I wonder if I am the only Rugby League tragic left on the planet who hankers for the days when players signed up to a club and stuck – where loyalty to your club was more important than the mighty dollar.
The window of opportunity to trade NRL players remains just ajar and closes on June 30. So while results and form in the NRL games pitch and turn like a corkscrew on the ocean during a storm, the transfer whispers are becoming rumbles.
The mayhem of player managers and not so secret negotiations is in full swing and if the rumour mill is correct the game is set to see perhaps the biggest mid season upheaval yet.
Clubs are window shopping for players and are happy to play snap with other clubs to get the desired results.
Some moves are already done and dusted. New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has jumped off the Penrith ship and is now in the Bulldogs kennel.
The Bunnies we know have secured James Roberts and Kodi Nikorima now finds himself an unexpected Warrior.
The Panthers could be about to make some further changes pre June30. Tyrone Peachey is apparently keen to ditch the Titans and return to Penrith only months after his yes, no, yes to the Gold Coast.
The Tigers are also rumoured to be hunting some new blood. They are expected to sign veteran Tim Mannah who will slip away from the Eels before the deadline.
There is plenty of chat surrounding one of the Burgess boys with rumours George could be on the move refusing to go away going away.
The Cowboys apparently have a full back on their shopping list and the Eels looking for a forward. Trent Merrin may return to the Dragons and so it goes on and on and on. According to some well placed sources this is only just the tip of the iceberg.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes between clubs and those magic men behind the players – their managers.
Fans at this stage have little or no clue if their favourite player at their favourite club is likely to be there post June 30.
It used to be June 30 got you thinking about tax; now it’s more taxing thinking about your NRL team and who may be in or out of the side.
Strap yourselves in; things could get really crazy in the next 10 days.
Of course before June 30 we Queenslanders will be too busy cheering the Maroons home in Perth. Up the Mighty Maroons – at least Queenslanders know who is in that team.
Casey
SHOCK LOSS
Former rugby league players in Stanthorpe and from the days of the old Warwick and District Rugby League competition were shocked and saddened early in the week to learn of the death of former Stanthorpe Player Coach Ron (Darkie) Lewis. Lewis a former Bulimba Cup player for both Toowoomba and Brisbane coached a very successful Stanthorpe Rugby League side in 1973.
Players from that era were looking forward to catching up with Darkie who was one of the real characters of the game at the upcoming Centenary of League celebrations in Stanthorpe.
I am sure however that there will be plenty of people myself included who will be remembering a multitude of tales about the man and his escapades here in Stanthorpe as we share an ale or two in his memory that evening.
RIP Darkie.
– Casey
KERR SHOWS GOOD WET TRACK FORM
Stanthorpe golfers were faced with damp conditions on Saturday when they teed. The moisture was more a surprise than a hindrance and absolutely no-one was complaining as play progressed in the single Stableford competition. Saturday’s round was played in conjunction with the Finch Cups for the men and ladies.
Alan Kerr found the conditions to his liking recording some excellent wet track form.Kerr was the only player in the round to play below his handicap.
With forty shots on the outward trip for 20 points and 22 points on the run home he returned a winning score of 42 points and ensures his name is engraved on the Finch Cup. Kerr also picked up the Pro-pins at 1/10 and 5/14
Club captain, Richard Reardon finished runner up with a score of 36 points.
In the Ladies event it was Margie Locke who returned the best score. A score of 34 points handed her the win and she also has her name on the Finch Cup as the 2019 Ladies winner. After a count back Lyn Ludlow got the nod as the runner up in the Ladies event.
Saturday’s event was sponsored by club stalwarts Tom and Trish Fittock who provided some great prizes for the winning contingent.
Len Leigh collected the pin at three. Keith Jones was successful at 12 while the pin at 17 went unclaimed. Aaron Simmers grabbed the remaining Pro Pin at 9/18.
Annelle Batterham held the ladies pin at 12 and Neta Thouard had the best approach at 17. Figuring in the Men’s run down were Barry Hughes (35), Ian Pickering (33), Keith Barnett (33) and Aaron Simmers (33). Linda Kelly (32) and Trish Fittock (31) each picked up a ball in the Ladies’ rundown.
