Target: Average - 12, Good - 18, Excellent

Tales of the tailenders

CRICKET

By LIAM DURKIN

UPON arrival at the wicket, the appearance of certain number 11 batsman indicates that the team’s innings will be over in a matter of minutes. As the last batsman trudges to the crease, the other nine players from the batting team are usually confined to the fact they will either soon be bowling or the game will be over. For the batsman at the other end, he knows he will have to farm as much of the strike as possible. A four-two break down is often adopted, if the number 11 can in fact survive two balls. There could well be no point in the number 11 even checking where middle or leg stump is, as the act itself could just be a precursor as to which peg is about to be uprooted by the opening bowler who has come back to clean up the tail. In club cricket there is a certain degree of ‘disgrace avoidance’ that goes on. Those who can’t bowl simply aren’t given the ball by the captain, and those who can’t field are ordered from fine leg to mid-off. For those who can’t bat however - they still have to face the music every now and again. There would be few sports that showcase something as silly as number 11s batting in cricket - sending out the player in the team who is least qualified to do a job against a bowler who has probably already taken the scalps of those higher up the order. True deer in the headlights stuff. Number 11s make for public humiliation and some comic relief - especially if they manage to connect with a few. Most number 11s accept their position. Some are victims of circumstance and bat there because they simply can’t get a look in, or are kids biding their time. In a lot of cases however the quality of the number 11 actually reflects how strong a particular team is. Truthfully, a lot of number 11s would be able to bat at seven or eight, but by batting down the order they inadvertently do what is best for the team in the long run. Moe opening bowler Sam Price played in five consecutive A Grade premierships for the Lions between 2008/09 and 2012/13, yet only batted 34 times in that period. In the 2009/10 season he batted just three times after Christmas and ended the season with a grand total of four runs to his name. With players the likes of Andrew Philip and Rob Phoenix in the top order, the need for Price to actually go out and bat rarely arose. Additionally, as a bowler, what a luxury it must have been for him to arrive to virtually every game knowing he could just concentrate solely on his job with the ball. Former Latrobe first grade captain Brendan Evans went through a similar non-batting phase between 2011/12 and 2013/14. Evans batted just 14 times in 36 games in this period, as he and Price fought for supremacy in the number 11 stakes. Similar to Price, Evans batted just twice after Christmas in 2012/13 as the recognised batsman in Anthony Bloomfield and Kaushik Aphale did the work up top. All-in-all his batting aggregate for that season was five runs. To his credit however he did win Latrobe a game with the bat from number 11.

