Round 1 of the Premier League got underway on Sunday at the Airlie Bowls Club with four matches taking place, two of which featured two new club members.

There were a reversal of fortunes for both debutants however, with Hawkeye Rick suffering a 7/1 defeat at the hands of the more experienced Seumas Rose, who this year was entering into his fourth league season.

Arthur McMinn had a better time of it in his first Premier League match, putting a valuable two points on the board after recording a 7/3 win over Jayden Lloyd.

Jamie Maher also had an opening day win by beating Kameron Reason 7/1, and the 2019 Champion Andy Peel got off to a perfect start with a 7/1 win over Gary Robbie.

The members draw jackpot wasn’t won this week and will be $160 next week.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach and Master Butchers Whitsundays, thank you for your support.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher.

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J Maher, K Reason, A McMinn, A Peel, H Rick, J Lloyd, S Rose and G Robbie

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Last week at Airlie Bowls Club, the matches were filled with victories and upsets.

On Tuesday afternoon, there was a big turnout for Ladies social day, where Di Jackson played outstanding bowls with the help of John Brown and skipper Elaine Kippen, winning against Pam Collins, Mark Mawson, and Lane Telford 17-9.

Sandra Argo, Jill Spencer, Tina Schubert, and skipper Joan McGrath defeated the odds-on favourite team to become the winners of the Ladies Fours.

Wednesday's Social Jackpot Bowls was brilliantly run by Rick Galea, with Tony Whitehorn's team winning against Warren Mills at Skip. Saturday morning's Scroungers saw Ash Warland as the big winner of the round, while Andy McDougall took home the B Grade final.

On Sunday afternoon, Tony Whitehorn's team won with the lowest winning margin and Tony received the prestigious Health Hub award. Bobby McMahon beat Stephen Lawrie 25-13, and the Ladies pairs had a tough match with Di Jackson and Betty Whitehorn losing to Betty Nicole and Carol Crosbie.

The results of Wednesday night's Business House Bowls were not available at the time of the report but will be updated next week.

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Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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Bowling season is in full swing, with games played throughout the week at the club.

Wednesday saw a game of triples between Philip Brown, Noel Hale, and Heather Brown against Philip, Bruce Uhe, and Warren Wilson.

John Anderson and Mary Hedgelong also played a game of pairs, with John and Mary winning against Alen Sanderson and Barry Zillmann.

On Sunday, Heather organised a game of Consistency Singles, with Sandy Daffara and Bruce Uhe playing an exciting game that ended with Bruce winning 105-100.

There was also a game of Cut Throat Singles, which Heather won in the end. In another game of triples, Jim Quod, Ken Watts, and Philip Brown won against Alen Sanderson, Kendall Watts, and Peter Lawton. Bruce Uhe is currently in the lead for Social Participation scores with 21 points.

On March 11, Club Selected teams' games will be played in the afternoon, featuring a combination of Competitive Social Bowls, a BBQ, and the presentation of 2022 prizes.

This will be the final opportunity for teams to enter the club competitions for 2023 before the draw is made on Saturday night.

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Kendall Watts putting down another great bowl on Sunday afternoon

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Tuesday winning rinks were Gavin Charles, Steve Roome and Geoff Danvers defeated Stumpy Adams, Robyn Stitt and Kennedy Whitton.

Bron Tolcher, Merle Elphinstone, Denise Wallace and Penny Warren defeated Deb Retchless, Isobel Wheeler, Linda Smith.

Irene Laird and Greg Colquhoun defeated Sue Shearing and Graeme Read. The jackpot didn’t go off.

On Sunday Wangaratta hosted the first round of the Men’s local pennant against BBC.

After three games of great bowls Wangaratta were the winners with 2 match wins 5 rinks plus 23. Congratulations to the men.

In the afternoon for social play the club welcomed 8 eight South Townsville ladies.

Winners came out on Rink 7. They were Bron Tolcher, Denise Wallace, Sandy Prince and Kevin Jewell who defeated Heather Rogers, Teresa Willshire, Wanda Goodwin and Penny Warren.

Other games were Merle Elphinstone, Lyn Danvers and Graeme Read defeated Irene Laird, Linda Scells and Donna Ware.

Jocelyn Defranciscis and Jodie Kay O’Sullivan defeated Deb Rethcless and Linda Ann Polkinghorn. The jackpot didn’t go off.                                                                

‍Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

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Winners of the 1st Round Men's Local Pennant

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stroke event for the March midweek monthly medals sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Ladies’ winner was Ruth Dunn 65 nett, runner up Penny Stewart 69 nett. Men’s winner was Hayden Williams 65 nett, runner up on a countback John Martin 66 nett.

