Carpheads sink Coolamon newcomers By SEAN CUNNINGHAM The Ardlethan Barellan District Cricket Association’s 2026/27 season got underway last Saturday with three of the four top teams from last year stamping their mark early in the season. There were also some great individual performances displayed across the grounds. The Narrandera Carpheads were one of those teams that got off to a flier in the opening round against the newcomers to the league, the Coolamon Hotel side. The Carpheads (3/73) defeated the Coolamon Hotel (10/69) team by seven wickets at Coolamon. Winning the toss, the Carpheads elected to bowl first. The Carpheads’ opening bowlers, Captain Mark Tilyard (2/9 off 5 overs) and Ross Durnan (2/15 off 4 overs) started strongly with both taking multiple wickets. “Coolamon were struggling at 5/26 when Bryce Hetherington came on to bowl and took two wickets with his first two balls to really put the newcomers on the back foot at 7/26,” Tilyard said. Hetherington took 3/12 during his three-over spell, while Jed Scott’s five-over spell resulted in him finishing with 2/4. Nick Perram starred with the bat, finishing as the Carpheads’ highest run scorer on 38 not out. “Our young wicketkeeper Nick Perram eased us over the line as we convincingly chased down the total to record a seven-wicket win off 16.3 overs,” Tilyard said. In the other games, the Ardlethan-Beckom Yabbies (10/52) defeated Barellan (10/49), Ganmain (10/120) defeated the Coolamon Crickets (10/119) and Kamarah (10/188) beat the Mirrool Rosellas (10/60). In round 2 on Saturday, the Carpheads will host the other Coolamon side, the Coolamon Crickets, a team looking for their first win of the season. Ardlethan/Beckom Cricket Barellan hosted Ardlethan Beckom cricketers last Saturday with the away team coming away with a good win. Taylor Heath top scored for Ardlethan Beckom with 41 as well as taking 3/11 off his nine overs. Top runscorer for Barellan was T Inglis on 12 with A McDonald taking the most wickets of 4/15. This Saturday, Ardlethan Beckom will play Kamarah at Beckom. Ardlethan Beckom Innings Beau Rees ct, b T Inglis……………………………………………………………0 Angus Green b T Inglis…………………………………………………………….4 Jed Litchfieldl ct, b A Robinson…………………………………………………21 Ben Aichinger b A McDonald…………………………………………………….8 Harry Collis c & b A McDonald…………………………………………………..6 Riley Scott ct, b A McDonald……………………………………………………..15 Taylor Heath b T Inglis……………………………………………………………….41 Ned Buchanan lbw R Curran………………………………………………………26 Kendal Boyton b T Pendergast…………………………………………………….3 Kurt Allen not out………………………………………………………………………12 Jacob Testoni b A McDonald………………………………………………………..5 Sundries…………………………………………………………………………………..11 Total……………………………………………………………………………….10/152 Bowling: A McDonald 4/25, T Inglis 3/30, D Pendergast 0/16, J Hillman 0/11, A Robinson 1/14, T Pendergast 1/35, R Curran 1/14. Barellan Innings A Robinson ct & b Jed Litchfield…………………………………………………2 B Mogg b Taylor Heath………………………………………………………………6 Z Clark b Taylor Heath………………………………………………………………1 R Curran b Taylor Heath…………………………………………………………….3 T Inglis lbw Kurt Allen……………………………………………………………….12 A McDonald b Jacob Testoni………………………………………………………10 J Hillman lbw Jacob Testoni………………………………………………………,4 J Colwill lbw Kurt Allen………………………………………………………………0 D Pendergast run out………………………………………………………………..0 T Pendergast not out…………………………………………………………………0 W Ellis b Kurt Allen……………………………………………………………………0 Sundries…………………………………………………………………………………11 Total……………………………………………………………………………………10/49 Bowling: Jed Litchfield 1/10, Taylor Heath 3/11, Kurt Allen 3/17, Jacob Testoni 2/5. Ariah Park Bowls The final of both grades of singles in the 2026 club championships was played on Sunday. In the A grade current title holder Nodsa Johnstone played the new kid on the block Matthew Seymour. Nodsa showed that he wasn’t going to surrender his title without a fight scoring four shots on the first end. Nodsa then jumped out to a 9-1 lead after six ends, Matthew then scored 5-3 to trail 6-12 after 10 ends with Matt having trouble handling the wind and Nodsa took full advantage scoring 11-1 to be on the brink of victory leading 23-7 after 17 ends. Matt scored 6-1 on ends 18-21 however it wasn’t enough to stop Nodsa claiming his 14th championship with him scoring one more shot to win 25-13. Congratulations to Nodsa on such an achievement. He’s now after his mother to see who has bragging rights for the most single wins. Bad luck to Matt and I’m sure it won’t be the last time you put yourself in the position to claim your first victory. In the B grade final June Webb played Pat Collins. June jumped to an early 6-0 lead after four ends. Pat then scored five