By Casey O’connor
ANOTHER chapter has been written into Aussie folklore after the running of the 2016 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Lloyd Williams was turned out looking as dapper as his clutch of runners, resplendent in top hat as he picked up his record fifth win in the Cup, becoming the most successful owner in the history of the great race.
I hope you found the winner. Kerrin McEvoy who I believe is the form jockey of the carnival rode magnificently to get Almandin ($11) over the line only a short half head in front of International visitor Heartbreak City ($19) while his crazy owners went off. (Imagine what would have happened if they had won).
While last year’s winning jockey Michelle Payne looked on from the judge’s tower she too had plenty to celebrate this year. McEvoy is her brother-in-law and while she was there to cheer him on as her sister Cathy was at home this year only days away from the birth of the McEvoy’s fourth child.
Many form students, you know, the ones who actually study the nuts and bolts of the race rather than the names and colours (which I might add were a tad confusing this year with no fewer than seven runners in blue silks) were quietly confident Almandin was the weight special in the race. A clever preparation by team Williams looked to have the horse thrown into the race at the weights. It was certainly the telling point on the line.
On Saturday in the Derby history was also made when the James Cummings trained Prized Icon saluted. His young trainer proved it is all about breeding and pedigree, and I don’t mean the horses. He became the fourth generation Cummings to train a derby winner. The Cummings Derby legend began way back in 1948 when great grandfather Jim trained winner Comic Court. Of course his grandfather Bart embellished the fairy-tale with five winners during the course of his stellar career. James’ father Anthony put his name into the record books in 2012 when Fiveandahalfstar won the race.
It’s not a bad blood line, and I am certain this will not be the last winner this young man trains. Keen to see how long it takes the youngest Cummings to take centre stage on the first Tuesday in November. It really is all fairy-tale stuff to us mere mortals.
While I can’t boast finding the Cup winner, my one winged offsider was cock a hoop after backing the first two over the line backing up from collecting on the Derby winner last Saturday.
Of course now there is one undeniable fact that is hard to come to grips with. With the 2016 Melbourne Cup run and won and the Spring Carnival drawing to a close and the first cricket test of the summer about to get underway in Perth today readers should prepare themselves because Christmas is hurtling towards us like a freight train.
With that in mind, I hope after Tuesday your piggy bank is looking healthier than mine. Someone pass me the form guide for the Oaks please, I think I need to find a winner.
– Casey
STORM NO REAL DISTRACTION
STANTHORPE golfers were out in force on Saturday and enjoyed great conditions as they teed off in the ever popular M & D Auto Parts two ball Ambrose event.
A mid-afternoon however forced golfers to seek shelter from the rain and lightning which rolled across the course.
Fortunately, the storm passed quite quickly and after the enforced break, players were able to pick up where they left off and completed a full day of golf.
The interruption did not seem to concern Rachael and Mark Hendry. They finished with the best score of the day returning nett 63 after they combined for 70 off the stick.
Included in their impressive round was three birdies and only one hole over par which contributed to their three-shot advantage over early birds Santo Cavallaro and Len Leigh.
Racheal Hendry really cleaned up. She took the pin at 12, the approach at 17, ladies long drive and shared the birdies nest with Mark at the fourth hole.
Linda Kelly and Nikki Waterworth combined well to win the Ladies only event.
Eric McLellan partnered Shaneen McLellan who was playing in her first competition since joining the club and securing her ALGU handicap. The pair won the Newcomers prize for their performance.
The pin shots at three and 12 were picked up by Darryl Boekholt while John Spiller showed his golfing skill winning the pin at 17, the pro-pin at 1/10 and also the men’s long drive.
Greg Fraser took the pro-pin at 5/14 and Matt Waterworth collected 9/18.
M and D Auto Parts have had a long association with the golf club and organisers are grateful for their continued support, Judy Spiller joined John presenting the prizes to the winners.
