The Tassal Group Airlie Beach Marathon Festival drew several members of the Mackay Road Runners to beautiful Airlie Beach last weekend with some very successful results.

Champion veteran 5km runner Ricky Parker continued his winning ways following the BMA Mackay Marina Run last month, taking out his age category in the 5km Airlie Beach Fun Run.

Paul Mackenzie claimed bronze in a very quick time of 3 hours 15 minutes whilst Tahnie Malagueno scored herself a bronze medal in the half marathon in 1 hour 40 minutes.  

Also putting in the training kilometres, Brenda Windsor and Mick Vivian ran exceptionally well in the marathon event.

Alana Knesevic clocked 46 minutes 40 seconds to take second in the Cruise Whitsundays 10km Fun Run with Ollie Gorrion and Susan Petersen also successfully crossing the finish line in commendable times.

Excellent performances also came from half marathon runners Megan Moa, Teresa Hackney, Martin Lambert, Emily Dalglish, Jose Short, Lisa Burns, Shelley Binney, Vicki Ford, Carol Dawes, Julie Whibley, Tim Magoffin, June Bradley and Bernadine McKinnon.

Meanwhile, back home, many local runners donned their new Mackay Road Runners Club caps for the Bluewater Quay 5km & 10km.

The conditions were cool but tough with Carolyn Mapes, Gary Thomas, Carmel Mahon, Carol Brown and Andrew Wallace all running exceptional times.

Road Runners will take part in the Beach To Gardens Charity Fun Run this weekend.

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Local basketball star Monique Bobongie shone as she took to the court representing Australia at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Europe.

The team faced an early disappointment, going down to Slovenia in overtime. The tense game was locked at 74-74 when Slovenia received a foul with only 10 seconds left. Their shooter couldn’t land the two attempts from the free-throw line, forcing the game into extra time. Slovenia capitalized on their error by clinching the game 87-81.

The 15-year-old was a stand-out performer at the tournament, helping her team overcome Belgium 63-46 to advance to the quarter finals.

The U17 Sapphires claimed fifth with a dazzling display against the host nation, Hungary, winning convincingly 72-52 in their final game.

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Monique Bobongie played for the U17 Sapphires at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Hungary last week. Photo credit: FIBA

Monday winners were Pat Elgey and Tony Willesy. Losers draw winners, Narelle Schmidtke and Laura Howland. Lucky draws, Barry Lee and Rob Milburn.

Wednesday ladies’ winners were Marie Bragg and Margaret Goldston, followed by Brenda Trannore, Doris Dodds and Jean Schmidtke.

Thursday mixed pairs was taken out by Col Carey and Shane Trannore. Runners up were Paul Goldston and Jan Little. Greens vouchers went to John Fanning and Brian Perrin.

Friday mixed pairs best card winners were Mick Mackenzie and Col Carey, who won $75 each. The winners draw went to Tony Allsop and Val De Pinto with $50 each. Loser’s draw went to Helen and Paul Goldston who took home $25 each.

Saturday men’s day winners were Asko Helenius and Paul Delaney followed by David Ross, Wayne and Vern Mietzel.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

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Errol Simmons is a regular Monday bowler

David Ross (foreground) had a win on Saturday

The Cutters hosted the Ipswich Jets at BB Print Stadium on Saturday night in a battle that pitted 10th on the Hosplus Cup ladder against 13th.

Both teams felt their way through the start of the first half with the Cutters the first to strike with Brendan Finnegan setting up Jake Riley in the 14th minute.

It was Finnegan’s handiwork that got the Cutters across the line again, pushing himself over off the back of a centre-field scrum giving the home side a 12-0 lead in the 20th minute.

The Jets hit back a few minutes later with Denzel Burns diving on a Gerome Burns grubber.

With the Cutters leading 12-6 at halftime, the Jets started their second half in the best way possible thanks to Ricco Falaniko crossing in the 41st minute.

The Jets went on to score three more tries in the second half to the Cutters’ one, with Denzel Burns and Ricco Falaniko both finishing the game with doubles and Ngangarra Barker scoring the match winner in the 64th minute.

