By CASEY O’CONNOR
LEAH Costanzo is an accomplished sportswoman in her own right and has had success in soccer and running. More recently she has tasted success on the world stage as a very accomplished shooter. All of that seemed to pale into insignificance when she contacted me to fill me in on the latest accomplishments of her talented niece Charlotte Caslick, a member of the very successful Australian Rugby Sevens team. Spin has been keeping a weather eye on Charlotte’s career in the past couple of years.
For the second consecutive year, the Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens star Charlotte has been shortlisted for the top individual honour in Women’s Sevens Rugby.
Twenty-year-old Charlotte has been named alongside Russia’s Nadezhda Kudinova and New Zealand’s skipper Sarah Goss and prolific try-scorer Portia Woodman on the shortlist. The winner will be announced at the World Rugby Awards dinner in London on 1 November.
It wraps up a sensational year for the daughter of former Stanthorpe cricketer and rugby league player Don Caslick after the Australian Women’s Sevens team made history becoming the first ever female side to qualify for the Olympic Games. They received automatic qualification for Rio 2016 after finishing third in the 2014/’15 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.
Charlotte debuted in the Sevens in Amsterdam in 2013. Since then she has crossed for 29 tries in her 12-tournament appearances and was instrumental in helping the team to four Finals appearances and a title in London this season.
It is a fantastic achievement, and while there has been a lot of hard work gone into her success, she is the first to admit she comes from a long line of successful sportsmen and women so there must be something in the genes. We wish her well in London in November and further down the track in Rio.
– Casey.
STANTHORPE NAB AN INTRUST CUP GAME
The QRL and NRL and State Government’s decision to take more games to the country will see Stanthorpe host an Intrust Super Cup game between the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Burleigh Bears. The game will be played on Sunday 16 August as part of the QRL’s Get in the Game Country Week. The game will be one of two games that will be played in the South West with Dalby also selected to host a game between North’s Devils and the Mackay Cutters on the Saturday.
NRL CEO David Smith has a passion for grassroots football and has been a driving force behind getting games to the bush. Last weekend he travelled to Cherbourg for the historic Intrust Super Cup clash between the Ipswich Jets and Souths-Logan.
Gremlins officials are thrilled that Stanthorpe has been selected for one of the games, and it is recognition for the hard work of various committees over recent years. The facilities at Sullivan Oval are some of the best outside the metropolitan area, and it is great to see them showcased to the broader league community.
While it is a coup for Stanthorpe, it will not be the first time a major game has been played in Stanthorpe. Back in the ’90s the Ipswich Jets played a Toowoomba side at the time when Toowoomba were the feeder club for the Broncos.
Craig Teevan was the captain coach of the Jets side which included some soon-to-be notables including no less than dual international Lote Tiquiri and Shaun Berrigan. Tiquiri was signed by the Broncos only a short time after the Stanthorpe game, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Stanthorpe, over the years, has hosted its share of league luminaries. In a game played in 1983, the Stanthorpe team coached by Lyndon Cullen played Brisbane side Souths. The score line at the end of the game did not flatter the local team, but when you consider the calibre of players in that Souths side it is no wonder. The visitors’ side included Mal Meninga, Gary Belcher and Bob Lindner, who was having his first game for the Magpies.
It will be interesting to see if this game throws up any future champions.
WATTLES RECRUIT MAKES AN IMPACT
IT WAS not difficult to spot Wattles new recruit Michael Purcell in last weekend’s game against Highfields. He was over for the first of four tries in only the third minute of the game at Platz Oval. Purcell who has transferred from Mitchell Magpies only arrived mid week and had little time to settle into his new club. He is originally from further west, Charleville. Over the past few years, Purcell has been an integral part of the success of the South West Country sides in the Outback Queensland Carnival. A naturally gifted athlete Purcell has speed to burn, but is not short on stamina either. In 2011, he successfully completed the New York City marathon in 3:33.34. He was one of a group of 11 Indigenous runners to compete in the event as a member of the Robert de Castella’s Indigenous Marathon Project. Rival players cannot be expecting him to knock up easily during any future games.
Purcell has taken the step up in class in his rather significant stride. Against Highfields, he showed his versatility and is equally at home in the back row or centres. Given any space he will carve up the opposition.
With the absence of Wattles playmaker Matt Duggan, Brodie Ciesolka once again stepped up and had an outstanding game, winning the TRL Hutchies Mug in round 10. Wattles ran away with the game, winning 64-10 as the home side piled on eight unanswered second half tries. The win leapfrogged Wattles into second spot on the TRL ladder two points behind the Gatton Hawks.
