By TANIA PHILLIPS
AFTER their stellar premiership winning season in 2015, Stanthorpe face the real possibility of not fielding a rugby league side in 2016.
This is not a problem unique to Stanthorpe or the BRL as football at grassroots struggles for survival.
In recent years, the State Government through a plethora of grants has invested heavily in upgrading the infrastructure at Sullivan Oval, yet this and the hard work of volunteers and committees is not enough to draw players to the game.
Over recent seasons, there has been a gradual decline in the number of local players donning the Gremlins jersey with many players coming from outside the town. This year with the retirement of several players and others leaving the district, the club finds itself in dire straits.
A proposed merger with arch rivals the Texas Terriers would have been unheard of and unpalatable for many Gremlins supporters several seasons back. At present it may be the only way that Stanthorpe will play a part in this season’s BRL competition and the merger may not fly unless more players from Stanthorpe put their hand up.
It highlights once again the fragility of country football which is so important for many small communities. It also highlights the contentious issue of trying to play both rugby league and soccer /football on the same day in a town the size of Stanthorpe. This, as everyone in the BRL knows, is my pet hobby horse.
Right now, however, we need the young blokes in Stanthorpe to step up and have a go. You don’t need to be Cameron Smith’s or Wally Lewis’ – just be prepared to commit to a team for the season. Like so many people who have played and enjoyed the game, I cannot fathom that there are not at least 20 young blokes in Stanthorpe keen to have a go. I am sure no-one who has played the game will disagree that the mates you make playing footy are your mates for life.
It is after all the greatest game of all.
– Casey
SPORTERS BACK ON DECK
Sporters were back on deck last Sunday in Stanthorpe after a break during the Apple and Grape Festival and it was a welcome return for Mick Doorley and runner-up Angelo Doorley. Mark Lynam had the best gross and the Pin Shot on the 17th. The run-downs went to Phil Zikan and Ray Thorn. No Won Kim had the Pin Shot on the 12th and the Pro Pin. Mark Lynam capped off a winning day by taking home one of the meat trays and Dave Williams collected the second meat tray.
A few notes for the Sporters’ diary – there will be no Sporters on Easter Sunday and 3 April – the following Sunday will be an afternoon game due to the pennants competition. Tee will be between noon and 12.30pm. The Maureen Bates Memorial Day has been set down for 10 April and a sheet will be on the board at the club shortly. This is always one of the most popular days on the Stanthorpe golfing calendar. There will be great prizes on offer followed by a multi draw raffle. This weekend however tee off is at the normal time of 8am – 8.30am a multi draw raffle.
ROUND THREE A CHALLENGE
WITH mounting injuries, suspensions and some teams not living up to early expectations, Round three of the NRL looks challenging for tipsters.
The biggest news of the week was, of course, the loss of Billy Slater for the season, with the Storm and Origin star undergoing another round of surgery on his troublesome shoulder.
There is no chance we will see Billy the Kid again this season and all league fans will be, this is not a career-ending moment for one of the greatest players in the game.
This week Casey’s tips for what they are worth are Cowboys to bounce back from their lacklustre performance against the Eels. The Bulldogs to continue the winning feeling along with the Raiders and Broncos. Another win in the pipeline for long- suffering Tigers fans, but it could be a close one and despite the loss of Billy, the Storm is set to rain on the Warriors parade. The Bunnies look unstoppable early in the season with their premiership odds plummeting already and the Sharks to heap more pain on the hapless Eagles.
WILLIAMS A ‘GARRA WINNER
MEMBERS and guests at the Wallangarra Golf club played a stableford competition last Saturday. Peter Williams edged out Garry Sutcliffe to win the event. Gary Sutcliffe and Tony Murphy tied for third position.
Kevin Williams and Andrew Thompson each claimed pin shots at the third and ninth respectively and Sutcliffe and Williams held the Approach shots at two and 14.
This week the club has scheduled a single stroke competition.
COME TRY – YOU MIGHT LIKE
THE Stanthorpe Croquet club has planned a “Come and Try Weekend for 16 and 17 April. All those interested in learning more about mallet sports and enjoy moderate exercise and have a sporting interest with a very social atmosphere, are welcome. The green is adjacent to the golf and bowls club. Come and join club members and see how the various games are played. On both days, sessions will commence at 1.30pm, both are free. Club members will be on hand to assist and answer any questions you may have and, of course, to serve afternoon tea.
MALLET NEWS
CLOSE games have been the highlight at association croquet recently. Joy Newman was very pleased when she had five peels before morning tea. For the uninitiated – a peel is when you put both balls through the hoop in one turn. Joy Newman is playing well and combined with Margaret Dickenson defeated Grace Howard 26-18. Andrea Denkewitz, 18, notched up an 18-12 win over Jenny Tunbridge while Val Richards and Heather Widderick went down 18-16 in a close contest to Val Shephard and Effey Russell. Grace Howard had a break of four in her game against Heather Widderick, who had finished with four breaks of two but lost the game 26-15.
