By CASEY O’CONNOR
WOMEN’s rugby league is certainly kicking some goals, pardon the pun. Recently, the Australian national team, the Jillaroos secured some much-needed sponsorship when Harvey Norman announced a three-year jersey sponsorship of the Australian Ladies side. A replay of last weekend’s Trans Tasman clash between the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns will be broadcast this Sunday by Channel Nine. It will air prior to the NRL Telstra Premiership broadcast between the Eels and Storm from Pirtek Stadium. It is the first time that Women’s Rugby league will feature on free to air TV. Unfortunately, Queensland viewers will not get to see the game.
I realise that the move will raise an eyebrow or two of the traditionalists who see league as a male sport, however don’t be too quick to judge until you have seen these girls in action.
They play a tough uncompromising brand of football that would surprise many. They have outstanding ball skills and never take a backward step. Many who watched a women’s game for the first time last weekend quickly became converts, surprised at how entertaining the game was.
There are no Prima Donnas among this lot (there was the odd one in the Men’s changerooms however) – no million dollar contracts and third party deals. They play for the love of the game. Something that often seems to be missing in their male counterparts.
After the bath that the Kangaroos got at Suncorp courtesy of the Kiwis, perhaps they should take a long hard look at what it meant to those girls to wear the green and gold last Sunday. Well done Jillaroos, congratulations and keep kicking goals
Casey
JILLAROOS RIDE WORTHWHILE
LAST weekend was a roller coaster ride for the Australian Jillaroos. The Australian girls and the Kiwi Ferns were midway through their warm up on Friday night in preparation for their own Test match, the curtain raiser Anzac Test when the game was firstly postponed and then cancelled due to the deluge at Suncorp.
Then came the decision to play the Test matches on Sunday which meant unlike their male counterparts, many of the players would have to work extra shifts reshuffle travel arrangements and call sympathetic bosses. One player, Latoya Billy has a three-day journey to get home to Moa Island in the Torres Strait – those arrangements had to be postponed until Monday.
But with the chance to wear the green and gold once again and to square up after being beaten in the Nine’s competition early this year, there were no complaints.
The wait was worthwhile for the girls. A hat-trick to talented debutant Mahalia Murphy helped the Jillaroos to a 22-14 win over the archrivals the Kiwi Ferns on Sunday. The game was very much in the balance at 10-all before Murphy broke the game open with two tries in an eight-minute period.
No surprise that she was named player of the match. There was plenty of local support for the Jillaroos as Killarney’s Stephanie Hancock captained her first game at Suncorp. Hancock battled injury in the lead-up to the game. Another of the team with local connections was former Scots PGC student Heather Ballinger who had an outstanding game.
Jillaroos 22 (Mahalia Murphy 3, Jennie-Sue Hoepper tries; Hoepper 2, Ali Brigginshaw goals) d Kiwi Ferns 14 (Shontelle Dudley, Maitua Feterika, Sharnita Woodman tries; Laura Mariu goal) at Suncorp Stadium.
DELUGE – NO DRAMA
FRIDAY’S deluge did not prevent bowlers at the Summit from taking to the green on Saturday. The club held two competitive games of pairs. Phil Davis and Paul Zamprogno defeated Trevor Morris and Brian Wilmot 26-22. In the other game, Chris Stratford and Alex Mattiazzi were outgunned by Attilio Zamprogno and Michael Sweeney. The final scores 25-16.
The club’s A grade singles kick off on Saturday. The winner of the competition will go on to represent the club in the District Champion of Champions.
Call ups are for 9am bowlers who are asked to arrive early.
Section 1. Quinton Stanley, Rob Parker and Keith Mungall
Section 2. Darren Stanley, Len Covill and Rob Slack
Section 3. Kurt Empen, Michael Sweeney and Rob Capelli
Section 4. Attilio Zamprogno, Paul Zamprogno and Brian Wilmot.
Sectional play will decide semi-finalists. All bowlers are expected to mark a match in the sectional play.
