By CASEY O’CONNOR
BUSY BUT SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND AT ‘GARRA’
IT WAS a busy weekend for members of the Wallangarra Golf Club. Saturday was Patron’s Day and members and guests played a par/plus competition which was a great lead-up to Sunday’s Golf World Toowoomba Tournament.
Scott Williams won the Saturday event with a plus two finishing ahead of Alan Lutter on minus one and third-placed Steven Hampstead.
Hampstead proved to be a sharpshooter during Saturday’s round. He claimed three of the four pins on offer on Saturday. (The third, ninth and approach all went his way).
Sunday’s tournament was one of the club’s most popular events on the calendar and once again the Golf World Toowoomba sponsored two ball Ambrose proved popular. An excellent field of hopefuls turned out to have some fun. Nett winners were Andrew Thompson and Tony Murphy. Gross winners were Stephen Hampstead and B. Black.
Nett runners-up: B. McMillan and J. Purcel; Nett third: Alan Lutter and M. Cusak.
The men’s pin shot on the third went the way of M. Angelo and on Sunday Stephen Hampstead was again on song at nine. Marge Locke held the pin shot at the third for the ladies and at nine it was Madeline Jarman.
The Wallangarra club is most grateful to the sponsors Golf World Toowoomba, and would like to thank the large number of visitors and guests who helped make the day successful.
To spice things up this weekend, the course will be played back to front which should make for some fun and frivolity and some interesting holes. Why not join the Wallangarra members – visitors are always made most welcome.
Details are available on the Wallangarra Golf Club Facebook page.
JUNIOR STEALS THE SHOW
THE Inglewood sporting shooters have completed the new Action Pistol setup and last weekend they expected a few pistol shooters would be ready to check it out, and they were not disappointed.
The star of the day, however, was a surprise. Thirteen-year-old Macey Wilson of Yelarbon almost outshot everyone including the owner of the handgun she borrowed.
The competition was a double 10-round event at eight gongs then a two at a moving target.
In the Rimfire event, Scott John defeated Stephanie Dudgeon and Tom Donald.
Michael Dudgeon was successful in the Centrefire Semi Auto outscoring Lachlan Sharpe and Iain Bowen.
Junior Macey Wilson stole the show in the Centrefire Revolver competition outshooting all competitors. Ross Jackson finished in second place and Wal Shepherd picked up the minor placing in the event.
This Sunday the fifth of the month is a free-for-all event, so it is time to zero in and get in some practice.
GOOD FORM A WINNER FOR BURGESS
STANTHORPE golfer David Burgess has been in good touch lately and last weekend held his good form to win Saturday’s stableford competition sponsored by junior golfer Hannah Reeves. Burgess returned 41 for the round to finish one shot clear of the pack. A countback was required to determine the runner-up after Ken Hinze and Rod Batterham finished their rounds with 40 points. Hinze got the nod in the countback and Ron Batterham had to settle for captain’s stakes.
Madeline Jarman took out the Ladies event after returning a score of 42 just edging out Nikki Rossow, who also had a good round to finish with 41. It was a great effort from the runner-up who has just started playing competition golf.
Fred Wharton held the pin shot at 3/12 and Brett Watts at 17. Kay Webb had best ladies shot at 3/12 and Linda Kelly the best approach at 17.
Matt Waterworth collected the pro-pin at 1/10, Dylan Barraclough at 9/18 and sponsor Hannah Reeves who was kept busy handing out prizes instead of collecting them, picked up the pro-pin at 5/14.
In the run down, it was a ball each to scores of 37 and better for the men and 40 for the ladies.
This weekend’s medley 4BBB stableford is sponsored by Howard and Sons. It is the last Saturday of the month so it is a shotgun start commencing at 11.45am. Registrations must be completed by 11.30am. Club captain Matt will be in the starter’s box, and there is a strong rumour there will also be a sausage sizzle.
There was plenty of action on the greens at the summit last weekend with three games of competitive bowls and pennant practice in readiness for this weekend’s pennant play.
All three games resulted in decisive wins. Mary Zanatta, Atillio Zamprogno and Joe Zeppa Brian Brown had a big win over Chris Stratford, Eddie Zanatta; final score 27-9.
Brian Wilmot, Ray Spiller, John Shannon and Adrian Jackson were no match for the team of Quinton Stanley, Phil Davis, Keith Mungall and Rob Slack.