Saturday’s competition was the official start of the golfing season with a 4BBB stableford event sponsored by Bowen Small Motors. Well done to Robyn Slade and Owen Land who won a countback with 45 points , runners-up Dwayne and Rikki Bartlett 45 points.  

Leanne Swan and Brendan Nott won the accuracy drives. Pin shots to Lisa Raisbeck, Julie May, Lorraine McArthur, Joy Hose, Liam Hillery, Rodney Miller, Graeme Baker, David Martin. Daniel Borgh won the Car wash voucher with an OBP. Joy Hose, Ryley Malone, Elona Lynch, Kevin Cross and Dylan Nott also had OBP's.

Coming Up

This weekend’s competition is a stroke event for the March monthly medals and qualifying round of single matchplay for both men and ladies. Men will play on Saturday and ladies on Sunday.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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Golf club committee and sponsors

Opening Day Winners

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Tuesday Competition

Tuesday’s Stableford saw 17 competitors vying for top position. Steven Johnston was the winner on 38 points, 4 points ahead of Nick Apruzzese on 34 points and Ash Law on 33 points. Trish McNeill was the only NTP winner.

Wednesday Competition

The PD Law Monthly Medal was played in very heavy conditions, with Trish McNeill the winner on a countback from Lyn Muller, Anna Winterbourn secured 3rd place. Diane Chard was the putting champion of the day with 29 putts, and Toni Clauss, Rehab Hull, Trish McNeill and Pauline Redpath were the winners of the pin shots.

Thursday Competition

57 players were out for the Venue Smart Thursday Monthly Medal. Winner of Division 1, with 68 nett was Trish McNeill, closely followed by Steve Stewart on 69 and Michael Ward on 70 nett.

Adam Tester’s return to golf is proving very successful, with a win in Division 2, narrowly defeating Steve Mitchell on a countback with 71 nett. Rees May and Ken Todd were in 3rd and 4th place respectively. NTP’s: Jon Miller, Mark McDougal, Andrew Albergo, Michael Ward.

Saturday Competition

The RGH Monthly Medal brought 85 players out onto the course. Sherri Meade was victorious in the Women’s Competition, edging out Trish McNeill on a countback, both on 71 nett. Heather Luvis claimed 3rd place on 72 nett. NTP’s Trish McNeill x 2, and Anna Winterbourn shot a very nice 2 on Hole 13 to win in the 2 shot Club.

Scott Lee was the overall winner, and winner of A Grade for the RGH Men’s Monthly Medal with a very nice 67 nett, Levi Holmes was close behind with 68 nett and David O’Connor 3rd in A Grade with 70 nett.

B Grade Monthly Medal was won by Owen Clarke on 68 nett on a countback from Andrew Albergo and Paul Bullock was close behind in 3rd place with 69 nett. Cameron Mutch shot a nice 69 nett to win the C Grade Monthly Medal ahead of Sam Marschke and Marcus Heathcote both on 72 nett.

NTP’s: Levi Holes, Scott Lee, Kelvin Stephens and Scott Grigg.

Sunday Competition

Great to see Nathan Holmes back from injury and on the podium with a very tidy 68 nett on Sunday, winning from Jake Murray and Ryan Wilkes on 69 and 70 nett. New member Jordyn Albergo shot a below handicap 71 nett to win the ladies from Peta Thomas and Pauline Redpath on 74 and 76 nett.

NTP’s: Ryan Wilkes, Lewis Tuck, Simon Della Santa, David O’Connor and Jordyn Albergo.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Pro Shop.

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The Airlie Panel & Paint and Master Butchers Whitsunday March monthly medal was held on Sunday, March 5.

It started with a few spots of rain but that did not deter the 22 players for a chance at this month’s medal.

Winner for Men’s A grade was Jason Burke with R/U George Meharry.

Men’s B grade winner was Don Cameron with R/U Ron Jamieson.

Ladies’ A grade winner went to Pauline Redpath R/U Anna Winterbourn and Ladies B Grade was claimed by Joanne Moynihan with R/U Pam Casey.

Longest Drives went to Anna Winterbourn, Karen Rix, Lew Tuck and Dean Kercher.

Nearest the pins were won by Don Cameron, Clay Coles, Pauline Redpath, Tiina Randmae and Joanne Moynihan.

Thank you to our sponsors including The Reef Gateway Hotel and congratulations to the winners. Next Sunday March 12 will be a single Stableford event.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan.

