By CASEY O’CONNOR
WE are powering through the rounds at Wimbledon with some big names dropping by the wayside. The Brits are pinning their hopes of good news on Andy Murray who is into the round of 16 along with champion Roger Federer. Many enthusiasts are bleary eyed after sitting through the thwack thwack of matches interrupted of course by what has become the norm, temper tantrums from Australia’s Nick Kyrgios. Surely, I am not the only one hoping Tennis Australia or the governing world body will give this spoilt brat a decent wake up call.
His attitude and lack of commitment to the game is an embarrassment. He has been described by one British journalist as behaving “like a petulant little brat”. Hard to argue with that observation.
In stark contrast, how exciting was it to see the reception the Iceland National Soccer team received when they returned home after they were bundled out of the Euros by France. Of course, that was after they shocked the world by defeating the English.
Surely that sensational “Viking Clap” is set to become a favourite at sporting venues around the world. – The Mexican Wave and Beach ball might be on their way out.
-Casey
SHORT NRL ROUND
AS we gear up for State of Origin Three, there are only four NRL games in round 18 this weekend. With no game on Thursday night, the Eels and Roosters kick off the round at Pirtek Stadium on Friday night. The Roosters went down in a tough game to the Bulldogs last weekend. Their opponents the Eels also suffered a loss to the competition front runners the Sharks. I think the Roosters can make amends here and bank a much-needed win.
Only one game on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the Dogs take on the Tigers. The Doggies moved into the top four after their gritty win last weekend and should run away with another win in their game at ANZ stadium against a Tigers outfit missing key players due to Origin.
On Sunday, the Sharks face the unpredictable Panthers and will have the job ahead of them with several of their players including Gallen and Wade Graham on Origin duty. There is an opportunity here for the Panthers who will be playing in front of their home crowd. I expect the Panthers to atone for their loss to the Tigers last week in an upset. Panthers captain Matt Moylan will be keen to have a big game after being dropped from the Blues side. Panthers for me.
On Monday night, the Cowboys take on the Raiders at home in what is sure to be tough conditions.
The Cowboys have coped well through the Origin campaign, but I fancy the chances of the Raiders to topple the reigning premiers in what is sure to be an entertaining game.
Wednesday night all attention will turn to Origin as the Maroons look to send Corey Parker out with a clean sweep. Not an easy task, and the Blues have made some significant changes to their line-up and not before time, according to their supporters. Also great to see Gavin Cooper finally get to throw on a Maroon jersey. Queensland will however miss the services of Josh Papalli who has been one of their best this series
I bleed Maroon, so I cannot contemplate anything other than a Queensland win; however this game will be a great window to the future of Origin. It should be a tight and exciting game but what more would you expect.
CYCLISTS ROLL INTO WARWICK
OVER 200 cyclists converged on Warwick last week as stage two of the Brisbane Camperland Queensland Road Team Series (QRTS) rolled into town, giving Warwick a little taste of their own Tour de France.
A total of 19 men’s teams including Continental team, Kenyan Riders Downunder and eight women’s teams contested the two-day event. Competitors found the conditions in and around Killarney challenging but exciting.
Brisbane Camperland’s Emily Roper came into the event holding the leader’s jersey in the women’s event. By the end of racing on Saturday, Roper had the yellow jersey (overall leader), blue jersey (leading young rider) and green jersey (leading sprint rider).
Roper the Under 23 Australian time trial champion is undefeated this season and continued her winning form on Sunday with wins in the Criterium and the Team Time Trial along with the members of the Brisbane Camperland team.
McDonald’s Downunder team member Troy Herfos held the yellow jersey coming in to the Men’s event but had to settle for second place in the opening event, the road race. Winner of the event was Ryan Cavanagh of the Giant Rockhampton team. A total of 105 cyclists took on the 129.6km Men’s event. Cavanagh finished in 2hrs 51mins and 47secs, just 32 seconds of the runner-up, clocking an average speed of 45.3km/h over a challenging course that took cyclists out towards Killarney across to Tannymorel, Emu Vale Yangan and back through Warwick.
