By CASEY O’CONNOR
INTEREST in the ICC Cricket World Cup has certainly ramped up with the charge to the finals.
South Africa and the Kiwis dispelled the myth that 50 over ODI was boring when they turned on a thriller on Tuesday night. There was always going to be heartbreak for someone and again South Africa fell at the penultimate hurdle and it is the Kiwis through to their first-ever World Cup final. Who they play is in the lap of the cricket gods and will be decided in Sydney on Thursday when the Aussies and Indians go head to head.
The Aussies have had the wood on the Indians all summer but this one-day side has hit their straps at the right time. Having said that, the Australians are favourites for a reason and if the stars align we should have a promoter’s dream final at the MCG on Sunday.
A group of Stanthorpe enthusiasts have me green with envy – a decision to purchase tickets to Sunday’s final back early last year will see them hopefully witness the Aussies take out the final.
Peter Patti, Geoff Patti, Glen Brunckhorst and Brian Westerhout headed off on Wednesday. They will make their way to the MCG via the famous Mornington Cup race meeting.
Fingers crossed they will be at the MCG to see the Aussies win the World Cup
(Need my tour director to please explain where my tickets are?)
– Casey
MARYVALE BREAK PREMIERSHIP HOODOO
It has been a while between drinks for the Maryvale cricket team but last weekend they tasted the sweet success of victory winning the Warwick cricket premiership.
In hot conditions Wheatvale sent their opposition in to bat despite Paul Cantwell winning the toss. It looked to be a fair decision as the Wheatvale bowlers ripped through the Maryvale top order. Some fine hitting by Michael Bourke and Andrew Ryan steadied the ship – Bourke top scoring with an unbeaten 51. The Maryvale tail wagged and despite their shaky start they set Wheatvale a total of 161.
The Wheatvale bowling attack certainly did not make life easy for the batsmen. Ryan Collier had an outstanding spell, taking two wickets for only 12 runs in five overs. Carter Billborough continued his good form with the ball, finishing with 2/20 from seven overs. Chris and Neil Cantwell each picked up two wickets.
Wheatvale began their innings in positive fashion and three premierships in a row were looking likely. Openers Ryan Collins and Brendan Moore controlled the early overs. At 0/40 Maryvale supporters could have been forgiven for thinking another premiership chance might go begging. However in a bowling performance that swung the game in Maryvale’s favour, Josh Ryan claimed the top three Wheatvale scalps and went on to take two more wickets. Also proving a headache for the batsmen was Scott McLennan who took 3/7 from 3.2 overs. Ryan’s bowling performance not only turned the game, but won him the coveted Margaret Walsh Medal.
For Maryvale who have made eight appearances in grand finals since they last won the premiership 15 years ago, it was a very sweet victory.
MAUGAN BENN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Warwick Hotel Colts player Maugan Benn was named the Warwick player of the year at the presentations following the grand final. Benn finished the season with the best batting average – 61.83 and scored the most runs – 371. He also took 12 wickets. That overall performance was enough for him to take out the 2015 Denis Rettke Memorial All Rounder of the Year.
Two of the rising stars of Warwick cricket Ryan Collins (Wheatvale) and Lachlan Gross (Colts) were announced as the 2015 Wanderers Tourists. The pair will join the Brisbane Wanderers annual cricket tour in August. The touring party under the guidance of Lew Cooper will head to South West Queensland this year and the youngsters will have the opportunity to hone their skills under the guidance of former Australian and Queensland players.
The President’s Volunteer Award was won by stalwart Kevin Bourke. Lachlan Gross was named Rep Player of the Year and Ryan Collins Colt of the Year.
Ted Callaghan took the most wickets for the season – 21 and Rod Hansen finished with the best bowling average of 10 wickets @ 3.90. The Fielding award went to Kris McLennan.
RAILWAY HOTEL RASCALS IN GF WIN
The Grand Final of the Warwick Cricket Association Reserve Grade competition was an all-Allora affair at Mayhew Oval. But it was the young Railway Hotel Rascals that came up trumps over arch rivals Allora after only their second season in the competition.
Rascals defended a total of only 135 to win the game. After batting first it was down to the bowlers and some great fielding to nail the win. It was a game that went right to the wire and in a nail-biting finish, Allora were 9/133 with one hand on the premiership trophy when Nick Van Der Poel hung onto a sensational catch on the square leg boundary.
Joe Morris who took 3/31 and scored 24 runs was named player of the Final.