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Don Cameron, Pam Casey, Anna Winterbourn and Rom Jamieson

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A very good day for Louis Neethling with a score of 34 on a countback from Nic Appruzese 34 and Len Booroff 33.  

The ladies struggled a bit in the conditions with Jenny Hounsell 26, Tiina Randmae 25 and Lyn Muller 23.

Pin shots went to Len and Louis on 2, Vic Feldman and John Oates on 13 and Barry Mortimer and Louis Neethling on 16.  

The ladies, Jenny Hounsell on the hole on 2, Lyn Muller on 13 and 16.  

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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Louis Neethling and Jenny Hounsell

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The Mackay Tennis Association (MTA) is a community-based tennis club located in the heart of Mackay. The club, which celebrates its centenary this year, provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play tennis and enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle.

MTA is renowned for its high-quality playing surfaces and friendly community of players. The club offers various levels of tennis coaching and fixtures, including pickleball, making it a great option for players of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, MTA has something for everyone.

In addition to its many tennis programs, MTA also offers a fully air-conditioned clubhouse that is available for hire by local businesses, which can accommodate groups of up to 100 people. With ample parking available on site, the Mackay Tennis clubhouse is the perfect location for your next business meeting, seminar or training session. To book the clubhouse, please contact us on 0435 524 985.

As the MTA celebrates its 100-year anniversary, there has never been a better time to become part of this welcoming and inclusive community.  To celebrate 100 years of tennis in Mackay, MTA is hosting a centenary dinner on Sat 9th September.  Please contact the club if you are interested in attending.

The club is passionate about promoting an active and healthy lifestyle and is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all members.  Whether you are looking to play tennis, pickleball or hire the clubhouse for your next business function, the Mackay Tennis Association is the perfect choice. With its excellent facilities, convenient location, and friendly community of players, the MTA is the ideal place to get active and make new friends.

To become a member or find out more about the Mackay Tennis Association, please visit our website www.mackaytennis.com or contact 0435 524 985. We look forward to welcoming you to our tennis-loving community!

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Tennis in Mackay in 1920

Official opening of Mackay Tennis Association in 1923

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On Thursday at Mackay Bowls Club, Scroungers were played with Kees Stuick def Steve Cassidy  in the final. Good close bowls were played throughout the arvo.

Tuesday Social Play was cancelled due to rain.

Friday Social Play Winners

Janice Nelson, Val Edwards, Col Stevens

Runners Up

Leanne Jenner Barry Jenner, Robyn Schatkowski

Sunday Barefoot Social Bowls

Arthur Nayler, Col Marks, def Janice Nelson, Squiggles

Competition Results

E Wynd, A Shepherd, D Wootton, B Bridger def G Collum R Mroz, R Blanchard, P Taaffe 23/8

Players are reminded that the West Tiger Challenge is on Saturday March 11 starting at 1:00pm.

Nominations form is on the notice board in the clubhouse.

This weekend Club Championships Continue with games being played from Friday afternoon with the Ladies Championships Fours.

Saturday: Ladies Championships Triples, Men’s Open Fours, Men’s Open Pairs.

Sunday: Men’s Open Pairs, Men’s Open Singles.

Players are reminded to support Monthly Raffle

NRL Footy Tipping begins this weekend.

Contributed by Mike Irving

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Tuesday night fixture results February 21, 2023:

Division 1:

Donic (Andrew McHugh, Barry Patterson, Graham Drury) d Joola (Robbie Richards, Emma Widdup, Neil Brown) 7-4. Barry d Robbie -8, -4, 8, 5, 4.

Tibhar (Allan Edwards, Mick Ruhl, Vince Boeske) d Victas (Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting, Geoff Denman) 6-5. Vince d Steven 7, -7, -9, 9, 7.

Division 2:

Andro (Janice Kent, Mark Sleeman, Will VanDeKaa) d Stiga (Graham Brake, Steve Mathieson, Matthew West) 7-6. Will d Matthew -11, 9, 9, -7, 12.

Yasaka (Ian McKay, Duncan Treloar, Peter Goodson, Lily Boland) d Radak (Lee Brake, Andrea Nicholson, George Camilleri, Delma Knight) 10-4. Duncan d Lee -9, 6, 7, -5, 13.

Division 3:

Nittaku (Steve Crocker, Coral Morgan, Duncan Sheridan) d Butterfly (Val Austin, Trent Day, Virginia Clayton) 8-3. Steve d Virginia 7, -8, 8, -13, 11.