The winning margin 27-14. Michael Surch, Michael Sweeney, Norm Gale and Eliseo Zamprogno found the going tough against Kurt Empen, Rod Newlands, Tyler Sweeney and Rob Capelli. Score 20-11.This Saturday SDMDBA pennants gets underway. Summit players will travel to Inglewood for the first round and players are to meet at Lindsay Rural at 7am. There have been some alterations to the Pennants teams and they are: Adrian Jackson, Rob Slack, Brian Wilmot, Quinton Stanley; Eliseo Zamprogno, Norm Gale, Mick Sweeney, Rod Newlands; Rob Capelli, Tyler Sweeney, Lindsay Hartley and Kurt Empen. Ray Spiller and Michael Surch are the trusty Reserves while Graham Rubie has agreed to take on the onerous task of team manager.
The club postponed the Second Triples Trophy Day and there will be more regarding that later.
The Back to the Eighties day on 5 September is shaping as another great day. You can leave your coloured bowls at home and dig out the old set that has been gathering dust at the back of the cupboard for the event. If those old bowls have gone to the big bowls shop in the sky, the club has plenty and bowlers are sure to have some fun dealing with the big biases they bop along to the ’80s tunes. It will be a great opportunity for bowlers to introduce visitors to the game.
The president, members of the committee and players past and present were saddened to learn of the passing of much- loved Life Member Peter Wilmot. Peter was a wonderful supporter of the club over many years, and the club joins the Stanthorpe community in passing on their condolences to Gaye Brian and the extended Wilmot family.
Rest in Peace, Peter.
BUSY WEEK FOR MALLET SPORTS
JUST two games of association croquet were played in Stanthorpe on Tuesday.
Joy Newman had a 26-17 win over Val Richardson and Grace Howard. On her way to the win, she scored two breaks of four hoops in a row. Jenny Tunbridge and Margaret Dickenson proved a formidable team as they pegged out with a maximum 26 points against Andrea Denkewitz and Heather Widderick (13 points). Turnbridge had two breaks of three hoops in a row, while Margaret Dickenson added some weight with a handy break of four hoops.
Hoop runners attracted a field of nine players last week – almost the maximum. Two groups of four played doubles- first to 13 hoops.
In the first group Teresa Pyne top scored with six hoops. Both Shirley Page and Teresa Pyne scored “hoops in one” – the final score 13-8.
The game between the second was a tightly contested affair – the final score could not have been closer 13-12. Val Fancourt, top scored with seven and two jump shots while Dianne Wren nailed a “hoop in one”.
Group One played a full second game with the final score a convincing 13-6. Val Fancourt wrapped up a great day’s play, top scoring in both games. In game two, she had eight hoops and picked up a hoop in one as did Teresa Pyne. Group Two could only manage a shortened second game. The final score was 9-5 and there were good performances once again from top scorer Dianne Wren. Bill Golding and Shirley Evans were also in good form and had successful jump shots. Shirley Evans added another hole in one to her tally.
It was a busy week for Gateballers many of whom travelled to Toowoomba on Thursday.
It provided a great opportunity to gauge the progress of players and pick up some new tactics. The week wrapped up with four games of Gateball played in Stanthorpe on Friday. The Reds were successful in three of the four games. Les, John and Bill played well for the Red Team showing a great degree of accuracy.
HILL A WINNER
BRENDON Hill had a win at Sporters in Stanthorpe on Sunday. Finishing in the runner’s-up spot was Craig Pearson. John Rawlings and Bob Watters finished in the rundowns. Dylan Barraclough finished the round with the Best Gross and also collected a Pro Pin. Ray Thorn was on the money at the third and picked up the pin shot. Don Carey and Mick Doorley each snuck off with a meat tray.
This Sunday Sporters tee off at the regular time of 8am – 8.30am and visitors are always welcome to join the crew.
RAMS UPSET GREMLINS
THE Wallangarra Rams claimed their biggest scalp yet when they defeated the Stanthorpe Gremlins 38-6 in the final fixture of the 2015 BRL A grade competition last weekend. In front of a big home crowd, the Rams may have ended the Gremlins’ winning streak but the Stanthorpe side streaked away with the minor premiership. In preparation for the BRL grand final on 5 September, the Gremlins rested several key players who have niggling injuries. With the A Grade minor premiership safely in their keeping, it was a great opportunity to give some of the younger Stanthorpe players extra game time and gain more experience as the Gremlins now head straight to the grand final.
