By CASEY O’CONNOR
THE world farewells the Greatest on Thursday as Muhammad Ali the man with the mouth and the ability to back it up is laid to rest. We will not see his like again.
Those of us who are of a certain age can consider ourselves privileged to have witnessed his greatness in the ring; to have been touched by the strength of his values; his commitment to human rights and the changes he helped bring to society. A man who made not just a mark on his sport but on the world.
Everyone will have their favourite Ali boxing match -; favourite Ali quote; favourite Ali moment. Who could ever forget the Rumble in the Jungle, Bert Newton’s face when he unintentionally offended the man at the Logies; the lighting of the Olympic flame; his work to free hostages in Iraq?
Perhaps, some of our brash and brattish young “stars” of sport should study this remarkable human being however it distresses me that his wisdom, wit courage and messages would be lost on over stroked egos and indulged “stars of the future”.
I have always wished that I could have seen Phar Lap race; would have loved to have been around when Bradman batted and the Invincibles took all before them but I, like many others, I am fortunate to have lived through an era of greatness when Muhammad Ali commanded the world’s attention and admiration.
He was simply the Greatest for so many reasons.
Casey
ONE DONE AND DUSTED
Origin One is done and dusted and those who bleed blue have had to endure another loss.
There has been plenty of criticism of the game with many saying it was boring – definitely not your run of the mill exciting Origin game although it had me on the edge of my seat for most of the 80 minutes. It was certainly a dour affair but many players rated it one of the toughest they have ever been involved in.
Some amazing post game comments from players, commentators and coaches. I am sure plenty of Maroons supporters were prepared to send Gus Gould an abacus to try and sort out the mathematics of it all when he declared the Blues had “not lost the game” – AHMM – “Only one answer to that “Scoreboard – Gus – Queensland 6 NSW 4.
Of course when we should have been celebrating a Maroons win or Bleeding Blue again, the game was overshadowed by the allegations of match fixing in games last season.
Allegations of outrageous bets being placed on games involving Manly, Souths and the Eels are, of course, unsubstantiated but there appears to be lots of smoke and that usually indicates at least a bit of fire somewhere. Let’s hope we do not have to wait as long as we did for the outcome of the ASADA allegations to get to the bottom of this. It damages not only the reputation of clubs and players, but the whole game and everyone from the Todd Greenberg to Joe on the street agree there is no place for anyone found guilty in the game.
While we wait for the outcome of the police investigations, the Eels are a step closer to knowing the outcome of their salary cap rorting as their five directors lost their court challenge this week.
Can things get any worse for the Eels? You have to hope for the sake of the game the answer is NO.
Meanwhile, it is back to the drawing board for the Blues and perhaps their sectors while the Maroons head to Suncorp with another series in their grasp. Great to be a Queenslander – all of the time but especially at Origin time.
ROUND 14 selections
Broncos; Rabbitohs; Warriors; Titans; Storm; Panthers; Dragons; Cowboys.
BIG WEEKEND KICKS OFF IN STANTHORPE
All roads lead to Stanthorpe this weekend for aspiring football / soccer players as Stanthorpe prepares to host the Queensland State Under 10-12 year Championships. Organisers are breathing a collective sigh of relief with far more inviting conditions predicted for this weekend.
While Stanthorpe has hosted its share of junior carnivals in recent years, this is the first time this event will be held in Stanthorpe.
State convener of the carnival and principal of Applethorpe State School Mr Martin Hodgson is excited about the carnival.
“We are expecting over 1000 people will attend the carnival which runs from Thursday to Sunday and will be a great boost to the town,” Mr Hodgson said.
This competition includes all 12 school sport regions. From these championships, a Queensland team is selected to compete at the National Championships to be held from 21-26 August 2016 in Perth.
Stanthorpe juniors Brayden Spiller, Wes Ercerg and Lauren Coelli will be flying the Stanthorpe flag after being selected for the Darling Downs squad.
Games will be played on all available fields including the Sullivan Oval Crisp Oval CF White and Sheehan Ovals and kick off on Thursday at 9am with games played from 9am – 4pm.
