By RICHIE CLUTTERBUCK
WELCOME back to the 2014 season as the action begins at Guyra this weekend with the third running of the Top of the Range Fours.
This year 32 team’s take to the carpet and on paper it looks to be one of the strongest to date. Heading the nominations would be Todd Fuller’s four of Chris Kliendienst, Steve Fuller and Braden Sole. With Todd, a recent winner of the state champion of champion singles, joining up with his four again they hope to go one better than their second in the inaugural event.
As is the case with open draws it all depends on your section and there are plenty of strong combinations. One combination in particular to watch out for is the four from Kempsey Heights who have carpet at their home club and recently contested the finals of the club challenge. Scott Franklin leads his four of Terry Burley, Michael Judd and Phil Baker.
State under-25 player Chris Herden has also entered a team as has Jay Porter now at Dubbo Railway. Richard Latta has Scott Hamilton, Clayton Rogers and Barry Presnell as his team and they always feature.
Local hopes will rest with Dan Kennedy, John Jackson, Scott Campbell and Dave Wilcox and no doubt the two teams from Macksville will prove hard to beat.
Well done to Dave and his committee for attracting a strong field and as usual the hospitality extended by the club will be enjoyed by all. Play commences on Saturday morning and concludes Sunday.
Entries are in
NOMINATIONS have closed for the district fours while all other event entries will close on 19 January.
The fours will be played at Guyra, the triples at Glen Innes, the pairs at Uralla, Ex-Services and City, with the singles at the same venues. All details are on the entry forms available at all clubs and I urge players to make sure that the match committee receives their entries prior to the draws being conducted.
Walcha held their President’s day last Sunday and Bendemeer will hold their day this Sunday. This year the senior’s round robin is on at Inverell East and no doubt the district selectors will soon be calling for players to nominate for selection.
Back in the mix
IT’S GREAT to see Uralla has nominated a team in the district grade-seven pennant. Although they did not play last year they have always been involved in this grade and I am sure that they will again be a force. This means that three teams will now contest this grade and they are Ex-Services, Guyra and Uralla.
There have been a few players transferring clubs this year, with Dean Farrell, Glen Graham and Scott Graham leaving City for Ex-Services while John Hamel has gone to Guyra.
In a major singles match at the Services Dean and Glen were draw to play each other first up with Glen leading early only to be run down by Dean late in the game.
