“One of the great things about softball, is there is no travel. Games are at the same place at the same times, each week,” Heath Tee-ballers go for an hour, and the senior games are only one-and-half hours, so people can plan their weekends around this,” he added.
Hitting your way to summer fun!
hats
“You can meet some of our players and committee members, have a throw, hit a few balls, and finish up with some fun on the jumping castle and a sausage sandwich,” he concluded.
With winter sports wrapping up around the city and a hint of warmer weather in the air, local softballers and tee-ballers are excited by the approaching start of the new season.
— Free and mitts for new junior tee ball sign-ups
To help promote this exciting game to newcomers, the club this Saturday, September 24, are holding a ‘Come and Try Day’ at Jack Brabham Oval for potential new recruits wanting to see what the sport is all about.“Overall, we have been able to hold steady numbers over the past few years, which is really pleasing as COVID-19 certainly challenged all sports,” Club President, Health Williams said.
Heath encouraged anyone interested in playing to pop out to the ‘Come and Try Day’ this Saturday at Jack Brabham Oval which runs from 10.30–12.30pm.
kids 5–7 years up to C-Grade for those that want to have a bit of hit and giggle.
Bletchington Softball Club is especially enthused, hoping to boost their junior ranks after the di culties of the last two COVIDa ected seasons.
Keen to increase their club numbers this season, Heath said the club has multiple teams in every division from Tee Ball-B (for
“It really was a huge success and we got lots of compliments on the day, which makes it all worthwhile,” she said, adding that she want to thank fellow organisers, Col Parsons and Kathy“AndPenrose.theladies on the canteen did a great job and deserve mention!”
“Gamessaid.for
44 ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 22 — 28, 2022 SPORTS CAM with HENRY DEROOY sport@oclife.com.au
“As a club, we have something for everyone, we welcome new players. Each year, people that have never played the sport register, meet new people, join a team, and they have a Oneball!”more thing, all new junior members, get a free club hat and a free mitt, Heath added.
“We accept the ‘Active Kids’ vouchers, so it really does end up being a very low costing sport for parents to sign their kids up to,” heThesaid.season gets underway proper on Friday, October 7, for B-Grade (teen/adult competition) and then all junior divisions and other grades kick o on Saturday, October 8.
Seniors tennis tournament draws record entries
Despite the ever looming threat of rain, the Orange Ex Services’ Tennis Club’s 30-plus seniors tournament went o without any disruptions to play over the weekend.
The two-day annual tournament, held September 17-18, attracted 65 entries, with players travelling from Sydney, Canberra and elsewhere to compete.
Saturday saw players compete in a Men’s and Women’s American Round Robin tournament, with doubles competitions taking place on the Sunday.
It was the biggest seniors tournament they’ve held at the club, said tournament director, Chrissie Kjoller.
Despite Barnstoneworth’s positive start in last Saturday’s contest, the YADS surprisingly found themselves down 1-0 in the opening 10 minutes. Millthorpe scored the opener o a free kick that deflected o a YADS defender and into the net. But, from here on, the hosts failed to settle into the game’s high-tempo rhythm.
After the restart, Barnstoneworth YADS finally looked to have settled into the game. Needing to chase some quick goals, the red-and-whites started throwing more bodies forward to help the attack. With this riskier strategy, Barnies began to dominate in the midfield and wide areas to hold Millthorpe into their half.
With Barnies unable to string passes and build-up from the back, the Tigers quickly doubled their lead a couple of minutes later with an e ective counter-attack. Millthorpe’s right-winger dribbled past opposition defenders and struck a low shot into the right corner. Stunned by the 2-0 scoreline, things got worse for YADS when they conceded a third goal o a set-piece and some shaky defending inside their box.
With some key recruitments in the o -season, expect Barnies YADS to be a major player for the third division premiership in 2023.
A first-half blitz by Millthorpe Tigers 2, helped them beat Barnies YADS 4-0 in the preliminary final and secure a spot in the C-Grade Tier 2 grand final.
One premiership with an unprecedented 16-game winning streak. Though the Vipers gallantly fought until the final whistle to make this grand final an exciting battle, City once again proved they were in a league of their own in 2022.
Even though they had planned to be fighting in this weekend’s big dance, the YADS can still be proud of their e orts this season.
ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 22 — 28, 2022 45 SPORT with ANTHONY BARBAGALLO | photos HENRY DEROOYsport@oclife.com.au
Orange City Netball Club’s “Craig Harvey Mechanical” are the 2022 Division One champions.
Undefeated Orange City Crowned DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONSNETBALL
35-26, the Vipers had 15 minutes left to salvage their chances of winning the grand prize. But City’s quick pace and e ective passing left the Vipers rattled, leading to some shooting errors and cheap interceptions.OrangeCity’s dynamism and clinical shooting guided them to a 20-point victory, claiming the local Division
The minor premiers defeated Vipers by a comfortable 20-point margin, charging home to a 5030 victory in last Saturday’s grand final at the PCYC.
24-15 lead at the halftime whistle.
While Orange City had some tight tussles with the Vipers throughout the season, their composure and experience were key to an undefeated season. Will any team be able to beat Orange City Netball Club’s “Craig Harvey Mechanical” next season?
City continued to extend their lead in the third quarter with several unanswered points. Buthe Vipers quickly struck back with 11 points through mesmerising play from the goal attack and shooter. By the end of the third quarter, the Vipers were back within nine points.Trialling
While the YADS were frustrated with the setback, they had to quickly turn their attention back to the Milthorpe team they beat a couple of weeks ago. The depleted Barnies side was aiming to emulate that incredible 3-2 performance, but Milthorpe Tigers had other plans.
In Saturday’s big dance, both sides started the contest with high intensity. Orange City scored the opening point, but the Vipers weren’t intimidated as they kept pressing on to match City’s aggressive attack through some well-built play and impressive equalising shots.
— PHOTOS BY CEC TILBURG —
C-Grade Football Preliminary Finals: First-half nightmare ends Barnies’ run
But despite the second-half improvement, the YADS lacked the final product in front of goal to put a dent in their opposition’s massive lead. In the end, Millthorpe cruised to a huge upset, punching their grand final ticket.
But, given the wet weather cancellation controversy, Waratahs advanced to the grand final due to their higher league ranking. Even though some finals games went ahead in this round, the YADS didn’t get a fair chance to play their vital preliminary final fixture.
After beating Millthorpe in the first week of the finals series, Barnies YADS looked set on facing Waratahs in a grand final qualifier the following week.
But the visitors didn’t want to settle for a 3-0 lead, their other wide attacker scoring a fourth goal on the stroke of halftime.Trailing4-0 at the break, the YADS needed a footballing miracle if they were going to produce a comeback in the next set of 45 minutes.
The Tigers will now face Waratah Athletic in the big dance this Saturday at Jack Brabham Park.
Despite being the frontrunner for the C-Grade Tier 2 title, Barnies YADS’ first-half nightmare against Millthorpe was enough to end their 2022 campaign.
After beating the Vipers 50-32 in the qualifying final, Orange City and Vipers squared o for the second time in this year’s finals series. While the Vipers were out to seek vengeance, it would take something special to upset this well-drilled City side.
The Vipers responded well in the opening minutes of the second quarter through their improved defending and turnover rate, but they still couldn’t establish a consistent shooting rhythm. Orange City had a healthy
Halfway through the first quarter, the minor premiers began to lift their attacking intensity and establish dominance in the middle of the court. As a result, the Lions pulled in front by five points, taking a 13-8 lead into the first break.
to claim title
Waratahs now know they will host Panorama FC in this Saturday’s Western Premier League grand final. Panorama clinched a 3-2 victory against Parkes Cobras in extra-time, booking their spot in the 2022 big dance. It looked like the Cobras were going to strike again with another penalty shootout, but a Panorama goal from the spot-kick was enough to seal the win for the Goats.
The Tahs have beaten the Bathurst side on two occasions this season, while Panorama defeated the Sky Blues back in Round 2. This weekend’s showdown kicks o at 3pm. Good luck to Waratahs!
Western Premier League
U13s
after
4th Division
Division 2: OCNC Whittaker’s Contracting take down LS OrangeSportspowerCityNetball the Division 2 premiership defeating LS Sportspower 50-34. City secured minor and major silverware in 2022.
Ex-Services comfortably beat Millthorpe Tigers (team 1) 3-0 to book a spot in the C-Grade Final. They will now battle it out with the Waratah Old Boys for silverware.
