THE THRILL OF ASH’S SMASH!

Smiles all round from Wattles Co-captains - no longer the bridesmaid - they now have the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy safely in their keeping after a memorable win last weekend. 194958_01

What an absolute thrill for all sports lovers especially tennis tragics as Ash Barty etched her name in the history books claiming the World’s Number One Tennis ranking. It seems to have been a meteoric rise to the top of th e rankings from the humblest of players. It is only months since she broke into the top 10 rankings during the Australian Open. Barty is only the second Australian to reach the much sort after no 1 status – the other of course her idol and mentor the great Evonne Goolagong -Cawley.

While she is without doubt the most humble person male or female to hold that ranking in modern game her demeanour belies an inherent toughness and now self belief that went missing during the darkest of days when she doubted not only her own ability but her desire to continue in the game. That she has made no secret of her struggles, I am sure makes her all the more relevant and likeable in the eye of not just the Asutralian public but the tennis world in general.

One great who has been in her corner and shown great belief in Barty’s ability to rise to the top is Australia’s preeminent former player and living Legend Rocket “Rod “Laver.

Laver tipped Barty to win the French Open and was courtside to see her reach what he considered her positional. Barty was also his tip to win this year’s Wimbledon.

High praise indeed from Australia’s most successful men’s player. Saying she has “the necessary tools to contend for tennis’ most prestigious trophy“.

Laver remains the only man to complete the calenderer year grand slam twice so should know a bit about what it takes to win and have an eye for a champion- an.

The Rockhampton Rocket has not been forgotten in his home town. I’m sure Ipswich will not be forgetting the efforts of Ash Barty any time soon. Long may the Barty Party continue

Casey

TRYING TO RECOVER

Like all Queenslanders I am trying to recover from the mauling our Origin players received in Perth at the hands of the Blue’s. I may need therapy. I’ve stride feeding dolphin at Tin Can Bay to help get me out of the funk nut like the Queensland players I think it will take a good deal more than the magic of a handful of those wonderful creatures.

Anyway what is past is past and as Queenslanders we can only say we were comprehensively out played and move on. Hoping like hell for a better performance in a few weeks.

In the meantime it’s back to the circus that is the weekly NRL merry=go round.

Here are my tips for Round 15 (for what they are worth)

Rabbitohs

Dragons

Storm

Sea Eagles

Knights

Raiders

Warriors

Sharks

MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN – WE HOPE

By I’m Invincible out of WINX – Sounds like a match made in heaven – but only after a lot of research. The suitor deemed suitable for champion mare Winx was announced earlier this week. After a lot of analysis and expert advice of bloodstock professionals both domestically and internationally the mare will mated with I Am Invincible in her first season at stud later this year.

Owners, Peter and Patty Tighe, Richard Treweeke and Debbie Kepitis, announced on they had chosen the Yarraman Park stallion as her first mating.

The mare still has a massive public following and the decision was announced via a statement from trainer Chris Waller. The owners saying they had fielded interest from home and abroad but decided Winx will remain in Australia.

After assessing the information provided by experts the group complied a short list of stallions for consideration.

The group said in the statement, “This process highlighted the extreme depth to the stallion ranks in Australia and across the world, however when considering the options of travelling overseas her welfare remained of the highest priority and we decided she would remain in Australia for her first breeding season.

I Am Invincible is second on the general sires list to Snitzel and a daughter, Invincibella, won the final Group One race of the Australian season on Saturday, the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm.

While people are now contemplating what a foal should be called, all I can think of is – colt or filly – Big Shoes to Fill.

NO CHILL ON SCORECARD

There might have been a distinct chill in the air on Saturday morning but it must have spurred Max Hunter on to a winning score in last Saturday’s stroke event at the Stanthorpe Golf club. A start to the day of minus four point something ridiculous must have been all it needed to get Max on track. His winning score of nett 64 showed no sign of a chill and came after 85 off the stick. Hunter set up the win with a back nine of 40 shots, all pars with the exception of a couple of hiccups on two holes which ended in bogies.

Mark McCosker also played well to fill the runner’s up spot. His score of nett 66 would have been a winning score in the past couple of weeks.

