By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE second test in the Trans-Tasman series may have finished in a draw, but it was a game that had plenty of action from day one.
Dave Warner silenced any critics that may still have been lurking with a record-breaking innings. Usman Khawaja showed the potential we all knew was there with an outstanding knock in the first innings and then sent a shiver through the Aussie camp when he injured his hammy fielding. We will not see him again until Boxing Day. With a score of 559 on the board when Smith declared, many thought this was over for the Kiwis but this was a game with plenty of twists in the tail.
On a wicket that resembled no other at the WACA, the Kiwi batsmen were also having a party, and it was no fun for bowlers as the Kiwis edged past the Aussie total to their own record of 624. Ross Taylor wrote his name in the Kiwi and Australian record books with an amazing innings, falling 10 runs shy of a triple century.
Steve Smith and Adam Vogers set the platform for a draw when they both scored centuries in the second innings. The game was turned on its head on day five with the announcement that Mitchell Johnson had called stumps on an illustrious career.
The champion paceman’s feeling he could no longer contribute consistently to his team. A sad day for international cricket, but there were plenty of batsmen around the world breathing a little easier following the announcement.
Johnson has been a real conundrum throughout his career – a fiendish looking bowler with plenty of aggression on the field, but a rather private and shy character off the paddock.
The former NQ lad whose dream was just to “bowl fast” leaves the game having made an indelible mark on the record books and more than a few bruises on opposition batsmen.
This truly is a time of transition for Australian cricket, but if you look at the past couple of weeks it seems cricket, like Mitch Johnson is now in a good place.
It is now time for Cricket to sit back and wait for the next chapter of cricket history to unfold when Test cricket goes “day night” in Adelaide and the somewhat controversial if unknown “pink ball” is introduced.
We are about to witness another significant change to the world of cricket. Can’t wait.
– Casey
BOWLERS CONTINUE GOOD AWAY RECORD
SUMMIT Bowlers Rob Capelli, John Shannon, Rodney Newlands, Tyler Sweeney and Michael Sweeney continued the excellent away record of members of the club when they recorded a clean sweep last weekend at the Warwick East Bowls Club annual Open Fours Carnival.
The team took out the title, recording five wins from five games. All four played outstanding bowls but spies tell us Tyler Sweeney had a blinder.
Back at home base, Social Bowls were played on Saturday. Phil Davis and Adrian Jackson had a comfortable 36 – 15 win over Atilio Zamprogno and Keith Mungall. In a closer game Brian Brown and Eddie Zanatta had a 23 -19 win over Artie While and Alex Mattiazzi.
Members and friends are asked to keep the Club Christmas party in their diary – Friday December 4 – Bowls from 3pm followed by meals at 6.30.
A reminder also that the SDMDBA Tow Bowls Triples carnival (Goondiwindi / Tannymorel) is on this weekend.
WILLIAMS AND PURCELL IN FORM
SCOTT Williams and Jamie Purcell both played good rounds in the 4BBB competition at Wallangarra last weekend. Teams were drawn after the game and the pair grabbed a win in the event.
Steven Hampstead and Damien Moore finished a close second. Kevin Williams had the pin shot at the third and Steven Hampstead the ninth hole. Hampstead also picked up the Jackpot and the Birdies Best. Peter Butler took out the approach shot.
This weekend players will tee up for the Bob Ditton Memorial Single Stableford.
HENDRY AND HENDRY SECURE TROPHY
RACHEL Hendry and playing partner husband Mark won the Pierce Trophy last weekend at the Stanthorpe Golf Club. The pair recorded a round of 49 points in the mixed 4BBB stableford. Rachael had an outstanding round of 48 points with Mark adding the extras being first to putt out.
A countback was required before Linda Kelly and Aaron Simmers were awarded the runner-up prize ahead of Nikki Rossow and Matt Waterworth – both teams finished with 46.
In the unmixed pairs, Len Leigh and Ian Pickering held out Ian Harvey and Len Leigh on a countback.
Sponsor Bob Peirce travelled from Toowoomba to play in the event.
Unfortunately, Saturday afternoon’s storm prevented a number of players from finishing the round.
Pin shots went to Viv Thouard at 3/12 and Dave Williams at 17. Pro-pins were claimed by Dylan Barraclough (1/10), Jason Bacon (5/14) and Bill Pyne (9/18). Hannah Reeves held the ladies pin at 3/12 as well as the birdies nest at 11 and Linda Kelly had nearest approach at 17.