His day: Dale Banks is embraced by Jed Alexander after his innings of 26 not out batting at number 10 guided Mirboo North to a miracle win in the 2013/14 Central Gippsland Cricket Association grand final. file photograph Chasing 168 against Yallourn North in 2011/12, Evans arrived with the game as good as gone at 9-95. He walked off a hero after top scoring with 45 not out as he and number 10 Adam Duncan put on 77 for the last wicket. While Evans and Price’s credentials as number 11’s are valid, Central’s Marc Fenech would have to take the mantle as the ultimate number 11. Fenech has played close to 200 A Grade games for Centrals - but has only batted in just over half of them. Trafalgar had a bizarre circumstance with their number 11 in the form of Klay Butler from 2006/07 to 2014/15. Butler, who has an A Grade ton to his name, batted at 11 in two premiership teams during that time. It did serve a purpose however on two fronts. Firstly, his role as the sides first choice finger spinner meant he needed to be fresh in order to bowl 30 plus overs, and secondly, can you imagine how opposition bowlers felt when they saw someone with an A Grade ton walking to the crease at number 11? Number 11s and tail enders in general have made a bit of a name for themselves in Gippsland cricket recently. Brent Reside didn’t score any runs for Morwell in the 2017/18 grand final, but his 29 run partnership with Jordan Campbell for the 10th wicket took the Tigers from a competitive 139 to an eventual winning total of 168. Jeeralang-Boolarra’s Rob Beamish had probably his greatest moment with the bat in A Grade when he helped rescue the Panthers in a game two seasons ago. Walking out with the score 9/74, Beamish combined with Stan Urbanic in a 57 run partnership for the last wicket against Trafalgar. Beamish ended unbeaten on 18 to get the score to a tricky total of 131, and also enabled Urbanic to post his half century. Due to wet weather and all other games across the day being washed out, the Ships needed to force a result on day one to make the day count, yet because of Beamish and his 85 minute vigil, they were denied any chance of achieving this. Beamish’s innings calls into question why the 10th wicket can often feel like the hardest one to take. For one dayers the last wicket generally falls amid an attempt to go for quick runs, but in two day games last wicket partnerships that drag out happen more often than not. Reasons for include a greater emphasis on defensive play and the difficulties in bowling to tail enders of sheer unpredictability. Where the top order player might play correctly and edge a good length ball and provide a regulation catch, the tail ender is just as likely to back away and carve it through the off side. Tail enders are often bowlers after all, so a lot of the time they are just facing themselves and have some idea of what is coming. There are still tail enders who belong in the old school category, those who figure they might as well swing at everything because they are going to get out sooner or later. For a lot of players when they go into bat they just want to slog, laugh, see what happens, and then go out and bowl. But the modern game demands more of tail enders, and especially number 11s. Unless you are an out and out gun bowler you probably aren’t going to help your team by throwing the willow around mindlessly. Genuine number 11s are never going to be very good at facing really fast bowlers, or quality spin for that matter, but they are capable of hanging around. They take balls on the body and most have at least a decent forward defence. If the ball is pitched up around off stump they will shuffle their front foot somewhere in the vicinity of the ball to either block or leave. Bats now have greater hitting power as well so a wild slash can still bring valuable runs off an outside edge. For a team that finds itself involved in a tight run chase, there can surely be nothing more daunting than thinking what will happen if the number 11 comes into bat needing 20 or so to win. One can only imagine how quickly Mirboo North number 11 Liam Smit’s heart was beating as he was padded up during the 2013/14 Central Gippsland Cricket Association grand final. The Tigers were only one wicket away from Smit needing to walk out to the middle. That game saw quite possibly the greatest innings by a tail ender in Gippsland cricket history. When Dale Banks came in at number 10 the score was 8/200 and Mirboo North needed a further 91 runs to win the premiership. It was light years away. They were gone for all money. Banks went on to make 26 not out in an unbeaten stand with Rob Phoenix, who ended on 125, as the Tigers scampered the winning run in the 100th and final over of the day. For all the hundreds of wickets Banks has taken, it is perhaps that innings for which he is best remembered. Like Banks, every tailender needs their moment in the sun. A nerve-killing win, a never-ending partnership that drives the opposition mad, or a proper score and a chance to experience what it feels like to raise the bat. Number 11’s deserve it for having to suffer everything that goes with batting at number 11. From looking over at the sidelines to see the curator has already got the hose in hand, to getting sledged for playing and missing a ball they literally cannot see, to subconsciously knowing their presence in the middle is not being appreciated by anyone - even the umpires. When he retired, Australia’s perennial number 11 Glenn McGrath was asked by Ricky Ponting what he thought his greatest achievement in test cricket was. McGrath, with over 500 test wickets to his name and a place as one of the greatest bowlers the game has ever seen simply replied “61” - his highest test match score. Those who have never batted at number 11 will never truly know what it is like. It takes a certain type of person to bat last.