On Sunday the Men’s Criterium was won by Ryan MacNally and the McDonald’s Downunder team claimed the team time trial on Sunday.
The event was considered a great success by both riders and organisers however there were a few who found our chilly Southern Downs mornings a little hard to cope with.
SUPPORT FOR GRASSROOTS
THE Sport and Recreation Services ‘Get in the Game’ Round 5, Get Going Clubs and Get Playing Places and Spaces programs opened for new applications on 1 July. A free funding information Session An will be held in Warwick on Tuesday 12 July to assist sporting organisations and individuals.
The support session to discuss the program guidelines and answer questions will be held in the Conference Room of the Government Building, corner of Guy and Fitzroy streets, between 5.30 and 6.30pm.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for organisations to get the latest information about the new online application system, how to apply through the new system and develop strong applications for funding.
The Get in the Game initiative includes a variety of grants to support sport and recreation at the grassroots level, which include:
Get Started – vouchers of up to $150 to assist children and young people who can least afford to join a sport or recreation club.
Get Going – funding of up to $7500 for equipment and projects that improve access to sport and recreation activities.
Get Playing Places and Spaces; funding of up to $100,000 for new or upgraded sport and recreation facilities.
Get Playing Plus – funding between $300,000 and $1.5 million for new or upgraded sport and recreation facilities that meet regional and community needs. COWBOYS YEHAA SEASON CONTINUES
THE Warwick Cowboys impressive season continues, and last weekend in their home game against Oakey the Cowboys dominated. The 94-6 score line saw the Cowboys notch up the most points in a game in the TRL this season.
In a try fest on Saturday night at Fr Ranger Oval, Matt Marshall helped himself to a trio of tries while his team-mates were queuing up to get over the try line.
In an 18-try shellacking of their opponents, six other players scored doubles; Joe Fuimaono, Dan Watson, Dylan Galloway, Brodie Quirk, Brock Croft, Ty Gardiner.
Mick Bloomfield also scored a try and added nine conversions to his impressive tally this season. Jamie Abbas and Craig Donn also grabbed a try each and Morgan Taylor gave Mick Bloomfield a break from kicking duties, slotting two conversions.
Cowboys Reserve Grade also celebrated a big win, defeating Oakey 74-6 in another tryfest. The Cowboys Reserve grade looked to be flying in round one but hit a few hurdles in the second round and the big win will cement their second placing on the ladder. Captain Josh McIntosh had an outstanding game scoring four tries. The Reserve Grade coach Tim Doyle believes there is further improvement in this side despite the big win.
ENJOYING THE CONDITIONS
LAST Sunday Sporters enjoyed the crystal clear albeit a little icy conditions on the front nine of the Stanthorpe Golf Course. Mark Lynam had no problems with the frosty conditions and finished with a great round to take the win. Doorley completed the round with the best gross score. Runner-up was Mick Doorley… run downs went to brother Domanic with Peter Goodsir hot in pursuit.
Going home happy with a meat tray each were Angelo Doorley and Len Leigh. Sporters note that due to the anticipated heavy frosts in coming weeks the hit off time has been amended to 8.30am – 9am.
WATTLES WOES
WHILE Highfields celebrated a big win in Round 16 of the TRL competition, their opponents Wattles suffered another significant injury blow when playmaker Jason Wilmot was forced from the field with an injury midway through the first half. Wilmot’s injury is just another blow to the reigning premiers who have had a horror season. They now sit in ninth position on the ladder with only seven rounds left to play before the finals commence. It must be said that despite Wattles injury problems, Highfields played an outstanding game with an excellent completion rate. The win puts them into fourth place on the ladder. Things do not get any easier for Wattles who this weekend host the Warwick Cowboys on Saturday at Platz Oval. The Cowboys who are currently two points behind competition leaders Pittsworth will be keen to bank another win.
