Tennis
SUZIE NIEWAND
JUST one game decided the B Grade premiership in a thriller Casterton and Coleraine Tennis Association grand final.
After making its way from last place on the ladder halfway through the season, Sandford Red fought its way back into the competition and secured a grand final face-off against fellow townies and reigning premiers, Sandford White.
An upset looked possible, with the former underdogs, Red, holding a four-game lead after the first four sets, but Sandford White came back strongly to take the final two sets and clinch a narrow victory.
It was a night of missed opportunities for Red, as White took the shield for the second year running.
Final result was Sandford White defeated Sandford Red, 31 games to 30: Alan Rees-Robert Brown lt Alex O'Connell-Justin Carlin 3-6, Tui Matthews-Logan Matthews d Heather Gill-Susie Niewand 7-5, Alan Rees-Tui Matthews d Alex O'Connell-Heather Gill 7-6, Robert Brown-Logan Matthews lt Justin Carlin-Susie Niewand 2-6, Alan Rees-Logan Matthews d Alex O'Connell-Susie Niewand 6-3, Robert Brown-Tui Matthews d Justin Carlin-Heather Gill 6-4.
Not as close on paper, but just as hotly contested, the A Grade final saw minor premier, the Carapook Yaks, finish the job with a six-game win over Konong.
Finishing in top position after the home and away rounds, the Yaks went into their final as clear favourites but had to fight hard to take the first two sets from Konong, who then took a win in the third.
The next two sets both went the way of Carapook, ending Konong's giant-killing run, despite winning the last set.
The final - Carapook Yaks defeated Konong, 30 games to 24: Owen Edge-Mark Cowland d Adam Munro-Cam Robinson 7-5, Diarmid Cleary-Bridie Tierney d Ashley Lambert-Mitchell Munro 6-4, Owen Edge-Diarmid Cleary lt Adam Munro-Ashley Lambert 2-6, Mark Cowland-Bridie Tierney d Cam Robinson-Mitchell Munro 6-0, Owen Edge-Bridie Tierney d Adam Munro-Mitchell Munro 6-3, Mark Cowland-Diarmid Cleary lt Cam Robinson-Ashley Lambert 3-6.
At the completion of the matches, players and supporters enjoyed a barbecue together to celebrate the end of a great season.
Association president, Andrew Harvey presented medals to the winners then thanked the Gritjurk team for organising the barbecue.
Young Maroons take out title
CRICKET
HDJCA – Under 14
AFTER a rocky start to the season, Casterton District charged home to take out the Hamilton District Junior Cricket Association Under 14 grand final over Tahara, at Melville Oval on Saturday, with two Maroons rewarded for their
After each of the teams convincingly won their semi-finals, both had reason to be confident heading into the big clash.
Casterton captain Jedd Rhook won the toss and elected to bowl.
Both sides were contending with a turf wicket for the first time this season and Casterton’s bowlers, Brody Pratt and Arjun Yadav, handled it well, putting the opening Tahara batsmen under all sorts of pressure from the get-go.
Runs were extremely hard to come by and in the sixth over the first wicket fell at 1-4, when Yadav clean-bowled Archie McKay for a duck.
Wickets fell at regular intervals - Mitchell Hatley bowled Oscar Templeton for four, then the third wicket fell one run later, when Jack Rhook was bowled by a swinging ball from Connor Stephens.
Tahara was reeling at 4-24 when some great out-fielding from Jedd Rhook caused the run-out of Hamish Myers, which got the Casterton boys very excited with the scoreline.
After that, to Tahara’s credit, their batsmen dug in to hold their wickets safely and continued to plug away and add runs.
Peter Millard belted five boundaries, including one six and was starting to cause trouble in a great partnership with opener Levi Templeton.
In the 32nd over, Jedd Rhook trapped Millard plum in front of the stumps, LBW for 37.
Liam Tonissen came to the crease and added a handy 17 runs before he was caught by Yadav, bowled Pratt in the 46th over.
Levi Templeton made it to his 50 runs after 158 balls faced and retired in the 47th over after a well-made innings.
In the last over of the day, Alexander McAdam was caught behind by wicket keeper, Billy Rhook, off an Oliver Foster medium-paced ball.
After 48 overs, at the close of innings, Dash Hogan (2) and Mitchell McKay (0) were not-out and Tahara’s total score was 7-141.
The Casterton boys came off the field pretty deflated by the way Tahara managed to fight their way back into the game, after the Maroons had them on the ropes early and knew they had to bat well on Sunday morning to be a chance of reaching the target.