In the run down, players with scores of or better each received a ball.
In other news, the club Christmas party has been scheduled for Saturday 28 November with a club sponsored barbecue after play. All members and family are welcome but numbers would be appreciated. If you are planning to attend, add your name and numbers to the sheet at the bar.
The final scores for Golfer of the Year will be announced during the evening. The men’s award is sponsored by the Apple and Grape Motel and the ladies section is sponsored by Out and About Fashions.
This Saturday, Eric McLellan who has settled back into life in Stanthorpe following his overseas trip is sponsoring a single stableford. Tee off is from 11.30 am and the time sheet is on the board.
WALKING FOR A PURPOSE
On Sunday 29 November, members of the Stanthorpe service clubs and members of the public are invited to join members of the Stanthorpe Zonta Club in a walk along Quart Pot Creek to support the “Zonta Say No” to Domestic Violence campaign. Cost is just a gold coin donation the walk commences at 9am. Get your walking shoes on.
EXCITING TIMES FOR GATEBALLERS
IT HAS been a busy time for Stanthorpe Mallet players as they finalise preparations to host their first Gateball tournament this Saturday (November 21) at the Stanthorpe Croquet Club. Teams from Redcliffe and the Gold Coast will compete against local teams.
The event has the support of the Australian Gateball Union which has provided representatives to assist with training local players in preparation for the tournament. Their guidance has also been invaluable in the lead-up to hosting the event.
Gateball Teams consist of three players for triples games. Gateball is a very tactical game that can be played all age groups. In fact one member of the visiting Redcliffe team is only 13 years old.
Club representative Margaret Dickenson said she hoped members of the public would accept the open invitation to come and watch the games on Saturday. It will provide a great opportunity for people to get a better understanding of this tactical game. The aim is to successfully negotiate the three gates which prevent the opposition from scoring.
Play will commence at 8.30am, and is expected to run through until around 3.45pm with some games lasting only 30 minutes.
Head on up to the croquet greens at the Stanthorpe
NUMBERS UP
Player numbers were up at Association Croquet last week and singles and doubles games were scheduled.
Pat Schnoor and Joy Newman went head to head in the singles game and in an entertaining game won 26-17. She had breaks of four and three while her opponent also scored a break of four during the game.
In an exciting game, Jenny Tunbridge and Carol Verwey had a narrow 18-17 win over Heather Widderick and Grace Howard. Despite being on the losing team Grace Howard had a break of four while her opponent Carol Verwey had a break of three.
Val Richardson and Effie Russell had few answers against the strong pairing of Andrea Denkewitz and Val Shepherd. The final score 26-11. In this game, Denkewitz scored two breaks of three.
HOOP RUNNERS BUSY
IT WAS a busy day on the greens for Hoop Runners. The first group to hit off last week played a short game of triples. The game was won 7-4 by Judy Lock, Dianne Wren and Elaine Brown defeating Shirley Page and Liz Ellway. In this game, Elaine Brown narrowly top scored with four hoops.
A doubles game followed, and it was another win for Bill Golding and Val Fancourt who proved too strong (13-8) for their opposition Teresa Pyne and Shirley Evans despite Evans top scoring with seven hoops.
In the second session, the doubles combination of Shirley Page and Shirley Evans proved too good for Val Fancourt and Teresa Pyne. In a close game, the Shirleys took a 13-11 win. Shirley Evans top scored with seven hoops.
In the triples grouping, Bill Golding was once again on target, scoring a total of eight hoops as he and Judy Lock defeated Diane Wren, Liz Ellway and Elaine Brown 10-8.
WAITING FOR THE POWDER TO DRY
THINGS have been a little damp out Inglewood way, and our trusty source from the Inglewood Sporting Shooters Assoc has been waiting for his powder to dry and results have been a little slow coming down the line.
The Three Position Rimfire event on 8 November was a really Dudgeon affair. Stephanie Dudgeon defeated Michaela and making it a proper family affair Ray was placed third.
In the Benchrest competition, it was Dudgeons again – this time Ray took the major prize ahead of Will Paterson in second spot and Michael Dudgeon filled the other minor placing.
Doug Redmond took out the Single Action event ahead of Tom Donald and Iain Brown.