The U16 CYMS Green clinched a 4-3 win against Ex-Services Tigers U16s, confirming their spot in the grand final against Waratah Rebels. Good luck to all the grand finalists!
Last Saturday, Waratah “Blue” battled it out with Waratah “White” in a bid to secure a grand final date with Barnstoneworth. It was Waratah Blue who came out on top, claiming a comfortable 5-2 victory to secure their spot in this weekend’s Women’s Division grand final. Good luck to both sides fighting for the title!
Orange CYMS cruised to a 2-0 win against Barnstoneworth United in last weekend’s preliminary final contest. The green-and-gold face Saints FC in this Saturday’s big dance.
Division 5: Orange United Ophirettes crowned champions Orange United Ophirettes claimed the Division 5 title, beating OCNC Orange Tenpin Bowl Tigers 44-30.
with
Congratulations to all the champions!
Senior Netball Grand Final Results
AROUND THEGROUNDS ANTHONY BARBAGALLO
Waratah United punched their grand final ticket after edging out a 3-2 victory in extra-time against Cudal. United face Canobolas Rangers Pink for the trophy this weekend. Good luck to all the grand finalists!
C-Grade
Women’s Football
Whiletrophy.inthe
Sportspower Rap Gods defeated the Vipers 42-40 in a thrilling double extra time game to claim the Orange Toyota Women’s Division One
Senior Orange Football Finals Action
Waratah FC got the job done against Cowra Eagles with a 3-1 victory at Jack Brabham Park. Tahs FC will face Waratah United in an all-Sky Blues rivalry for the first division title.
Basketball Finals
The U13 Barnies United team booked their spot in the grand final after defeating CYMS Green 2-1 in the qualifier. With this victory, United take on CYMS Gold for the title.
The U14 Barnies United side upset minor premiers Barnies Rangers U15s 1-0 in a Barnstoneworth derby. Barnies United will face the U15 CYMS Green in this Saturday’s grand final.
clinch
B-Grade
Junior Orange Football Finals
U15s
U16s
Division 3: Old Ironsides thump Hawks Old Ironsides won the Division 3 premiership after cruising to a 48-13 victory against the Hawks. The Ironsides only lost one game in 2022 before claiming both the minor and major premiership.
Division 4: OAGS Smarties silverware
Men’s Division One Final match-up between the Bulls and Trojans, the Bulls were victorious over the Trojans.
Club’s “Whittaker’s Contracting” claimed
46 ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 22 — 28, 2022
Orange’s Winter Basketball Competition wrapped up this week and OC Life photographer Henry DeRooy caught some of the action in Men’s and Women’s Division One finals on Monday night.
OAGS Smarties edged a 37-32 win against OCNC Mid West Multi Media to claim the Division 4 title. OCNC Mid West Multi Media, who eliminated the minor premiers, couldn’t conquer the competition’s major trophy.
A-Grade
sport@oclife.com.au
“Didn’ttoo. you have this cold last week and pass it on to your sister?” I ask.
8:16 am: I briefly consider making good on my oft-used threat to send a child to school in PJs, before realising I just don’t care enough and graciously accept that I’ve lost this round. So I introduce a very healthy Miss Eight to her chore for the day: tidying her bedroom. Checkmate dude. I settle into a day of working from home, lining up snacks and drinks the kids can grab without bothering me.
7:24-8:15 am (the time it takes Miss Eight to consume breakfast that isn’t McDonalds… Yet, she can down a strawberry shake, hash brown, and two bacon and egg muffins, in under four minutes!?!): We sit down to a breakfast of freshly made smoothies, with crazy-expensive fruit as a treat for my poor little sick chickens. Suddenly, I realise I haven’t heard Miss Eight cough once in the last hour. “Are you sure you’re sick enough to stay home,” I ask “Actually,suspiciously.I’m feeling much better,” comes her happy reply. “I could absolutely go to school… except, now I can’t.” I ask her what she means, and explain there’s still plenty of time to get her to school. “Yes… but all of my uniforms are in the wash,” she replies with a smirk.
Front L-R: Isaac Lee and Harry Harry.
Then, finally having the time to open emails from school, I discover Tuesday is an Open Classroom, Book Week Parade, Book Fair and barbecue; Thursday is a public holiday for the Queen, and Friday is the end-of-term Award Assembly.
Waratah Rebels go into the Championship decider as favourites, after not losing a game this season and only drawing twice. They are also on a high after a good showing against their Sydney opposition in Sunday’s “Champion of Champions” game.
Under 16s Grand Final
Back L-R: Ryan McNeil, Thomas Frecklington, Connor Muir, Campbell McCloskey, Toby Peterson, Garrett Dunbar, Jett Gill, Cameron Ross, and Brock Anderson
Late afternoon, finally: Poor Miss 13 has slept for most of the day but actually looks better. Meanwhile, Miss Eight has tidied an area of floor approximately 25 square centimetres in size. Better than I expected! I call it a day and send a quick message, thanking my work for their patience and flexibility today. I get a message back saying that today was fine, but I am needed for long hours in person all next week.
7:22 am: Sunlight streams through the loungeroom windows for the first time in weeks. I ask both girls to throw me their uniforms, so we can take advantage of a gloriously sunny day and make a dent in the 70 loads of washing that need doing. Miss Eight watches me add every item of school uniform she owns to the machine, with a big smile spreading across her face.
The big weekend has finally arrived for local junior soccer stars with all the grand finals for Orange and District Junior Football Association (Under 12s–16s) kicking off this Saturday, September 24, at Sir Jack Brabham Park.
CYMS Green will take confidence that the major semi was a close 2-0 loss and they held Rebels to a 0-0 draw not that long ago. Everything points to a close U16s Grand Final, between players who know each other very well, many of them having been teammates in various Orange rep teams over the years.
Back L-R: Hayden Spedding, Liam Faul, Keegan Willis, Angus Summerton, Will Styles, Riley Allen, and Harrison Coleman.
CYMS Green U15s vs Barnstoneworth United U14s.
Middle L-R: Toby Sunderland, Bailey Marr, Ben Francis, Ned Cummins, and Aiden Barnes.
with Emily Thompson
7:10 am: Far too excited to sleep, Miss Eight wakes me up by dropping a tomato on my face. I ask if practising juggling with crazy expensive produce next to my bed is what she SHOULD be doing. “Yes, of course,” she replies, dumbfounded by the question. She tells me to throw the tomato back in once she gets her rhythm going.
7:09 am: Miss Eight wakes me approximately two seconds after I get back to sleep to let me know she has a runny nose
She gives me the standard ‘what would you know, idiot’ look before explaining it’s probably a different viral strain and that COVID protocols at school mean that even if she tests negative, she needs to stay home until symptom-free. She adds a Zoolander ‘black lung’ cough for effect. I give up and send her back to bed, telling her to stay until at least 7.30am.
22 ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 22 — 28, 2022 OCLife | community life
The enoughgood-parent
The sickie
BringFabulous.onthe spring holidays!
U16 Waratah Rebels
Both teams go into this weekend’s grand final on a high note, each having defeated Premiership winners Barnstoneworth Rangers in the past week. CYMS Green were the first team through to the grand final winning a tight penalty shootout. If Barnstoneworth United U14s get the win, it will be a huge achievement for this young team, playing up a year into the Under 15s, especially with skillful goalkeeper Charlie Swift’s appearance on the field in doubt after an injury in the semi-final.
ODFA’s big Grand Finals Saturday
Waratah Rebels vs CYMS Green.
Front L-R: Mitchell Brooks, Matthew de Pijper, Charlie Swift, Harry Gray, Alex Wilson (missing are Hannah Reilly and Noah Symons).
Front L-R: Hugo Parker, Gydion Dally, Sebastian Kittler, Peter Arantz, Adam Thomas, and Nehemiah Milson (Missing is Daniel Woelk).
Under 15s Grand Final
Front L-R: Sadie May, Sebastian Benton, Will Corben, Marco Mileto, Edwin Tollemache, Harrison King, Nate Lee (missing are Aiden Hutabarat and Rohan Gardoll).
CYMS U16 Green:
Barnstoneworth United U14s
Each team has had a big win against the other this season, so spectators can look forward to an exciting attacking confrontation.
“Not a problem!” I reply.
7:08 am: Miss 13 wakes me from my usual Chris Hemsworth dream to let me know she’s still got a runny nose and would like to stay home again. I let her know that’s fine and that she should go back to bed (so I can get back to Chris).