Despite a brief rain interruption at golf croquet, two groups of four played doubles last week.
In the first group, Liz Ellway and Bill Golding paired against Teresa Pyne and Elaine Brown. The latter pair scored eight hoops but were defeated 13-8. Golding top scored with seven hoops while his partner managed an impressive hoop in one. Shirley Evans and Val Fancourt both played well against Di Wren and Judy Lock. Shirley Evans top scored with seven and her partner shot two holes in one in their 13-10 win.
In the second round of games, Dianne Wren and Liz Ellway teamed up and played well for a 13-11 win over from Bill Golding and Judy Lock. Teresa Pyne and Shirley Evans had a 10-8 win over Val Fancourt and partner Elaine Brown in a game that was shortened. Fancourt scored another hoop in one taking her tally to three for the day.
On Friday gateballers played two team games.
The first game ended in an 11-all draw, however after a countback the Red team claimed the win over White. In the second game, the White team were comfortable 16-10 winners.
After the break, two games of Triples were decided with one player acting as referee.
Scores were again close, with Red winning one game 15 points to 14 and White the other 11 points to nine. John Draper was the standout player in both of these games.
The final game played was a doubles match with Margaret Dickenson and Andrea Denkewitz teaming up against Val Fancourt and Bill Golding. Previous matches between these teams had been won by Val and Bill, however Margaret and Andrea restored some pride with a 21 points to seven win.
TALENTED YOUNGSTER RECONGISED
EMERGING young talent Jordan Lanza was the big winner at the Stanthorpe Cricket Association presentation evening last Saturday night. The talented young cricketer has had a stellar season, tasting success at various representative levels and has played a key role for his club Souths, was named Junior (Colt) Player of the Year and also Stanthorpe Player of the Year.
Throughout the season, 16-year-old Lanza who played in the winning Mitchell Shield side and was selected in the Darling Downs Under 19 schoolboys side amassed an impressive tally. He made 395 runs; took nine wickets; claimed nine catches and a run out.
The award for the Mitchell Shield Player of the Year went to Ross Lupton after another successful representative season with bat and ball and Anthony Marino Davis Shield Rep Player.
Ben Staley was named Club Person of the Year and also has the best batting aggregate. Sam Dowie picked up the award for the best batting average and was named Stanthorpe’s Best and Fairest. Damien Anderson finished the year with the best bowling average and Tim Harslett the best bowling aggregate. The safe hands of Todd Brady earned him the gong for the most catches.
The grand final of the 2015/’16 Stanthorpe Cricket season will be played at the CF White Oval this Saturday.
WHEATVALE PREMIERS IN UPSET WIN
IN A result that many did not see coming, Wheatvale claimed the ‘A’grade Warwick Cricket Association premiership on Saturday. A sensational spell of bowling from Jack and James Breen had competition frontrunners and favourites for the premiership Maryvale Condamine on the back foot and they failed to recover.
Maryvale Condamine won the toss and began well. They looked comfortable reaching 50 without loss at the drinks break. Opener Pat Bourke was run out for 28 and what followed was an amazing scene as wickets fell like nine pins – in fact five wickets for the addition of nine runs.
In an outstanding performance, the Breen brothers bowling in partnership ripped through the Maryvale top order. Jack took 3/15 from his 10-over spell and not to be outdone his brother James finished with 1/15 from his 10 overs. In a real turn around, the favourites found themselves 5/74 by the second drinks break.
It took the experience of Michael Bourke (35) and Kevin Bourke (19) to steady the ship and bat out the full 50 overs. Unfortunately, the senior member of the partnership Kevin was forced to retire with a back injury. Maryvale finished the innings with a moderate total of 139. Wheatvale captain Paul Cantwell also contributed to Maryvale’s problems taking two wickets.
Defending only 139 in a bid to claim the premiership against a quality batting line-up was always going to be a tough ask for Maryvale Condamine.
Wheatvale’s openers Brendan Malone (27) and Ryan Collins (61) set a solid platform with an opening partnership of 65 before Josh Ryan claimed two quick wickets giving the Maryvale Condamine supporters some hope of a miraculous win.
Wheatvale captain Paul Cantwell joined Collins at the crease and the pair progressed the score to 3/119 before Collins was dismissed. When Cantwell was caught by Dave Walker off the bowling of Kev Bourke for 21, it was left to Chris Malone and Jonno Colfs to pick up the last few runs. Colfs played a confident shot through midwicket to pick up two runs; a six-wicket victory and the premiership for his side.