All-in-all, the game was sitting fairly evenly at the half-way mark.
On Sunday morning, the teams returned to Melville Oval to find a very dewy surface, but the boys were up and about and keen to crack into another day of a grand final action.
Opening batsmen, Connor Stephens and Arjun Yadav, strode to the crease with confidence, ready to take on whatever was thrown at them.
Stephens cracked the first ball of the innings for two runs, to build more confidence straight away.
They steadily added runs, with boundaries hard to come by on the wet surface, but the consistent ones and twos steadily pumped the scoreboard along.
In the 18th over there was a mix-up between the two running batsmen, which caused Stephens to unfortunately be run out by Levi Templeton on a well-made 27 runs.
Casterton was 1-44 off 18 overs.
Oliver Foster then joined Yadav at the crease and continued to add runs, putting pressure on the Tahara bowlers and fielders.
After a great partnership that lasted 18 overs, Yadav was dismissed, caught Jack Rhook, bowled Liam Tonissen for 41 runs in the 36th over.
Jedd Rhook then come out to bat and was keen to get to the 142 total required as soon as possible, making a quick fire six runs before he was dismissed LBW by Hamish Myers.
With plenty of good batsmen still to come, the Maroons were confident they could get the job done with plenty of overs to come.
Brody Pratt then decided it was his turn to finish the match off in a hurry, belting two fours which won the game convincingly, with seven wickets to spare in the 42nd over.
Coach Brian Rhook said he could not have been more proud of his players for the way they carried themselves and played as a team, never giving up reaching their ultimate goal of a premiership.
“All the kids loved hanging out together and got along really well, which is what team sport is all about and makes them want to play for each other and get the job done as a team,” Rhook said.
“It’s hard to believe this team has come so far, when at the start of the season we turned up to our first game at Tarrington with six players and we only had a full team of 11 players once for the season and then 12 kids for the Grand final.
“But the core group of kids that turned up to training regularly continued to improve.
“After Christmas this team really started to get the ball rolling and with a full team to field with they produced some quality wins that really built the team confidence leading into finals.
“Well done to Connor Stephens, Arjun Yadav, Oliver Foster, Jedd Rhook, Brody Pratt, Billy Rhook, Mitchell Hately, Ricky Kaliebe, Nate Longhurst, Rupert Dorahy, Mason Ropotini, George Robbins.”
Maroon Oliver Foster was awarded Man of the match in the grand final in a solid display of his batting and bowling talent and ability to perform under pressure.
“Even after all of Ollie’s injury troubles of past seasons and he didn’t play before Christmas, he was still one of the most dedicated team and club members - well done Ollie,” Rhook said.
“Nate Longhurst took home the HDJCA Bowling aggregate which is an awesome effort as a bottom age player.
“Nate is a naturally gifted sportsmen who is excels at everything he has a crack at and we are so glad he has committed himself to cricket, never missed a training and always willing to listen and learn - well done Nate.”
HDCA – C Grade
CASTERTON District will take on St Andrew’s Saints in the Hamilton District Cricket Association’s C Grade grand final after chasing down the College Eagles’ score with two overs to spare at Island Park.
College batted first after winning the toss, but lost 3-22, as Casterton District grabbed the early momentum.
Martin Clark and Lachy Patterson steadied the innings with a 39-run partnership before Clark was run out by Raymond Whillas off the bowling of Mark Penny, for 23, while Patterson’s 49-not-out helped the visitors post 5-110 from their 40 overs.
The wickets were shared with Whillas, Tomkins, Craig and Jackson taking one each.
Casterton District set about chasing down the target with Chris Hutchins setting the tempo with 26 at the top of the order.
Lionel Balzan and Mark Penny both fell victim to Martin Clark, before Jake Tomkins (16), Jake Balzan (10), Claire Widdicombe (16) all chipped in through the middle order to see the Maroons at 6-87 in the 35th over.
Sam Craig added 15 to the team’s tally before George Clark took his first wicket of the day, sending Will Jackson to the crease where he and Mitchell Bright (12 not-out) paired up to helped the Maroons pass the target with two overs remaining.
Patterson claimed three wickets for the visitors, while Martin Clark took the new ball and created two dismissals to be the other multiple wicket-taker.
HDCA – D Grade
TAHARA cemented its standing as the team to beat in the HDCA D grade, beating Pigeon Ponds at Tahara Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Blue Caps elected to field first and it was slow going for Pigeon Ponds, as scoring proved hard with the tight bowling.
Andrew Colgan held the innings together at number three with 60, as the visitors limped to 6-115 from their 40 overs.
