It seems almost sacrilegious to be thinking of anything other than Origin this week, but the champions Trophy tournament gets underway in England this weekend. Australia will have to play well to hold on to their number one ODI ranking.
With a fully fit Mitch Starc on deck, Australia go into the game with a sensational bowling attack, but it must be backed up by our batting line-up. David Warner needs to fire for the Aussies.
The lead-up games have thrown up some interesting results and equally interesting pitches, and one would think are not a guide to how things will pan out in the coming games.
Alongside the cricket, the French Open is keeping tennis lovers sleep deprived as Raffa continues his clay dominance and Sam Stosur also shows her liking for the surface.
Hard to believe during Origin week that some of the talk has been about poor ticket sales at Suncorp, but with prices for some seats in the realm of $350, it is no small wonder. There is now talk of taking a game off shore – Ron McAuliffe would turn in his grave. Let’s hope at a time when players are starting to flex their muscle about the game and how it is run and the finances that some boffin does not destroy the jewel in the crown. Rugby League is a game of the people – leave Origin alone, and if anything return it to its roots rather than make it a corporate event or overseas sky lark.
– Casey
(Hope we are singing Maroon praises when this edition is delivered)
TOUGH ROUND
Tipsters face another tough week as they try their best to navigate around players returning from Origin duty and how they might perform.
Friday the Melbourne Storm representative contingent has been named to play at AAMI against the Knights. Surely, we won’t see an upset here.
The second Friday night game sees the Eels and Warriors going head to head at ANZ. Despite their win over the Broncos, I am tipping against the Warriors and think the Blue and Gold army will have something to cheer about. But with the Warriors you just never can tell.
The Dragons take on the Tigers again at ANZ on Saturday afternoon and should get the money with Widdop expected to make a return from injury.
The Roosters will have several returning from Origin, and if all are fit and well I think they might be too good for the Broncos. (Hard as it is to take).
The Cowboys should be too strong at home for the injury-ravaged Titans, but do not expect them to lay down either.
Sunday’s game between the Sea Eagles and Canberra is tough, but I think Manly with the home ground advantage will be too good.
The round wraps up with the Bulldogs and Panthers going head to head at ANZ on Sunday. I am leaning towards the Doggies.
Of course after Origin this could all be thrown straight out the window depending on any injuries out of the game.
RACE DAY WITH IT ALL
There was excellent support from owners and trainers for what turned out to be an eventful day’s racing at Allman Park on the RSL Memorial Day card. There were plenty of tight finishes, pre-race dramas and a tip to some real racing history with jockey C Small riding a winner in a set of memorable racing colours.
The meeting opened with the running of the Warwick RSL Memorial benchmark 50 handicap. It was an eventful affair even before the race. In a pre-race veterinary inspection, the fancied Cambooya Rock was found to have blood in its mouth and was withdrawn on veterinary advice. Pre Post favourite My Moochie dumped rider Skye Bogenhuber on the way to the barriers and was scratched. The incidents did not stop there; Slyvan Princess kicked the barrier stalls and had to pass a vet test before being allowed to take her place.
The race was eventually won by locally trained Whispering Wings. The Gary Schwenke mare started at $4. Well ridden by apprentice Michael Schrapel who claimed 1.5kgs, the mare who had some good form got the nod in a tight finish over Can He Wrap and Coalbank Caviar.
Runners in the second event an 1100 metre maiden were better behaved. Oakey galloper La Rana Toro laid out in the final stages of the race, but won by almost a length from Kira’s Beat and Royal Bouquet finish. The Brad Hudson-trained galloper was well supported, starting favourite at $3.50.
Toowoomba visitor Spectacular Rock gave his owner trainer Eric Ferguson a thrill with a win in the 1200 metre Benchmark 55. The seven-year-old pipped Karaharaga and Grand Cheval in another tight finish.
The fourth race saw veteran jockey Cyril Small of Vo Rogue fame at his best, winning on the Fusi Fox. Trained by Jeff Perry on the Gold Coast, the winner carried those brown colours with white hooped sleeves and white cap made famous by the legendary Vo Rogue. Small who won 22 of 26 rides on the champion does not deny he is in the twilight of his career. He is now based on his Tallebudgera farm, but has lost none of his talent and enjoys riding at country meetings.
Wensley Boy put on a bucking exhibition shortly after the barriers opened, and took no part in the race. He, no doubt, will be required to show his manners have improved before his next start.