Pride advances to Under 21s decider after determined victory over Barwon

CRICKET

VICTORIAN COUNTRY CRICKET LEAGUE BY LIAM DURKIN

GIPPSLAND Pride won through to the final of the Victorian Country Cricket League Under 21 division after defeating Barwon recently. The Pride travelled to Hoppers Crossing for the match, and successfully chased the 211 set by their opponents. A win seemed highly unlikely at 5/32, but a sublime 86 from number six Henry Anderson (of Sale-Maffra) and supporting totals of 36 and 29 from Joel Brann (Leongatha) and Ewan Williams (Traralgon) saw the team over the line. The bowling effort was highlighted by Nathan Whitford (Sale-Maffra) taking 2/8, Anderson 2/35 and Jonah Serong (Warragul) 2/38. Local representatives were Williams (Rovers Cricket Club), Jack Lynch (Rovers CC), Anu Meenakshi (Latrobe CC) and Blair Clymo (Morwell CC). The Under 21s will play Northern Rivers in the final in late January. Gippsland has been a powerhouse of Under 21 cricket in recent seasons, winning three of the last four premierships. THE Gippsland Under 18 team was also victorious. The team made an emphatic statement in their match against South East Country at Inverloch, scoring an imperious total of 333. Warragul’s Chris Diston hit them to all parts, making 108, with his knock including 14 fours and one maximum. Skipper Max Welsh, from Bairnsdale, joined in on the action, making 89 with just as many fours. South East was never in the hunt in reply and closed at 9/197. Liam Serong (Waragul) took 3/32, Darcy Hume (Leongatha) 2/17 and Bayden Dowsett (SaleMaffra) 2/18. Willow Grove’s Nathan Wheildon represented Gippsland in the match.

TDCA book spot in senior GCL final

CRICKET

GCL BY LIAM DURKIN

ROUND two of the Gippsland Cricket League saw wins to Traralgon and Sale-Maffra. The results mean the Tornadoes and Sharks have booked a ticket to the final to be played next year.

TRARALGON chased down Leongatha’s total of 169 in relatively easy fashion at Scorpian Park. Nat Freitag led the way, scoring an unbeaten 71. Freitag received good support from skipper Lee Stockdale and middle order batsman Jackson McMahon, who chipped in with 26 and 28 respectively. Earlier in the day it was another Freitag who did the damage, as Dylan Freitag reduced Leongatha to 2/2 following a double wicket strike with the new ball. From there, Tom Keily set about resurrecting the home teams innings, and he was able to do so thanks to a fighting 53. With the score 3/85, the dismissal of Keily gave Traralgon an opening, and they duly capitalised, reducing Leongatha to 6/95 in a matter of minutes. Ryan Williams put up a tremendous rear-guard action, continuing on after Keily and making 62 to see Leongatha reach a competitive total. Michael Warne was the pick of the bowlers for Traralgon, taking 3/33, while Mitch Harris (3/3) and Freitag (2/24) also got in on the act.

SALE-MAFFRA and Bairnsdale played out a competitive match at Wy Yung. The Sharks were sent in by Bairnsdale, and the decision appeared to be justified early as SaleMaffra was reduced to 3/32. Steve Spoljaric however weathered the storm after coming in at 2/14, batting through the innings to finish on an unbeaten 78 from 136 balls. Jack Tatterson and Ben Jones also played helping hands, making 37 and 38. Steve Bertino took 2/29 for Bairnsdale, which included four maidens. The Bairnsdale reply saw a few partnerships of 30 or so runs intersected by the loss of wickets every so often which enabled Sale-Maffra to stay ahead of the game. The home side looked to keep the scoreboard ticking, with Dylan Jordan making 44 from 40 deliveries and Alex Hulme 29 from 28. Daniel Gledhill held things together, making 28 from 55 balls, but in the finish it was not enough as Bairnsdale was bowled out for 178 in the 47th over. Jack Tatterson got one for the mantel piece, taking wickets at bookends of the innings to finish with figures of 5/35 from 8.3 overs. Tatterson trapped three batsman leg before and bowled another in his collection.

LATROBE VALLEY and Warragul had the bye. Senior GCL action resumes on Sunday, January 23.

