By Casey O’connor
For rugby league fans it is seems an age since the excitement of the first weekend in October 2016. There are some who have been counting down the weeks and now days and hours until the start of the 2017 NRL season, and now it has arrived.
The season was launched by the 2016 grand final captains Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith earlier this week.
The NRL campaign this year is designed to evolve from the 2016 ‘History Happens’, to a mantra of ‘Let’s Make History’ in 2017.
While that is all well and good and might leave us with a warm and fuzzy feeling, it is time for someone to take a look at what is going on in the wider rugby league world. Competitions in centres across NSW and Queensland are struggling for numbers. In our own backyard the BRL will not field an under-18 side in the TRL this season. Under-18 competitions across the board are in trouble, and if that is the future of the game then rugby league is not looking as rosy as some would paint it. Will we see the NRL go down the path of rugby with just an elite competition? One would hope not.
In the meantime, it’s on with the big show tonight with Cronulla and the Broncos getting the season underway.
Of course everyone is tipping blind in round one. For what it is worth, these are my selections. Broncos; Storm; Tigers, Dragons; Cowboys; Titans; Warriors and Eagles.
My top eight predictions for the season I will share with you next week.
Sharpen those pens and pencils and good tipping in 2017.
– Casey
T20 SILVERWARE FOR WHEATVALE
After some knife edge semi-finals and outstanding individual performances, it was Wheatvale who added the Warwick T20 silverware to their trophy cabinet.
The finals were played on Saturday, and after a thrilling semi-final game it was Wheatvale and Colts who lined-up in the finals.
In a game that had everyone on the edge of their seats, Wheatvale had a one-run win over Condamine Maryvale in the opening semi at Slade Oval securing their spot in the final. Wheatvale looked to have the game in the bag, chasing a moderate total of 108 before losing five wickets for just one run. With two balls remaining and two wickets in hand it was left to Jack Breen to hit the winning run and put Wheatvale into the final.
The second semi-final between Warwick Hotel Colts and Allora was played at Mayhew Oval. Colts had a more comfortable win over their opponents but only after a cameo over from John Cleary who smashed 27 runs.
In the grand final Colts batted first and were dismissed for only 92. Geoff Thorley tops cored with 18. Wheatvale looked to be on cruise control as they chased down the total for the loss of just one wicket. Chris Cantwell had a match winning day with the bat, scoring 52 unbeaten runs in the final. He also took two catches in the final.
FINAL ROUND
This weekend is the final round of the Condamine Cup, and it looks likely that the award for the leading all-rounder of the 2016/’17 competition will come down to performances this weekend. This season the leading all-rounders have accumulated more than 300 runs and taken 12 wickets. Three bowlers have also taken more than 20 wickets. Players must have played a minimum of four games in the Condamine Cup to qualify for individual awards and T20 performances are not included.
On Saturday Allora play Allora Rascals at Allora; Inglewood host Sovereign Animals and at Slade Redbacks play Wheatvale. All games commence at 12.30pm.
On Sunday, Colts play Maryvale Condamine with the game starting at 10.30am.
UNDER 18S OUT
After one season in the TRL competition, the Border Bushrangers under-18 side has been forced to withdraw from the 2017 under-18 competition. Just weeks out from the start of the season, the BRL side has been unable to attract enough players to field a side.
While some of the players will be eligible to play up in the senior ranks there are others who will have to seek other avenues if they wish to play football this season.
It is an unfortunate fact of life in the BRL and other much larger competitions that it is difficult these days to attract under-18 players. Most players eligible for under-18s have study commitments while others have VET commitments or jobs which limit their ability to play. It is also a big commitment for players to travel to play in the TRL competition.
Damian Petrie who was named as coaching director earlier in the year said while it was a disappointing outcome, administrators and coaches had a duty of care to ensure player welfare was not compromised by playing with insufficient bench players to cover injuries.
The Border Rugby League Senior competition kicks off on 25 March with the annual Round Robin competition. All clubs are still seeking senior players.