Fletcher Wheeler was the standout, grabbing two wickets for the home side.
An early breakthrough saw Tyler Gleeson back in the sheds for three, but the home side was not deterred, as Craig Templeton (40-not-out) and Angus Lambert (49-not-out) got the team to the required tally within 26 overs to easily progress through to the season decider.
Records and PBs galore for final meet
LITTLE ATHLETICS
JO PATTON
SEASON 2021/2022 concluded on Friday night with completion of our last night of competition and what a way to end it.
There were 62 personal bests efforts recorded with three of those breaking club records – a huge effort from all our competitors.
Dougie Harvey broke his own discus record, achieved earlier in the season, with a new distance of 11.60 metres and Averie Parsons will now see her name in the record books for discus also, throwing 6.93 metres.
Such impressive results from our youngest athletes and hopefully an incentive for them to continue competing next season.
I’m proud to report that the third record to fall was the Under 16 girls 800 metres, with Madeline Patton running a time of two minutes 50.84 seconds in her last ever event as a Little Athlete, a fitting end to her time with our centre.
It needs to be mentioned that she was supported in this effort by fellow athlete Josh McPeake, who recorded a PB in this event and missed out on the record by a mere 23 seconds.
So pleasing to see great sportsmanship on show.
Our presentation night will be held on Friday, 1 April, at 6pm at our clubrooms, followed by a picnic barbecue tea.
Results
Under 6 Girls: 50m – Amity Rhook, Averie Parsons, Maisie Brown; 100m – Amity Rhook, Maisie Brown, Averie Parsons; Discus – Averie Parsons, Amity Rhook, Maisie Brown. Under 6 Boys: 50m – Dougie Harvey, Louis Vickery, Archie Ferguson; 100m – Dougie Harvey, Louis Vickery, Archie Ferguson; Discus – Dougie Harvey, Archie Ferguson, Louis Vickery. Under 7 Girls: 50m, 100m, Discus – Caitlyn Davis. Under 7 Boys: 50m – Jack Carter, Sam Wombwell; 100m – Jack Carter, Sam Wombwell; Discus – Sam Wombwell, Jack Carter. Under 8 Girls: 70m – Harriet Vickery, Milla Mcclure, Pippa Brown; 100m – Harriet Vickery, Milla Mcclure, Pippa Brown; Discus – Harriet Vickery, Milla Mcclure, Joscelyn Beaton; High Jump – Milla Mcclure, Harriet Vickery, Pippa Brown. Under 8 Boys: 70m, 100m, Discus, High Jump – Vincent Nicholl. Under 9 Girls: 100m – Mae Dwyer, Indiana Boxer, Hannah Davis; 800m – Mae Dwyer, Indiana Boxer, Hannah Davis; Discus – Hannah Davis, Mae Dwyer, Indiana Boxer; High Jump – Mae Dwyer, Indiana Boxer, Hannah Davis. Under 9 Boys: 100m – Finlay MacAlister-Boyd, Henry Wombwell; 800m – Finlay MacAlister-Boyd, Henry Wombwell; Discus – Finlay MacAlister-Boyd, Henry Wombwell; High Jump – Finlay MacAlister-Boyd. Under 10 Girls: 100m –Bailey Green, Mia Carter; 800m – Bailey Green, Mia Carter; Shot Put – Bailey Green, Mia Carter; High Jump – Bailey Green. Under 10 Boys: 100m, 800m, Triple Jump, Shot Put – Jack Novikov. Under 11 Girls: 100m, 800m, Triple Jump, Shot Put – Stacey Edwards. Under 11 Boys: 100m, 800m, Triple Jump, Shot Put – Brody Davis. Under 13 Girls: 100m – Marianna Novikov, Edie Kent, Sarah Crowle; 800m – Edie Kent, Marianna Novikov, Sarah Crowle; Triple Jump – Marianna Novikov, Sarah Crowle; Shot Put – Sarah Crowle, Marianna Novikov, Edie Kent. Under 14 Girls: 100m – Jessica Mibus, Matilda Mason; 800m – Matilda Mason, Jessica Mibus; Triple Jump – Jessica Mibus, Matilda Mason; Shot Put – Jessica Mibus, Matilda Mason. Under 14 Boys: 100m – Alex Hill, Myles Black; 800m – Alex Hill, Myles Black; Triple Jump – Alex Hill, Myles Black; Shot Put – Alex Hill, Myles Black. Under 15 Girls: 100m – Harriet Kent; 800m – Harriet Kent, Stella Kent; Triple Jump – Stella Kent, Harriet Kent; Shot Put – Stella Kent. Under 15 Boys:100m, Triple Jump, Shot Put – Samuel Patton. Under 16 Girls: 100m – Madeline Patton, Selena Black, Mairead Elshaug-Betson; 800m – Madeline Patton, Selena Black, Mairead Elshaug-Betson; Triple Jump – Madeline Patton, Mairead Elshaug-Betson, Selena Black; Shot Put – Selena Black, Madeline Patton, Mairead Elshaug-Betson. Under 16 Boys: 100m – Riley Hornibrook, Josh McPeake, Alex Hornibrook; 800m – Joshua McPeake, Riley Hornibrook, Alex Hornibrook; Triple Jump – Josh McPeake, Riley Hornibrook, Alex Hornibrook; Shot Put – Alex Hornibrook, Riley Hornibrook, Josh McPeake.
