By CASEY O’CONNOR
A WEEK of fierce Trans-Tasman rivalry culminates with the first test at the Gabba. The Aussies have their hands on the Constellation Cup and the Melbourne Cup while the Kiwis dominated in the Rugby World Cup and the William Webb Ellis cup is heading back to the land of the long white cloud.
There were plenty of lights on around the country at 2am on Sunday morning as rugby fans settled in to watch the game.
The Kiwis once again proved they are the best in the business but the Wallabies were far from disgraced and showed they are narrowing the gap between the sides.
Now, it is time for your new look cricket side to stand up. Australia’s win loss ratio at the Gabba is outstanding, so cricket fans (this one included) are expecting big things from this side.
Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell has promised his pitch will once again deliver the same mix of pace and bounce that fast bowlers have come to love the Gabba Test pitches.
Mitchell is predicting the first session on day one will be typically testing for the side that bats first, so it is expected that the outcome of the toss will be vital.
New Zealand’s fast bowlers have been plotting the demise of the Aussie batting kings Steve Smith and David Warner but Australia despite a raft of retirements still looks a far more formidable unit.
It should come as no surprise that I will be front and centre at the Gabba for the opening overs on day one. I am hoping to see some great batting from our own thoroughbred batsmen and cannot wait to see our quicks slice through the Kiwi line-up.
– Casey
DOUBLE TONS
RECENTLY Pommie captain Alistair Cook caused a bit of a storm when he scored a double ton in a test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. The skipper batted for 836 minutes to guide England to 569-8 at close of play on the fourth day of the test. Even on a docile pitch, it takes plenty of resolve to occupy the crease for that length of time. He finally played a tired looking sweep off spinner Shoaib Malik and was caught at backward square-leg by Shan Masood, ending his 528-ball knock which had 18 boundaries.
Big scores are not just the domain of top class international players. I was recently reminded by Enid Hamilton, resident historian of all things Stanthorpe, of a remarkable innings played by a couple of local lads in a game between Dalveen and Amiens back in the 30s.
Batting first Amiens openers Roy Batterham and S. Walker had compiled an unbroken partnership of 404 runs by the end of the first day’s play. The pair backed up the following weekend to face the Dalveen attack and took the score to 0/463 before the Amiens captain declared. Batterham was not out 179 and at the other end Walker was 236. Although unable to claim this as a first class record at the time, the Queensland Cricket Association conceded that it constituted a Queensland country cricket record and the figures were sent to Wisden for publication in the official records. Proving that he was no slouch with the ball, Batterham a few weeks later took six wickets in a match.
CUP ONE FOR THE AGES
MICHELLE Payne, Darren Weir and Price of Penzance ensured that the overseas marauders will leave our shores empty-handed after an historic Melbourne Cup last Tuesday.
Jockey Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the nation’s greatest race, and in doing so she has not cracked racing’s glass ceiling she shattered it.
The youngest of the popular Payne racing tribe, Michelle has battled serious injury and more importantly those who believe that females are not as capable as their male counterparts. She did not miss them in her speech at the Cup presentation.
This is a woman who truly does have racing in her blood. She is the youngest daughter of former jockey and battler Paddy Payne who raised his large family after their mother was killed in a car accident.
Racing Victoria should be indebted to Payne senior – eight of his brood became jockeys surely a record that is not likely to be bettered.
Patrick and Andrew, Brigid (deceased), Therese, Maree, Bernadette, Cathy and Michelle have enjoyed their share of success in the saddle. Thirty-year- old Michelle who is married to Hong Kong-based jockey Brett Prebble is the only one still riding, but the Payne girls had already done a great deal in paving the way for women in the male-dominated industry before Michelle’s historic win on Tuesday.
It has not been an easy ride for Michelle who has overcome serious injuries in horrendous falls.
In 2004 at Sandown, she fractured her skull and needed several months to recover from brain damage that affected her balance and ability to think.
Her brother Andrew said, “She lost her nerve for a while and she worked hard to get it back”.
“She had another fall not long after that, coming off head-first in one of the worst-looking falls, but thankfully she wasn’t hurt.”
Legendary trainer Bart Cummings certainly believed in her ability and gave her career a boost in 2009 when he gave her the ride on Allez Wonder in the Group One Toorak handicap. She took the opportunity with both hands repaying Bart’s faith and winning her first Group I race.
The Cups king kept the faith giving her the ride on the horse in the Caulfield Cup, but they finished unplaced. The Melbourne Cup, which she dreamed of winning as a schoolgirl seemed out of reach.
When Michelle broke ribs and vertebrae in a 2012 fall, she told her family it looked like her riding career was over.