WIN ON A COUNTBACK
Steve Hampstead survived a countback to win the Single Stroke event at the Wallangarra Golf Club on Saturday. Hampstead also picked up the Birdies Nest on the fourth to top off a winning round. Peter Butler was relegated to the runner’s-up position.
On a day where pin shots and approach shots were hard to come, Butler claimed the only approach shot on the day at the second hole. The captain stakes went to Brendan McMillian and Peter Williams.
The schedule at the Wallangarra Club over the next weeks is busy. On Saturday is the Wallangarra sponsor the March Monthly Medal and Putting competition. On Sunday, the club is holding the Wallangarra Open Single Stableford.
Tee off in the open on Sunday has been scheduled for 9am – 9.30am (Qld time). The cost of $25 per person includes lunch.
The following weekend (11 March) the Club Championships begin. All finical members are eligible and welcome to play.
A reminder to all members that the AGM will be held on Saturday at 10am prior to the tee off.
PLENTY OF ACTION ON THE RANGE
There was plenty of action last weekend on the Inglewood Sporting Shooters range, with the club hosting a big weekend of Pistol Shooting.
Monika White shot well on Saturday in the offhand to out-score Tom Donald and Kirsten Small. White partnered with Kirsten Small to take out the Tag Team event. Tom Donald and Ray Dudgeon were runners-up and Glen Small and Richard White finished in third place. White also placed third in the Rimfire Action won by Glen Small. Kirsten Small was the runner-up.
In Sunday’s shoot, Stephanie Dudgeon took out the C/Fire Revolver event outscoring Iain Bowen and Tom Donald.
Ray Dudgeon won the Rimfire Semi-Automatic with Stephanie Dudgeon and Ross Jackson filling the minor placings.
Andrew Slack had a win in the C/Fire Semi Auto. Placegetters were Tom Donald and Iain Bowen.
Slack was also successful in the Two Gun, defeating Ray Dudgeon and Stephanie Dudgeon. He also partnered with Stephanie Dudgeon to win the Tag Team event, defeating Michael Dudgeon and partner Iain Bowen and Ross Jackson and Stephanie Dudgeon.
Tom Donald took out the Offhand Rapid Fire event with a win over Iain Bowen and Stephanie Dudgeon.
This Sunday the club is holding a Clays competition beginning at 10am at their Range which is located at 749 Bosnjaks Road Glenarbon. Visitors are always welcome. Further information can be found on the club Facebook page.
WIN FOR DOWIE
Sam Dowie is better known for his form with a cricket bat, but last Sunday at Sporters he showed plenty of talent with a golf club. Dowie edged out runner-up Bob Watts to win the round. Luke Reardon had the Best Gross score of the round. The run-downs went to Norm Steele and Peter Goodsir. Mick Speers pricked up the pin shot at the third and Ian Anderson claimed the pro pin and also went home with a meat tray. Ray Thorn did not leave empty-handed, winning the remaining meat tray.
Sporters and other golfers should pencil 9 April into their diaries as the Maureen Bates Memorial Golf Day: A two-ball nine hole Ambrose will be played with a 9am shotgun start planned. A barbecue and Multi Draw raffle will follow the game.
Of course, this weekend Sporters will tee off at the regular time of time 7.30-8.30am.
Mallet players kept busy
Mallet players were kept busy with plenty of players turning out for all forms of the game. Pat Schnoor and Carol Verwey returned to the court for the association croquet games last week. Schnoor and partner Val Shephard scored a 20 -18 win over Heather Widderick and Andrea Denkewitz in a close game. Shepherd scored a break of three in the game. Joy Newman and Effey Russell played a Singles game with Newman winning 26-18.
Jenny Tunbridge played well in her game against Carol Verwey and Val Richardson; the score 26-11.
There was a full court of players at golf croquet, and two players scored a hole in one during the games. Bev Sullivan partnered Marian Castle and despite nailing a hole in one, the pair was defeated by Shirley Page and Sharyn Roser.