The Reserve grade was a much closer affair with Wattles winning a close game 22-20.
SOCIAL BOWERS ROLL UP
A NUMBER of social bowlers headed on to the greens at the Summit on Saturday. In the Pair’s competitions, J. Zeppa and W. Thomas defeated E. Zanatta and Q. Stanley 17-13, and in the other game B. Brown and K. Mungall went down to A. White and R. Parker 16-22. One game of triples was played and resulted in a win for the team of T. Morris, R. Newlands, and P. Zamprogno who defeated A. Zamprogno, K. Empen, and N. Gale 20-17. A note for your bowls diary – 12 June is the closing date for Pennants nominations and 27/28 June – club challenge.
Spencer success
LAST Saturday members of the Stanthorpe Golf club played the Spencer family aggregate Four Ball Stableford. It is always interesting when the draw for partners is held after single scores are returned with players not knowing who they are to be partnered with until the conclusion of the round.
The winning draw went to Kev Rowling and Stan Spencer with a combined score of 81 points for the day.
As the day was sponsored by the Spencer family, a second draw was held resulting in Hannah Reeves collecting top prize with Kev. Next best went to the combination of Bob Watts and David Townsend, who recorded 78 points.
The rundown went to Max Hunter and Santo Cavallaro (73) and Shaun O’Rielly and Margie Lock (72) Men’s pin shots were won by Aaron Simmers at 3/12, ladies’ 3/12 by Christine Welstead.
Hannah Reeves took the approach shot at six and at 17. Pro-pins were won by Aaron Simmers (1/10), Darryl Boekholt (5/14) and Kev Rowling (9/18).
Max Hunter claimed the birdies nest at 3.
The Spencer family has been sponsoring this day for several years. It is always a great day and the draw never fails to create plenty of interest and fun at the end of the day.
In other club news, the Zone One carnival was held last Sunday at Wallangarra. Stanthorpe’s very own, Tom Fittock, managed to master the Crows to record a score of 89 and win the C grade section.
Next weekend, there will be a full two days of golf with a number of visitors already booked to play. A 4BBB Stableford sponsored by Jeff and Biz Ihle has been scheduled for Saturday with a shotgun start at 11.45am.
On Sunday, the club is holding the annual Central Motors day; a three person Ambrose, sponsored by Rob Reeves and Central Motors. It will also be a 9.30am shotgun start.
Players are reminded to register 30 mins prior to hit off to allow teams to get to their tee off spot on time.
COWBOYS notch up another win
The Warwick Cowboys “A” side continued their winning form on Saturday night, with a 42-10 win over the Goondiwindi Boars in front of a near record crowd.
Despite notching up their fourth win in five games, captain coach Matt Gainey believes there is still much more improvement in his side. Gainey marked the win as scrappy and admits his side will need to be better if they are to beat Highfields this weekend.
The coach was full of praise for fullback Hayden McNichol, forward Waka Hakaiti, halfback Trent Achilles and former Inglewood Roosters team-mate Brent Osborne who replaced injured hooker Justin Croft.
The Cowboys will be chasing another win this weekend in the hope of making the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy final for the leading teams at the end of round one.
The Cowboys club is enjoying a great run. The reserve grade thrashed Goondiwindi 44-6 and is into the President’s Cup. The C Grade won 38-12. The Under 18s went down 22-10. A Ladies League Tag game added some additional interest to the afternoon, and Goondiwindi showed their experience, winning 32-12.
PLAYING LONG AND QUICK
The Warwick course is playing long and the greens quick. As a result, scores in the 18 holes competitions are on the low side with Rodney McDonald the winner on Saturday with a very modest score of 36 points. Bagging the runner’s-up spot was Eddie Kemp with 35 on a countback. In the ball rundown, Gordon McKeen 35 and Keiren Delaney (35); Rod Winterton, John Porter and John Brack (34) each collected a ball. The nearest-the pins went to Keith Gunn and Mal Galloway on both the 11th and the 13th and Jesse Harris on the 16th and nine was a skinner.
Players are reminded that the Red Rooster Rumble now runs throughout the entire week.
A healthy field of 30 players took part in last week’s RRR. Josh Hynes carded a very good score of 22 points to take out last week’s event ahead of runner-up Gerry Morrisey with 21.
The run down balls went to Karen Mackie and Leon Stickland (19), Noah Little-Shires, John Brandon and Keith Gunn (18). Pins went to Gordon Mckeen, Shaun Morrison and Josh Hynes.