She was taken aback when her father told her not to rush into a decision and just take her time. It was the opposite of what she expected from him. It has turned out to be sage advice from Payne senior.
After the win on Tuesday, her brother Andrew explained she outlined all the reasons why her mount could win the race and how she planned to ride Prince of Penzance. History will show that the race panned out exactly as she had imagined.
Payne rode Prince of Penzance as a three-year-old and labelled him a potential Melbourne Cup horse then. Last year, she won the Moonee Valley Cup on him and was second in that race again two weeks ago.
Rides have been hard to come by for this gutsy young lady and she has been considering retirement – let’s hope not, but if she does decide to hang up her saddle and follow brothers Patrick and Andrew to pursue a career as a trainer, she has left an indelible mark on Australian racing.
YOUNG GUNS TOO GOOD
THE big M& D sponsored Two Ball Ambrose event last Saturday in Stanthorpe again proved popular with local players and visitors. Young guns, Dylan Barraclough and Hannah Reeves, teamed up to return a score of 11 under par to win the day. They were five under on the front nine and came home six under for their total.
In second place was the team of Michael Grubic and Hayden Smith, who managed to slip under the handicapper’s radar to return a nett score of 63. Lorraine Evans and Christine Welstead were successful in the all-ladies section, returning the best score of nett 72.5 for their easy win.
Richard Reardon collected the pin at 3/12 and Jason Bacon held onto the pin at 17. Rachael Hendry collected the ladies’ pin at 3/12 as well as the approach at 17. Johnny Spiller can still hit a good ball, winning the pro-pin at 1/10 and was on for longest drive until beaten by Mark Hendry. Dylan Barraclough held the pro-pin at 5/14 and Grant Howard took 9/18 and the birdies best at nine. Hannah Reeves hit the longest drive for the ladies.
In the run down, J. Bacon and G. Clark and Fred Wharton and Richard Reardon each went home with a prize. Special NAGA award to A. Clark and A. Quirk for their score of 98 not out.
Ian Harvey was successful in taking the major prize in the raffle and was last seen working hard on the carpet.
Thanks to Judy Spiller for her work in making the day a success and it was great to see both Mick and Johnny Spiller on the course.
Next Saturday is the November monthly medal. The sponsors are Howard and Adele Poole. The Medal of Medallists for both men and ladies will also be decided. Qualifiers include those players who have won a monthly medal in the last 12 months. The men will be playing for the Roy Carnell Memorial trophy sponsored by the Carnell family. The sponsor in the ladies event is local business house, Lifestyle Footwear. Tee off is from 11.30am and the time sheet is on the board.
SUMMIT SUCCESSES
THE Apple Blossom Carnival might be done and dusted but competitive bowls was still on the agenda for Summit Bowlers last weekend.
The team of Rob Capelli, Eliseo Zamprogno, Ray Spiller and Phil Davis played outstanding bowls to take out the Tannymorel’s Fours Carnival. The group showed played outstanding bowls continuing the winning run of local players.
Another foursome keenly travelled to Salisbury in Brisbane for the weekend and while they won through to the first division rounds on Sunday, they were not as successful as last year. Len Covill, Paul Zamprogno Rod Newlands and Kurt Empen were very keen to play competitive bowls and did that with great spirit. They also managed to entice a busload of 30 Salisbury bowlers to The Summit in autumn next year. They are as keen as mustard to enjoy what the wine growing region has to offer and some great bowls of course.
Back at the ranch, those who chose to keep the home fires burning enjoyed a game of social bowls in picture perfect conditions. Once again, Mossy had the greens prepared to a tee. Players should note that one of the greens is being taken out of commission for a short while to get some tender loving care.
A reminder that nominations close for SDMDBA Two Bowl Triples on 13 November.
RUNNING THE GAUNTLET OF THE WEATHER
HOOP runners were faced with showery conditions last week but the weather did not deter players, and good numbers turned out hoping for a break in the weather and managed three hours play before the rain set in again.
Dianne Wren started her day in great form, top scoring with nine hoops in the doubles, playing with Elaine Brown against Bill Golding and Shirley Evans. Golding and Evans however managed to sneak home 13-12 in what was a very close game.
Judy Lock featured in the other grouping, playing alone with two balls against Val Fancourt and Teresa Pyne. Lock top scored with nine hoops with one of her balls in a total score of 12 against her opponents 11.
In the later triples event, Val Fancourt, Elaine Browne and Dianne Wren defeated Bill Golding, with Shirley Evans top scoring in both of her games.
In association croquet, Margaret Dickenson and Andrea Denkewitz were narrowly defeated by Jenny Tunbridge and Val Richardson, with the scores 16-15. Val Richardson played some great shots in this game.
