led by Captain Kerrod Smith who was delighted with the victory. Along with Stanthorpe, Lockyer were the other form side of the Mitchell shield series. They suffered only one loss throughout their campaign and that was at the hands of Stanthorpe.
It was a bitterly disappointing result for the RSL Stanthorpe side but there have been some good performances throughout the season as they dominated their opponents.
On a brighter note it looks likely that the majority of the Stanthorpe players will be back again next year hoping to go one game better.
This week the Stanthorpe players head back to club cricket with all teams playing two 20/20 matches. A possible 12 points are up for grabs and with the battle for second third and fourth spots hanging in the balance there are sure to be some spirited performances.
ON THE HORIZON CYCLONES AND FLOODING RAINS
GOLFERS are a hardy lot. The imminent threat of cyclones and flooding rains may have put off the punters on Friday for the “chook run” but it did little to deter a the group of 36 visitors from the who turned out in force at 7am on Saturday hoping for dry conditions.
They were also joined by a bunch of visitors from the Nudgee Golf Club who headed over the Gap to escape the torrid conditions at their home course.
While a fair number of locals opted for indoors on Saturday they were put to shame when 86-year-old veteran local Ken Burley blustered his way around the course on Saturday in gale force conditions and shot his age, carding an extraordinary 46 points for 86 off the stick, with a handicap of 27. Congratulations Ken well done and yes, he did win the day and the Parker pen compliments of Hynes Newsagency. Runner-up with a great score of 41 points in the conditions was equally hardy soul Bob Lester.
Rundown balls went to those with scores of 36 or better and included Carl Simmons, Shane McKenzie, Doug Wilson and Nudgee visitors Ken Ross Doug Webb and Brett Elder.
Pins went to Ben Hollis (5), Dion Phillip (7), Brett Elder (11), Gary Russell-Sharam (13) Geoffrey Hinze (16) and nine was a skinner.
Despite the uninviting conditions the final group in Saturday’s competition was filled with competitive scoring potential; Ben Hollis, on his way to PGA Qualifying School was hitting longer than anyone’s seen for a while playing off scratch, our professional Rob McConnell playing off scratch, our newest low marker leftie Shane McKenzie playing off five (now four), and the cream of our pennants team Adrian Murphy and Geoff Hinze.
Twenty-one players put their handicaps under scrutiny in Sunday’s round sponsored by Rob McConnell’s golf shop.
John Brandon gave it a bit of cattle stick and returned 44 points to win the day.
A great breakthrough round for one of the newer competition players. Runner-up was Nudgee visitor Brett Elder on 42.
Rundown balls went to Carole Brandon (39), and Luke Ross (38). Pins went to Doug Webb 11 and Phillip Thompson 13.
The weather this weekend should have golfers excited and the Warwick Club has scheduled a single Stableford event sponsored by B&K Motors.
Sunday is the start of a brand new month and president’s golf day sponsored by Jan Maher and Gary Russell-Sharam. It is a two ball Ambrose event promising a bit of fun.
Club championships will follow after next weekend over four rounds, so there is still time to practice, pick your playing partners, your tee time and get ready to rumble.
Four competition rounds will cost $50 per person, up front saving $10.
POWDER DRY
CONDITIONS were hot and humid on the range in Inglewood but did not dampen the gunpowder of the Inglewood SSAA members. Two pistol events were held, both ICOR rimfire and centrefire.
Tom Donald showed his experience to win the rimfire event, relegating Wayne Wright and Michael Dudgeon to the minors.
Michael Dudgeon slipped out of the minor placings and straight into the winning position in the centrefire competition ahead of Richard Roese and Anthony Badesso.
There was also time for some sighting at the benchrest area.
On the menu next Sunday are clay targets. A reminder that you can follow the ISSAA on their Facebook page now.
BARNETT IN WINNERS LIST
KEITH Barnett made a return to the winner’s list after last Saturday Stableford in Stanthorpe.
A front nine score of 24 held Barnett in good store as he finished the round with 43 points – enough to hold out club captain Matt Waterworth who returned 42 and also collected the pin at 17 and pro pin at 5/14.
Mick O’Brien was close to holing out at the par three third hole to collect the balls on offer for the pin shot, centimetres tap in for a birdie.
Brendan Barker also collected a bag full with the pro-pin at 1/10, an eagle at 11, birdies nest at six and a ball in the rundown. Bill Pyne won the remaining pro-pin at 9/18 and Dylan Barraclough also birdied the sixth, narrowly missing an eagle.
Also figuring in the rundown were Mick O’Brien (39), Davis Burgess (39) and Ian Harvey (38).
Hannah Reeves made light work of the conditions to win the ladies’ competition returning 40. Runner-up was Lyn Ludlow with 31 points after a countback. Hannah also collected the 3/12 pin and the approach at 17.
Members will play in the Betty Yap memorial on Saturday. The medley 4BBB Stableford, is sponsored by Greg Yap. As it is the last Saturday of the month, tee-off with a shotgun start is 11.45am with registration by 11.30am. The timesheet is on the board at the club.
Big race day expected
WARWICK Turf Club officials would be delighted with the response they have received from owners and trainers for this weekend’s seven race program.
At the close of nominations a total of 142 runners had been nominated for Saturday’s TAB meeting.
With racing on the Toowoomba track on hold, owners and trainers are taking full advantage of the good track facilities and prize money on offer in Warwick.
In what is expected to be a great day the club has thrown open the gates at Allman Park with free entry to the Farewell to Summer Race Day.
MALLETS OF MERIT
WITH the prediction of a major weather event late last week a full team of players turned out for croquet in Stanthorpe.