First win for Latrobe Valley women’s

CRICKET

GCL BY LIAM DURKIN

THE Latrobe Valley and District Cricket League women’s team was victorious in its most recent game of the Gippsland Cricket League. Latrobe Valley made 7/178 batting first against Leongatha at Mirboo North. The efforts of the home side proved to be enough, as Leongatha closed at 6/130. Sale-Maffra was too strong for Traralgon in their match, winning by 79 runs at Sale Oval after posting 2/180 Traralgon never really threatened to chase the runs, but did bat their allotted 40 overs to see things end at 8/101. Ryley Reid batted well, making 41. IN the Under 18s, Leongatha and Traralgon found batting difficult at Leongatha Recreation Reserve. Traralgon won the toss and elected to bat, but was shot out for just 88. Leongatha appeared to be cruising to victory when they were 2/71 in response, however, dramatic scenes followed as a collapse of 5/8 soon saw the scoreboard reading 7/79. It was mass panic on the sidelines as Leongatha players went from having their feet up to frantically getting the pads on, but in the finish they were able to get home with three wickets in hand. Traralgon skipper Campbell Peavey nabbed 4/17. Ryan Bosch collected 2/60. Latrobe Valley had the bye.

TRARALGON and Bairnsdale played out a competitive match at Roger Ries Oval, Toongabbie in day two of the Under 15s Country Week. Bairnsdale batted fist and recovered from 6/46 to punch out a tricky total of 122. Wickets were shared in the Traralgon camp. Hunter Henry took 3/13, Liam Bermingham 3/25 and Tom Duncan 2/9. Traralgon started disastrously with the bat in pursuit of the total, sinking to 3/9 and before too long, 4/16. Some mini-partnerships formed thereafter, but the Tornadoes fell 20 runs short of achieving victory. Lachlan Sword top scored on 31. Leongatha defeated Latrobe Valley at Yinnar. Latrobe Valley batted first, but could only muster up a total of 98. Leongatha had no trouble getting the runs and eventually ended their 50 overs on 6/144. Oliver McColl took 3/23 for Latrobe Valley, along with Jordan Shields who returned great figures of 2/8 from 8.1 overs. Sale-Maffra defeated Warragul in the other match. The Under 15s will continue their instalment of Country Week on Monday, January 10 2022. In the Under 13s Development League, Warragul got home in a thriller against Traralgon, winning by seven runs at Glengarry. Warragul made 5/148 and Traralgon looked on track to win the match when they were 3/96, but a steady fall of wickets soon had them 7/119. Supporters were kept on edge until the second-last over, but Warragul steadied to take the points. Rivah Conway made 51 for the Tornadoes while Jensen Hodson kept things tidy with figures of 2/3. Bairnsdale got the points over Latrobe Valley at Northern Reserve, Morwell. The visitors made 178 and Latrobe Valley was bowled out for 128 in reply. Brody Stevenson top scored with 31. Liam Urand took 2/20 for Latrobe Valley. Sale-Maffra defeated Leongatha in the remaining game.

Promising signs: Reigning Traralgon and District Cricket Association premier Glengarry sits second at the halfway mark of the season. file photograph

Local leaders in first half of cricket season

LADDERS TRARALGON DISTRICT CRICKET ASSOCIATION

A Grade: Ex Students (20 points), Glengarry (17), Tonngabbie (15), Yarram and District (13), Imperials (11), Rovers (8), Gormandale (3).

LATROBE VALLEY DISTRICT CRICKET LEAGUE

Premier: Morwell (20 points), Churchill (19), Raiders (16), CATS (6), Latrobe (6), Mirboo North (6). A Grade: Moe (21 points), Trafalgar (17), Jeeralang-Boolarra (11), Centrals (7), Traralgon West (7).

AGGREGATE LEADERS TDCA

Batting: Anthony Scott (Yarram and District) 223 runs at 55.75, Dougal Williams (Rovers) 215 at 71.67, Frank Marks (Glengarry) 190 at 63.33, Lee Stockdale (Ex Students) 182 at 91.00, Daniel O’Keefe (Yarram and District) 130 at 32.50. Bowling: Simon Duff (Rovers) 10 wickets at 14.10, Brad Sizeland (Imperials) 9 at 7.67, Nat Freitag (Glengarry) 9 at 10.00, Dougal Williams (Rovers) 9 at 10.11, Ross Williams (Imperials) 9 at 11.78.