The final event the Long Tan Cup was won by Leprechaun Lad. Raced by M J M Racing and trained at Beaudesert by Kevin Hickmott, the winner started at $6 and comfortably beat Storm magic and Red Bohemia who was held up for a run in the closing stages of the race. The winning rider was Fiona Jones. Race favourite Rockabella Boy who started $2.40 was disappointing and finished well down the track
WATERWORTH TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP
The Stanthorpe Golf Club Championships were decided after last Saturday’s final round. Matt Waterworth overcame a one-shot deficit to win the overall trophy and is the 2017 A Grade Club Champion.
The result of the B Grade Championship was a real nail-biter. Mike McAuliffe and Lyle Bryant were forced to play two additional holes before McAuliffe secured a well-earned win.
The C grade also went down to the wire, but in a tight finish it was Bob Watts who won by two shots. It was pleasing to see Junior golfer, Billy Webb, return the best overall nett finish and collect the Junior shield.
Grant Howard had best nett score in A grade and Lyle Bryant in B grade. Keith Allen was the best nett winner in C grade while another junior Matt Burgess impressed and collected the prize for best nett finish in the Junior division. Darryl Boekholt recorded the best score to claim the Veterans shield.
Lyn Ludlow was named as Ladies club champion after winning the gross event with Racheal Hendry returning best nett. Division II winners were Neta Thouard with best gross and Nikki Waterworth with best nett. In Division III, the gross winner was Madeline Jarman with Helen Jones taking best nett. The Veteran’s shield was won by Linda Kelly.
In the Saturday’s single stroke event sponsored by Alan Kerr and Dale Minchenton, a countback was necessary after there was a three-way tie at the end of play.
Junior golfer, Matt Burgess, with nett 69 was the eventual winner relegating Darryl Boekholt to the runner-up position. Peter Gibney who played his best round since joining the club, also finished with nett 69, settled for the run down.
Lorraine Evans (nett 72) won the ladies stroke from Linda Kelly with nett 73. Nikki Waterworth, also with nett 73, settled for a ball in the run down.
This Saturday sees a return to usual Saturday golf with the June monthly medal and putting competition to be contested. Tee off is from 11am, and the time sheet is on the board.
The draw for the Captain’s Trophy Match Play event should be completed by Saturday, any intending player should nominate before then. There is a sheet for this event on the board at the club house.
NEWS FROM WARWICK FISHSTOCKING AGM
There was a great turn out for the Warwick Fish Stocking Club annual general meeting on Sunday. The AGM was attended by guests councillor Rod Kelly and Queensland Fisheries officer, Paul Kuhn.
Members showed their faith in the previous executive, and it remains unchanged for the coming year under the presidency of Roger Martin. This year, there will be funding of $34,706 available for Leslie Dam from the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS). That figure is down about $700 from the previous year.
The committee will meet in the coming months to work out the fingerling order for the coming stocking season expected to commence in December.
Fisheries officer Kuhn addressed the meeting reminding fishermen of bag limits and legal sizes of some of our popular catches. Anglers are allowed 10 golden perch (min 30 cm), only two silver perch (min 30 cm) five catfish (min35 cm) and a limit of two Murray cod with a minimum length of 60cm.
Mr Kuhn also spoke about the white spot disease in prawns and reminded fishermen that green prawns cannot be used as bait in the Southern Downs area and that yabbies must be frozen when using them for bait. The latter are not permitted to be used live because of white spot disease. Heavy penalties apply if anglers are caught using them in this area.
He also explained that the herpes virus which has not yet been released will when released take two days to kill European carp in large numbers. The virus does not affect native fish or humans. He also reminded the audience that kayaks cannot be within 100 metres of a dam wall and penalties apply if caught within the exclusion zone.
An information evening at the Stockyard Hotel is planned to discuss the proposed new six knot zone at the northern end of Leslie Dam proposed for the northern end of Leslie Dam. The evening will be held on or around 15/16 June – the date to be confirmed and publicised in coming weeks.
Councillor Kelly spoke about a new proposed boat ramp for the 15 per cent water level mark and also the proposed new camping area for Connolly Dam.
There was some discussion around the Murray cod sculpture which is to be done by Paul Stumkat (Killarney). It is planned that the impressive sculpture will be situated in Federation Park close to the O. O. Madsen Bridge and will be highly visible from the highway. Grant funding of $18,000 has been received the Regional Arts Development Fund. The club wishes to thank the Queensland Government and the Southern Downs Regional Council for the grant.