Dianne Wren had a standout game in the second group. She and partner Justin Liddy scored a 13 -8 win over opponents Liz Ellway and Johnno. Wren top-scored with eight.
In the second round of games, Fancourt nailed her hole in one. It was not enough however to secure a win for Fancourt and partner Judy Lock. In a close game they were beaten by Bev Sullivan and Dianne Wren. Fancourt and Sullivan topped the scoring with seven.
John Castles and Justin Liddy worked well together to overcome Johnno and Elaine Brown 11-9, Liz Ellway and Shirley Page overcame Sharyn Roser and Marian Castles to win 9- 8. Ellway top-scored with seven.
In the gateball games played on Friday, Bill “go for the gate“ Golding captained the Red team of Grace Howard, Heather Widderick, John Draper and Sharyn Roser. Margaret Dickenson captained the White team of Jenny Tunbridge, Joy Newman, and Val Fancourt. Overall honours went to the White team.
White won the first game – a close affair 10-9. In the second game, they scored a more comfortable 13-9 victory. In the final game which White won 13-8 Val Fancourt scored an ‘Agari’. The Red team’s only win came in game three.
A group of keen gateball players have restarted Saturday afternoon competition. Bill Golding and Margaret Dickenson teamed up playing the White balls against Andrea Denkewitz, Val Fancourt and Sharyn Roser, playing Red. Golding played extremely well, making some great shots. He and his partner won the first game 17 – 10 and the second 11-9. The final game resulted in a 10-all tie at the end of the regulation 30 minutes, but went to White after a countback.
GOOD SCORES IN 4BBB
The Stanthorpe Golf Club’s end of month medley 4BBB stableford was decided on Saturday and proved very competitive with good scores returned. Paul Mills and Mike McAuliffe had a front nine of 23 and a back nine of 26 sealed the win for them. Mills produced a solid scoring round and McAuliffe added to their final score with some good holes.
Keith Allen and Ken Hinze held out on a countback to wrap up second place with 48 points. A front nine score of 26 points put them in a solid position but a couple of short circuits for only 22 points on the back nine kept them out of top spot.
Pin shots went to Luke Reardon (3), Bill Pyne (12) and Matt Waterworth (17).
Rachael Hendry took the ladies approach at 17. Pro-pins went to Bill Pyne (1/10), Keith Jones (5/14) and Kev Rowling (9/18). There were no pin shots for the ladies but there were some great sand bunker shots seen at the par three.
Wes and Hayden Smith carded 48 points and were unlucky to miss out on the countback and figured in the rundowns. Two teams with 47 points collected balls. Early birds Greg Yap and Santo Cavallaro and later in the day duo of Darryl Boekholt and Greg Fraser.
Saturday marks the start of the 2017 financial year for the club, and the first opening event is the March monthly medal and putting competition which is sponsored by long-time supporter of the club Maddie’s Gift Gallery. It is also the first of three rounds for the Pike Trophy and the start of the ‘Golfer of the Year’ competition.
There is a time sheet is on the board and tee off from 11.30am. Players are asked to put their names on the time sheet to assist with catering.
Valley’s charge towards finals
With only two rounds of fixtures now remaining after last weekend’s games in the Stanthorpe Cricket Association 2016/’17 fixtures Valleys are making a late charge for the Minor Premiership.
While ladder leaders RSL had the bye last weekend, Valleys scored a big win over a disappointing Wanderers side at Sheehan Oval and along the way picked up four points for the win and two bonus points.
In a very one-sided affair, Valleys dismissed Wanderers for just 52 runs. Only Tim Harslett (14) and Extras (12) made it to double figures as four batsmen were returned to the club house without troubling the scorers. Valley’s bowlers Curtis Allen and Damian Anderson each claimed three scalps as the Wanderers batting line-up collapsed.
