By CASEY O’CONNOR
LIKE so many others across the Southern Downs, I woke Sunday morning to the devastating news of the fire in Warwick which claimed the life of Wilf Brown and left his family homeless.
It is a tragedy beyond belief and the entire sporting community and community at large will be mourning the passing of one of the icons of the Warwick cricketing community.
Wilf Brown was an interesting bloke. I was fortunate to umpire many games with him and shared many a chat about his interesting career as both a player and umpire.
Wilf was an outstanding opening batsman, playing two games for Queensland in that role. As Michael Bourke said after the tragedy, he was perhaps the best batsman to come out of the district.
He became a regular representing Queensland Country. When he gave up playing, Wilf took up umpiring. For many years, he was curator and groundsman at Warwick Cricket headquarters, Slade Oval and also did more than his share of time as an administrator. Despite his years, Wilf was still an active umpire last season ready to help out when called upon.
It is wonderful to see that the community has rallied behind the Brown family, setting up an appeal after they were left with so little. Let’s hope the entire community support the appeal in the way that Wilf and his family have supported their community over the years.
I would like to offer my condolences to Wilf’s widow Leonore and daughter Jane. Warwick cricket has lost one of the true champions of their game and the community has lost one of its true stalwarts.
– Casey
SUMMIT PAIR AT HOME IN ICY CONDITIONS
SUMMIT bowlers Paul Zamprogno and Quinton Stanley were right at home in the icy and windy conditions in the final of the Glen Innes pairs Carnival last weekend.
The pair prevailed in conditions to take out the major prize at the carnival.
They were among a group from the Summit Club that hit the road last weekend for the Glen Innes Pairs carnival.
The testing conditions had many players lured into the warmth of the clubhouse for food and shelter and the hospitality of the host club before heading back to the icy greens.
Zamprogno and Stanley however shook off the conditions and some fierce opposition to come away with the title, the trophy and fair bragging rights.
While the group was in Glen Innes, there was a hotly contested social game of fours at home base on Saturday.
The home greens were once again presented in pristine condition and club members have volunteer greenkeepers Zel, Ray, Dale and Phil to thank for the meticulous preparation of the greens each week.
A reminder to all players that nominations for the Summit A Grade Singles championships close this Friday 1 May. The club champion will go on to represent the club at the subsequent Champion of Champions event.
Those players planning on travelling to Evans Heads in July are also reminded that the deadline for your deposit is Saturday.
Members and guests are invited to the club’s social bowls this Saturday commencing at 1pm.
SCHEDULING
WHICH director of events at a local club scheduled a game this week for the Ladies on 31 April? No names, but it has left some people a little confused.
FAMILY FORM
THE win of father/ daughter team Rob and Hannah Reeves in the Stanthorpe Golf club end of month 4BBB Stableford should come as no surprise. Rob has been in good touch in recent weeks and Hannah is fast becoming one of the most consistent players in the Stanthorpe club. The pair returned a score of 47 points and was a model of consistency on Saturday, recording only one hole with one point. Hannah finished the round two over par, 75, off the stick and also picked up the ladies pin at 3/12 and the pro-pin at 1/10.
Only one point behind team Reeves was the team of Kev Rowling and Keith Green who were left to rue their costly performance on the par three third where they recorded one point.
Eric McLellan collected the balls for the pin at 3/12 and Keith Green held the pin at 17. Len Leigh had success at 5/14 and Richard Reardon at 9/18.
Christine Welstead took the honours for the ladies approach at 17 and the run down went to scores of 45 and better. The enjoyable round was sponsored by Darrel Boekholt.
As it is the first weekend of May, there will be a single stroke competition played for the monthly medal. Saturday is also the first round of club championships. There will be plenty to play for over the coming four rounds of the championships with gross and nett events in several divisions.
Golfers must play over the next four weeks to be deemed eligible. This week’s sponsor is Michael Lane.
PENNANTS NEWS
THE Stanthorpe Pennants team had another resounding win last Sunday. The team notched up a five /zip win at Allora. This week, the Stanthorpe group has the bye as the club hosts the next round of the competition and teams from Warwick, Allora, Clifton and Pittsworth hit the fairways and greens on Sunday morning.
The Warwick Golf Club hosted Pittsworth last weekend in Division Three and had a 5 1/2 to 1 1/2 win. The Division four group played Pittsworth at Allora and squared. Warwick Juniors played Dalby at Middle Ridge and won three and two.