DEDICATED OR SOMETHING
A GROUP of dedicated (or crazy – take your pick) group of Sporters ignored the miserable conditions which even kept the ducks away on Sunday morning for a round of golf. For the ultimate winner, Jim McPherson, it was no so much revelling in the conditions as handling them better than the rest. John Rawlings was the best of the rest finishing runner-up. Run downs went to Paul Byrnes and Paul Armstrong who also finished with the Best Gross and capped a good round by taking the Pro Pin. The Pin Shot on the third went the way of Terry Byrnes who also claimed one of the meat trays on offer. The other going home with Phil Zilkan. This Sunday Sporters are hoping for a better deal from the weather gods when they tee off between 8am and 8.30am.
COWBOYS RUN AWAY WITH GAME
THE Warwick Cowboys posted a 26-point win over Goondiwindi in the game played at Gilbert Oval last Sunday. In spite of the impressive winning margin, it was not all one-way traffic for the Cowboys who found themselves in an arm wrestle at half time with scores locked at 16-all.
Both teams had their chances, but the Cowboys took to the field in the second half with renewed determination and three quick tries early in the half had the home side on the backfoot. With better ball control and more discipline, the Cowboys piled on the points to win 48-22.
Warwick’s Joe Fuimaono had arguably the best game of the season and was the Cowboys Players Player. Fuimaono had a solid across the park, scoring two tries and was tough in defence. The consistent Mick Bloomfield and Ryan McIvor both had impressive performances for the Cowboys. Matt Marshall also grabbed a double while Bloomfield was on song with the boot.
It was a gutsy win from the Cowboys who were without Trent Richardson who was on rep duty for the game.
The win was not enough to land the Cowboys a spot in the Rasmussen Madsen trophy game this weekend. Pittsworth downed the undefeated Souths to claim second spot on the TRL ladder and deny the Cowboys a start in the game.
Warwick 48 (Joe Fuimaono 2, Matt Marshall 2, Mitch McMahon, Dan Watson, Mick Bloomfield, Luke O’Demsey, Brook Croft, tries Mick Bloomfield 5, Morgan Taylor goals) defeated Goondiwindi 22 (Levi Wilson, Corey Martin, Brady Martyn, Adam Tribe tries Adam Tribe 3 goals).
The news was better for the Warwick Reserve Grade who earned themselves a start in the President’s Cup game this weekend with a 38-16 win over the Boars. The Reggies will face the Gatton Hawks in the game to be played at Cahill Park on Sunday.
The Warwick Under 18s went down 20-16 to Goondiwindi.
TESTING CONDITIONS
IT IS said that it never rains on the Inglewood range on a Clay Sunday, but last weekend stretched the friendship with constant drizzle testing those who braved the conditions. The hardy souls braved the elements – showing good wet track form was winner Ross Jackson who outscored Stephanie Dudgeon and Tom Donald.
A better outlook this week for the Rimfire and Single Action events.
Next week we have rimfire events and single action.
WATTLES OUTMUSCLED
DALBY grabbed bragging honours back from Wattles after they trounced the visitors in a replay of the grand final in Dalby on Saturday night. Wattles toiled well without Jason Wilmot who was on rep duty, but no answers against to the Diehards sustained attack. Dalby captain Colin Green led from the front as his side extended the 20-18 half time lead, piling on 28 unanswered points in the second half to win 48-18.
Dalby also took the honours in the Reserve Grade (Dalby 23 Wattles 12) but Wattles Under 18s had a 20-18 away win.
A Grade: – Dalby 48 (Sam Thomasson, Michael Fletcher, Mitch Taylor, Dylan Taylor, Colin Green, Chris Wilkes, Xavier Manley, Tom Boland tries Zac Morris 4,Dylan Taylor goals) defeated Wattles 18 (Michael Duggan 2, Joseph Morris tries Cameron Shannon 3 goals)
GARRA GOLFERS OPT FOR WARM AND DRY
DUE to the outrageous weather conditions on Saturday, Wallangarra golfers chose to stay dry and inside possibly close to a heater or fire.