WILD WEATHER SUSPENDS PLAY
When Stanthorpe golfers headed onto the course on Saturday they were looking forward to a pleasant afternoon’s play in cool conditions. Unfortunately that changed dramatically. Play was suspended when heavy rain and persistent thunder and lightning threatened player safety. Only a handful of players had completed the 18 holes when play was suspended. The match committee in consultation with Saturday’s sponsor, Mark McCosker, determined that a 14-hole competition would be held.
The decision brought no complaints from Lyle Bryant who was declared winner of the day with Nick Milne finishing in second place. Both players were in the group that completed 18 holes and with Nick returning a nett 64 for the round; he was also named the 2015 winner of the Nuffield Cup.
The Pike Trophy was won by club captain, Matt Waterworth who already had best score for two of the three possible rounds and with the suspension of play, could not be bettered.
David Burgess picked up the pin shot at 3/12. Pro-pins were won by Dylan Barraclough at 1/10, Eric McLellan at 5/14 and Bill Pyne at 9/18.
The remaining balls on offer were decided by a blind draw of cards.
Amidst all the storm activity, Hannah Reeves picked up the winner’s prize for the ladies’ competition while Neta Thouard took out the runners-up spot and Kay Webb collected a ball in the rundown.
The Stanthorpe greens were cored and sanded last Monday with assistance from many helpers. The greens could prove a bit bumpy in the next few weeks but that might play into the hands of some golfers who will now have what they think is a good reason for missing some of their putts.
Club stalwart, Trevor Ludlow is out of action for a few weeks after a fall from a ladder while working at the club. Each week Trevor helps prepare the bunkers and the club is calling on other members to step in and help while he is out of action.
This Saturday the medley 4BBB Stableford is sponsored by Clive Smith and Keith Cobon. It is a shotgun start at 11.30am and the timesheet is on the board at the clubhouse.
CALM RESTORED
With the club championships done and dusted for another year, members of the Warwick golf club can slip back into enjoying golf. You can hear the odd bit of laughter emanating from the first tee. Players, folks are laughing on the first tee, calm has been restored.
Red Rooster Rumble was back in service as nothing more or less than the most relaxing game on the weekly agenda. After a countback Doug Wilson’s 22 was enough to win him honours in last week’s RRR. Unlucky runner-up was Mick Banks and rundown balls went to Laurie King 21 and Ian Wallace 19 (c/b). Pins were won by Ben Pillar (5), Doug Wilson (7), and Alan Skinner (9).
Irish fourball can be a little demanding on the male golfer – it requires a level of multi-tasking and that is not the strong forte of some. You need to play golf and manage four people’s scores on one card.
There were only 30 male players up to the challenge, with 37 eager ladies lining up for the challenge (the most ladies in a competition for at least eight years).
The team of Mick Payne, Brendon Jones, Lennie Williams and Ron Simon were not only up to the multi-tasking challenge, they returned 97 points to claim a win. The best of the mixed team was Kerry Wharton, Charlie Morrison, Kath Morrison, and Bill Morrison scoring 88 points. Rundown balls went to Jamie Saunders, Eddy Kemp, Jesse Harris, and Nathan Jones. Collecting pins were Peter Boney (5), Neil Carney (7), Simon Macdonald (9), Eddy Kemp (11), David Craggs (13), and Alan Skinner (16). On Sunday a small but enthusiastic group went round in the four ball best ball stableford. The winners with 45 points were Dion Phillips and Peter Boney. They finished three shots in advance of runners-up Jay Roberts and Tom Smith on 42 points. Pins went the way of Dion Phillips (7), Peter Boney (11) and skinners on the ladies’ approaches.
A single stroke versus par has been scheduled for Saturday with a trophy sponsored by B&K Motors. Sunday is a medley Stableford event with points accumulating for the Style Shoes crystal vase; a new annual trophy that organisers are hoping will encourage greater participation in Sunday medley competitions over 18 holes.
PENANNT TEAMS SELECTED
The 2015 Warwick Golf Club pennant teams begin competition games on Sunday at Pittsworth Golf Club.
Representing division three (scratch) is the team of Geoff Hinze, Nathan Jones, Nathan Dionysius, Jay Roberts, Shane McKenzie, Tim Sutton, Charlie Morrison, Adrian Murphy and Steve Gander. The division four (handicapped) team is Brendon Jones, Gary Russell Sharam, Mark Thomas, Eamon Cockram, Jason Owens and Jamie Saunders.
The junior pennant team is Dylan Barraclough, Declan Murphy, Ben O’Dea, Sam McLennan, Joshua Hynes and Tom Smith and is expected to be ultra-competitive.