4 Water Supplies are the sponsors of the Single Stroke event this Saturday. Tee off is from 11.00am and as usual there is a time sheet on the board at the club house.
SPORTERS REGULARS IN THE FRAME Two of Sporters regular golfers, Terry Byrnes and Paul Armstrong were in good touch last Sunday finishing the round as winner and runner up respectively. Stewart Rayner returned the best gross score and also picked up the Pin Shot at the 12th. Marg Locke fresh from a good win in the Ladies Finch Cup in Saturday’s competition featured in the rundowns as did Steve McEvoy. There were no takers for the Pin at 17 or the Pro Pin however a couple of meat trays found homes with golf stalwarts Aaron Simmers and Ray Thorn. If the weather forecast for this Sunday is correct Sporters had best rug up before teeing off between 8.00am and 8.30am.
TANNY TERRIFIC
There was a great roll up at the Tannymorel Bowls club on Friday night for the much anticipated final round of the Tanny Classic. The big crowd on hand to see who would be crowned champion and who could get their hands on the cash.
The final round of Tanny Four 2019 did not disappoint with results going right to the wire – the winner not clear until, not the last end but the last bowl.
Fraser Grayson, Lochy Fritz, Coire and Aaron had a 9-5 win over Milly Weier, Steph Shelly, Ryan Boal and Fritzy.
Brodie Weier, Boalsy and Thommo scored a knockout blow beating their opponents Maddy Weier, Reba and Bretto 10-8.
Those all important scores left Lochy Fritz and Reba locked on 19 points at the top of the scoreboard and joint winners of Tanny Four 2019 and of course sharing the cash.
It was a case of what might have been for Lochy Boal who along with Cody Muller and Damo Boal suffered a 24-15 loss to Jack Grayson, Steve Locke and Weiery. Boal finished tied for second place with Jessie Wallace who with playing partners finished the Classic with a 15-7 win.
Shaggs O’Mara was a member of that winning team. The win did little to improve his overall performance however he did get to take home the cash for the Horses Butt.
Organisers of the four Tanny Classics played in 2019 have been delighted to see so many juniors taking up the challenge and finishing in the mix with the winners and pocketing some of the prize money.
The team behind the Classic competitions say it has been a pleasure to see so many people having a great time and learning about lawn bowls. With players ranging in age for 10-70, the camaraderie among the group has been a special highlights.
Watch this space for any details of upcoming Tanny Classic
Special thanks to the ladies behind the scenes in the kitchen who have looked after everyone beautifully throughout the competition.
Of course there has also been other club competitions played. In the singles competition Nick Farmer had a 25-15 win over Dunga Sullivan. Myrtle (who is on her way to her 90th birthday) showed Butzy how it is done defeating him 26-14.
In the pairs comp Aaron and Philpsy proved too strong for Marg Thompson and Geoff and scored a 22-12 win.
A reminder to everyone to get your name in for club selected social bowls this Sunday to celebrate Myrtles 90th Birthday. Bowls begin at 10.00am and will be followed by a BBQ lunch – will there be cake? You’ll have to get to Tanny to find out.
busy busy Croquet
Another busy Tuesday morning on the Croquet Court in Stanthorpe for the Association Croquet games. Joy Newman and playing partner Andrea Denkewitz took on Effey Russell and Peter Tunbridge and score a 25-17 win. Carol Verwey and Jenny Tunbridge played a tough game against Heather Widderick and Grace Howard. Verwey and Tunbridge scored a 23-18 win on a day when all players looked to be in good touch.
A small group turned out for the Ricochet games on Thursday morning. Despite the small numbers games were very competitive.
Carol Verwey played a solo hand against Marion McCulloch and Peter Tunbridge and continued her good form from Association Croquet. In an entertaining game McCulloch scored her first break of three hoops in a row since she began playing. However honours went to Carol. The score 26-19 in a game where she also scored two brakes of two on her way to the win.
In another close contest Andrea Denekwitz snuck home with a 26-25 win over Eric McCulloch.