With better weather conditions on the horizon this weekend, it will be business as usual this week with a single event scheduled.
Due to upheaval caused by last weekend’s cancellations, organisers of the Breast Cancer Charity Day has been put on hold until further notice.
The committee is working on a date that suits the majority and are hopeful of releasing updated details shortly.
PLENTY TO CROW ABOUT
PLAYERS from as far west as Roma and as far north as Rockhampton came together with players from the TRL only two days before the first game of the QRL State Division Carnival, however, after a solid weekend of football the team came away with the trophy.
The players including TRL representatives Trent Richardson (Cowboys) Jason Wilmot (Wattles) Corey Blades (Souths) Alex Ambia (Hawks), Mitchell Carpenter (Pittsworth) and Steve Franciscus (Hawks) met for the first time as a group on Thursday night at Southport to prepare for the competition.
Central Crows coach Grant Bignell said some good-old fashioned ticker saw the Crows claim two wins in the round robin competition and take home some impressive silverware. It is the Crows first win in the competition and for the past two years they have finished at the bottom of the ladder.
Conditions on Saturday were horrendous, and in torrential rain the Crows held South East Queensland scoreless in the second half to open their account with a 32-16 win.
It set the Crows up for the decider against the SEQ Poinsettias in Sunday’s clash after they defeated last year’s winners the NQ Marlins.
The Crows were on fire in the first half, scoring three unanswered tries to lead 16-nil at half-time.
Central were forced to weather another sort of storm in the second half as SEQ posted back-to-back tries to reduce the margin to 10.
The game was put to bed when Corey Blades pounced on a grubber, claiming his second try of the game.
Sunshine Coast’s Dylan McGrath showed he is all class when he scored five minutes before full-time.
Coach Grant Bignell was full of praise for McGrath, who spent some time in Canberra’s Under 20s system, saying he believes he is capable of stepping up to Intrust Super Cup level.
The pick of the State Division Carnival will form the XXXX Queensland Rangers men’s team to take on a NSWRL Ron Massey Cup side on July 24 at Pizzey Park.
The coach is hoping the performance of his side will be rewarded for their performance at the selection table, proving the pathway is there for players from A grade level through representative football for the Division and beyond. The TRL contingent certainly made solid claims for selection.
CONDITIONS NO PROBLEM FOR MEDAL WINNER
NOT surprisingly, the weather conditions impacted on numbers in the Saturday Golf competition in Stanthorpe. Only a small field ventured out for the Single Stroke event for the June Monthly Medal. It was the second successive weekend that players had to deal with not only the course but also the weather gods who definitely have not been in the player’s corner recently.
Mark Hendry handled the trying conditions best to finish with a Nett 71 and the Men’s Monthly Medal. Hendry is obviously a good wet tracker; he also won the Putting with 25 putts. The nett runner-up was Matthew Waterworth. Waterworth who had 77 off the stick was also the gross winner. He also claimed the 3rd/12th pin shot to wrap a good round. Madeline Jarman won the Ladies monthly medal and putting while Kay Webb was the Nett runner-up and winner of the Gross with a 102 off the stick.
The 17th Approach was won by Nikki Rossow. Winners of the pro pins were – Steve Kay 1st/10th, Michael O’Brien 5th/14th and Mark Hendry 9th/18th. Rundowns in the Men’s – Steve Kay, Ian Harvey, Fred Wharton and Greg Yap. Rundowns for the Ladies – Lynette Ludlow, Nikki Rossow and Marg Locke. There was also a NAGA award this week and the prize went to Michael Thompson and Marg Locke. Thanks to Ian Harvey who sponsored the day.
This week a single stroke event has been scheduled along with some better playing conditions. The time sheet is on the board in the clubhouse.
RATS ROUTED BY CODS
THE Warwick Water Rats were narrowly defeated by Condamine in their away game last weekend. In testing conditions which saw the game almost cancelled, the Cods were on the scoreboard first with a five pointer, however, the Rats struck back with a try to Vladimir Savovski. The home side scored again prior to the half-time and lead 15-7 at the break.