Another big weekend of golf this week. On Saturday the June Monthly medal will be sponsored by Warwick Real Estate and on Sunday play is in the Lane Cup Memorial with the top eight to qualify. All time sheets are in the Pro Shop. Call 4661 3664 to nominate.
GREMLINS STRONG IN PATRONS CUP
THE Stanthorpe Gremlins had a strong win in Saturday’s Patron’s Cup game against the Tenterfield Tigers and retain the trophy they won last season. However, the 34-10 win has come at a cost with a knee injury to Kyle Marsh likely to keep the star player sidelined for an indefinite period.
Tenterfield have been guilty of sluggish starts in recent games, but last weekend both sides started the game at a fierce pace. A good defensive effort from the Gremlins and poor handling once again cost the Tigers dearly as Jason Wilmot steered the Gremlins to success.
In the Ladies league Tag, the Tenterfield girls added another notch to their belt with a classy 34-nil win over the Stanthorpe team. The performance of Meg Landers was once again outstanding scoring three tries while Georgia O’Neill was on song with the boot nailing five conversions. There are no BRL games scheduled this weekend, and all teams will benefit from a week’s break as they deal with mid-season injuries.
LOCALS LEAD THE WAY
IT WAS a busy weekend at the Wallangarra Golf club and local golfers led from the front. On Saturday, the club held a 4BBB Stableford. The dynamic duo of Chris Edwards and Steven Hampstead went pow, bam, zap on their way to 48 points and a win.
J. Green and B. McMillan were a few points adrift in second place. J. Green took the pin on three and J. Purcell won the ninth. Steven Hampstead capped off a winning day by taking out the Birdies Nest and the Jackpot.
On Sunday, the club hosted the Darling Downs Golf Association Zone Championships.
Local knowledge obviously came to the fore. Steve Hampstead picked up where he left off on Saturday to win the A Grade champion. B Grade also went to another local K. Williams. Stanthorpe player Tom Fittock took home the C Grade.
Nett winners were: A Grade – N. Teese (Texas); B Grade – C. Hoey (Clifton) and in C Grade local player Alan Lutter.
Nett runners-up were: A Grade – B. Jones (Warwick); B Grade – J. Brack (Warwick) C Grade – D. Braydon (Inglewood)
Pin Shots went the way of J. Morpuss (3/15); J. Purcell (9); N. Jones (11). Chris Hoey had the Best Approach shot.
It was a full weekend of golf, and the club would like to thank all the players who participated.
This Saturday, Wallangarra will hold their June Monthly Medal and Putting.
MARYVALE XI WIN CHARITY BASH
THE 2015 Warwick and District Cricket Association premiers proved too good for the Lew Cooper Invitation XI in the annual Cooper Bourke Trophy game played at Maryvale last Saturday.
The Invitation XI was filled with cricket luminaries including former Australian and Queensland coach John Buchanan, former Australian player Scott Prestwidge and Queensland player Mark Gaskill and former dual international Rugby League and Rugby union player and better than average cricketer Geoff Richardson to name just a few.
There were several father-son combinations in the visiting side and not surprisingly team Bourke played a pivotal role in the Maryvale side.
The visitors opening the game batting first setting Maryvale a 250-run target. There were some outstanding batting performances from the visitors including batsman-keeper David Lyon who currently plays A grade in Brisbane for Ipswich Logan. Lyon showed all of the class that led him to playing two seasons of county cricket in the UK with a gutsy 40 retired. He then backed up the performance by taking two beautiful dismissals behind the stumps which brought joy to the heart of former Queensland keeper and patron of the match Lew Cooper.
John Buchanan did not have such an auspicious start to the game. He was out second ball for a duck as he tried to get off the mark. A great throw from Wayne Sanderson rattled his stumps.
The visitors regrouped. There was some great batting from Scott Prestwidge (41) who has lost none of his skill. Prestwidge was well supported by his team and 245 looked enough to register a win for the visitors at the lunch break.
Maryvale got off to a good start Jordan Seibenhausen retired at 44 and his opening partner Michael Bourke was run out by Sam Turvey on 39. There were a raft of impressive performances from the Maryvale batsman Andrew Ryan who retired after reaching 40 and was called on to bat again late in the game when things were tense — a result likely to go either way. It was left to the batting partnership of last man in youngster Nick Brown and Ryan to get the Maryvale team over the line. Youngster Brown held his nerve well as he and Andrew Ryan saw off the required handful of runs in a thrilling finish. Brown finished the game not out 53.
John Buchanan may not have starred with the bat but he was deadly with the ball, taking 3/24 from five overs and backed it up with three outstanding slips catches. Andrew Ryan was named Man of the Match.