Gewo (Victor Zhou, Tiffany Camilleri) d Xiom (Leo Gilbert, Ollie Hamelink, Donna Abbott) 6-5. Tiffany d Ollie 6, -6, 1, -9, 9.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures February 21, 2023:

Division 1:

Cockatoos (Andrea Nicholson, Steve Mathieson, Peter Goodson, Don Boettcher) d Magpies (George Camilleri, Delma Knight, Charles Hamlett) 8-6. Delma d Andrea -10, 2, 4, -5, 8.

Pelicans (Charlie Payne, Branko Vucurovic, John McGee, Veronica Shepherd) d Doves (Michael Ibbotson, Pam Joyce, Kevin Abbott, Coral Morgan) 8-6. Coral d John -5, -10, 6, 5, 8.

Division 2:

Ibis (Iris Grasso, Louise Gould, Fred Saliba) drew Parrots (Bryan Marshall, Judi Hicks) 6-all. Judi d Fred -7, 8, 7, -13, 4.

Owls (Kim Challender, Robyn Bushell, Helen Ware) d Kookaburras (John Hamelink, Ken Best, Kim Daffy) 9-3. Helen d John 8, -11, -7, 1, 5.

Division 3:

Pigeons (Ian Dodds, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) d Storks (Madge Saunders, Allison Day) 7-5. Allison d Bill 9, 9, -5, -4, 3.

Eagles (Sharon Muller, Frank Caruana, Glenda Dutton) d Hawks (Pam Keune, Gloria Vella, Trish Zamparuti) 8-4. Sharon/Frank d Pam/Gloria 6, -8, -7, 9, 5.

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Former Tuesday morning table tennis player Margaret Ross, centre, caught up with old friends Iris Grasso and Pam Joyce when she visited the Mackay Table Tennis Centre with husband Geoff on Tuesday morning. Margaret and Geoff now live on the Gold Coast. Photo: Charlie Payne

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Madison Malagueno, Pioneer Dolphin, has come leaps and bounds and grown to be a strong and confident swimmer under the mentoring of Coach Igor.  

Her year has started off with a bang, having competed in three State level events in February and another to come at the end of March, swimming in not only pool but open water competitions.  

Madison represented Capricornia School Sport at the Queensland State Aquathlon in Hervey Bay on February 4.

The Aquathlon event for 11–12-year-old age group saw children from across the state tackle a 1km run, 200m swim, 1km run.

Madison placed 3rd in the 11-year-old age group and 20th in the age bracket.

The following weekend, Madison travelled to the Brisbane Aquatic Centre for the Queensland Sprint Championships on February 11-12.

Madison did the club proud, medalling in the freestyle event – 3rd in the state for her age group.

She ranked highly in a field of over 200 swimmers for her other strokes also.

She then competed in the Youth State Championships for Surf Lifesaving Queensland in Mooloolaba from February 16-19.

Madison was selected to represent the North Barrier Branch (clubs from Forrest Beach to Sarina, her club being Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club) in both beach and water events.

Madison proudly sports two gold medals for her beach sprints in the mixed and all female relay teams.  

Madison has also been selected to represent Capricornia School Sport at the Swimming State Championships at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre to be held on March 26-28.

We are truly proud of you Madison and are equally excited for you and what your future holds.

Contributed by Pioneer Swim Club

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Madison Malagueno at the Queensland Sprint Championships

Madison also competed in the Youth State Championships for Surf Lifesaving Queensland in Mooloolaba. Photos supplied

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College netball stars Ainsley Carey, Rebecca Symons, Shaylah Pershouse and Tenille Cotter will fly the flag for Mackay at this year’s Queensland School Sport Netball State Championships in Brisbane.

The talented quartet impressed selectors with skilful performances at last week’s Capricornia representative trials at the Mackay Multi Sports Stadium to force their way into the respective 16-19yrs and 13-15yrs squads.

Outstanding wing attack Carey, shooter Symons, goalkeeper Pershouse and centre Cotter will be joined by Mackay State High School’s promising shooter Christa Nissen in powerful Capricornia representative line ups.

The State Netball Championship – to be held at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena from April 27 to 30 – is one of the highlight events on the Queensland School Sports calendar.

Carey, who will represent the Australian Indigenous team during this year’s Pacific Netball series, will spearhead the Capricornia 16-19yrs side alongside fellow Mackay natives Symons and Nissen.

All three produced dominant displays throughout the trials with Symons and Nissen confirming their status as two of the finest netball shooters in the region.

Emerging St Patrick’s centre Lillian Newland and goalkeeper Kaycee Ziegeler were named in the Possibles v Probables 16-19yrs squad but narrowly missed Capricornia selection.

Rising stars Pershouse and Cotter are two players to watch in the Capricornia 13-15yrs team.