CYMS Green U15s
Back L-R: Talen Collison, Toby Gee, Isabelle Castvan, Gabe Weaver, Will Hoskins, Charlie Jones, and Patrick Nightingale.
Back L-R: Logan Fitzgerald, Jon Francis (coach), Sam Doulin, Liam Baker, Jack Vanes, Dom Belmonte, Paddy Gray, Will Wilson, and Koby Reid
Back: Andrew Dickinson (coach)
Front(Coach).L-R: Menphis Diduszko, Reece Edgerton, Blake Durack, Luke Prevett, Jayden Grevink, and Luca Edwards (missing is George Hawke).
Under 12s Grand Final
Lying in front: Sam Brown and Patrick Blair.
Back L-R: Angus Jeffery, Ollie Nunn, Phoebe Johnston, Tom French, Sam Knox, Paddy Frew, Lucas Vickery, Adam Pawsey, Riley Davis, Deron Jose, and Craig Edgerton
Under 13s Grand Final
Front L-R: Archer Bingham, Hugo Czyzewski, Spencer Price, Lewis Moore, and Finn Czyzewski.
Both of these teams scored a lot of goals over the season, so a high-scoring shootout is not out of the question on Saturday.
After numerous close battles between the two sides, Barnies know that it won’t take much to overturn CYMS’ recent dominance. These teams and coaches know each other well and the season’s results will count for little if Barnies can get the all-important first goal on Saturday.
Lying in front: Toby Holmes and Zavier Felice (missing is Calvin Musendeki)
Orange Anglican Grammar School (OAGS) vs CYMS Gold.
CYMS Gold Barnstoneworthvs United
Millthorpe then earned their spot with a big win in the final over the fourth-placed team to set up a rematch and are looking for revenge in the Championship game.
Back L-R: Jack Bingham, Tully Fraser, Mitchell Glasson, Billy Hogben, Jacob Bird, Jake Hurst, Lachlan Wirth, Harry Richards, and Connor Bennett.
Waratah Rebels finished second in the Premiership race to Millthorpe Tigers, but overturned this in the major semi-final winning 2-1 to be the first team into the grand final.
Front L-R: Tonde Rukundu, Jordan Robinson, Lewis Burford, and Abhi Biju.
OAGS U12s
Middle L-R: Stella Ross, Max Horne, Lachlan Coutts, Cameron McLean, and Rory McIntosh.
This will be another top-of-the-table match after CYMS Gold were the Premiership winners and standout U13s team this season.
Front L-R: Arthur Maclean, Angus Obrien, Declan Miller, and Charlie Lynch.
U14 Waratah Rebels
OAGS were the Premiership winners in a close competition, that saw CYMS finish in third place. These teams have played each other twice this year with a win for each. Amazingly, both matches ended with a 5-2 scoreline. Saturday’s Grand Final will be a battle between the season’s overall best, up against the in-form CYMS eager to claim the U12s Championship.
U13s Barnstoneworth United
Back L-R: Laschè Tandy, Ebony Doherty, Claudia Ryan, Felix Lenton, Hayden Blowes, Josh Hazelton, Thomas Chung, and Will Whiteley.
Front L-R: Millie White, Liam Postma, Hayden Hyde, Angus Kermode, Cameron Ingham
Under 14s Grand Final Waratah Rebels vs Millthorpe Tigers
ORANGE CITY LIFE | SEPTEMBER 22 — 28, 2022 23
Back L-R: Lochlan Thwaites, Zander Hainsworth, Matt Crump, Abel Tom, (coach Andrew Dickinson standing behind), Toby Dickinson, Isaac Churchland, and Vaughn Bieniek.
Front L-R: George Curry, Olivia Tom, Milly Peterson, Hazel Ostini, Rebecca Kemp, Roy Dillon, and Nate Houghton (missing are Billy Bowden and Sam Rollin).
CYMS Gold U13s
Back L-R: Isabelle Stedman, Andrew Obrien (Manager), Louis O’Brien, Jenson Dickerson, Simran Dhatt, Grace Hosie, and Wez Miller (Coach)
Back L-R: Dave Dillon (manager/ coach), Sam McConnachie, Oliver Bennet, Toby Jackson, Harry Tom, Henry Morgan, Billy Rollin, Hunter Kearins, and Ian Bennett (coach).
CYMS U12s
Millthorpe Tigers U14s