In last weekend’s Reserve Grade game, Highfields had a 16-10 win while in the Under 18 competition Wattles defeated Border 24-22 in a closer affair.
MEN OF LEAGUE
THE Men of League are holding a sportsman dinner in the function room of the Clive Berghoffer Stadium in Toowoomba on 22 July. It will be an opportunity to catch one of Rugby League’s greatest talents and greatest characters – guest speaker Tommy Raudonikis. The fun and frivolity kicks off at midday and you can be sure there will be plenty of tales and inside stories from the popular former Kangaroo captain, passionate NSW Blues captain and coach. Tickets are $85 per head and can be obtained from Rick Lang on 0419 212 522 – you may be just lucky enough to secure one of the last seats.
BOWL SUCCESS FOR COMBINED SIDE
The combined St Joseph’s / Assumption rugby league side had plenty to smile about after notching up a win 12-4 over the St Columban’s side in the final of the Confraternity Bowl at the annual Confraternity Rugby League competition.
The 37th Confraternity carnival was played over four days in Rockhampton and hosted by Cathedral College. This year, 48 teams competed in six divisions.
On their way to their second Confraternity Bowl, the combined Joey’s / Assumption side had a good win on day one over St John’s (16-6) but suffered a loss at the hands of Marist Ashgrove. On Day two, the team had a 44-12 win over St Laurence’s after going down 6-0 to St Michael’s in a tight game.
They progressed to the final of the Bowl after defeating Marist Emerald 22-4 in the Semi Finals.
Assistant coach David Fleming said the combined team had played well and had a good preparation for the Carnival playing in the Darling Downs Open Schoolboys competition in the lead up to Confraternity.
Overall winner of the Carnival and winner of the Confraternity Shield was Ignatius Park College.
At the close of the carnival, the 2016 QISSRL Representative Team was announced and will be coached by Bob Bell of St Joseph’s School / Assumption College.
HISTORIC CARS BRING BACK MEMORIES
THE event was popular, the vehicles spectacular and the competition fierce as over 170 vehicles hit the track as the Historic Racing Car Club Qld returned to Morgan Park raceway last weekend.
In perfect conditions, drivers put their vehicles through their paces. There was something for every car enthusiast.
The Mini Celebration Trophy race was won by Graham Russell. The open wheel cars proved popular and racing was dominated by Chris Farrell driving a Chevron. Farrell set a new historic lap record at Morgan Park.
With a big crowd on hand, many from interstate there were plenty of very positive comments about the weekend’s racing with some likening it to the days of Amaroo and Oran Park and a walk down memory lane.
TIGERS GET A SCARE
THE Tenterfield Tigers added another win to their 2016 season tally, but not before the combined Stanthorpe Texas side gave them an almighty scare in their BRL clash at Sullivan Oval on Sunday.
The game originally scheduled for Reg Saunders Oval in Texas was moved to Stanthorpe and an upset looked on the cards as the home side bolted out of the gates and led for much of the game. The final score was 44-30 in the Tigers favour as the superior fitness of the Tenterfield side told over the final stages of the game. While Tenterfield remain at the top of the BRL table, it was a pleasing result for the Stanthorpe Texas side who came away at their previous meeting. The combined side was definitely bolstered by the inclusion of six members of the Border Bushrangers Under 18 side after their earlier game against Wattles.
Coach Nathan Shatte is hoping the improved performance will encourage more players to get to training regularly. Stanthorpe Texas travel to Killarney this week for their match against the Cutters.
The Cutters will be licking their wounds and looking for a better performance after they were carved up by the Inglewood Roosters 106-0 on Saturday.
The Roosters have another home game this weekend. They host the Wallangarra Rams and the Ramettes will play an exhibition League Tag game against Goondiwindi.
The Tigerettes continue to dominate the Ladies League Tag competition, defeating the Stanthorpe Texas ladies side 64-0. The Tigerettes are simply in a league of their own.