It took only seven overs for Valleys to reel in the runs. Opener Andrew Middleton was the only batsman dismissed, run out for 10. Middleton’s opening partner Curtis Allen (30) scored the bulk of the required runs after a good effort with the ball.
On the CF White Oval, Souths also had a comprehensive win over their opponents Tenterfield.
Souths opened the batting with youngsters Tom Bonner and Liam Lanza who set up the innings with a fine first-wicket partnership of 58 before Lanza was dismissed for a top score of 44. In a well-crafted innings, Bonner pushed for singles and twos and kept the scoreboard ticking over.
While the young guns set a good platform, it was the experienced Mark Lanza who steadied the ship. Lanza came to the wicket with the score at 3/78 and the game in the balance. He was clean bowled by Skinner with the score at 7/100. Souths failed to bat out their 40 overs and were all out for 118 in the 33rd over. Alan Cameron remained not out 13.
Skinner was Tenterfield’s main strike weapon, taking five wickets in a good display. After a good performance in the field, the game was there to be won by Tenterfield. Opening batsman Alan Donges was out for a duck in just the fourth over. The Tenterfield batsmen were having trouble putting runs on the board and at the fall of the second wicket in the seventh over had only scored 12 runs.
Tight bowling frustrated the batsmen and wickets tumbled. Tenterfield were dismissed for just 69 in the 24th over. In a batting display, Tenterfield would perhaps like to forget Brownrigg top scored with nine off the bat while extras accounted for 25 runs as 20 wides and five no balls gifted Tenterfield runs. Harry Williams took 3/16 in a game where all of the Souths bowlers chipped in with wickets and they had a strong performance in the field.
The win give Souths a foothold on third spot on the ladder.
BUSY BUSY BUSY
It was another busy weekend of bowls at Tannymorel, with Social bowls on Friday night and the first round of the Open Singles decided. In the social games Gordie Assay and Myrtle defeated Shep and Richy Tartan 18-7. In other games Jan Walsham, Mavis Lavardon and Pete Gynther defeated Gwenda Walshy and Mick O’Leary 11-7.
In round one of the Open Singles, Terry Banditt scored a 26-24 win over Sue Butz. In a tough game, Banditt stole the win with his last bowl with Sue holding two shots.
Tuck had a 25-12 win over Thommo – all luck and skill according to Thommo in this win. Aaron was too good for Lorna, picking up a 25-14 win in a strong showing. Pete Gynther defeated Ant Butz 26-20 in their game and Philpsy had a commanding 25-10 win over Walshy. Grumpy was too good for Shep winning all chuckas to notch up a 26-13 win. Mick O’Leary had 28-12 win over Geordie Assay and Geoffro Creighton was back to his best in his 25-9 demolition of Myrtle. Great to see suck a good roll up for the club competition.
Special mention to Koala and Tuck who have the greens playing so well.
A reminder to everyone that the second Tanny Classic begins on Friday night. Names must be in by 6pm to be part of another six exciting weeks of fun and competition. If you did not play in the last Tanny Classic, be sure to put your name because if you don’t have a go – you’ll never never know what you have missed out on.
Want to play soccer in 2017 with the Warwick District Football Association – the Warwick Wolves? Register now – time is running out.
Registrations close on Saturday 12 March. Some age groups are filling up fast, so don’t delay.
All Junior and Senior 2017 registrations are open.
Junior packages available are –
– Cubs (turning 4 and 5 in 2017)
– Under 6 (turning 6 in 2017)
– Under 7 (turning 7 in 2017)
– Under 8/9 (turning 8 or 9 in 2017)
– Under 10/11 (turning 10 or 11 in 2017)
– Under 12/13 (turning 12 or 13 in 2017)
– Premiers (turning 14 to 17 in 2017)
Senior packages available are: Warwick Wolves Colts (turning 15 – 18 years in 2017) – playing in the Football Toowoomba competition
Senior Men’s team playing in the Football Toowoomba competition
For more information, head to the Wolves website:
