BOWLS
ARMIDALE CITY MEN
MIXED results for the club’s pennants teams on the weekend with both the threes and sixes facing impossible tasks to win their sections, however they may cause a few upsets before the winners are decided. The threes travelled to West Tamworth and won their first match 5-1 against Inverell East, however they then lost to Ex-Services and Narrabri. The sixes went to Inverell and found both Narrabri and Lighting Ridge too strong. Better luck for the twos as they won all of their three matches. In the first, they accounted for Guyra 6-0 before recording the same result against Kootingal. In the Sunday morning match the scores were close early, however City finished strongly to win 71-55 and record a 5-1 result. The unofficial point score in this grade has City on 17 and Kootingal 9.5, and it appears that these two clubs will fight out the section with the winners off to the state finals at Port Macquarie. As this weekend is Easter, no club matches are set down, however matches will be played on the following weekend and it is the player’s duty to inform the games manager prior to Good Friday if they are unavailable on the Anzac weekend. Members extend their deepest sympathy to Peter, Cherrie and David on the passing of Karen Bannon. Karen was an active member of the ladies club and her passing will be felt by many.
ARMIDALE CITY WOMEN
ON Tuesday 8 April, the bowling numbers at our club were down owing to the NEDWBA fours being played at Ex-Services, however, seven people turned up for a social game and the result was J. Carey, M. James, J. Gossip, S. Ridgewell d J. Carey (2), I. Myhill, M. Mulholland, J. Green.
Teams playing in the NEDWBA senior fours and fours were welcomed to the Ex-Service’s club on Tuesday 8 April by district president Lorna Halloran who wished all teams good bowling. The umpire for the day was Myra Smith from Armidale. It was very disappointing to only have four teams enter for the district fours with one of those teams having to forfeit due to illness the day before. Morning games were: senior fours – Uralla v Uralla, with V. Shorter’s team defeating C. Farr-Wharton’s team. Fours – Ex-Service’s V. Armidale with D. Fuller’s team defeating L. Apthorpe’s team. Afternoon games: senior fours, Uralla v Armidale with V. Shorter’s team defeating M. MacGregor’s team in the final. Fours – Armidale v Armidale, with D. Fuller’s team defeating D. Moloney’s team in the final. Congratulations to the two winning teams, senior fours – K. Sullivan, B. Barraclough, P. Westbury, V. Shorter (s) Uralla; and fours – D. O’Connell, J. Hoenger, N. Jemmeson, D. Fuller (s). Armidale will now go to the play-offs to be held in Armidale on 16-19 June.
Friday 11 April saw 24 bowlers play in the Jill Morson Shield. This day is held each year in memory of our esteemed life-member. The cards read were: I. Myhill, J. Johnson, G. Holmes d M. Mulholland, L. Halloran; M. Coggan, R. Clutterbuck, B. Charter drew F. Bourke, D. O’Connell, D. Moloney; M. James, B. Sloggett, D. Fuller defeated J. Carey, J. Hoenger, S. Ridgewell; J. Gossip, N. Jemmeson, M. MacGregor d N. Emms, J. Green, M. Fergusson. The winners for this year whose names will be engraved on the Shield donated by Jill are Jean Gossip, Nannette Jemmeson and Margaret MacGregor, with runners-up I. Myhill, J. Johnson and G. Holmes. Best wishes to all members for a safe and happy Easter – and not too many chocolates.
EX-SERVICES MEN
THE number seven pennant side has won the district flag, defeating Guyra 6-0 on Sunday. Going into the final game, Servies had a slender 1.5 point lead against Guyra after Guyra defeated Uralla 6-0 on Sunday morning. Played on Guyra’s home ground the game was close in the early stages with the big board being tied up at 28-all. The Servies players then found the pace of the green and destroyed their opposition to run away with a 71-39 victory. Couldn’t pick a man of the match performance but a mention to Emo for filling in after the roll-up, and Linda for her excellent job of managing the team.
The number threes ventured to West Tamworth bowling club for their first three rounds and returned home taking 17 of a possible 18 points. They defeated Narrabri 5-1 in the first round and then 6-0 wins over Armidale City and Inverell East to see them hold a four-point lead over Narrabri going into the second round to be played at South Tamworth. Bill Widders, Dylan Hillard and Andrew McLennan were the stand-out performers for Servies. A big thanks to all the supporters who turned up to cheer the boys on. Also to little Izzy who is now Servies new cheerleader.
Dads Army winners last week were P. Johns, F. Swanson and R. Johns. No comp games this weekend due to the Easter break.
EX-SERVICES WOMEN
NO games were played last week. Good luck to our ladies competing in the district triples at Uralla on Tuesday 14 April. E. Brunner, M. Drozdowski, T. Goode versus V. Shorter, C. Farr Wharton, G. Johnson; and L. Marshall, L. Apthorpe, T. Miller versus D. Fuller, N. Jemison, J. Johnson. There are no games set for this week. Happy Easter everyone.
URALLA
Uralla’s number seven pennant team travelled to Guyra on Sunday 13 April and were defeated by Guyra. Club games set down for the weekend of 26 and 27 April are: Saturday major singles, R. Filmer v D. Kliendienst, marker G. Kliendienst. Major pairs, B. Johnson, J. Wright v A. Rummery, L. Ward. Mixed pairs, B. Schmidt, D. Kliendienst v J. Farr-Wharton, V. Shorter. Semi-final minor singles, G. Scott v W. Doran, marker W. Lawrence. Sunday 27 April major triples, G. Scott, B. Johnson, J. Wrights; A. Rummery, M. Swift, D. Westbury. Sunday 11 May major singles, P. Hine v P .Legget.
Uralla Easter triples to be held Friday and Saturday has been abandoned. The pairs will be held on Monday.
GOLF
ARMIDALE MEN
SATURDAY was the seasonal major, the autumn fourball stroke sponsored generously by Arthur and Jan Kirk, Trevor Carson and Lindsay Wittig. First on a countback went to Simon Bird and Rick Porter with 60 nett from Matt Schaefer and Tom Armitage, third also on a countback Joshua Croft and Matt Baillie from Greg Schofield and Craig Morgan; second and third obviously appreciating the end of the cricket season. Ballcomp down to 65 nett. NTP: 4th Dean Sharpe, 11th Peter Richardson, 12th Matthew Brown and the pro pin 14th Neil Bullen.
Thursday’s stableford: A Grade – Graeme Filippe 41 points, Rick Barrett 40. B Grade – Bob Bourke 40 and Rod Davis 38. Next weekend is a big Back to Armidale Easter tournament with events for everyone over the four days.
ARMIDALE VETERANS
A FIELD of 112 golfers teed off at Armidale last week for the second round of the veterans pennants competition in perfect weather and with the course in magnificent condition.
In a close finish, Armidale Blue was the winner on the day with 231 points from Armidale Green with 229, Walcha 221, Guyra 206 and Uralla 197.
After two rounds Armidale Green is leading by one points from Armidale Blue, followed by Walcha, Guyra and Uralla.
The next round will be at Uralla on Thursday 24 April.
In the individual competition, the best score of the day came from the women’s division with Kate Dugdale winning with 40 points from Penny King (Walcha) 35. The men’s A Grade went to John Graham with 38 points from Jim Melville 35 on a countback from Brad Gibson. The B Grade winner was Mike Elliot with 38 from Bruce Moffatt on 37. Graham Insch won C Grade with 38 from Peter Allomes. Kay Lennox took out both nearest the pins in the women’s competition, while the men’s went to John Graham, Bruce Moffatt and Bob Patricks.
Don’t forget the veterans week of golf at Armidale and Uralla starting 28 April.
URALLA
Des Harris won his first competition last Wednesday. Congratulations Des and well done. Des had 38 points to clearly win from Peter (Dicko) Dixon and Darrell Carson, both 35. Neil Bullen won the NTP.