The second half saw the Water Rats dominating field position and possession, however, they were unable to convert that into points. The visitors managed to cross the try line once more before the full-time. With referring decisions not going in their favour, the Rats were eventually beaten 15-14. This weekend, the Rats will be looking for a win in their away game against Roma to remain in the top five.
NUMBERS DOWN COMEPITTION STRONG
ONLY a small group played association croquet last week, however competition was strong.
In a closely contested game, Pat Schnoor had three breaks of three and Joy Newman two of three before Schnoor pegged out 26-22.
In the doubles match, players Carol Verwey and Val Shepherd also had multiple breaks two and four of one respectively. They went on to win in their game against Grace Howard and Effey Russell.
Dickenson and Andrea Denkewitz pegged out 26 -12 for a win in over Jenny Tunbridge and Heather Widderick.
Golf Croquet numbers also took a hit last week with many unavailable, however players were joined by John Castles a keen prospective new player. It is clear from his ability to judge distance well that Castles has played several other sports.
Two games of triples were decided. In a first to seven game, Justin Liddy and Elaine Brown defeated John Castles and Shirley Page 7-4. Justin Liddy scored a hoop in one and Elaine top scored with four hoops.
In game two, Marian and John Castles teamed up with Marian playing two balls against the more experienced team of Page Liddy and Brown. The newcomers played well despite going down 10-2.
Ten players rolled up for gateball on Friday, forming two teams. The Red team of Bill Golding (c), Val Fancourt, Margaret Dickenson, Effey Russell and Carol Verwey took on the White team of Andrea Denkewitz (c), Les Williams, Heather Widderick, Joy Newman and Jenny Tunbridge.
Results in the first three games could have gone either way and were decided in the last minutes of each game. Team Red won game one 15-11. Val Fancourt had a great ‘split shot’ and followed up with a ‘gate and touch’ which gave her an extra shot. It allowed her to set up two balls ready to ‘peg out’ and Effey Russell hit both balls onto the peg. Team Red were also successful in the following two games, with scores 13 – 12 and 14 – 9.
In the final game, scores were tied at 10 all resulting in a “shoot out” to determine the winner.
In a “shoot out,” the team with the most number of successful passes through the gate is declared the winner. In this case, it was a win to Team White with four successful passes to their opposition’s two.
WIN FOR HOMESIDE AT SULLIVAN OVAL
ON a cold and wet afternoon, the combined Stanthorpe Texas side notched up their second win in the BRL season when they defeated the Killarney Cutters 44-18 on Saturday. Not surprisingly in the conditions there were plenty of handling errors, but the home side showed plenty of determination and defended their line well.
Player numbers were boosted by the inclusion of some fresh faces in the Stanthorpe Texas side. After playing in the under 18 game against South Burnett White, four of the Bushrangers Under 18s added some spark to the side.
Nick Marsh, Jayden Petzler, Tom Jensen and Declan Spencer son of former Texas Terrier Jack Spencer stepped up and made their A grade debut. Nick Marsh solid in attack and defence and in his first game of senior league Tom Jensen claimed a try.
Unfortunately only nine Wallangarra players were available for the game between the Rams and the Inglewood Roosters at McIntyre Oval and the match was cancelled. It is a worrying sign for the Rams.
A crisis meeting was held in Wallangra on Tuesday night to discuss the club’s position. The Rams have struggled with player numbers in recent games through injury and poor player retention, however they have committed to finishing the BRL season.
This weekend they have a home game against the combined Stanthorpe Texas side while in a rare Sunday game Killarney host competition front runner the Tenterfield Tigers.
VISITORS AMBUSH BUSHRANGERS
THE Border Bushrangers Under 18s fielded a full side in Saturday’s game at Sullivan Oval but found the visitors too slick. In a scrappy game played in poor conditions, there was always going to be handling errors and in the first half they looked to lack enthusiasm in their defence. The team were more cohesive in the second half, however after the horse had bolted.
This weekend the teams face another tough test when they take on Highfields on Sunday at Killarney prior to the A Grade game.