In the Ladies event Lyn Ludlow made a welcome return to the winners circle. Ludlow finished with nett 71 well clear of the rest of the field after shooting two even nines of45 and 46. Nett 71 put Ludlow five points clear of runner up to Madeline Jarman (nett 76). . She also held the approach shot at 17 and the runner up the Approach at 12.

Saturday’s event was sponsored by 4 Water Supplies another of the local businesses who continue to support Stanthorpe Golf.

Mark McCosker added to prize tally last week by collecting the balls for

the pin shot at three and the pro-pin at 1/10.

Alan Kerr collected the pin at 12 and Rick Chapman held the pin at 17. Stephen

Kay collected the pro-pin at 5/14 and Kev Rowling at 9/18. The birdies nest at 15 was shared between Casey Leotta and Richard Reardon.

In the run down, it was a ball to scores of nett 72 and better for the men and nett 81 and better for the ladies.

I understand that an illustrious group of players, who shall remain nameless, did not fare so well in the cold conditions. They managed to reach the ton mark on Saturday and between them, had over 700 hits on the day. Unfortunately there were no prizes

for this category. A clue to their identity could perhaps be found in those who indulge in some practice rounds during the week.

Popular club member Tom Fittock found himself hospitalised after trying a short cut off a ladder. Unfortunately for Tom that didn’t work well and it left him with a broken thumb, a few cracked ribs and sore joints.

His injuries will keep him off the course while he recovers – best wishes for a speedy recovery and until then stay away from those climbing things.

As June draws to a close we are almost half way through another year. On Saturday the Stanthorpe Club holds the end of month medley 4BBB Stableford. The event is sponsored by the Ladies, Kay Webb, Linda Kelly and Margie Locke.

Tee off is from the later time of 11.45am (hopefully Jack Frost has left by then). Players are asked to register by 11.25am to allow the get the field out for a shot gun start.

TANNY TRIPLES POPULAR

14 Teams rolled into Tannymorel for the Tanny Triples last Thursday. The event sponsored by Myrtle Wagner.

Winners were Ed Welsh, Hal Catchpole and Ray Bean. The Runners up, the crew from Southern Cross; Paintbrush, Greg Davis and Johnno Johnson.

In round one the eventual winners had a 26-2 win over their opponents Damian Gregartis, Al Buse and Jools Buse. Skip Ray Bean sealed the win when he defeated Ron 21-4 in the Skip’s only round.

Winners of the runners up prizes also had a good win in the opening round. They had an 18-12 win over their opponents Bloomfield, Max Balfour and Doug Christensen. Johno Johnson then had a 20-5 win over Tony to wrap up their final position.

Other results in the opening round included a 19-9 win to Tina, Carl and Tony in their game against Brownie, Joe and Rob.

Sue Butz, Geoff Creighton and Grumpy played Barb Cross, Penguin Penn and Greg Cross scoring a 16-12 win.

Marg Wright, Ron Philps and Pete Collis defeated Marg Thompson, Myrtle & Jean Calam 20-8.

In a tough game Gary Farmer, Nick Farmer and Mick O’Leary scored a one shot win against Joe Tories, Dave Scotney & Bill Lee. The final score 13-12.

Di Walsh, George Wilson and Ralph Tate also had a tough game against Matty Shepherd, Gordon Assay and KeV Mooney but came through 18-13 winners.13. Second round,

The remaining scores in the Skips only round were Grumpy 18 defeated Bill Lee 8; Doug Christensen 12 def Greg Cross 10; Ralph Tate 13 def Pete Collis 10; Mick O’Leary 20 def Jean Calam 9.Kev Mooney 17 def Julie Buse 8. Tanny Triples over for another month.

tanny honours MATRIACH

On Sunday the Tannymorel Bowls club hosted a very special social day in honour of the Club’s new Matriarch Myrtle Wager and what an enjoyable day it was. There was a big turnout of family and friends to celebrate Myrtle’s 90th.

There was bowls of course followed by lunch and plenty of shared stories and reminiscing.

The all important bowls were won by Damo Boal, Dot Rankin and Sue Butz. This group had a 29-15 win in their game against Maddy Weier, Ash Coleman & Jean Calam

Runners up were Rainee Lee Hume, Roz T and Dave Butz scored a 26-16 win in their game against Kev Bishop, Laurie Wagner and Jim Lamb.