Tony (Popeye ) Whiting returned to the winners circle for the first time in a fair while. Popeye had a very solid 39 points to easily defeat John the cocky hater 34. Popeye also took the NTP on the 17th.
Saturday was a 4BBB for the David Ayre and Wayne Poss or the Oscar and Kooka trophy and it was also the club qualifying for the state-wide sureshot four-ball competition.
The winners of the day were Gerry Davis and Daniel Blake with 44 points, but the three teams to qualify to the next stage of the sure shot event were, Tony (Popeye) Whiting and Neil Cullen from Iand (FG) Douglas and Bill Pittaway and Andrew Mellor and Simon Wood. NTP: 3rd Popeye Whiting, 15th Andrew Mellor and 17th Bruce the Gnome.
Sunday was a mixed four-ball sponsored by Andrew and Rhonda Mellor and was also the club’s qualifier for the Keno mixed state-wide competition. Karen and Paul Ketley’s 44 points won the day after a three-way countback from Noelene Porter and Neil Cullen. Lorraine Glock and Trevor Carson were the third pair to qualify to go to the next stage. The ball comp went down to 41 points. NTP: 3rd and 17th Neil Cullen, 6th James Sharpe, 9th Scott Breen, 11th Rhonda Mellor.
The club’s annual general meeting was held last Sunday and the only new board member is James Sharpe and it is great to have a younger member involved. Club president Geoff Wood in his report pointed out that even though the club had had a couple of pretty good years there is some expensive works that need to be carried out in the very near future. Kitchen and bar area updates are urgently required and for the club to continue its current good position it will be necessary for the continuing work by volunteers. We are always looking to have members get their RSA and RCG because the more we have the easier the work load on everybody. You certainly don’t have to be a board member to help out.
SHOOTING
ARMIDALE RIFLE CLUB
The Armidale Rifle Club held a 500-yard, two-stage match on Sunday afternoon. The wind reading was tricky with constant quick wind changes. F Class standard had a nail biting finish between David Willis and Derry Crisp, each scoring 108.5. David came out the victor by an X ring countback.
Prateek achieved an excellent score for her first time scoring a possible 30/30.
In the Target rifle match Don Foster won with 96.8 and Richard Seery won F Class open with a score of 106.3.
Results:
F Class standard rifle match:
David Willis: 51.1, 57.4, 108.5.
Derry Crisp: 57.3, 51.2, 108.5.
Robert Thrift: 45.0, 55.3, 100.3.
Prateek: 30/30.
Target rifle match:
Don Foster: 48.4, 48.0, 96.4.
F Class Open rifle match:
Richard Seery: 53.3, 53.0, 106.3.
The Armidale Rifle Club’s next event will be a 700-yard match to be held on 27 April, at noon.
SSAA ARMIDALE
LAST weekend, shooting was held at the Armidale range with a 50m Grouping Rimfire event. Benches were available for general shooting.
Bob Cook took out the Grouping Rimfire event with a score of 0.6556”, followed by A. Johnston 0.7936”, G. Casey 0.9128”, P. Gardner 1.0796” and A. Pollard 2.1704”.
G. Casey shot the smallest group of the day, 0.222”.
Two members attended an interclub IRB shoot at Coffs Harbour on Sunday.
This Sunday 20 April, a 50m Hunter Rimfire Benchrest event will be held at the Armidale Range. Gate will open at 9am and shooting commences at 9.30am.
BASKETBALL
ARMIDALE REGIONAL
ARMIDALE under-14 Lions Basketballers have made a strong start to the season winning all of their nine games in the Northern Junior League Basketball Competition. Games were held over two weekends in Armidale and Tamworth and puts Armidale in the number one position to go into Division 1.
With only three teams nominating Division 1 and seven teams nominating Division 2, NSW Basketball decided to pool all teams for them to fight for the positions in the top pool. Armidale was hesitant in their ability to achieve such a feat with four novice players in the team up against a traditionally strong field. However, the players have stepped up their skills and have proven they all work well as a team.