The game culminated in a sportsman’s evening at the Warwick Golf Club where Geoff Richardson and John Buchanan spoke of their sporting experiences.
Three Warwick cricketers were presented with Life Membership of the Warwick Cricket Association during the course of the evening. Michael Bourke, Paul Cantwell and Col O’Brien were all recognised for their contribution to cricket.
WALLAGNARRA SCORE A DOUBLE
THERE were celebrations all round on Saturday in Wallangarra as the Rams notched up wins in the A grade game against the 2014 Premiers Killarney and the Ladies claimed a narrow 20-16 win in an exciting League Tag game.
Coedie Tandy was once again pivotal in the Rams win as the playmaker weaved his magic against his former team-mates, scoring a double. Mark McGrady also had a good game, scoring two tries for the home side. Centre Ashley Fleming is another of this year’s new recruits who is having an outstanding season and last weekend bagged three tries.
The Rams will be looking to cement their recent form when they host Stanthorpe on 11 June. It will be a real test for the Rams as they work towards a top three finish in 2015.
The Ramettes have been working solidly since the start of the League Tag competition last season, and are now reaping the benefits. For the Killarney girls who only joined the competition this season a win does not look too far away.
WIN TO McPaul
SUNDAY Sporters golf continues to grow in popularity. Last Sunday a good field took to the fairways in Stanthorpe. Winner of the day was Owen McPaul with Rod (Buster) Pettiford in the runner-up spot. Run-downs went to Jim McPherson and Paul Byrnes. Paul Armstrong had the Best Gross. Pin Shot on the third went to Mick Speers and the Pro Pin went begging.
All was not lost for Clarky and Paul Byrnes who each took home a Meat Tray. A reminder to all sporters, there is no play this Sunday due to the big Central Motors Golf Day.
CROQUET WELCOME BACK PLAYERS
A NUMBER of players were welcomed back to the croquet greens last week. Grace Howard was back on deck and in form at association croquet last week after an absence due to illness. Grace had a break of four in the game she and Carol Verwey played against Margaret Dickenson. Margaret had a break of five and one of four and went on to win the game 26-17.
Pat Schnoor and Heather Widderick played well in their game against tough opponents Jenny Tunbridge and Val Shephard and came away with a 26 – 13 win.
On Wednesday a good contingent played hoop runners gold croquet in excellent conditions. The greens played really well in the ideal conditions and there was some great play. Jump shots were prolific with Bill Golding scoring three and Shirley Evans one.
Shirley Page scored eight hoops in a best ever game and Judy Lock one of the club’s less experienced players showed she has really taken to the game, scoring a best seven hoops. Great to have Teresa Pyne back on the green.
After further discussion around a second game time slot, it has been agreed that an additional game will be played on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm. This time may also suit people who have other commitments during the week. if you have not played and are interested in learning more about hoop runners, you can call Shirley on 4681 1683 or Elaine on 4681 4357 or simply come along on a Saturday at 1pm.
Conditions for gateballers were much more pleasant last week. Ten players enjoyed the conditions and games were fairly evenly matched. Val and Bill both played well and Andrea, Barry and Effey were back after their break. Thanks to Barry, Les and Ian for erecting the bistro blinds on the club’s shelter.
Feel free to join the group on any Friday if you are interested in gateball or finding out more about the game. Further information is available by contacting Margaret on 4681 0475.
Margaret Dickenson is playing in the yearly gateball tournament in Rockhampton this weekend and all members wish her the best of luck.
JUST RIGHT FOR A WORKING BEE
THE weather was perfect and the workers willing last Saturday. A great day for what else other than a working bee at Inglewood SSAA.
Much was achieved, thanks to the efforts of a great band of volunteers. The roof structure over the pistol bays has been erected and next will be the roof and walls.
The total area covered is 22.5 metres x 6 metres. Using firmlock beams has made it easy to erect and much to the surprise of many it is actually square. The materials were provided by SSAA (Qld) through a $12,700.00 grant.
Thanks to Stephanie, Michael and Ray Dudgeon. Quentin Chapman, Bill Wilson, Peter Jones, Ross Jackson, Scott Johns and Tom Donald for their great construction work.
After a weekend of work, it is time to play and this Sunday the club is holding a clay target day, and free for all on pistol and benchrest.
Don’t forget you can now follow the shenanigans at the Inglewood SSAA on their Facebook page. Follow the link www.facebook.com/pages/Sporting-Shooters-Association-of-Australia-Inglewood-Branch-Inc/253643571426626
