By CASEY O’CONNOR
NORMALLY at this time of the year as we get serious about the countdown to the visit of the man in the red suit, sports lovers lick their lips in anticipation of the Boxing Day Test. It is one of those iconic days in the Australian sporting calendar where you know if you can’t be there you will be well entertained in front of the TV as like a carpet snake you recover from the indulgences of the previous day and relax with a cooling ale.
However, after the performance of the West Indies in Tasmania it might just be more entertaining to slip outside and watch the lawn grow.
Test cricket seems to almost be ready for the last rites in the Caribbean if the performance we witnessed is any yardstick.
I believe all cricket lovers were hoping against hope that we would see a resurgence of the Caribbean entertainers. Unfortunately that was far from the case. Not sure what crowd numbers will be flocking to the MCG this year.
I might just have to be brushing up on sailing and take a keen interest in the Sydney to Hobart in between channel surfing to watch wickets fall or the Australians post another “cricket score”.
However you have chosen to spend your Christmas this year I hope you and yours have a happy and safe holiday season. Team Spin thank our contributors throughout the year and our readers.
I hope Santa is kind to you all and 2016 brings us another great year of sport.
We will be back in the New Year – keep an eye out for our wrap up of 2015.
Merry Christmas
Casey
RSL BACK ON TOP
Under uncertain skies last Saturday RSL defeated Tenterfield in what was perhaps a closer game than some expected. The Tenterfield side was bolstered by the return of Alan Donges and he was a stand out in the visitors’ bowling attack as RSL were dismissed in the 38th over, posting a target of 151 for their opponents. Jason Lawer (24) top scored for the competition front runners. The total of 151 could have been far more gettable if the Tenterfield bowling attack had been tighter. There was a total of 42 extras including 14 no balls and 25 wides.
Tenterfield took the game to RSL in their innings as Fowler top scored with 33. The RSL bowling attack however proved too strong and the visitors were dismissed for 37 runs shy of their target in the 34th over. David Becker finished the game with four wickets for only 19 runs for RSL and was well supported by Ross Lupton and Josh Wren.
The win puts RSL back at the top of the premiership table and they are favourites to take out this season’s premiership.
VALLEYS STAKE THEIR CLAIM
THE covers came off on the CF White pitch on Saturday night as Souths and Valleys went head to head in a night game where both sides were missing key players.
Souths won the toss and elected to bat. The Valleys bowling attack picked up from where it left off last weekend, but despite bowling good line and length could not get an early wicket however they did make scoring runs a tough task.
The Souths batsmen slowly built a handy score, and at 4/136 looked to be in a solid position. However faced with some good bowling, Souths lost a steady stream of wickets and finished their innings with 152 on the board.
Souths Caleb Hutchins did well to bat the entire innings to finish not out 32. Adam Bonner 38 and Danny Folkers 21 showed good form with the bat.
Good bowling performances from Valleys Damian Anderson (2/21), Curtis Allen (3/40) and Anthony Marino (1/18) were a highlight of the innings.
The Valleys opening batsmen Curtis Allen (21) and Alistair Middleton (19) showed their intention early in the innings moving the score to 53 in only the 11th over.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Valleys who suffered the first of two mini collapses, and in the space of two overs were 3/53. Two partnerships progressed the total to 5/117, but a late order collapse saw Valleys slump to 8/128. The experience of Dave Gavin was instrumental in piloting Valleys to a win. Gavin scored 62 runs including four sixes. He was well supported by Kirby Morunga who showed a cool head as Valleys eventually won with eight overs in hand. Souths bowlers Danny Folkers and Tom Furness each took three wickets.
This weekend Souths take on Wanderers and Centerfield face another uphill battle when they play Valleys before the Christmas break.
INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE PAYS DIVIDENDS
Stanthorpe greenkeeper Bill Pyne used his intimate knowledge of the course to the full last Saturday when he won the single stableford competition sponsored by Max Hunter with a score of 42 points. The course has undergone weeks of intensive TLC covering everything from hail damage to grass control. Players can now see the positive results of Bill’s hard work while the man himself is obviously enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Last Saturday’s runner-up was Mick O’Brien with 41 points. It was great to see O’Brien, who has been in the form wilderness for a while, back in form.
The ladies’ event was won by Nikki Rossow, her score 39 points. Nikki has been playing in competition events for only a short time since attaining a handicap and showing good consistency in her game. Madeline Jarman celebrated the start of her holiday season with the runner prize with a score of 38 points.
Pin shots went to Len Leigh at 3/12 and Kev Rowling at 17. Nikki Rossow took out the ladies approach at 17. Rick Kelly claimed the pro-pin at 1/10, Fred Wharton at 5/14 and Luke Reardon at 9/18. In the run down, a ball each to Dave Williams, Graham Tonkin and Fred Wharton, all with 40 points.
Saturday is the last event prior to Christmas, a single stableford sponsored by Stanthorpe Regional Community Bank. Tee off times are from 11.30am and the time sheet is on the board at the clubhouse.