Conor Marshall, Matt McGann, Mangarchot Maluach and Byron Tighe all have at least one year of experience up their sleeves while newcomers Ely Sisson, Charlie Serow and twins, Cruz and Juaquin Fernande, have all come from the local miniball or junior competition. The weekends have proved to be intense as so many games had to be squeezed in, but the boys were well and truly up to the task.
First of the opposition to fall during the Armidale weekend were the Bellinger Valley Braves (58-39) followed by Tamworth Blue (53-35), Tamworth White (84-26) and Coffs Harbour (69-32). Riding on a high and hoping for one more win the boys took on an underperforming Quirindi side and quickly demolished them 66-31. Port Macquarie Gold proved to be more of a challenge with a 50-42 final score, followed by the Tamworth Sky team 53-42. Both games were incredibly difficult as Port had players with great skill while Tamworth had their usual ‘win at all cost’ attitude. While Port Blue (41-58) and Taree (78-36) were enjoyable games, the boys’ stamina was fast fading from an incredible weekend of activity.
Jalon Marshall was acting coach for the weekend and was ecstatic with the clean sweep. The team is still learning to work together and work to their strengths while still keeping the opposition out.
While very pleased with the results, coach Peter Monaghan was extremely humbled by the many compliments that the Armidale team received from the parents and players from other towns regarding their good sportsmanship during the competition. With the obvious difference in ability of some teams, it was important that everyone enjoyed the game and the Armidale boys ensured that the newer players received more court time and that there was more of a ‘challenge, don’t destroy’ attitude towards the opposition. Of course, when games got tough, the Armidale boys always kept the win in sight.
Armidale has the advantage of having Mangarchot Maluach (the youngest of the Maluach boys) as their centre, standing over six feet tall, while Matt McGann is proving a dynamo in all areas of rebounding and shooting. Conor Marshall plays the big man, while Byron Tighe has the sweetest shot from the perimeter as well as being a great ball handler. Ely Sisson and Charlie Serow are starting to get more involved in the intense games while Cruz and Juaquin Fernandez are a never-ending source of energy that is slowly being tamed and directed.
The next round will be round three on the Division 1 weekend in Port Macquarie at the end of May, where they again take on the other top four contenders for the title.
Meanwhile, the Armidale under-16 boys won three out of four games on their first weekend in Tamworth recently. A shaky finish against Coffs Harbour led to a 69-55 defeat after keeping it close for most of the game. A satisfying 68-61 win over Tamworth followed by a 77-70 win over Port Macquarie gave the boys much more confidence and they finished the weekend with a convincing 92-28 win over Lismore. This team travels to Lismore on the Anzac weekend to play round two.
ARMIDALE LOCAL
NOMINATIONS for the winter trophy competition are due 19 April. All teams will have to ensure that their players have no outstanding IOUs or registrations, or they will not be put into the competition. Teams will be contacted to ensure they are financially up to date. Some players still have outstanding monies from 2013 and will not be allowed to take the court unless paid.
Nomination forms for new teams or individual players are still available at Independent Sports and Armidale Sportspower or by contacting armball@bigpond.com.
Games are expected to begin on Monday 5 May, with Miniball beginning at 4pm, senior men at 6.30pm while Tuesday continues to host high school basketball and Wednesday is allocated to the women’s competition.
RUGBY LEAGUE
URALLA JUNIORS
LAST Saturday we played at home against Guyra.
Under-8s had a loss 32-10. Best-and-fairest were Jakob Watts, Preston Fuller and Keandre Vale.
Under-10s also had a loss 42-8. Best-and-fairest were Alex Baker, Ben Barraclough and Lachlan Barnden.
Under-14s had a terrific win 54-14. Best-and-fairest were James Hargrave, Brandon Murphy and Jacob Howard.
Girl’s League Tag had another convincing win 42-4. Best-and-fairest were Katie Dailey, Sophie Gaukroger and Emily White.
The next game will be against Moree on 3 May.
Well done to all teams and thank you to everyone for helping to make junior league a success.