Dale Barker, one of the stalwarts of the Summit club, is in sick bay and is wished a speedy recovery. Confirmation and a deposit is required this weekend from anyone interested in joining the Evans Head trip in July. Contact the club if you require further information.
MUD LARK ON THE GOLF COURSE
CONDITIONS were damp on the Stanthorpe Golf course after Friday night’s wild weather, however Mark Hendry showed the form of a true mudlark. The damp conditions proved no hazard to him, who carded a nett 66 three shots ahead of his nearest rival to win the May monthly medal in Stanthorpe. Richard Reardon, (nett 69) was his closest rival, taking out the runner’s-up spot.
Mark had a controlled round, scoring a 38 on the front nine and 37 back for his total of 75.
Dylan Barraclough returned a score of 73 to have best gross on the day and runner-up; Richard Reardon returned lowest putts for the round – 22. Kev Rowling claimed both men’s pin shots at 3/12 and 17. Dylan Barraclough nearly swept the pro-pins, taking both 1/10 and 9/18 with Fred Wharton picking up the other at 5/14.
Hannah Reeves took out the ladies event. Her nett 79, one shot clear of Neta Thouard (nett 80). Neta did take both ladies pin shots at 3/12 and 17 to make up for a one shot difference. Margie Locke had the bet of the putting in the ladies competition- 29 putts for the round.
Run down went to nett 72 for men and nett 81 for ladies. The monthly medal was sponsored by Michael Lane of Soul Pattinson Chemist.
The first round of the club championships was held in conjunction with the medal day. Dylan Barraclough might have started warm favourite in the A grade but he has a couple of players hot on his heels.
Mark McCosker has the lead in B grade while the C grade is too close to name a possible winner at this stage.
Three more rounds to go, so anything could happen.
On Saturday, a stroke round has been scheduled and it is also the second round of club championships.
A draw has been finalised and it is on the time sheet at the club.
There are spaces for players who did not compete in Round 1, just add your name to the list. Saturday’s sponsor is Craig Fossey.
Warwick Golf pro, Rob McConnell, will be at the course on Saturday. If you would like some coaching to hone your skills or have any special requirements, give Rob a call at the Warwick Golf Club.
TIME SLOT SUITS ROB
SPORTERS had a change of time slot last Sunday due to the early Pennants game. An afternoon tee off was just the ticket for Rob Reeves who nailed a win and shot the Best gross of the day. Mick Doorley was the runner-up, and the run-downs went to Angelo Maugeri and Paul Byrnes. Dick Hilton picked up the Pin shot on the 12th. We have come to expect that Hannah Reeves will not be far from the action, and she picked up the Pro Pin on Sunday and also took home a meat tray. The other meat tray went home with Marg Locke.
This Sunday the annual Maureen Bates Memorial will be played. It is a nine hole Two Ball Ambrose event: 8.30am with 9am Shotgun start. Organisers have been hard at work and are hoping for great weather and a big turnout for the event. There are lots of prizes on offer and a Multi Draw Raffle. Hope to see you all there.
RIDERS LEAD THE CHARGE
IT WAS like the Charge of the Lighter Brigade at Inglewood SSAA , and it was led by the enthusiastic members of the Texas Pony Club. The Pony Club members arrived for the shooting phase of the Tetrathlon. The event also includes riding and, swimming skills. Placings were: 1st Charlie; 2nd Tom; 3rd Jamie (no surnames unfortunately). All competitors enjoyed the experience which was a lot of fun for the kids and the organisers. Back to business this weekend. Sunday the club is holding a Single Action cowboy shooting event and Rimfire rifle. Remember visitors are always welcome.
BALLADEAN POSTPONE GAMES
ORGANISERS and officials at the Ballandean Soccer club were forced last Sunday to postpone the Junior Colt’s, Senior Colt’s Ladies and Men’s matches set down to be played in Ballandean due to the state of the ground. Not often we see that happen on the Granite Belt.