shots to trail 5-8 after eight ends, June then scored three shots to lead 11-5 after 10 ends. June then scored 7-2 to open a commanding 18-7 lead after 16 ends, Pat then scored 7-4 to put himself back in the game trailing 14-22 after 23 ends. However, it was June who closed the game out scoring 4-1 to claim victory 26-15. Congratulations to June and bad luck to Pat, the 2026 pairs championship have now commenced in the first game Freddy Donaghue and Craig Leiper played Nappa Pinney and Les Choice. Freddy and Craig led 6-0 after five ends and after 11 ends they had extended their lead to 11-3. Nappa and Les scored three shots to trail 6-12 and things never got any easier with Freddy and Craig scoring seven shots to lead 19-6. Nappa and Les scored five shots but still trailed 19-11, by end 23 Freddy and Craig still led 23-15. They then scored five shots to win 28-15. In a second game Zac Worland and Jimmy Donaghue played Mark Bowcock and Kirk Hocking and after six ends there was only one shot separated the two sides with Zac and Jimmy leading 6-5. They scored 8-4 on the next five ends to lead 14-9, they still had the answers to Mark and Kirk and led 19-12 after 16 ends. Zac and Jimmy still had a commanding 27-15 lead after 22 ends before going on to win 28-19. All remaining first round games are to be played on or before next weekend. Ariah Park Golf Ten players turned up on a very nice Saturday arvo for a game of golf at Ariah Park. We also had to witness the ever-ageing Robbo the Scotsman self-proclaiming his outrageous and profane belief that he once again has best dressed – and because the poor bugger suffers from the heat-cold-flies-wind – and poor golfing etiquette, we decided to give in to his exaggerated admission. Now on a brighter note, the combination of the Cameron Crew of father Darryl and son Grub took absolute control of the playing conditions and advantage of playing off the ladies’ tee – for another Ambrose day. Well, they left us for dead as they proceeded to hit monster drives and putting well to win the day by a massive 13 shots from the runners-up crew. They completely took the skids through the rest of us, their handicap of three really didn’t matter much as they birdied hole after hole. A fine effort by both players. Well done guys. Barry and Rocky have their work cut out trying to give you a fair handicap. We all reckon a six iron and putter only – probably still win. On a brighter note, Pikey turned up. It’s a milestone and also, it’s a wonder the place didn’t fall down around us. But the ladies were happy as he proceeded to tell all who would listen (only Maree/Robbo) about all his exploits in Griffith. As if we care, Pikey – what happens in Griffith stays in Griffith, my friend. A couple of R and R days off did him the world of good, as his golf was pretty good this week, but his bullsh*t stories took their toll on Maree’s game and she just couldn’t concentrate while his blabbering just put her off – or so she says (I think she enjoyed his crap). Rocky has another to be missing in action for a fortnight, and it showed as he and partner Zac spent a lot of time on the adjacent fairways looking for wayward golf balls. I don’t remember how many times we had to wait for them all to no avail, as the was ball lost forever and when they did find a ball, it was only for a brief time as they sailed another ball in no-man’s-land. The rabbits are building a nice collection of Taylor balls – well done you two. You keep us all guessing when one of you would hit the fairway. The couple of weeks Merrill's had off was the complete opposite of that of her better half, she played very good golf all day with only the odd wonky shot, but in all she had a very consistent game, much to the pleasure of her playing partner (me), and together we did alright. The other mob, the old farts – Barry and Robbo – were also having a good day out and playing well. When one player slipped up, the other dug deep to get them out of trouble, and Robbo’s putting, well, it was outstanding. With his two of a degree with a small outward, turn and so forth, well, he talked himself in putting well, and the very reliable putting master in Barry had to take a back seat as Robbo sunk everything. Now Robbo doesn’t like flies, so every chance he got he blamed a poor shot on the “fly in my eye” excuse, and even Barry had a giggle at his excuses. Not, so me I’ve heard it all before. He didn’t have too many bad shots this week – and between the four of us we did all play well. No trees, scrub, air swings, ring barking or rabbit trappers for us. Not so Zac and Rocky, who spent a lot of time away from the fairway. So, all