Jenny Tunbridge and Pat Schnoor defeated Joy Newman and Carol Verway 24-16. Val Shephard and Margaret Dickenson defeated Heather Widderick and Grace Howard 26-12.
One of the highlights of the morning was Pat Schooner’s break of four, while Margaret Dickenson made some great hoops.
The game between Andrea Denkewitz and Val Richardson and Effey Russell finished in a 16-all draw.
Hoop Runners Golf Croquet welcomed back players from holidays. Two games of “first to 13” triples were played and there was plenty of friendly banter on the green throughout both games.
In the second game players switched teams. Dianne Wren’s was the star of the day – the group celebrated her birthday in style and Dianne shot the winning hoop in both games.
The weather conditions got the better of the Gateball competition last Friday but no doubt they will be out in numbers this week with better conditions beckoning.
Pic Wren
Dianne Wren celebrated her birthday with some excellent shots as well as a very special morning team. She is pictured shooting the last winning hoop of the day.
IN MEMORY OF XYLON
THE Killarney Cutters are expecting a big crowd at Charlie Andrews Oval when the BRL Premiers host the Cowboys A Grade side in a trial game on Saturday.
This game is far more than just a pre-season trial – on the line is the Xylon Smith Shield. The Shield is named in memory of Xylon Smith – a talented young Killarney player who tragically lost his life two years ago.
Smith, younger brother of Cutters Captain Coach John Trindall played for both the Cutters and Cowboys and the game on Saturday will be an emotion filled affair.
The Cowboys were successful in the corresponding game last season however spectators reported they were forced to pull out all stops to beat the Cutters. The Cowboys will go into this game full of confidence after a comprehensive win over the Wattles, the reigning TRL premiers last week in the annual Barrett Shield game.
Killarney captain John Trindall said he expected to have all players available for the game on Saturday, adding that to see the trophy return to Killarney would mean a great deal to him and his family.
It will be a full program of league with the newly formed Killarney Cutters Ladies League Tag team in action for the first time.
They are expected to play a trial game against a Cowboys Ladies side.
Before the Cutters get down to business, fans will get their first look at the 2014 BRL runners-up, the Tenterfield Tigers who will play the Cowboys Reserve Grade side.
The Tigers have lost several players to other clubs this season but president and captain coach Brendan Minns said the club had been busy recruiting in the new year and was confident the club would field another competitive side.
The bar and canteen at Charlie Andrews will be operating from 1pm with the ladies game scheduled for a 1.30pm kick off before the Tigers/Cowboys Reserve Grade clash at 2.30. The feature game will kick off at 4pm.
A reminder that Beyondblue, Black Dog and Lifeline offer counselling services to those who are experiencing difficulties.
Can you please insert Pic of Xyon Smith Shield here
Five star Hilton
CONDITIONS were no problem for the Sporters mob on Sunday – and certainly not for Dick Hilton who turned in a five star performance to take the first prize.
Nick Milne also played well to score the runners-up spot while the rundowns went to Paul and Miss Consistency, Hannah Reeves who also had the Best Gross. After a couple of quiet weeks Clarky put himself in the picture taking the pin shot on the third.
No Won Kim was the unpopular winner of the Pro Pin. More popular were the winners of the meat trays, Mark Lynam and Marg Locke.
Tee-off is once again at the usual time on Sunday when conditions are shaping as far better than last weekend’s uncertainty.
Do you have 10 May marked in your golfing diary – if not you should have – it is the Maureen Bates Memorial Golf Day.
A PINK PERSPECTIVE
LAST weekend sporting clubs across the country stepped up to the crease in support of the McGrath Foundation’s annual community cricketing initiative, Pink Stumps Day.
The ladies of Allora and the Warwick Health Services put their pink perspective on things at the Allora Cricket Oval.
The Allora ladies stepped up to the crease showing that they meant business, posting a fine score of 106 from their allotted 20 overs.
It proved to be a winning total. The Warwick Health Services, captained by Heather Donges fell 26 runs short.
On a day where the community came together to support a wonderful cause, the Allora Men’s side played the Allora Old Boys.
In a quirky twist Allora also posted 106 runs from their 20 overs going on to defeat the Old Boys by 20 runs.
Athaline Mulhall who works as a McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation Nurse on the Southern Downs said the support from the local community had been wonderful.
Davis Shield final postponed
THE final of the Davis Shield which was to be played in Gatton last Sunday fell foul of last weekend’s weather conditions and was been postponed to this Sunday.
Warwick players are advised that the team bus will leave Slade Oval at 7am. Any selected players who are unavailable should contact Geoff Thorley.
The normal cricket fixture will be played this Saturday in Warwick as per the draw. Allora play Allora Rascals at Allora. Inglewood host Sovereign and Colts and Maryvale play at Slade Park. All matches are 40 overs with a 12.15pm toss.
PRE SEASON SUCCESS CONTINUES FOR COWBOYS
THE Warwick Cowboys continued their eye-catching preseason form with a comprehensive win over the TRL premiers Wattles in the annual pre-season local derby, the Barrett Shield.
The Cowboys put the writing on the wall at their previous outing when they thrashed the Aspley Devils 44-0.
On Saturday night at Fr Ranger Oval the home side dominated their rivals running out 38-6 winners.
Led by captain coach Matt Gainey, the Cowboys opened the game with two tries in the first half.
In the second half former State league player Scott Ellis showed all of his class adding three more tries. Hayden Mc Nichol also scored a four-pointer and will be hoping for an injury-free season.
Despite the winning scoreline Gainey and Cowboys president Mary-Anne Loudon were reluctant to get carried away with the win.
In an ominous sign for rival teams they both flagged more improvement in the Cowboys side.
The A Grade win capped off a clean sweep for the club with wins in Reserve Grade (44-10) and Under 18s (38-12).