CLYDESDALES GALLOP OFF WITH TROPHY
TOOWOOMBA Clydesdales made it back-to-back wins in the QRL Central Division 47th Battalion Carnival payed last weekend in Roma. Teams from throughout the QRL Central Division play in the annual carnival.
Seven BRL players joined their western counterparts in the South West Country side
South West Country played the Rockhampton Rustlers in their opening game. At halftime the Rockhampton Rustlers held a handy 14-4 lead. South West Country had a better second half, scoring two tries but the Rustlers proved too strong, winning 26-16.
In a Man-of-the-Match performance, Miles flyer Matt Purcell again showed his class, scoring all three of the South West tries. Stanthorpe’s Jason Wilmot had two successful conversions.
In their second game, South West took on North Wide Bay Rangers. At half time, South West led 16-6 before running away with the game 30-10. Purcell was once again a standout, scoring three tries and picking up his second Man-of-the-Match award for the carnival.
Following their win, South West Country played Bundaberg Bears. South West had no answers against the classy Bundaberg outfit, going down 38-0.
It is not the end of the road for the seven BRL players who will go on to play in the 2015 Queensland Outback Carnival later in the season.
The two top teams at the end of the Pool Games played in the final on Sunday. Bundaberg Bears finished at the top of the table in pool B and Toowoomba Clydesdales topped pool A.
In a tight contest, the Clydesdales extended their half-time lead (8-6) to defeat the Bears 20-16 and give them back-to-back wins in the in the 47th battalion grand final.
At the completion of the carnival, a Central Division “A” Grade side was selected to play in the State Titles.
Five TRL players were included in the side including Wattles Matt Duggan who was named captain.
The Team is: 1 Alex Braun (Bundaberg); 2 Ratu Nailusu (Rockhampton; 3 Shaun Collins (Gladstone); 4 Matt Templeman (Bundaberg); 5 Billy Jackowitz (Toowoomba); 6 Brent Crisp (Gladstone); 7 Matt Duggan (Toowoomba); 8 Sione Tonga (Gladstone); 9 Aaron Watson (Gladstone); 10 Jason Wardrop (Sunshine Coast); 11 Murray Goldsworthy (Sunshine Coast); 12 Jake Thompson (Bundaberg); 13 Sam Satogi (Sunshine Coast); 14 Will Jung (Bundaberg); 15 James Crombie (Toowoomba); 16 Tyrone Jowett (Toowoomba); 17 Tyson White (Gladstone); 18 Nick Boney (Toowoomba); 19 Clinton Horne (Bundaberg); coach: Dean Bosnich.
STILL WINNING
BOB Holden saluted the chequered flag at Bathurst in a Mini clubman in 1966 – last weekend he drove in the Historic Racing Car Club (Qld) Autumn Nationals and took out the open handicap event driving a Toyota Corolla given to him in 1989.
Holden returned to Morgan Park after tasting success on the circuit last year.
There is no doubting Bob Holden’s racing credentials. He raced at the famous Bathurst track on 34 occasions. Last weekend, six of the cars he raced around the Bathurst circuit were in action at Morgan Park.
There was no doubting Holden’s ability or class in the 60s and 70s, however he chose to remain a largely self-funded driver not seeking the bigger sponsorship deals.
The veteran driver certainly has not lost his passion for the sport and said the turn out to last weekend’s event organised by Peter Walsh was impressive. A total of 180 drivers took part in the event in perfect conditions.
TRL AND BRL TEAMS BACK IN ACTION
AFTER a weekend of representative football across Central Division, local teams will be back in action this weekend.
In TRL games, the Valleys host the Warwick Cowboys at Platz oval in what should be a great game. The teams sit sixth and seventh on the TRL ladder. Wattles will be expecting to continue their winning form when they travel to Oakey.
On the BRL scene, Wallangarra host a much-anticipated local derby against the Tenterfield Tigers. There will be no love lost in this game with several Tenterfield players defecting to the Rams in the off season.
Stanthorpe Gremlins have their first home game of the season on Saturday when they host the Killarney Cutters at Sullivan Oval.