Casterton secure win at ABA juniors grand final
Basketball
Alderton and Murrell celebrate double-crowning
BOWLS
CASTERTON Bowling Club’s Mixed Pairs and Mixed Triples Titles have been decided for 2022, with Andy Alderton and Kaye Murrell featuring in both titles.
Alderton and Murrell took out the pairs final over Nancy Sharam and Alan Elijah before the triples on Saturday saw only four rinks playing, including two visiting teams – one from Coleraine and one from Hamilton.
The Casterton teams enjoyed the home-ground advantage, both taking out their first-round wins.
In the final playoff, Alderton and Murrell enjoyed another victory, joined by Colin Emms to take out a five-point win over Shirley Williams, Alan Elijah and Margie McConachy, 86 to 81.
Twilight finals are on tonight with Help v Golfers and Bombers v Wombats results next week.
Masons back on court
Croquet
WE WERE very happy to have the Mason boys James and Owen back on court on Saturday, after a few weeks absence.
Both boys were a bit rusty after their break, but after a game and a few minutes practice they were back on track.
In game one Margaret and Yvonne played Heather and James and it was a good win to Margaret and Yvonne, 7 to 2.
In game two Jan and Joy played Sandra and Owen.
Owen was a bit slow and unsure to begin with and the game went Jan and Joy's way, 7 to 3.
However, in game three we saw Owen and Sandra win their game convincingly.
With Owen receiving some coaching and playing far more confidently, they won against Joy and Jan, 7 to 4.
Margaret and James teamed up against Yvonne and Heather in game four and had a good win, 7 to 4.
James, playing a far better game than in his first, needless to say was very pleased with the win.
Final comp on the way
FISHING
BRIAN MURRELL
THE results of the fishing competition held on the Glenelg River by the Casterton Angling Society on Sunday saw five members register and weigh nine fish for total weight of 5.319 kilograms.
Brian Murrell took out both senior trophies on offer – heaviest fish with a bream weighing 775 grams and heaviest bag of five with a further four bream and an estuary perch weighing 3.024 kilograms.
All fish were caught in the upper reaches of the river around Dartmoor.
Snakes were active with two tiger snakes spotted and leeches were in plaque proportions with one angler flicking 10 off him in two hours before shifting to another location.
The next competition, which will be the last for this season, will be on Sunday, 3 April, fishing open waters from 7am to 5pm, with the weigh-in at Island Park at 5pm.
The wind-up of season and trophy presentation will be on Sunday, 1 May at the Angling Block, with a barbecue lunch.
Brody takes round one
GOLF
MARION COWLAND & KEN DANCEY
THE women played a Stableford round which was the first round of the President’s Trophy at the Casterton Golf Club last Wednesday.
It was great to have some Coleraine ladies come to Casterton for a hit before their golfing season starts.
The winner with a great score was Carla Brody with 46 stableford points.
Runner-up – Margaret Ferguson with 44 points.
Nearest the pins: 2nd Maree Fitzgerald, 8th Marion Cowland, 13th Carla Brody, 17th Fran Malone.
Wednesday men:
A FINE day greeted the 15 players playing another stableford round of golf.
Winner on the day was Peter Kilpatrick, one of our Coleraine visitors with 38 points on a countback from Ewan Herring also on 38 points.
NTPs were Ken Dancey on the 2nd, Tony Moore on the 8th and Ian Thompson on the 13th.
Tony also won the nearest the pin second shot on the 9th.
Who was the player who tried to hit his shot out of the drain on the first, only to hit the boards and had the ball hit his knuckle and create a huge bruise?
Guess he will take a drop next time.
Naga this week was won by the Taipan, who was on equal points to another player who has already qualified.
We will be having another mixed day in two weeks’ time.