LVDCL

Batting: Andrew Philip (Moe) 280 runs at 93.33, Liam Maynard (Raiders) 225 at 56.25, Jamie Cochrane (CATS) 182 at 45.20, Anu Meenakshi (Latrobe) 167 at 41.75, Ben Heath (Jeeralang-Boolarra) 164 at 41.00. Bowling: Dylan Day (Morwell) 13 wickets at 5.08, Jackson Noonan (Trafalgar) 12 at 8.33, Steve Warr (Churchill) 12 at 9.42, Harry McColl (Raiders) 12 at 12.92, Madura Perera (Raiders) 11 at 10.27, Joel Mitchell (Moe) 10 at 14.90.

Golden Tag competition has been extended

Local football investment set to continue

FISHING

Traralgon duo show age is no barrier on the fairways

GIPPSLAND anglers have another year to try their luck at catching a Golden Tag fish worth up to $10,000 with the competition being extended until the end of next year. The state government launched the competition in February 2020 to encourage visitors to Gippsland and the state’s north east following that season’s devastating bushfires. The competition was later expanded statewide to support local businesses following pandemic restrictions. Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said extending the competition would help improve tourism rates in regional communities and encourage more people to go fishing more often. “Victorians are back on the road and exploring the best our state has to offer,” Ms Horne said “This includes the countless fishing opportunities. The extension of the Golden Tag competition will ensure this continues.” More than 950 tagged fish are still uncaught across the state, including in local Gippsland waterways such as Mallacoota, Bemm River and Lake Glenmaggie. Gippsland species include flathead, bream, estuary perch, luderick, King George whiting, silver trevally, tailor, and Australian bass. While around Omeo, fishers can target tagged brown and rainbow trout. Gippsland fishers can try to find these tagged fish in the Gippsland Lakes, Lake Tyers, Blue Rock Dam, Dartmouth Dam, Upper Mitta Mitta River, Tamboon Inlet, the Snowy River, and the Victoria River. The majority of fish are worth $2000, however, there are still a number of $10,000 fish up for grabs. The Golden Tag competition is encouraging locals to wet a line in their favourite spot close to home and draw recreational fishing tourism. “We’re enjoying seeing visitors return to the region to make the most of our diverse fishing opportunities, whether it be tasty flathead or sportfish like Aussie bass and estuary perch,” said Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing. For more information, visit vfa.vic.gov. au/goldentag.

FOOTBALL

THE Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) returned in 2021 with over $1 million in grants provided to help clubs, leagues and regions achieve strategic objectives and provide a platform for sustained success. After multiple COVID-affected seasons, the SCIF has been a vital component in ensuring that community football not only survives, but thrives, in the coming seasons. There was a total of 127 successful applications across the state contributing to funding across a variety of different categories. Some of the major funding areas included: New women’s teams, junior teams, Indigenous programs, umpire recruitment projects, leagues/regions junior development programs and mental health projects. First launched in 2020, the SCIF will provide grant funding of $1.5m per year over three years directly to local football leagues and clubs. The fund is part of the $18 million investment into Victorian community football announced by the AFL in September 2019, the largest investment in community football in the state in more than two decades. The SCIF program will return in 2022. Should you have any queries, please send an email to scif@afl.com.au.

GOLF

By LIAM DURKIN

TRARALGON golfers Dugald Campbell and David Wight are proving age is no barrier. Wight, 75, shot his age recently (73 to be precise), joining Campbell, who achieved the feat at the grand old age of 86 some years ago. Now 94, Campbell still enjoys a round and is showing no signs of slowing down. “I absolutely love it. Half the enjoyment is the golf and the other is the people you play with,” he said. The competitive edge has not waned for Campbell despite being only half-a-dozen years shy of receiving a letter from the Queen, with golf providing him with an outlet to keep his body active and mind alert - as well as a sense of humour. “I hate being beaten, especially by David who is only 20 years younger,” he said cheekily. Although age has limited some parts of his game, Campbell is able to play nine holes thanks to a handicap, and get around the course via cart. The stalwart said the experience garnered from decades of playing also allowed him to get the edge in other departments, such as reading greens, as well as an adaptive approach to the game brought on by various limitations. “I don’t have the strength to be able to accelerate the club like I use to, so I try to keep it on the fairway all the time,” he said. Impressive: Traralgon Golf Club members David Wight and Dugald Campbell are still actively playing at the age of 75 and 94 respectively.