The formidable duo are fierce competitors that thrive in pressure-cooker situations and show a maturity on court that far belies their years.

Unlucky omissions were Holy Spirit College duo Mia Slater, a dynamic wing attack and Alysse Atherton, a tyro goal defender/wing defence, who missed the cut despite figuring prominently in the Possibles v Probables selection trial.      

By Chris Karas

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Outstanding Mackay netballers Shayla Pershouse (holding ball) and Tenille Cotter (fourth left) will represent Capricornia at this year’s Queensland School Sport Netball 13-15yrs State Championships in Brisbane. Also pictured are Mackay Schools reps Ava Symons, Addison Dee, Lacie Clark, Mia Slater, Tahlia Anderson, Kiana Dunn, Alysse Atherton and Rhyanna Ape

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Have hockey stick and cricket bat will travel – that is the motto of Mackay’s 17 year old dual sports representative Haiden Mellifont (pictured).

When he is not cracking boundaries or unveiling his array of shots as a stylish top order batsman during the summer months, the gifted St Patrick’s College Year 12 student can be found plying his attacking skills on a hockey field.

All eyes will be on Haiden when he leads the Capricornia Boys 16-19 yrs representative cricket team into action at the Queensland Schoolboy Cricket Championships to be staged in Maroochydore from this Sunday March 5 to next Wednesday March 8.

The talented Mellifont is one of seven St Patrick’s College players named in a strong Capricornia squad that will line up against some of the finest schoolboy cricketers in the State.

Only six weeks ago versatile Hayden swapped his cricket bat for a hockey stick and gained selection in the Emerging Australian Under 18 Indoor Hockey squad after strong performances at the National titles staged at the Brisbane Sports Entertainment Centre.  

Mellifont scored three goals to help the Queensland Gold team finish a creditable fifth and caught the eye of national selectors with top displays at centre half and fullback.

The Emerging Under 18s will attend a training camp in Melbourne in preparation for an international series at home.

Earlier the gun midfielder led Mackay to victory at the State Indoor Hockey titles in Maryborough – inspiring team mates with his technical skills to earn himself yet another Maroons shirt.

Haiden first picked up a hockey stick at the age of eight while a student at Emmanuel Catholic Primary School at Mount Pleasant and has developed into a crack centre half since joining Norths Hockey Club as a fresh-faced 12 year old.

The lanky schoolboy was a key member of Norths’ premiership-winning second grade team in the Mackay Hockey Association in 2022 and is now fully entrenched in the club’s first grade line up.

Last year Haiden was named in the Queensland Hockey Under 19 Merit Team for a proposed ‘Test’ series against New Zealand and is on track for selection in the 2023 squad.

He will represent Mackay Schools in Rockhampton this week and hopes to lead Capricornia to back-to-back titles at the State Hockey Championships in Ipswich from May 18-21.

All-rounder Haiden is one of the young guns at Pioneer Valley Cricket Club and last summer was named Mackay Cricket Association’s Second Grade Player of the Year.

He started his cricket career with Brothers before linking with the Valley as a 13 year old and helping the club win four junior premierships.

The Mackay-Whitsundays representative has blossomed into a dashing top order batsman and handy seam bowler in the senior ranks and figured in the Valley’s triumphant second grade X1 that captured the 40 overs one day competition last summer.

By Chris Karas

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Haiden Mellifont is a representative player in both hockey and cricket

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The Mackay Cutters returned to BB Print Stadium on the weekend, facing up for their third and final preseason trial.

The gameday was originally touted as a double header, with the BMD Premiership Cutters scheduled to take on the Central Queensland Capras before the Hostplus Cup Cutters welcomed the Townsville Blackhawks.

The Central Queensland Capras, however, informed the club earlier in the week that they unfortunately had to withdraw from the trial match against the Cutters BMD Premiership squad.

The BMD squad hosted a Community Inclusive event with Mackay junior girls instead, giving girls an exclusive opportunity to train with our BMD Mackay Cutters before the Hostplus Cup game kicked off.

The Hostplus Cup Cutters later took to the field, starting the game with a bang and finishing the first half 16-4.

The second half was a scoreless affair for the Cutters, however, as the Blackhawks hit back hard, finishing the game with a 16-28 win.

The loss comes as the first from three preseason trials, with plenty of positives to take into round one next Saturday March 11 against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Manly.

Meanwhile, the Cutters junior squads all had success against the Northern Pride in Cairns with the Harvey Norman Under 19 Girls winning 26-6, the Mal Meninga Cup Cutters winning 24-4 and the Cyril Connel Cutters winning 20-4.

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Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography

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