Conditions were less than inviting for the Gateball group last week however five dedicated players took to the court.
Andrea Denkewitz, Grace Howard and Heather Widderick formed Team One, Their opponents in Team Two Les Williams and Jenny Tunbridge.
Team Two finished the morning with bragging rights after they won three of the four games contested.
They opened play with an 18-10 win in the first game. Game two was a very tight affair and the teams finished locked at 8 all. Team one got the nod in the count back but it would be their only joy for the day. Team Two wrapped up a good day on the court scoring wins in the next two games (13-11 and 12-11). Heather Widderick although on the losing team for most of the morning was one of the best players on the day.
RATS ON A RUN
The Warwick Water Rats have continued their good form this season in the Darling Downs Rugby Union B-grade competition. Last week they put together back to back wins scoring an impressive 60-5 win over USQ.
That wins comes on the back of another good performance beating Goondiwindi 26-10.
Warwick who are eyeing off a place in the semi finals will this weekend travel to take on Dalby on their home turf.
The Water Rats will be hoping their good form continues as they Endeavour to knock off another of the top sides.
It has been a much improved season for the Rats who have only been beaten on one occasion this season.
This weekend they will line up without Kai Etherington who suffered a broken hand in last weekend’s game.Lindsay Payne must also be in doubt after he suffered an ankle injury in the warm ups prior to the clash with USQ
POPULAR MEETING A SUCCESS
The Killarney Cup race meeting hosted by the Warwick Turf Club last Saturday was well supported by owners, trainers, jockeys and the public.
10 runners faced the starter in the Killarney Cup, a Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1500 metres and the feature race on the programme.
St George visitor Pat’s Girl started $2 favourite in the race and gave punters plenty to cheer about when she saluted for connections. The five year old mare had good form for the race having won at Ipswich in early May and finishing a handy third at Toowoomba the previous week. The winner was well ridden by apprentice Nick Keal for trainer Warren Morris who owns the horse in partnership with Mr Hall.
Stellar Jewel ($8) who was slowly out of the barriers and Kira’s Beat (($13) filled the minor placings.
Connections of Show ’Me were quizzed by stewards after the equal favourite finished at the tail of the field.
Show ’Em’s rider apprentice Brooke Mackie told stewards the gelding failed to run on in the straight under his big weight.
The meeting opened with the running of the Killarney Coop Maiden over the short 800metre distance.
The Oakey trained Jacko’s a Natural ($6) having only his sixth race start broke through for his maiden victory. The gelding trained by Shane Green was ridden by Noriyuki Nishio
The Angus Wickham Memorial also a Maiden was run over the 1300m distance.
Warwick galloper Thellyson was a late scratching at the barrier after he was found to be lame when he arrived at the start gates.
Another Oakey galloper Mask Stepenny gave Nick Keal the first of a winning double when he scored a narrow win over Teya ($4) and Hugs n Kisses who finished close up in third place.
Starting at $15 Blue Monte made the trip from Beaudesert worthwhile for his connections when he saluted in the Topx Warwick/Smith’s Farm -the Fall Killarney Class b Handicap (1350m)
The gelding was trapped wide for most of the race but claiming apprentice Minehiko Shimodaira
The fifth event a QTIS Benchmark 5 Handicap was won by Toecanargie Man. Starting at $4 and ridden by Emily Atkinson the Toowoomba trained gelding was another winner who saw little of the fence in the early stages of the race but ran on in the straight for a one length win. Trained by Ross Coveny the five year old gelding put the writing on the wall at his last start when he finished third in Dalby.
The meeting wrapped up with the running of the Thank You Ross McIntosh QTIS Benchmark 55 Handicap (1100m). Favourite backers finally had some joy when the Tony Sears galloper Heart of Kings saluted. With the 2.5kg claim for apprentice Brooke Mackie the three year old Show a Heart gelding carried 58.5kg and franked his good recent Toowoomba form.
The Killarney Cup meeting again proved to be one of the most popular race dates on the Warwick calendar. The next scheduled meeting at Allman Park is on August 20.