photograph liam durkin

“Therefore you can almost tough three shots down the fairway and be on the green and knock the putt in so you’ve pared the hole.” For Wight, who plays twice-a-week, he said it was great to be able to have the chance to continue to be active in sport. “Age is no barrier to golf, everyone has got a handicap and as long as you can get around and use your cart as you get older you can have a nice social day,” he said. “We’re not going to be Greg Norman’s (at our age), we just go out there and enjoy what we have got.” Few sports link the generations as much as golf, and Wight pointed to people being able to play alongside their children or even grandchildren as one of the greatest attractions to the game. The way in which golfers in their 60’s and 70’s often outdo or even embarrass their younger counterparts adds to the notion that ‘you are never too old’. Wight began playing at Traralgon Golf Club in 1973, while Campbell, astonishingly, started all the way back in 1947. Anyone who has played as long as Campbell wouldn’t do it unless they enjoyed it, and ultimately, his longevity could come down to the fact he is still the same golfer that found a passion for the sport in the 1940’s - he’s just a few years older now. “It is still a most enjoyable game,” he said. “You just have to keep going and accept the fact you can’t play as well as you use to. “We can’t play football anymore so with this (golf) you can, if you can get around the golf course you can play indefinitely.”

Fierce competition at Heyfield Rally

RALLY

THE afternoon stages of Heat 2 of the recent Heyfield Rally were make or break for many crews. Some planned to maintain their pace from Heat 1, and some tried harder to gain higher positions. First place went to Darren Windus and Joe Brick. “We overcame a niggling issue then showed its head in the first heat. We persevered and made it through the heat and had a big crack in the afternoon stages and got from fourth to first,” Windus reported. Brick said, “I had a great time. Honestly the second heat was sensational, I couldn’t fault him (Darren). We didn’t think we’d win outright, so this is a bonus.” Second place Eli Evans and Adam Wright have been working on developing the MINI he’s owned and competed in for years. “It hasn’t been out for about three and a half years. About 12 months ago we thought we’d get it back out and do some development work, try and get it on the pace of the ARC and the VRC. The VRC drivers are highly competitive,” Evans said. “The reason we came to this event was to continue the development of the car. The kilometres were crucial, the stages were excellent. It’s a great rally. It’ll be a successful Australian Rally Championship round (next year) I can guarantee it. The roads are awesome, we had an absolute ball.” Third placed Adrian Stratford and Kain Manning were incredibly fast. “The roads were very abrasive. We only brought soft tyres with us and we knew from a couple of ks into the rally that we’d make the wrong choice. We had to do what we could to conserve tyres. We couldn’t do anything for Heat 2 so we just went out there and tried our best,” the pair reported. The event organisers wished to thank everyone involved: the volunteer officials, the competitors and great support from Gippsland tourism organisation The Middle of Everywhere. Speed: The Heyfield Rally provided plenty of entertainment.