Maryvale Condamine bowler Josh Ryan finished with his side’s best bowling figures 2/37.
There were some outstanding performances in this game, however, the Player of the Final and winner of the Tom and Margaret Walsh Medal as decided by the grand final match umpires was Ryan Collins.
Following the grand final, the WCA 2015/16 Awards were announced.
Michael Bourke topped the Bowling Averages. Jordan Siebenhausen picked up the Award for the Best Batting Average (77.0); Matt Kiernan – most wickets (24). The Des Murphy Fielding award was won by Will Gordon. Paul Cantwell was named the Dennis Rettke All Rounder, taking 12 wickets and scoring 201 runs.
The Representative Player of the Year was shared by Kev Poole and Lachlan Gross.
After an impressive season Carter Billborough was named The Max Thorley Colt of the Year. He also picked up the award for the most runs in the season, 231.
David Walker was named WCA Player of the Year and both he and Carter Billborough were chosen to tour with the Wanderers’ Qld Club in August.
The President’s Volunteer Award went to Ben Radford for his work with the junior cricketers and the MyCricket website.
TIGERETTES WIN LADIES ROUND ROBIN
THE Tenterfield Tigerettes look set for another good season after a win in the Round Robin last weekend played on their home ground. The girls who won back-to-back BRL League tag premierships kept their un-beaten record in tact with an 18-10 win over Goondiwindi in the final after defeating Stanthorpe 18-nil and Wallangarra 16-10.
Goondiwindi progressed to the final with wins over Wallangarra 14-4 and Stanthorpe 26-4.
On the same day, the Border Bushrangers played their inaugural game in the TRL. Simple errors and ball control cost the combined side, but the team showed real endeavour to stay with the more experienced Wattles side until late in the game. The final score was 32-10, and the local boys will be much better for the run. They face a tough task again this weekend when they play last season grand finalists Valleys in Toowoomba.
BRL ROUND ROBIN
IN A real shock, the Stanthorpe Gremlins last season’s premiers will not field a side in this weekend’s BRL preseason round robin to be played at their home ground Sullivan Oval.
The Gremlins are struggling for players and are negotiating a merger with Texas for the season.
Game in the round robin begin at 10.30am with Tenterfield playing Wallangarra.
Following is the remainder of the draw
11.15 Killarney v Inglewood
12 noon Wallangarra v Killarney
12.45 Tenterfield v Inglewood
1.30 Inglewood v Wallangarra
2.15 Killarney v Tenterfield
3.00 Ladies League Tag Trial
Stanthorpe v Wallangarra
The Men’s final will be played at 4pm between the top two teams. Each game will be 15 minutes each way with no time off for injury.
COLTS RESERVE GRADE PREMIERS
THE Warwick Reserve Grade cricket grand final was decided on Saturday. At Mayhew Oval Colts batted first. Openers Adam Byrne and Lachlan Gross (61) took the score to 148 before the first wicket fell. Byrne and Ben Sullivan both made it into the 80s with some fine batting. Sullivan finished the innings not out 85 as Colts set Inglewood a run chase of 298. Colts captain Shaun O’Leary led from the front in the second innings. The leg spinner took six wickets for just 18 runs as Colts applied pressure. While the captain bowled well, it was the fielding and catching of his team mates that was a highlight of the game. Brodie Quirk showed plenty of endeavour and athleticism when he took a catch on the boundary lobbing the ball into the air to reclaim it inside the boundary rope. Despite a second wicket stand from Smith and Howard which added 35 runs, Colts were able to contain Inglewood and they were dismissed for 104. Following his impressive bowling performance, Sean O’Leary was named Player of the Final.
STANTHORPE GRANDFINAL REMATCH
VALLEYS will be looking to reverse the tables when they meet 2014/’15 premiers RSL in a rematch of last season’s grand final on Saturday at CF White Oval.
Valleys were in sensational form last weekend, dismissing Souths for only 71 runs to cement their place in the most important game of the season.
Souths batted first and were immediately in trouble losing early wickets before Steve Martin was introduced into the attack. Martin took a match-winning six wickets for three runs in a remarkable bowling spell as Souths crumbled to be all out for 71.
Valleys quickly scored the required total without the loss of a wicket and go into this weekend’s game with plenty of confidence.
Captain Damian Martin concedes that his side will be underdogs in Saturday’s game. RSL have an almost unblemished record in the fixture games this season and start warm favourites. Martin sees all-rounder Ross Lupton as one of the keys to the grand final. Luke Brady Sam Dowie and Duane Lihou are also expected to play a big part with both bat and ball.
Valley’s strength as we witnessed last Saturday is their bowling and the fact that they bat all the way down the order to number 10. The young Valleys side are attacking, keen and quick in the field and are capable of building pressure. Martin said, “We need to take every half chance to win.”