Last Sunday in the Muzzle Loading competition, the Dudgeons were back in action with Ray again in the winner’s circle defeating Stephanie.
Peter Jones took out the Action Pistol section, defeating Lachlan Sharpe and Iain Bowen.
Saturday and Sunday will be a pistol packing weekend with all the action commencing at 12.30 Saturday and again at 10am on Sunday. A variety of competition have been planned in different disciplines. Visitors are most welcome to come and try – club handguns are available – the cost only $10 plus ammo or bring your own .22.
Learn how to safely handle a handgun under instruction from the experienced range officers.
Where? 749 Bosjnaks Road, Glenarbon 4385.
SUNDAY SUCCESS
THE Allman park track may have been rated a heavy nine, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of owners, trainers and jockeys for the annual Allora Cup event held last Sunday.
The major drawcard on the program, the $20,000 Railway Hotel Benchmark 75 Allora Cup was won by the Clifton owned and bred Real Favulous. The five-year-old gelding has earned a start in the final of the Racing Queensland Summer Provincial Series a $100,000 race at Doomben on 5 December.
Owners Julia and Adrian Simmons and son Shane are hoping Real Favulous who won this year’s Weetwood Handicap in Toowoomba are confident the galloper can improve on his third placing in last year’s event.
Real Favulous was ridden by apprentice Tiffani Brooker and started short priced favourite in Sunday’s race. He carried top weight in the event, but with the benefit of Brookers claim kicked away in the straight to win by six and half lengths. The win takes his earnings to almost $150,000.
The meeting opened with the running of the QTIS Rose City Carvery Maiden for Three Year Olds. Despite racing ungenerously throughout and figuring in the stewards report the Warwick trained Close Enough edged out another Warwick galloper Nothing Or Success in a bobbing finish. The photo finishing showing the margin as only a nose.
The second race the Ross McIntosh Maiden (800m) was won by the Toowoomba trained Wild Romance ridden by Ron Goltz. Starting at $4 the Jim Hanna trained mare won by a long neck from Beaudesert visitor Cocoa Pops and Shez Our Destiny. It was a game win by the four-year-old who was returning from a spell and covered plenty of ground in running.
The third event Justin Briggs Commemorative Class 3 Plate 1100m was won by favourite Starwood ridden by Brooke Stower for local connections the Collins family. It was a game win by the Warwick trained galloper who made it two wins at this distance on the track from two starts despite covering plenty of ground in the run.
Race four was a leg of the Queensland Racing Cannonball Series Bench Mark 65 Handicap. Winner of the Ray Bunch Machinery RQ Cannonball Series was Oakey galloper Heavenly Glass ridden by Brooke Stower. The Tycoon Ruler – Heavenly Crown mare who started at the good odds of $8 won by a long neck beating Alpine Dragon and Book Shaker.
In the fifth race on the seven event card, the AEW Horse Walkers Maiden Plate / 1350mm Deputy Peck ridden by Nathan Evans cruised to almost a three-length win over Casperccino and Diamond Racer for his Toowoomba connections.
The meeting wrapped up with the running of the 1500m Colleen Burgess Memorial Benchmark 65 Handicap. It was first up win on the Allman park track for the Caroline Allardyce trained Jo’s Luck.
The Sunday TAB meeting was given a big thumbs up by everyone concerned.
RAIN AFFECTS LOCAL CRICKET FIXTURES
IN LOCAL cricket fixtures there was only one game played in the Stanthorpe competition. Wanderers had a comfortable win over Tenterfield in their game played at Shirley Park in Tenterfield. Wanderers’ bowlers dismissed the home side for 40 runs in only the 13th over. Andrew Einam and Tim Harslett brought about the downfall, each claiming three wickets. Wanderers had little effort in reaching the required total for a big win.
Full cricket fixtures resume this weekend, and organisers will be hoping for some reprieve from the storm conditions.
In Warwick, fixtures Sovereign Animals were dismissed by Allora for 121 runs in their game in Allora. The home side went on to notch up a nine-wicket win.
Youngster Matthew Kiernan took 4/14 from seven overs for Allora. It was a turning point in the game as batsmen Tim Drennert (44) and Damien Canning (30) had set a good platform for Animals.
Allora lost only one wicket on their way to the target. Mitch McLennan top scored with an unbeaten 59.
Rain also affected the Warwick Fixtures set down for last Saturday and they have been rescheduled until 16 January.