Rams Coedie Tandy again showed why he is one of the most dangerous players in the competition as he directed the Rams around the paddock and was instrumental in their win.
The Rams will be looking for a big game from Tandy this weekend when they meet the Tigers in the knock-out semi-final in Tenterfield this weekend.
The Tigers had an unscheduled weekend off in the last round of fixtures when the Killarney Cutters forfeited. The Cutters who won back-to-back premierships in 2013 and 2014 have struggled all season to put a team on the paddock, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the BRL competition.
It was better news for the Tenterfield ladies who wrapped up their minor premiership with a win over the Killarney Ladies side.
This is Killarney’s first season in the ladies league tag and they have shown flair and ability throughout the season, highlighting the success of the Ladies competition.
The undefeated Tigerettes were given a good work out as the visitors held a handy 18-12 lead in the first half. In the second half, the experience and fitness of the Tigerettes came to the fore as they ran away with the game 40-18. The Tenterfield girls now have a week off to prepare as they shoot for back-to-back grand finals.
In the Ladies league tag semi-final, the Stanthorpe Gremlinettes take on the Ramettes in Tenterfield this weekend.
Stanthorpe also wrapped up a successful season in the Reserve Grade and will meet the winner of the game this weekend between the Rams and Tigers reserve grade in two weeks.
WANDERERS CRICKET CLUB TOURS QUEENSLAND
By Lisa Alexander
THE Wanderers Cricket Club came to Blackall on Friday 14 August as part of their Central and Western Queensland tour.
The touring team visited The Barcoo Hotel on Friday night sharing their love of cricket with the locals. Former Queensland leg spinner Dennis Lillie even shared some pointers with a few lucky residents, demonstrating his Flipper and Wrong’un bowling techniques. Mr Lillie, affectionately known as ‘Beatle’ to his peers, took 437 First Class wickets and represented Queensland 17 times.
On Saturday morning, the Wanderers were awestruck as they spotted the infamous Blackall ‘clay pan’. The ground had been freshly levelled with not a blade of grass in sight. It wasn’t long before a tumbleweed drifted across the field, marking a cliched outback experience for the visitors. The local team, made up of players from Blackall, Tambo and Scrubby Creek, displayed some excellent fielding skills close to the boundary.
The most notable name on the Wanderers touring team is former coach of the Australian Cricket team, John Buchanan. After a short stint at the crease, Mr Buchanan commented on Blackall’s humble cricket ground.
“I have never played on anything like this before. It’s a very quick ground,” he said.
Jack Beath and Grayson Jones are two talented young players taking part in the tour this year. Both players are sponsored by Queensland Cricket and hope to gain some valuable experiences.
“This tour is a great opportunity to meet new people and receive some mentoring from experienced players. Before the Brisbane Grade Cricket competition starts, I’d like to score plenty of runs and improve my game,” Grayson said.
The Wanderers opening batsman Aryan Jain managed 107 runs (not out) while his batting partner John Pechey scored a century before being caught out by Mick Turnbull. Blackall’s best bowlers were Alex Turnbull (1/24 off 3 overs), Mark Clark (1/33 off 5 overs) and Shane Elliott (1/57 off 8 overs). The Wanderers retired after 40 overs for 4/286.
Blackall tried to reach the target but fell short with 8/163 after 40 overs. Matthew McLane top scored with 37 runs (not out) followed by M. Johnson (28) and Mick Turnbull on 26 runs (not out). The best bowlers for the Wanderers were right-handed fast medium bowler Chathuranga Kaluthantihri (6 overs, 2 maidens and 3/16), Mick Eden (6 overs, 2 maidens and 2/15) and Dylan Blackman (6 overs, 1 maiden and 2/31).
On Sunday 16 August, the Wanderers played for a special trophy in memory of Doug Gesch. ‘Geschy’ supported and co-ordinated the Wanderers games in Barcaldine for over 20 years. He was very passionate about all levels of cricket and tirelessly supported many local groups within his community.
The Wanderers Cricket Tour will also visit Emerald, Springsure, Biloela and Calliope.