photograph supplied

Latrobe City Stadium needs attention

SOCCER

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is urging all levels of government to work together and fund the redevelopment of the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium in Morwell. Chester recently met with local soccer community representatives to inspect the site, hear their concerns and discuss the work needed. “Right now this site needs a major facelift to restore it to its former glory and a real opportunity to establish a centre of excellence for soccer in eastern Victoria,” Chester said. “From my inspection the facility needs a lot of work to be brought up to the standard expected of local sporting facilities, especially if the region wants to attract professional teams to the site. “Not only is the venue deteriorating it is becoming increasingly more unsafe, with the user groups having to already restrict access in some areas due to safety concerns and amenities no longer being compliant.” Chester has written to Latrobe City Council to place his support behind funding the project. “I have let Latrobe City Council know that I would support any funding bids submitted to the federal government for this project,” Chester said. “A large infrastructure project of this size requires all levels of government to work in partnership with the sporting community. “I will continue to work with the local community and government counterparts to see this worthwhile and important project for our region funded.” The venues potential cannot be understated, and a masterplan to improve the stadium has been commissioned. If upgraded, proponents believe the venue could host matches for the upcoming 2023 Women's World Cup. Time for a boost: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with Gippsland Football Club’s Mark Cassar and Football Victoria Regional Development Manager Tony Francis recently to inspect the Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium to discuss the work needed to be done.

photograph supplied

High achievers honoured at Gippstar Awards night

SPORT

GIPPSTAR AWARDS

THE 61st Annual Gippstar Awards were held on Thursday, December 9 at the Morwell Bowling Club. The Gippstar Awards have a long and proud history and recognise high level sporting achievement by talented Gippslander’s across a variety of different sporting pursuits. There was 15 awards received by the successful nominees for the monthly awards from November 2020 to June 2021 in both Open and Junior categories,

Hats off: Stratford Football-Netball Club’s Karen and Matt Telling accept the Gippstar Award for Club Of The Year. Photo supplied this was a shorter year due to the impacts of COVID. The overall winner for the Annual Open Award was Alex Vuillermin of Morwell for her sport of Rowing. The Annual Junior Award winner was Jordyn Cargill of Traralgon for his sport of Swimming Each year Gippstar has four additional awards:

 GIPPSTAR TEAM OF THEYEAR: Given to a Gippsland Team based on their performance over the Gippstar year. • Unfortunately this was not awarded

Legend: Morwell Football-Netball Club stalwart Jack Huxtable was recognised for his services to football. this year. The lack of sport during COVID meant no nominations

 GIPPSTAR CLUB OF THEYEAR: Given to a Gippsland club based on their club achievements over the Gippstar year. • This was awarded to Stratford

Football-Netball Club

 GIPPSTAR SPECIAL ACHIEVER

AWARD:

Provided for outstanding service to sport over a significant period of years. This year three people were awarded the honour:

Swim king: Traralgon’s Brian Ford was given a Special Achiever award for his outstanding services to swimming. • Brian Ford from Traralgon for his service to swimming; • Jenny Mills from Yinnar for her service to netball, and; • Jack Huxtable from Morwell for his service to football.

 GIPPSTAR GIPPSLAND

CHAMPION:

To receive this award the athlete must have commenced their sporting career with a Gippsland Club and/or Association, and continued to achieve in their sport outside of the Gippsland area, while maintaining family connections in Gippsland.

Young gun: Traralgon’s Jordyn Cargill (pictured with Latrobe City mayor Kellie O’Callaghan) was named Gippstar Overall Junior Champion. This was awarded to Bairnsdale export and Australian cricketer Sophie

Molineux.

Robert Goldie of Newborough was also inducted into the Gippstar Hall of Fame. Goldie has had a long and distinguished career in sport across Gippsland, as a competent sports person in his own right, but most importantly as a sporting administrator. Goldie’s elevation into the Gippstar Hall of Fame recognises his outstanding contribution over many years, as an active member of the voting panel and a vital contributor to the ongoing success of the Gippstar Awards.