finished and back to the clubhouse for a coldy and a sanga – supplied by the Harpers again. Thanks Barry and Helen, they hit the spot. Rocky counted the cards up – not his and Zac – too much of a joke – and anyway it was the Cameron mob first, a daylight second. Winner, winner – babysitter: Darryl, Graham and grandson Cameron. N.T.P. Third: Camo. N.T.P. Eighth: Me (Preferred Lies – AKA Nappa – Got that – me). Shot of the day: Maree’s 40 metre chip in – a very nice chip. Shot of the day: Robbo – par 3, eighth, well, well over the back – another “fly in my eye” excuse. Shot of the day: Zac, Rocky, Zac, Rocky, Rocky, Zac. Yeh, you guessed it – trees, scrub, trees, scrub, etc. Lost balls: Zac, Rocky – too many to write about. So, we all had another top day of golfing exploits at the Royal Ariah Park Golf Club. Next week, another Ambrose off the ladies’ tees, so come along and join us for a fun day of golf. Cheers, Preferred Lies Coolamon Golf The NSW Men’s Sandgreen Championship at Hillston, the Punter’s club trip to Melbourne, various weddings and the opening round of cricket all took their toll on the golf numbers last weekend as a muted field of 16 fronted for Sunday’s Stableford round. It is a golden time for female golfers, with the fairer sex dominating like a scolding matriarch in a room full of hen-pecked husbands. This week it was the turn of Leanne Hooper with a score of 41 who edged out Jacqui Hilton’s 39. Jacqui must be feeling like a regularly jilted bride after yet another second placing. Nevertheless, it looks as if the Coolamon Ladies are poised, primed and ready to obliterate the field in this weekend’s NSW Ladies Sandgreen Championship. Ray Jennings, Paul Abbott and Dan Milne filled out the prize rundown with Ray’s grandson Declan Johnson taking home the pink ball. Declan, under the guiding eyes of his pop, is displaying the improvement which will shortly enable him to leave his pink ball days well and truly in the rear. Ray also received some compensation when he, yet again, won the weekly raffle. Even a worm on its way back from a fishing trip hasn’t the luck of the Raymond. Novelty prizes were won by Leanne, Brian Mangan, Sharn, Ray, Matt Lawson, Jacqui and Bruce Chant while Stu Seymour broke several hearts, not for the first time, when his birdie hole was drawn as the jackpot winner. I must add that it was an absolute pleasure to play with the Ex Prime Minister, the Brushwood Bellower Mr P. Abbott last weekend. After being enticed to play my first game of cricket for fourteen years the previous day for the recently reformed but chronically short Coolamon Hotel team, I was feeling a mite sore. Actually, every inch of my body was aching apart from one left nostril hair and the prostate (which was removed fourteen years previous). Anyway, Paul’s soothing voice, like a Pavarotti lullaby, and hilarious banter was most welcome, like moving from a Sex Pistols concert for chainsaw testers in a Mexican slum to a Gregorian chant for Yoga meditators in a pristine rainforest. In news just to hand, the Coolamon Lads excelled in Hillston. Mick O’Brien won the handicap event and teamed with his offspring Mitch as well as Jake Seymour to blitz the team event. A very popular win by a universally loved golfer. So, there we go. Good luck to all participants in this week’s NSW titles. I will not be there to chronicle the results. Perth is calling and I’ll be under the watchful eyes of George Bailey and Andrew McDonald for a possible late inclusion in Australia’s Test Cricket team. Otherwise, Grandchildren await. Temora Vets: Intersales Cup Young junior, Darcy Filewood (22) showed the old blokes how to play golf. Darcy played his round at seven under his handicap. A net 64, won Darcy $30.00 in Temora Golf Club Vouchers. Darcy is a Temora junior, and a Wagga Wagga Country Club member as well. Wagga is a good track and Darcy had 37 points there a couple of weeks ago, so this young man can definitely play. A great round Darcy, and I think pop was as proud as punch. Runner-up was the ever-smiling Peter Cartwright (27) with a net 67. Pete played some great shots, and missed a lot of putts by millimetres, but I don’t think he would have caught young Darcy anyway, but he tried hard, that’s for sure. Ball winners: Phil Freddy Lee (14) net 68, Mark Wells (10) net 70 c/b, Natalie Irvine (22) net 70, Bill Ingram (18) net 71 c/b, Steve Shuck (13) net 71, Ray Jennings (8) net 72. Intersales Points: Darcy isn’t old enough to receive vet points as yet, so the six points that is usually allocated to the winner, will be re-directed to Peter Cartwright’s progressive total. Phil Freddy Lee receives five