WATTLES DOMINATE
The mid season Madsen Rasmussen and President’s Cup games will be played this weekend at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba.
After wins last week in the TRL round 11 Valleys and Wattles will battle it out for the Madsen-Rasmussen trophy. The game is a repeat of last year’s game and also the 2018 grand final.
Wattles will be keen for redemption after being beaten in both games last season in the shadows of full time. Both sides take good form into the 2019 clash.
Wattles last weekend were fresh after a bye the previous week and thrashed Oakey 76-4 in their game at Platz Oval.
In a tryathon Wattles piled on the 13 tries. .Matt Duggan made a welcome return to the side after recovering from an ankle injury. He added the extras on 12 occasions in a great display of goal kicking.
Leading the way in the try scoring stakes was Michael Marshall who had a field day on the wing scoring four tries.
Nick van der Poel opened the scoring in the seventh minute and soon after had a double as the Warriors completely dominated a depleted Oakey outfit.
Despite leading 50 nil at half time Wattles did not take their foot off the accelerator adding another five tries in the second half in a totally dominant display sending an ominous warning to the Roosters.
WATTLES 76 (Michael Marshall 4, Nick van der Poel 2, Ryan Duggan 2, Andrew Richardson, Nathan Gaulton, Braydon Wilson, Matthew Richards, Dylan Wilson tries; Matt Duggan 12 goals) defeated OAKEY 4 (Chris Oliver try)
DO OR DIE FOR COWBOYS AND ROOSTERS
At Fr Ranger Oval it was do or die as far as securing a spot in the Madsen-Rasmussen Trophy this weekend.
Valleys posted first points courtesy of a slick show and go move from five eighth Ben Cook. It set the tone of the first half. The visitors made it 12 nil with a converted try deep into the first half and extended the lead to 14-0 with a successful penalty conversion just prior to half time.
The Cowboys attack was solid in the first half but the defence of the Roosters was good enough to repel their attacking raids and turn the Cowboys away.
Trailing 14-0 Warwick appeared to begin the second half with a different mindset. Ben Sullivan put the home side on the board only a minute into the second half and when captain Mick Bloomfield converted the Cowboys were off and running.
Seventeen minutes into the second half the Cowboys had hit the lead (18-14).
The game developed into a real arm wrestle. Valleys found themselves in possession in the Cowboys territory and after being consistently repelled by the Cowboys defence. The Roosters finally split the defence and Zac Miles crossed to level the scores. A successful Valley’s conversion with less than five minutes on the clock saw the lead swing back to the visitors.
Valleys needed only draw the game to secure their spot in this weekend’s game but they were intent on an outright win.
The Roosters showed why they were Premiers in 2018 and winners of the 2018 Madsen Rasmussen trophy when Dylan Chown scored just two minutes from the final siren.
The Roosters play to the death mentality held them in good stead in crunch games last season and was on display at Fr Ranger Oval.
Wattles are playing excellent football this season but will need to play every second of the 80 minutes to secure a win this weekend.
WARWICK 18 (Ben Sullivan, Harry Sullivan, Joe Fuimaono tries; Michael Bloomfield 3 goals) lost to VALLEYS 24 (Ben Cook, Aaron Sillitoe, Zac Miles, Dylan Chown tries; Dwayne Duncan 4 goals)
Clive Berghofer Program Sunday June 23
Gates Open 9.00AM
10.00AM 2nd Division NEWTOWN V GOONDIWINDI
(30 mins each way, time off for injury)
Presentation of Winners Trophy and Player of the Match
11.20AM Under 18 Final SOUTHS V DALBY
(35 mins each way, time off for injury)
Presentation of Winners Trophy and Player of the Match
1.00PM Reserve Grade Final VALLEYS V WATTLES
(35 mins each way, time off for injury)
Presentation of Winners Trophy and Player of the Match
2.40PM Madsen Rasmussen – A Grade Final VALLEYS V WATTLES
(40 mins each way, time off for injury)
Presentation of Player of the Math
Bill and Steve Pollard Family Medal
Presentation of Madsen Rasmussen Winners Trophy
4.30PM Ladies Division 1 Game