PERFECT DAY FOR A SHOT
Thankfully those errant organisers who may have had a tad too much Inglewood Show the week before returned on Sunday in time to arrange a 25-metre standard pistol (Mayleigh Cup) shoot. An action match with metallic silhouette gongs nicknamed “The gully shoot“ – this was held in perfect conditions for a shoot.
It was a good day for Wayne Duffy who took out the 25-metre standard and the gully shoot. In the opening event he relegated Tom Donald to second spot and Scott Johns third.
The minor placegetters in the gully shoot were Scott Johns (2nd) and Ross Jackson (3rd).
This Sunday is a surprise shoot so members will need to come armed and prepared with a rifle, centrefire and rimfire. Who knows what will happen.
The SSAA (Inglewood Branch) Inc was delighted to recently receive a $12,700 grant from SSAA Qld for redevelopment of the pistol bay cover.
The materials have been ordered and within two months construction should be completed and members can look forward to a new lid.
GREMLINS SNATCH ROUND ROBIN WIN
A converted penalty on the full-time siren was all that separated the Stanthorpe Gremlins and Tenterfield Tigers in last Saturday’s BRL Round Robin competition. The Gremlins took home the trophy with a 20-18 win.
Judging by the form of the four BRL A Grade sides in the Round Robin there will be little between the teams this season.
In the final of the ladies’ league tag the Tenterfield girls had the better of the Gremlins ladies who look an improved side.
The Killarney Ladies League Tag side played their first official games on Saturday and almost upset their more favoured opponents, Stanthorpe. The Killarney girls have embraced League Tag with enthusiasm.
Following the round robin competition the BRL representative side was announced. The team will play in the south West trials in Miles on April 11.
UP AND DOWN CONDITIONS FOR MALLET PLAYERS
It has been a week where mallet players dealt with a variety of weather conditions.
Jenny Tunbridge had an amazing split and going through the hoop at the same time. Andrea Denkewitz also had a couple of peels – (both balls going through the hoop at the same time.)
The combination of Jenny Tunbridge and Val Shephard won their game against Heather Widderick and Andrew Denkewitz 26-16. Margaret Dickenson and Val Richardson defeated Effey Russell and Joy Newman 26-17. In a great team effort Margaret Dickenson had a break of five after some good work from Val Richardson. A reminder to all players that from March 31 play will commence at 9am.
The early weather signs were ominous last Wednesday morning for hoop runners but after a check on the weather radar a 9am start was decided on. The smaller than usual group played two very close games. Bill Golding and Liz Elway played the last game together. Bill took the opportunity to do a bit of coaching Liz and it paid dividends when they won the game. The only fancy shot of the day was Val Fancourt’s “hoop in one”. Elaine Brown looked to have regained some form, but is still looking for her first “hoop in one.”
Hoop runners had to deal with storm activity but the gateballers had heatwave conditions on Friday. Despite the unseasonal heat numbers were good and scores were close.
Scores were pretty close for all games. In first game the White team prevailed 12-11. After the Red team took out game two 11-8 it was one apiece. The Red Team got up in the final game by just one point, giving them bragging honours for the day.
In the second game Joy Newman had a great “bomb” (when two opponent balls are ‘sparked’ out in the one shot). Grace Howard played consistently while Jenny Tunbridge and Heather Widderick also played some good shots. It was great to see Carol Verwey back on the green.
SPEERS LEADS THE WAY
Stanthorpe golfer Mick Speer led another good field into the clubhouse at Sporters last weekend. Runner-up was another Sporters stalwart Bob Watt, who also clamed the pin shot at the third. Rundowns went to Mark Lynam and Angelo Maugeri. Ian Anderson had the best gross and the pro pin went the way of Ian Anderson. It was a good day for Speers who not only won the round but headed home with a meat tray. Also going home in the company of a meat tray was Danny McAuliffe.
An early note for Sporters diary – there will be no Sporters Golf over the Easter weekend, however tee-off this Sunday is at the normal time (7.30am – 8.30am).
FIRST LADY’S GOLDEN WIN
Australia’s undisputed first lady of horse racing long ago shook off the mantle of Tommy Smith’s daughter. Her record speaks for her. She is one of the superstars of the turf but last Saturday it was difficult not to compare her to her famous father when her horse Vancouver overcame an outside barrier to win the Golden Slipper. It was Waterhouse’s sixth win in the famous race, equalling TJ’s record. It is one that she now looks certain to eclipse.
She revealed after the race she had been motivated to succeed in this race after one of the last conversations she had with her father. Only days before his death TJ admonished her, saying: “You make me sick – you can’t train two-year-olds.’’
Waterhouse said, “Dad’s words were my driving force to improve – I wanted to make him proud.’’
She has certainly done that in spades.