HAMPSTEAD WINS RUNNER TROPHY
With the arrival of members of the Hodgson clan, numbers swelled at Wallangarra on Saturday as a great field hit the course for the annual Frank Hodgson Memorial Trophy, “The Runner Trophy“.
Steve Hampstead was the eventual winner and was extremely proud to be presented with the unique trophy that means so much to Wallangarra golfers. Runner-up was to Dennis McMeniman followed closely by John Green, Peter Cusack and Tony Murphy who all took out a captain stakes.
Steve Hampstead picked up the only pins won on Saturday at the third and ninth. Hampstead was in good form also holding the approach shot on the second while Jamie Purcell snared the approach on the 14th.
The junior competition was won by Jnr who is loving his golf and getting better by the week. Just a reminder that all Juniors are welcome.
This week the club will be playing for the Monthly Medal and Putting, sponsored by the Wallangarra Railyway Cafe.
A reminder that the Annual Breast Cancer Day is on 11 June. It is a Two Ball Ambrose competition and the cost is $25 per person (lunch included), Tee off from 9am to 10am, so grab your partners and come out for a hit. Golfers and non golfers are welcome for this very popular and special day at the ‘Garra.
CLOSE CONTESTS
Eight players were on court for a great morning of golf croquet last week. Conditions were perfect for play, and all games were closely contested.
In the first round, Bev Sullivan and Teresa Pyne (13) points, defeated Liz Ellway and Sharyn Roser (10). Bev Sullivan shot a hole-in-one in this game. Justin Liddy and Val Fancourt had a 13-10 win over Shirley Page and Judy Lock in the other game..
Round two games were tight and Val Fancourt and Shirley Page had another 13-10 win. In this game, they defeated Liz Ellway and Sharyn Roser.
The second game saw Justin Liddy and Teresa Pyne take on Bev Sullivan and Judy Lock. Despite another hole in one from Bev Sullivan, scores were tied at 12-all at the end of play forcing a tie-break which saw Liddy score the winning shot for his team.
ZIKAN WINS SPORTERS
Sunday Sporters were again out in numbers. Phil Zikan ran out winner in last week’s event with Aaron Simmers the runner-up. Figuring in the run downs were Paul Armstrong and Mark Lynam who also scored the best gross. Jim McPherson picked up the pin shot on the third. There were no takers for the pro pin. Zikan topped off a good day on the course when he also won a meat tray. Ray Thorn was the other lucky winner. Tee off this Sunday is once again between 8am and 8.30am, but this week you might just need your winter woollies if the weather forecasters are on song.
WOLVES DOWN 4-1
Despite suffering a 4-1 loss to West Wanderers, last year’s premiers, there were plenty of positives to come from the game for the Warwick Wolves. Playing their Toowoomba premier fixture at Queens Park, Warwick trailed 2-0 at half time. Sam McLellan scored early in the second half, but two late goals to Wanderers gave them a comfortable win.
Jamie Saunders was rated as the Wolves best.
Warwick suffered a 6-1 loss in the reserves. The Wolves premier and reserves divisions have this weekend off.
FOGGY START BUT GREAT DAY
It may have been a foggy start on Friday for gateball players, but when the fog cleared and players could actually see their court, play got underway in what turned out to be a great day. The White team was made up of Joy Newman, Andrea Denkewitz, Margaret Dickenson and Les Williams. In each game played, one person played two balls. White took on the Red team of Bill Golding, John Draper, Val Fancourt, Sharyn Roser and Grace Howard. At the end of the day’s play, each team won two games. If you looked at the for and against after the games, it certainly seemed that the Red team had the better day. Game 1 went to Red, 12 – 6 while White bounced back in the second to win 13 – 7. Game 3 was the closest match of the day and the result could have gone either way. White managed a last-shot agari to win 15 – 14. The final game went to Red, 17 – 8. Bill Golding made some great long shots to knock the White balls off the court.
On Saturday afternoon, teams were a little lop-sided. Bill Golding and Les Williams teamed up and played the Red balls, against Andrea Denkewitz, Margaret Dickenson, Val Fancourt and Sharyn Roser with White. The boys played with great accuracy in the second game, winning 14-6.
Game one went the way of the White team11-7 and in Game three, they just scraped home with the score 11-9.