TICKET RELEASE FOR WORLD CUP
MORE tickets were released for sale for the Rugby World Cup 2015 last Wednesday. An additional 25,000 seats went on sale for 12 matches featuring Australia, Samoa, Scotland and South Africa. Fiji and the hosts England get the World Cup underway on 18 September at Twickenham Stadium. The tournament culminates in the final also at Twickenham Stadium on 31 October. A ticket to that game will set you back a mere (Aus) $2319.94. (That information should not be available to those people setting the prices for future State of Origin games).
A relaxation of the rules surrounding Australian Wallabies currently contracted to play overseas looks likely to see the return of versatile playmaker Matt Giteau. The return of Giteau (who is currently playing for Toulon) to the Wallaby fold would bolster the Wallabies chances but make life considerably harder for England and Wales who share Pool A with Australia.
There are concerns in the host nation that England could face the very real prospect of elimination in the knockout stage.
ANZAC TRIBUTE SHOOT POPULAR
THE Inglewood SSAA paid their Anzac Day respects in their own unique and traditional manner last weekend when they hosted the second round of their popular Anzac Tribute shoot.
Twenty-one shooters competed in last Sunday’s round. Winner of the overall competition by a long shot was Rob McKenzie. In second place was Gary Belen with Paul Drier rounding out the placings.
The competition included several disciplines.
Tim McCarthy was successful in the Individual Pistol Event. He outscored overall winner Rob McKenzie and Crispin Kearney in this event.
Successful in the redoubt were Wayne Duffy, Peter Russell, Brianna Bull, Paul Dreier, Adian Kearney who defeated runners-up D. J. Mclean, Rob McKenzie, John Mills, and Quentin Chapman and in third place Crispin Kearney, Gary Belen.
Rob McKenzie was shooting with great consistency, taking out the Walkup ahead of Quentin Chapman, Gary Belen, Paul Dreier; Peter Solomon finished in third place.
Winner of the Junior section was Brianna Bull.
The Anzac Tribute shoot was once again a well supported and successful event for the Inglewood Association. This Sunday the club hosts members of the Texas Pony Club who are in training for their Tetrathlon event.
Pony Club Tetrathlon is a challenging competition where participants need a sound knowledge of practical horsemanship and general athletic ability. The competition includes four disciplines: running, riding, swimming and shooting.
Clays were scheduled this weekend but look likely to be pigeonholed this weekend because of private shoots replaced by a free for all.
REEVES REEVES AND MORE REEVES
CONDITIONS were a little on the evil side for golfers who braved the chill and wind to play Sporters in Stanthorpe last Sunday morning.
The conditions proved no obstacle to team Reeves, Hannah and her father Rob. Hannah teamed with her father for a win on Saturday and followed up the good form with a Sporters win on Sunday. In the process, she relegated her father to the runner’s-up spot.
The in-form youngster also had the Best Gross score for the round while Rob’s consistent recent form saw him collect the Pin shot at the third and the Pro Pin. With the Reeves’ taking home most of the goodies on offer, Keith Allen and Kev Schultz were fortunate to escape with a meat tray each.
Sporters are reminded that tee off this Sunday is scheduled for 11.30am to noon to accommodate visiting Pennants teams.
The Maureen Bates Memorial Day (a nine hole two ball Ambrose event is just around the corner (10 May). There is still time to get a group together for this popular day on the Stanthorpe golfing calendar.
RUMBLERS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
RUMBLERS were out in force last Friday, and even joined by an overseas invader. RRR was won by newcomer/old comer Ross Kingston with 20 points. Kingston finished ahead of Greg Wallace (19) who filled the runners-up spot, edging out his playing partner Alan Matthews who also finished with a score of 19.
Doug Wilson won a ball in the run down and Pins went to Canadian visitor Ian Payne (11), (proof they will come from anywhere for the Red Rooster Rumble) and runner-up Greg Wallace collected the pin at 13.
SAUNDERS WINS ANZAC DAY COMEPITTION
IT WAS a solemn occasion on Saturday for the club’s Single Stableford competition with the Anzac Centenary commemoration at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. The event sponsored by B and K Motors was won by Jamie Saunders with a score of 37 points on a countback from runner-up Jesse Harris and Jay Roberts (35). In the run down were Buddy Hicks, and Don Warrener (35), Phil Economidis, Stuart Wade, and Trent Watts (34). Pins went to Brendon Jones (7), Rodney Macdonald (11), Trevor King (13), and Shane McKenzie (16).
The Monthly Medal seems to roll around quicker each month and on Saturday the May monthly medal will be sponsored by Warwick Real Estate.