It was a bittersweet day for winning jockey Tommy Berry and his family. Two years ago he was celebrating his first win in the richest two-year-old race in the world with twin brother Nathan. Last year he and his family were mourning Nathan’s sudden death.
On Saturday he dedicated the win on Vancouver to his late brother as he was joined in the celebrations by his fiancee and their very new baby boy.
Nicole Ritchie, international designer was the race day International Ambassador at Rosehill last Saturday. I think Gai left no-one in any doubt as to where the real racing ambassador could be found – in the mounting yard.
VALLEYS WIN SECOND TIME ROUND
The Stanthorpe knock-out semi-final was decided last weekend in the most unusual of circumstances.
Under uncertain skies on Saturday RSL and Wanderers took to the C.F. White oval to decide who plays RSL in the Grand Final.
Valleys had a commanding lead in the game and were within reach of a win when lightning forced players from the field.
With no break in the storm activity, the decision was made to replay the game on Sunday. A reasonable and sensible course of action in the circumstances, however the Stanthorpe presentation night was held on Saturday night.
When players regrouped on Sunday for the replay, some were probably questioning whether that was a really good decision.
Valleys won the toss and their captain backed his boys to shake off the cobwebs and get the job done. Wanderers were sent in to bat and openers Rob Yates and Tim Harslett were dismissed quickly. The Valleys attack ripped through the Wanderers line-up. Josh Anderson took four wickets for 23. There were good bowling performances from Damian Anderson 3/11 and Sandro Stefanon 3/21.
As they were set to do on Saturday afternoon, Valleys clinched victory in the 17th over with Jordan Lanza hitting the winning runs.
Valleys dominated both Saturday and Sunday’s game with some outstanding fielding and solid batting, backed up by good bowling. Valleys will now play minor premiers RSL, who dominated the local season. Despite thier outstanding performance all year, RSL have had the wobbles in recent games and Valleys are not without a chance of upsetting the favourites.
GRANDFINAL LINE-UP
RSL
Will Dowie (c): The skipper and talker of the team. Handy bowler. Capable hard-hitting batsman. His fielding and energy in the field will be important factor.
Dave Becker: Opening batsman will be aiming to protect the strong middle from the new ball. Brilliant hands in the gully region and a handy bowler.
Duane Lihou: Most experienced player in the grand final. Aggressive batsman and bowler. Capable of turning a match in a few overs.
Sam Dowie: Talented fast-scoring bat that has all the shots. Due for a big score. Safest hands in the comp and a handy bowler.
Luke Brady: Experienced quality bat. Very good change bowler who is always on good line and length. Mr Consistent.
Ross Lupton: The strike bowler of the team. Great batsman who can bat anywhere in the top order. Could hold the key to the grand final. Stanthorpe Cricket Association Player of the year.
Anthony DiBella: Solid season with bat and ball. Takes wickets and can score quickly.
Tom Garland: Handy bowler. One of the biggest hitters of the ball in Stanthorpe. Could play a vital role if RSL are looking for quick runs.
Adam Garland: Great team player. Can be relied upon to bowl and bat if needed.
Daniel Anderson: Opening bowler who can swing the ball. On song get wickets quickly.
Bryce Jackson: Has worked hard on his technique and capable of producing runs when needed.
Valleys
Damian Anderson (c): Strike bowler. Leading wicket-taker in Stanthorpe Cricket. Has the ability to bowl a hostile spell of fast bowling when he is on and will be looking to put out the aggressive middle order batsman. Valleys’ leading run scorer.
John Fletcher: Aggressive opening batsman. Handy bowler has taken plenty of wickets this season.
Allister Middleton: Steady opening batsman – never pressured and having best season with the bat. Arguably the best fielder in Stanthorpe cricket.
Curtis Allen: Attacking number three bat. Key handy bowler when called upon always taking wickets. Colt of the Year.
Col Harris: First season in Stanthorpe Cricket. Handy middle order and rare leg spinner.
Anthony Marino: The heart and soul of Valleys. Talented batsman; excellent in the field and can bowl if asked.
Josh Anderson: Talented all-rounder. Finding form with bat and ball at the right time of the year.
Alex Archibald-Binge: Steady batsman who is capable of building a score. Safe hands.
Leon Karena: A great team man good with gloves, has played through injury. Will be looking to channel some of the Kiwis’ success.
Sandro Stefanon: Quality opening bowler. Bowls amazing line and length.
Hayden Smith: Quality left arm opening bowler. Good fielder and handy middle order batsman.
Todd Beckett: Valley’s stalwart – making a comeback after a short retirement at the request of his team-mates. Aggressive top order batsmen and back-up keeper.