This Saturday is the first medal round of the new season, the November Monthly Medal and putting competition and will be sponsored by Poole’s Produce. The Medal of Medallists will also be decided. The winners of the past 12 monthly medals will play off for the Roy Carnell Memorial Trophy. The equivalent Ladies event is sponsored by Tom and Trish Fittock.
Saturday’s time sheet is on the board, and play will commence from 11.30am.
In other news, the club has scheduled the Christmas break up for 26 November. An invitation is extended to all members. The fun and frivolity will commence following play and the Awards for Men’s and Ladies Golfer of the Year will be presented.
Members are encouraged to indicate their intention to attend by adding their names to the sheet at the clubhouse as soon as possible to assist with catering preparations.
ALL QUIET BUT STILL BUSY
IT was a quieter day at the Inglewood Range on Sunday – no shots rang out only the sounds of busy club members on a mission to extend the clubhouse. It was a very successful working bee with a great deal achieved. The work in progress continues, with three more walls to be completed in coming weeks..
This weekend, it is back to the business of shooting with the club hosting a clay target shoot.
SCHNOOR TURNS AROUND SLOW START
PAT Schnoor and Val Richardson both suffered slow starts in their association croquet games last week, however when Pat Schnoor hit top gear she produced one break of five, and two breaks of three to score 24. It was a performance good enough to defeat the opposition who scored 20. Main contributor to that score was Val Shephard who had a break of four.
Meanwhile, Effey Russell and Heather Widderick played singles. Effey pegged out with a score of 26, after two breaks of three, her opponent scored 22 which included one break of three.
IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR PLAYERS
THE Golf Croquet group enjoyed ideal playing conditions on Wednesday. The group played two games of doubles.
The first group to hit off Teresa Pyne and Val Fancourt played Justin Liddy and Bev Sullivan and both had a strong game, defeating their opponents 13-11. Justin Liddy may have been on the losing team, however he played well to post a top score of nine. Teresa Pyne hit a hoop in one on the very last shot of the game.
The second group, Liz Ellway and Judy Lock played Pauline and Elaine Brown.
Ellway and Lock had a decisive 13-4 win. During the game, Liz Ellway pulled off a remarkable shot targeting two of the opposition balls which were well placed to score. She managed to force both away as her own ball ricocheted off them and went through the hoop to score.
In the second round of games, Teresa Pyne and Val Shepherd had a narrow win in a tie break to score a 13-12 win over Elaine Brown and Bev Sullivan.
In this game, Shepherd hit a hoop in one and Payne and Brown shared a top score of seven.
SUPER SAL TAKES ON TREK
SALLY Rowen (Balch) flies out of Brisbane this morning heading for one of the biggest challenges of her life. In typical Sally style, she is heading off on the Kokoda Trail Challenge with plenty of grit and determination; a hefty dose of positive attitude and healthy respect for what awaits her and her fellow trekkers. The group is taking on the Kokoda Trail to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and when Sally left Stanthorpe she had a total of 100 local sponsors on board. When I spoke to Sally prior to heading off she said she was inspired to do the Challenge as a mark of respect to her grandfather and all the Aussie Diggers who fought at Kokoda. She also has a family connection with New Guinea. Of course the opportunity to inspire her two sons and fund-raise for the RFDS as she ticks of a major milestone on her bucket list was a huge incentive.
Sally has raised over $11,400 herself over past months and the team of 10 have to date raised a combined total of $133,089 for RFDS a substantial sum sure to make a difference to our areas more often than we realise.
Of course fund-raising has not closed, and if you wish to donate simply check out Sally’s Facebook page for details. In the meantime, after many months of training it will be one step after the other on the way to reaching a personal goal. Good luck Super Sal.
RED IN HOT FORM
ON Friday, the gateballers were fortunate that the weather cleared allowing play to proceed. Andrea Denkewitz, Heather Widderick, Bill Golding, and Carol Verwey played as the White team. Val Fancourt, Les Williams, John Draper, Margaret Dickenson and Pat Schnoor formed the opposing Red team.