Sunday is the Sporters Shield and Rose Bowl, a four ball best ball Stableford event. Timesheets for all events are in the pro shop. Phone 4661 3664.
BUSY WEEK FOR MALLETERS
ONLY a small group rolled up for Association Croquet last week in Stanthorpe. Three games of singles were conducted. Grace Howard played well to force a 23-all draw with Pat Schnoor. Margaret Dickenson had a 26-14 win over Joy Newman. In this game, Joy had a break of four and Margaret a break of five. Margaret began her game in usual fashion slowly away, but apparently it is amazing what a cup of coffee can do for the latter part of your game. She came home with a wet sail to nail the win.
Carol Verwey scored 26 with two breaks of two, to pick up a win over Heather Widderick 18.
HOOPER RUNNERS GOLF CROQUET
NUMBERS were also down at hoop runners and two games of triples were played. The final score in the first game was 13 – 11 and in the second game 13 – 9.
The first game was a cracker. Liz Ellway was the star of show as she executed some really good shots. She shot three hoops in a row as well as a “hoop in one”. Three others players, Elaine Brown, Shirley Page and Shirley Evans scored “hoops in one” during the games.
In the second game, Dianne Wren excelled, scoring several hoops in a row, including the winning one.
The week wrapped up with a visit from Toowoomba Gateballers on Friday. Some of the Toowoomba contingent teamed up with Stanthorpe players to help them gain more experience. The court had been re-marked to allow two games to be played simultaneously. Stanthorpe players enjoyed the opportunity to play with the Toowoomba group, which included several players who competed in the 2014 World Championships in Japan, and develop new tactics and improve their overall play.
BIG DAY IN TIGER TERRITORY
THE Tenterfield Tigers backed up the form they showed when they beat premiers Killarney in round one of the BRL on Saturday. The Tigers came up trumps at Rugby League Park with wins in all three grades against the Stanthorpe.
The Under 18 nine a side game got things off to a flyer for the Tigers when they nailed a solid 22-6 win.
In the Ladies League Tag, the Tenterfield girls continued their domination of the competition with a 14-6 win over the Gremlinettes. The Tenterfield girls have managed to keep their unbeaten record intact despite marked improvement in the other teams in the League Tag. This was a very close game and showed the Tenterfield girls are a solid unit who can step things up a notch when needed.
It was left to the A Grade side to continue that winning feeling, and the boys had to do it the hard way.
Trailing 12-6 at half time, the Tigers dug deep in the second half. In only the second round the season, the Tigers worked well for each other and in a tough and very physical battle outgunned the Gremlins for a gutsy win 20-16 win with tries to Bourke, Lee, Parkes and Thomas.
There were some promising signs for the Gremlins. Brad Britton backed up his debut with another fine performance. The more senior players Kyle Marsh and Sam Dowie also scored tries.
The win wrapped up a great day at Rugby League Park, and although it is only early stages in the competition the Tigers and their supporters will be pleased to be sitting alone at the top of the table.
Dave Stewart and Murray Hovey led supporters, players and officials in a special tribute to the Anzac Day occasion.
BRL PLAYERS SET FOR REP DUTY
THIS week attention turns to the Representative arena with players selected from the Border League sides heading to Roma to play in the South West Country side in this weekend’s big 47th battalion Carnival in Roma. The trip to Roma will be a welcome change for our local players who in recent years have had to travel much farther afield for this carnival. The weekend event in Roma will also mark the centenary celebration of football in that district.
Seven BRL players were selected in what is a strong South West country side. They will be hoping to again surprise some of their more fancied counterparts. BRL fixtures resume on 9 May.
Cowboys returned to form last weekend posting wins in all three grades when they took on Souths at Fr Ranger Oval.
The A grade game was played between the Reserve grade and Under 18 games and the change of format was well received by patrons and players.
The 21-18 win by the A Grade was the win the team needed to get their season back on track after a successful run in the pre-season trials.
Round six began well for the Cowboys with a good win in the Reserve Grade over Valleys (48-22) and they finished the round off with another good win in the Under 18 game (48-10)
In other games, Wattles proved too strong for Dalby in their A Grade clash. The premiers added another win to their tally downing Dalby 48-22.
Wattles Reserve Grade and Under 18s both suffered losses, however their C Grade side, Millmerran, posted a big 66-4 win over their opponents.
Scores in the Reserve Grade game were 24-14 Dalby and 52-22 in Dalby’s favour in the Under 18 game.
There are no TRL fixtures this weekend due to the 47th Battalion Carnival in Roma.