COWBOYS HOME AFTER EARLY SCARE
The Goondiwindi Boars hosted the Cowboys last weekend with the A Grade game played on Saturday night. The Boars are always a force in their home games and certainly gave the Cowboys an early fright. They (Boars) started where they left off last weekend, playing some enterprising footy. At the half time break, the home side led 18-6 after centre Carl Clement bagged two of their three tries.
Warwick came out in the second half and played a much more committed game. In a clinical performance, they scored 36 unanswered points to run away with the game 36-18. Captain Paul Cantwell and Dylan Galloway were at their best for the Cowboys and led by example continuing the Cowboys excellent recent form.
The win made it a clean sweep for the club with wins earlier in the Reserve Grade and Under 18 games.
A GRADE: Warwick 42 (Matt Marshall 2, Craig Donn, Dylan Galloway, Jordyn Hogden, Farao Mataafa, Josh O’Brien tries Dan Watson 7 goals) defeated Goondiwindi 18 (Carl Clement 2, Thomas Fitzgerald tries Adam Tribe 3 goals)
RESERVE GRADE: Warwick 22 defeated Goondiwindi 10
UNDER 18: Warwick 18 defeated Goondiwindi 14
ALLMAN PARK SNAPS UP TAB MEETING
The Warwick Turf Club president Phil Grant has announced that Allman Park will host a TAB race meeting on Tuesday. The 11th hour call was only received by the president on Monday but he was straight on the front foot happily accepting the offer.
The offer of the meeting comes as a result of the damage done to the Beaudesert track in the recent flooding incident. The track was inspected by Qld Racing officials who considered that the surface still remains unsuitable for racing.
Warwick club officals are not expecting a huge crowd, but the meeting gives the club great exposure and is an added opportunity for local connections to race for some additional prize money. Several local bookies are expected to field at the meeting and an oncourse TAB will be operating with gallops meetings also at Wangaratta Tamworth and Bathurst. A seven-race programme has been scheduled.
CAMPBELL CONTINUES GOOD FORM
Matt Campbell continues to impress on the world motor racing stage. The Warwick product finished a very creditable fifth in round Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on the famous Monte Carlo circuit on Sunday on one of the most famous circuits in the world, the Monte Carlo Circuit at Monaco after starting from fifth on the grid.
The result ensures he retained his top four ranking in the series which Sunday’s race winner German Michael Ammermueller leads.
WATTLES IN UPSET
Wattles caught some people by surprise last week with a good win over the Gatton Hawks. The Warriors move into the top five on the ladder and reminded their opponents that they should not be written off this season. Matt Duggan returned to the paddock from injury, providing additional motivation and leadership. The Hawks were without some of their big pack but the win of Wattles should not be diminished by their absence.
This was a must-win match for Wattles and they turned up for the game with several layers contributing in a big way to the win. Aside from Matt Duggan, Ryan Duggan, Jarred Bradfield, Jamie Abbas and Matt McCarthy The final score 34-12
Gatton posted win in both reserve Grade and under-18s.
A GRADE Wattles 34 (Ryan Duggan, Jackson Green, James Johnson, Josh Lucas, Braydon Wilson, and Dylan Wilson tries Matt Duggan 5 goals) defeated Gatton 12 (Callum Woolacott, Shannon Hicks tries Callum Woolacott 2 goals)
RESERVE GRADE: Gatton 32 defeated Wattles 6
UNDER 18: Gatton 36 defeated Wattles 16
REPRESENTING IN UNDER19 CHAMPIONSHPS
Local girls Anika Spiller, Ellice Oreall and Brody Pearce played in the under- 19 Darling Downs Teams Playing in the State Championships at Meakin Park in Logan last week. The Championships ran from Thursday to Sunday. Spiller and Pearce (who was a late call-up to the side after an injury to another player) are both only 15 and it was a great experience.
In the round robin competition, the Darling Downs girls notched up a 3-1 win over Capricornia with Anika Spiller getting on the score board. The team finished ninth in the ten team competition.
In the boy’s the Southern Downs were represented by Ben Ramatta (Stanthorpe) and Alick Gaske (Warwick) another 15 year old with strong Stanthorpe connections and the youngest in the boy’s Under 19 competition. In a nail bier the Darling Downs side lost 2-1 in their final to Sunshine Coast and finished runners-up. A sensational result.
CASEY’S TIPS
Storm
Eels
Dragons
Roosters
Cowboys
Manly
Bulldogs