The Red team had an outstanding day, winning all four games. Scores were 16 – 6 in game one. Game two proved closer with scores 12-10. Game three was 18-12 and the final game 14-10. Pat Schnoor and Margaret Dickenson were most consistent on the day.
On Saturday, six players travelled to Toowoomba Mallet Sports Club. The group enjoyed a mix of games playing triples and team games providing an opportunity to test their skills against different opposition on different courts in a friendly atmosphere. It is in these games that players pick up helpful tips to improve their games.
The visiting group is looking forward to returning the hospitality they were shown when the Toowoomba Club visits Stanthorpe.
STEYN IGNITES SUMMER OF CRICKET
BEFORE a ball has been bowled in the International Cricket series this summer, South African quick Dale Steyn has tried to ignite a fuse declaring “if you can cut off the head of the snake, the rest of the body tends to fall”. Steyn was referring to the South Africans intentions to target Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain Dave Warner in the first test which gets underway later today in Perth. Hopefully, his quip will ignite some interest in the series as enthusiasm for cricket across the board appears to be waning.
With the game played in so many forms, at so many venues and so often cricket looks to be losing its appeal.
Of course the passion among players to wear the baggy green has not diminished as uncapped paceman Joe Mennie will no doubt attest to after his shock inclusion in the Aussie Test Team. Mennie and veteran Peter Siddle will face off for the final berth in the XI for the first Test this year played at the WACA in a change from tradition. The Gabba, normally the host for game one will play host to its first day night pink ball Test in December. Well before then, it will be interesting to see if Steyn should have heeded the well worn theory to never provoke a snake – especially if he’s wearing a baggy green and carrying a big bat.
SPORTERS BACK ON DECK
AFTER a one week break because of the Stanthorpe, Sporters were back on deck on Sunday.
It was a win for Chook defeating runner-up Phil Zikan. John Walsh and Aaron Simmers figured in the run downs. Simmers also had the best gross of the round. New-comer Terry Roser had the pin shot on the third while Ray Thorn collected the pro pin. John Rawlings and Paul Byrnes each won a meat tray.
A reminder to all Sporters and prospective players tee-off time next Sunday is 7.30-8.30am.
Sunday 11 December in your social diaries.
The hijinks will begin with a berbecue breakfast at 7am followed by a round of golf. Golf will be followed by a barbecue lunch and more drinks. It is shaping as another great Christmas celebration and organisers are hoping to see a good roll up of regular Sporters and families to join in the celebrations.
STORM HAS CRICKETERS SCRAMBLING
A SHARP heavy storm on Saturday afternoon had Stanthorpe cricketers scrambling to get the covers down on the wickets at the CF White and Sheahan Ovals. Although the covers went down on both wickets, the games were reduced as a result of the rain.
Valleys set their opponents Valleys a target of 119 at the CF White. Curtis Allen contributed the bulk of the Valleys total when he posted his first half century for the season.
In reply, Tenterfield had few answers against the sustained Valleys attack and crumbled to be all out for 74. Curtis Allen backed up his performance with the bat by taking three wickets. There were also tidy bowling performances from Brett Lacey who also claimed three wickets for 12 in his spell and Sandro Steffanon who took two wickets for 12 runs. Young gun Kirby Morunga finished with the good figures of 1/17. A combination of good bowling and a sharp performance in the field saw Tenterfield dismissed in 22 overs and Valleys earned an early season bonus point.
On the adjacent Sheahan Oval the game between RSL and Wanderers was also affected by the storm. Wanderers in the shortened game posted a credible score of 183. Chris Williams top-scored, finishing the innings not out 47. It was a good team performance from the RSL bowlers who all chipped in with wickets. In reply, RSL were dismissed for 140. Luke Brady topped the batting scorecard for RSL with 41 runs.
Bowling honours in the Wanderers line-up went to Andrew Winamp who bowled very tightly and finished with impressive figures of 2/5 to his credit.
