IT is the fourth time Simeon has won the trophy. The previous three were alongside Julie Hoad in 2002, 2004 and 2005, while Donna combined with Willy Brennan to win in 2011. In his victory speech, Simeon thanked a few people but especially Willy for ditching his former partner Donna, to which Will replied, "It was just a case of double booking".

SINCE the inaugural trophy was played for in 1986, the event has been conducted as a mixed competition 30 times, individual on three occasions, while this year, a two-person medley was introduced. It was good to see 14 out of the 18 teams competing last Sunday were mixed combinations.

SINCE Greg and Dianne Partridge won the first event with 50 points, five other teams have hit the half ton or better. Former school teacher the late Dave Anderson and Lynne Watts hold the record with 56 points. Miles and Janelle Archdale are next best on 53 points, while Rodger Jamieson and Marg Parsons, Rhonda and Glenn Death and David and Simone Sweeney have all registered neat half centuries.

THERE are 49 players names inscribed on the perpetual prize, of which 14 have been multiple winners. Simeon leads the way with four, followed by Julie Hoad, Simone Sweeney and Col Berry all on three, while Ann Berry, Ross Steel, Joy Hogbin, Margaret Parsons, Margaret Davidson, David Sweeney, Vicki Heffernan, Rose Baumer, Donna Martin and Will Brennan all have two each to their credit.

OVER a decade passed before Ross "Popeye" Steel and Joy Hogbin became the first team to win the trophy twice in 1996 before David and Simone Sweeney followed the pattern the next year. Col and Ann Berry won twice before Col notched up his third victory with Marg Parsons in 2012, while Simone made my day in 2001 when she won her third and helped me win my first, and still only.

FORMER Wallaby halfback Sam Payne was a member of the Classic Wallabies squad that defeated a Central North Barbarians team at Moree in fairly warm conditions last Saturday. The boys in gold and green got up on the bell with a late try to snare the victory.

THE Central North Barbarians team included Walcha Rams Simon Newton, Henry King and Dom Bower who, according to Sam, all performed well. The Wallabies outfit included internationals Mat Rogers and Lote Tuqiri.

FIVE Walcha Central School students - Ali Kealey, Jemma Warden, and Toby, Charlie and Harriet Crawford have been selected in the Armidale PSSA hockey squads after trials in Armidale last week. Best of luck to all five players when they head to Tamworth next Wednesday to compete in the North West PSSA trials.

FOUR ST Pats school students - Ollie Greig, Will Hall, Sophie Timbs and Ella Jenkins have been picked in the Armidale Diocesan hockey squads to compete at Polding Trials at Tamworth in May. Darcy Macpherson played well and was unlucky to miss selection.

WALCHA Touch Football will finalise their season this Sunday when six senior and one junior grand final are contested at John Oxley Sportsground. All the action kicks off at 8.30am with the juniors leading the way before Transwest Try Hards take on Pacifica in F grade from 9.15am.

BOTH E and F grades are scheduled for 9.15am, D grade 10am, C grade 10.45am, B grade 11.30am, and A grade 12.15pm. If you ar eplaying in any of those games, it would be a good idea to be at the ground well before that time in case there is no extra time required in any of the previous matches. Best of luck to all players. Presentations will be held at the New England Hotel following the A grade decider.

WHAT a remarkable end to the swimming club season, when another seven Walcha "world records" were set on Tuesday before the annual presentations were held. Up until this week, 18 records had been broken which now takes the tally to 25.

FORMER record holder Dean Hancock lost two when club president Angus Warden broke the open 200m freestyle record and Thomas Micallef lowered the 16 years boys 200m freestyle time after both records had stood since 1984.

ANOTHER long-standing record went when Hamish "Hammer" Warden sliced two seconds off the 10 years boys 50m backstroke time previously held by Henry Kign since 1997 after he stopped the clock in 44.13 seconds.

NOT to be outdone by the boys, Chyna Smith, Jemma Warden, Bella Hayton and Poppy McLaren all bettered their times in various events. Full details next week.

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