points, Mark Wells four, Bill Ingram three, Steve Shuck two. The remaining vets that participated on the day and returned a score, receive a point as well. Nearest the pins: Third Ray Jennings 9.5 metres, seventh Darryl Kahlefeldt 5.8 metres, twelfth Harry Wilson 4.98 metres, sixteenth Ray Jennings 5.92 metres. The drive and chip holes were won by: Third Bill Ingram 1.44 metres, eighth Neville Elwin 1.9 metres. The skins: One of our newer members, Dennis Miller showed his class by winning eight skins for $8.00. Peter Cartwright won five, Graeme Eyles three, Razor Jennings nine, Stephen Shuck seven, Mark Wells and Dave Loftus won a skin each. A big thank you to Phil Freddy Lee and Bob Brabin for organizing and cooking the sausage sizzle. Thanks to the school break, the vets have enjoyed Charlie Watson’s company for the past two Thursdays, and this week Darcy Filewood's. It’s always fun having the juniors play against the old boys. Obviously, they play a completely different game than we do, but it’s exciting watching their game mature, and some of the shots these juniors play make my jaw drop to the ground. They play with no fear, and most important, they play the game for fun, but they have an immense respect for the game as well. We, the vets, acknowledge the impeccable manners and sportsmanship our juniors display out on the course, and they are always welcome to be a part of the vet’s golf on Thursdays. Natalie Irvine and Simon Forsyth graced us with their presence, and we hope you both enjoyed your day with us. I know Natalie did, she had a net 70 and took home a brand-new Optima. If you get the chance to have a hit with Natalie, be prepared to be outdriven on most holes, she can hit a good ball. A big hello to Jill and Adrian Lutton from Shoalhaven Heads. They visited us back in mid-September, I hope you are both well. Well Done Darcy on your win, and we hope there is many more to come. Ladies Golf Last Saturday was a monthly medal event, sponsored by Sadie Michael. Winner on the day was Nat Irvine with 89 off the stick and 73 nett. Runner up was Rhonda Shuck with 94 off the stick and 74 nett. Ball winners: - Nora Saffioti 88 off the stick, 75 nett - Pip Bleyer 87 off the stick, 76 nett - Jacinta Watson 91 off the stick, 76 nett Nearest the pins: - 3rd (D&C): Judy Gorton 55cm - 7th (NTP): Rhonda Shuck 10.9m - 12th (NTP): Sharon Wilmott 12.55m - 16th (D&C): Pip Bleyer 68cm *** On Wednesday was a two person Ambrose, sponsored by the Roundabout Bakery. Winners on the day were Deb Noack and Rhona Shuck with 78 off the stick and 68 nett. Runners up were Margaret Townsend and Pip Bleyer with 78 off the stick and 68 1/4 nett. Ball winners: - Nat Irvine and Deidre Flakelar with 80 off the stick, 70 1/2 nett. Nearest the pins: - 7th (NTP): Paige Starling 11m - 12th (NTP): Nat Irvine 2.5m We wish all the ladies good luck, who are competing in the South West Tournament in Gundagai over the next three days. Play well - go team Temora. Sunday Golf On Sunday the October Monthly Medal was played in conjunction with the first round of the Men's 2026 Club Championships. The scores were red hot once again with a few fantastic performances. It was great to see 7 juniors take part also. Ryan Pike playing off a handicap of 14 managed to hit 78 off the stick for a 64 nett and 43 points to win the day. Not only is Ryan now confident of continuing his form with one hand on the B grade Club Championship prize he has also been heard all around town vowing to shake up the field and knock off all the A grade players. Runner up for the day was Nathan Stimson who also had a day out with 41 points. Nathan shot 76 gross and 68 nett. The A grade medal however went to Errol Cleverdon on 67 nett with Ryan Pike taking the B grade medal with his 64. The ball comp was very competitive also. - Errol Cleverdon 40 points - Charlie Watson 40 points - Josh Macgregor 40 points - Jason Fernie 39 points - Hugh Block 39 points - Jacob Durham 39 points - Todd Lynch 38 points - Bill Ingram 38 points - Steve Shuck 38 points. Its not often the balls cut out on 38 points so congratulations to everyone on such great rounds. NTPs: - 3th: Ben Wells 6.80 metres - 7th: Charlie Watson 3 centimetres - 12th: Nathan Stimson 1.71metres - 16th: Todd Lynch 3.06 metres Steve Steinhardt took home the Gazzannes pizza voucher for hitting his 2nd shot to 4.70m on the 2nd hole. Anthony Madden also managed an eagle on the 9th. Well done. Club Championships leaders: - A grade (0-10 HC) - Charlie Watson 71 - B grade (11-16 HC) - Ryan Pike 78 - C Grade - (16+ HC) - Michael Crawford 85. The next two Sunday’s will be rounds two and three of the club championships.