High honour: Newborough’s Robert Goldie (right) is congratulated by Gippstar panel chair Darrell White on his induction to the Gippstar Hall of fame. photographs supplied

Newborough Bowling Club, 3-6 January 2022

Locked and loaded for 25th running of the Classic Singles

BOWLS

By LIAM DURKIN THE stage is set at Newborough Bowling Club for the time honoured Energy Australia Classic Singles. Lawn bowlers from far and wide are expected to start 2022 by converging on Newborough for the four-day event which will begin on Monday. Bowlers will vie for not only the title, but also the $12,000 on offer as prize money. The Energy Australia Classic Singles has grown in stature over the years, and is now arguably the biggest bowls event in Gippsland. Speaking of years, the 2022 edition will mark 25 years since the competition was inaugurated back in 1998. The anniversary is sure to give the Classic Singles further gravitas, and might also provide added incentive for players competing in the now quarter-century old event. Event organiser Michael Holroyd said it was all systems go preparing for the big day. “We are very excited. It brings people in at a quiet time of the year and keeps the club rocking and rolling,” he said. “We are a Bowls Australia ranking event. We’re Tier 3 which is the highest level a club can have. “You wouldn’t have thought 25 years ago that we would still be going at the same thing.” Holroyd said competition would be fierce across the four days, with no shortage of quality players on display. “We have last year’s winner coming down again, Thor Shannon,” he said. “Nathan Bush who won it a couple of years ago, Neville Brown from Drouin, he won our very first event, Ray Jansen won our second event, so we have people who have been very good competitors over the years.

“Wednesday is a tough day - you might have to play three long games on the Wednesday and you have to come up again on the Thursday. “You’ll find that is the difference between the battle-hardened bowler, they can play end after end, game after game, whereas some of our (club member) bowlers would usually play Monday’s and have a day’s rest. In this they have to play Tuesday, so (what happens is) halfway through Wednesday they get tired.” Also making the trip to Newborough will be Australian representative James Reynolds. An inspiring figure, Reynolds has competed in bowls for Australia at the Commonwealth Games as part of the disabled team. The Classic Singles gives everyday lawn bowlers an opportunity to compete against players the likes of Reynolds, something Holroyd said was enticing. “There will definitely be some good bowlers there,” he said. “It gives the locals a chance to express themselves against the best in the land - they can show how good they are.” Locals will need to be on their game for the entire four days if they are to join the honour roll of champions. To date, only twice has a local player won the tournament: Drouin’s Neville Brown in 1998 and Moe’s Ian Caines in 2004. Sectional play will start the event, where 32 sectional winners from there will then play a straight and cutthroat knockout. If players each win a game in their group of three during the sectional, the winner will be decided via countback. As the Classic Singles carries with it status as a Bowls Australian Tier 3 ranking event, it provides points for players aiming to qualify for state events such as the Victorian Open or Australian Open. Through the leadership of Newborough Bowling Club greenkeeper Scott Jones, the greens are tipped to be in pristine condition by the time January 3, literally rolls along. All going well, the 25th year of the Classic Singles will become just a minor anniversary in decades or even centuries to come.

High rollers: The Energy Australia Classic Singles attracts players from across the sate.

file photograph Sportsmanship: Australian bowler Aaron Wilson (right) congratulates Brighton’s Thor Shannon after Shannon defeated him to win last years Energy Australia Classic Singles at Newborough Bowling Club. file photograph Champions honour roll

1998 Neville Brown (Drouin, VIC) 1999 Ray Jansen (Kew Heights, VIC) 2000 Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, QLD) 2001 Don Peoples (Birrong, NSW) 2002 Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, QLD) 2003 Brian Baldwin (Musgrave Hill, QLD) 2004 Ian Caines (Moe, VIC) 2005 Rex Johnson (St Johns Park, NSW) 2006 Brett Wilkie (Helensvale, QLD) 2007 Barrie Lester (Melbourne, VIC) 2008 Shane Globits (Helensvale, QLD) 2009 Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) 2010 Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) 2011 Steve Glasson (St Johns Park, NSW) 2012 Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) 2013 Charlie Ward (Frankston RSL, VIC) 2014 Tony Schiavello (Bundoora RSL, VIC) 2015 Brendon Baker (Kurri Kurri, NSW) 2016 Chris Le Lievre (Glenroy, VIC) 2017 Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) 2018 Dylan Fisher (Clayton, VIC) 2019 Barrie Lester (Moonee Ponds, VIC) 2020 Nathan Bush (Eastern Park, VIC) 2021 Thor Shannon (Brighton, VIC)