With Christmas bearing down on us all like a freight train, the Stanthorpe club is busy preparing to host the annual Boxing Day Classic, a three ball Ambrose sponsored by Michael Hancock, Tony Herman and Wes Smith Building, three names well known in rugby league circles. The event will be a shot gun start and visitors are welcome. A nomination sheet is available at the club.
DAY NIGHT GABBA?
Will the 2016 Gabba Test see a change to the Day / Night Test format? There is a groundswell of support to increase day/night Test cricket next season to two games and the Gabba looks to be the front runner. It has been announced that there will be another round of Sheffield Shield games under lights this season with Queensland having the chance to showcase the Gabba in February.
While CA have picked up the Pink ball and run with it this season, talks are currently in progress with the governing bodies in South Africa and Pakistan. Both have publicly confirmed their support of the concept.
There has been plenty of behind-the-scenes activity since the Adelaide Test. Ball manufacturers Kookaburra are in on the action and there has been plenty of feedback from players and stakeholders regarding the “pink ball”. On the whole the ball seemed to play better than the naysayers expected. Modifications are set to be made to iron out some difficulties identified, and it is hoped that the new and improved proto type will be available for the recently announced day-night round of shield cricket.
Gabba pitch curator Kevin Mitchell will no doubt be keeping a watchful eye on his patch with a view to producing a Test pitch next summer for a Day Night Test against South Africa. Interesting and changing times afoot and Cricket Australia are leading the way.
ANNUAL TRIATHLON SHOOT
THE Inglewood Sporting Shooters Association held their annual Triathlon Christmas Shoot on their range west of Inglewood last Sunday.
The Junior winner this year was Will Paterson who received congratulations from all the members.
Winner of the senior division was ever green Tom Donald of Inglewood. Visitors filled the minor placings. Richard Roese of Davistown on the Central Coast of N.S.W. finished in second place and Quentin Chapman of Goondiwindi, third.
The large crowd then feasted on roast venison and homemade plum pudding courtesy Del and Wayne Wright of Stanthorpe. The pavlova princess Gwenda Mould lived up to her reputation again.
This weekend muzzle loading and centrefire rifle competitions have been scheduled and pistol practice for those wishing to bang away.
BLAIR WILLAIMS WINNERS
A 4BBB competition was played last Saturday at Wallangarra. Simon Blair and Scott Williams ran out winners when partners were drawn after the game. Steven Hampstead and Brendan McMillan took out the runners-up spot while eight other players all finished in the prizes. Hampstead was the only player to land a pin, and that was on hole nine. He also landed one of the approach shots on 14.
As we all begin serious preparations for the silly season, the club has scheduled a single stroke competition this Saturday. Remember visitors are always welcome.
SPORTERS GOLF
THERE was a great roll up for the Sporters Christmas bash last Sunday. Amid all the Christmas cheer there was some golf played. After the wonderful barbecue brekkie, players hit the fairways and greens. Rod Pettiford was seeing that little white ball so well that he came away with a win, outscoring runner-up Mark Lynam. The run-downs went to Mick Doorley and Terry Byrnes. Ian Anderson won the Best Gross with a cut of the cards. Rod Werner took the pin shot on the 12th and Owen McPaul at 17. The Pro Pin went to Ian Anderson. Craig Pearson and Brendon Hill went home with early Santa presents – a meat tray each as the post-game Christmas frivolity continued.
Sporters will tee-off between 8-8.30am this Sunday.
Sporters will take a Christmas break on Sunday 27 December but will be back to normal for the New Year on Sunday 3 January.
There is an early date for Sporters’ 2016 diaries – Apple and Grape YA entrant Rhiannon McPaul will be holding a fund-raising Golf Day on Sunday. There will be a time sheet in the clubhouse for that day shortly.
MALLETERS WRAP UP YEAR
AS the year draws to a close, several association croquet players were unavailable last week due to heavy commitments however there were some good games played. Margaret Dickenson and Grace Howard defeated Carol Verwey and Val Shephard 21-18. Jenny Tunbridge played well against Joy Newman and Heather Widderick and won her game 21-15.
Seven players played two groups of doubles at Golf Croquet, with Judy Lock playing two balls to even up the numbers. Bill Golding, Teresa Payne has a 13-8 win over Dianne Wren and Elaine Brown. Bill Golding was in good form with the highest score of eight hoops. Val Fancourt and Shirley Evans has a 13-10 win over Judy Lock. Evans top scored in this group, nailing seven hoops.
After the morning tea break, a game of triples was played. Val Fancourt, Bill Golding and Teresa Payne were too strong for Judy Lock, Di Wren and Elaine Brown.
On Friday, Judy Lock joined the Gateball brigade trying her hand at another form of the game. Four close games were played and while the red team won three of the four, competition was tight.
Gateballers will not return now until 15 January when they will begin preparation for several tournaments after their successful foray in competition recently.