In the singles game, Pat Schnoor proved too strong for Grace Howard, winning 26 – 12. Included in her score were three breaks of three.
Joy Newman and Carol Verwey scored 26 to claim a win over from Effey Russel and Heather Widderick (11). In this game, Joy Newman had one break of three and Carol Verwey two.
Conditions for gateball were perfect on Friday morning for the visit of Carol and Herman from the Australian Gateball Union.
A game of triples was played in preparation for the tournament the club will hosting on 21 and 22 November. Several visiting teams will be in the district to enjoy the tournament and take in the local attractions.
Players found the triples game far more intensive. Some members enjoyed playing two balls instead of the usual one. The games were close, and players are sure to be putting in plenty of time practising in the next few weeks as they prepare for the tournament.
GOOD ROUND FOR PURCELL
JAMIE Purcell played a nice round of golf last weekend at the ‘Garra to take a win in Saturday’s club event. He proved too good for Mick Ellis who was runner-up and Kevin Williams who finished in third spot.
There were no pin shots claimed on the day, however Brendan McMillan won the jackpot at nine.
This Saturday members will be playing for the Monthly Medal. A date for your golfing diary is 29 November – the Sexton and Green sponsored 4BBB Stableford. More information on that popular day as it comes to hand.
Golfers are reminded that the entire course will be closed from 2 November to 6 November and again on 26 and 27 November.
ANDERSON SHOWS FORM ON GOLF COURSE
JOSH Anderson showed he is another local cricketer that is no slouch when it comes to golf. He claimed a win in Sunday sporters, edging out runner-up Rod (Buster) Pettiford but he was seen leaving with a meat tray and a smile on his face. Run-downs went to Marg Locke and John Walsh while Aaron simmers had the best gross. The Pin shot on the 12th went to Nick Milne and Phil Zikan had success at 17. Ian Anderson took the Pro Pin. Mark Lynam was the winner of the second meat tray.
Tee-off on Sunday is at the normal time of 8am-8.30am. Hope you’ve all got your names on the sheet for the Lions Apple and Grape Ambassador Amanda McCosker’s Golf Day on Sunday 22 November. It is sure to be a great day with lots of prizes and a multi draw raffle.
CRICKET A FAMILY AFFAIR
FOR the Masters, family cricket has always been a family affair. In a rare feat, three generations of the Masters family now hold life membership of the Allora cricket club.
Keith Master was the first person to be given the honour of life membership of the club and the ground in Allora also bears his name. Prior to his death in 2013, Master was a regular at all the Allora games.
Son Neil and grandson Cameron have now joined him after they were awarded life membership of the club for their service to the club. Glyn Rees the club statistician and former club president was also acknowledged for his contribution with life membership.
Foundation committee members Cameron Masters, Neil Masters and Glyn Rees were presented with life memberships of the Allora Cricket Club.
WANDERERS SUCCESSFUL IN T20 OPENER
THE first of the T20 fixture games was played in Stanthorpe last weekend. Wanderers played Tenterfield and after winning the toss Wanderers batted first. Despite missing some of their key players, Wanderers openers Tim Harslett and Mitch Drayton got the side off to a quick start. Unfortunately, a steady flow of wickets had the side in trouble before Jordan Lanza was able to steady the ship with a much-needed 40 runs. The tail wagged for Wanderers and they finished their innings with a reasonable total of 123. Best of the Tenterfield bowlers were captain Ryan Whitton and M. Austin who took three wickets apiece. In reply, Tenterfield got off to a shaky start as Wanderers opening bowler Einam ripped through the opening batting line-up taking three wickets in his first four overs. O’Brien steadied the ship, scoring 40 runs in the middle order, but the visitors fell short all out for 110. Rob Yates took a hat-trick for the Wanderers, who could have however wrapped up the game much earlier, if not for their average display on the field, dropping six catches.
WIN FOR STANTHORPE IN SHIELD
STANTHORPE atoned for their defeat at the hands of Lockyer in the final of the Mitchell Shield last season, opening their representative season with a win over their rivals on Sunday.
Lockyer set the home side a run chase of 195. Stanthorpe reached the required total for the loss of eight wickets. Ross Lupton once again starred with the bat and stepping up to Mitchell shield for the first time Jordan Lanza bowled well.
The Dud Davis team lost the toss and were sent in on the dampish wicket. Despite the loss of early wickets, they batted out the full 50 overs. A partnership between Todd Brady and Col Harris netted 85 runs as Stanthorpe pushed the score along to 175. Baba Marino and Col Harris both batted well in the Stanthorpe innings. The total of 175 looked to be a competitive one as Lockyer lost early wickets. After losing five wickets, they fought back to win the game.