Dot Rankin scored the cash for the Spider.

More important than the bowls score was that Myrtle enjoyed the very special day with plenty of her bowls mates and her family. Congratulations Myrtle.

WINNING STEP FOR ARMSTONG AT SPORTERS

Frost what frost and minus temperatures not an issue. – Sporters golfers certainly are a tough lot. While most Stanthorpians were rugged up and looking to warm themselves up early Sunday morning, the Sporters crew were out and about on the golf course. Paul Armstrong put aside all thoughts of the conditions to score a first up win. He also returned the Best Gross score and claimed the Pin Shot at the third and the Pro Pin. In fact Sporters was almost “all about Paul“.

Nick Casey got a mention as runner up while Aaron Simmers and Dick Hilton also got a mention in the run downs. John Rawlings and Paul Byrnes were also able to sneak off with a meat tray each.

This Sunday Sporters will tee off at their winter time slot of 8.00-8.30am. Remember if you wish to brave the cold and join the crew you will always be made welcome.

WATTLES – BRIDESMAIDS NOT MORE

Wattles and Valleys showcased all that is great in rugby league last Sunday in another epic encounter in the final of the Madsen Rasmussen Trophy.

Although Wattles were looking for redemption after their major losses to Valleys last season this game was about seizing the moment and making the most of the opportunities that presented. The match was a worthy show piece of rugby league on a weekend when the Toowoomba Rugby league celebrated their centenary.

The Warriors were quickly out of the blocks and put first points on the scoreboard after Matthew Christensen scored. The roosters were quick to hit back with an impressive individual effort from their winger Denzel Burns who galloped 50 metres to plant the ball.

It was almost a case of anything you can do I can do better or as well as Wattles’ Braydon Wilson set up an Andrew Richardson try with a wonderful pass.

The Warriors threatened to dominate when Nick Van Der Poel scored and Matt Duggan converted to extend the lead to 16-4. However everyone knew the roosters were not going down without a fight and shortly before half time Dwayne Duncan narrowed the margin to 16-10 setting up what was a brilliant second half of rugby league

The attack of .one side the equal of the defence of the other as each side tried to gain the ascendency.

It was Valley’s who eventually blinked first. Braydon Wilson took full advantage of an opportunity and put his side ahead 20-10 in the 48th minute.

The tension on and off the field was palpable. An intercept try to Valleys Dwayne Duncan narrowed the margin to four points.

Despite doing a ton of work Valleys had trailed throughout the game until Kalemb Hart crossed for a spectacular individual try and Ben Cook added the extras to give the Roosters the lead (22-20).

Warriors were determined not to let another big game get away from them. Matt Duggan put up a big kick that bounced back into the arms of Mitch Koina who scored under the posts. With the successful conversion Wattles took back the lead.

With 18 minutes remaining there was always going to be more twists in the tale of this game

Denzel Burns showed speed to burn and levelled the scores when he scored his second for the game.

That try set up a real grandstand finish as both sides threw everything into the mix. The boot of Matt Duggan broke the deadlock with a penalty conversion.

Valleys received a penalty with just a few minutes left on the clock and to the surprise of many spectators chose to run the ball not take two points on offer.

The ensuing play broke down and Wattles were good enough hold out their opponents.

At the end of an enthralling 80 minutes it was Wattles victorious 28-26 and both teams received a standing ovation from the big crowd who witnessed a memorable game. .

Wattles Mitch Koina was named the winner of the Bill and Stephen Pollard Medal as player of the match. In the end any number of the 34 players involved could have easily won the award. It was however fitting that Koina who was coached in his younger days by Bill Pollard received the accolade.

After plenty of disappointments Wattles and Coach Travis Burns finally have a trophy for the club cabinet.

Wattles 28 (Matthew Christensen, Mitch Koina, Andrew Richardson, Nick Van Der Poel, Braydon Wilson tries Matt Duggan 4 goals) defeated Valleys 26 (Denzel Burns 2, Dwayne Duncan 2 Kalemb Hart tries Ben Cook 3 goals).