Ewan Coutts crossed for the home side in the 53rd minute and Brandon Finnegan slotted 3/3 conversions but it wasn’t enough, the Cutters going down 18-24 in a tight contest.

Sarina will host its second-ever Queensland Cup game when the Cutters take on the Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Ray Edwards Oval on Saturday.

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The Cutters went down in a closely fought contest at BB Print Stadium last weekend. Photos supplied: Mackay Cutters

A chance meeting with rugby league Test great Steve Rogers nearly three decades ago proved a pivotal moment in the sporting career of Mercy College Mackay staff member Matthew Paul.

A proud Paul – who was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team after 20 years of sterling service as a player and official to secondary schools competition – has vivid memories of his first encounter with the late champion Kangaroos and Cronulla Sharks superstar centre.

The iconic Rogers was manager of the fledgling Western Reds franchise in the Australian Rugby League competition and along with experienced official Peter Parr travelled to Mackay to attend the 1996 Confraternity Shield Rugby League Carnival.

Paul, an industrious forward with a high work rate and natural ball skills, was part of a strong St Patrick’s College Mackay team that finished third at the prestigious Queensland secondary schools tournament.

Rogers was most impressed with the strapping young forward’s ability throughout the series and offered him a Reds contract on the spot.

“I agreed to terms with the newly-formed Perth club but had to pinch myself to believe it was true,” confessed Matthew, who went on to play U/19s with the Reds when the 1997 Super League competition was formed.

“When I arrived home my dad asked how we went and I told him that a couple of Reds officials were very keen to sign me,” he recalled.

“Dad asked who I had spoken to and when I told him it was Steve Rogers the manager of the Western Reds he nearly fainted.”

Two of Matthew’s St Patrick’s College teammates that year were boom centre Shannon Hegarty, who would go on and make 173 top grade appearances with the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and North Queensland clubs as well as four Test matches for the Kangaroos and three Origin fixtures for Queensland and future Brisbane Broncos hooker Michael Roberts.

“We lost only one match during that Confraternity Carnival to St Mary’s Toowoomba in an absorbing semifinal which could have gone either way,” recalled Matthew.

St Mary’s fielded a shooting star in Australian Schoolboys centre Chris Walker, who was later named Player of the Carnival.

Walker – who chalked up 163 first grade matches and six Origin games for Queensland during an illustrious NRL career – was named along with Paul and Hegarty in a Confraternity representative team for a tour of Papua New-Guinea.

“That tour never eventuated but we did play matches against the Brisbane Broncos Development squad,” reflected Matthew.

When Super League disbanded after the 1997 season, back rower Paul was snapped up by the Melbourne Storm for the 1998-99 NRL campaigns.

He was a mainstay for feeder club Norths Devils and figured in Colts and Queensland Cup premiership triumphs as well as the North Queensland Marlins before a spate of chronic injuries cut short his career at the age of 21.

A shattered Paul then turned his hand to coaching with the Souths Sharks in the Mackay & District Rugby League competition – winning three Under 17 and Under 19 premierships before taking on roles with the Mackay Cutters Under 16s and St Patrick’s College as a coach, manager, trainer and administrator.

With more than two decades of distinguished service to Queensland rugby league under his belt, pundits can appreciate the Mercy College teacher that once captured the attention of the legendary Steve Rogers.

By Chris Karas

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Matthew Paul was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team. Photo supplied

Mackay will host the opening rounds of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League for the first time with last week’s announcement of the WBBL fixture list for the 2022-23 season.

Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park will host six matches from Thursday 13 October, with the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers meeting that night in the opening game of the season.

The Heat will play three games in Mackay, against the Sixers and the Melbourne Stars and Renegades, between opening night and Tuesday 18 October.

The other WBBL team to feature in Mackay will be the Adelaide Strikers.

Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said the club was delighted that Mackay had been chosen to showcase the opening rounds of the tournament.

“This will be the fifth season in a row we have played matches in Mackay, and it follows that the response we have had every time we come to the region is always one of the highlights of the summer,’’ he said.

“The festival weekends last year were great spectacles and the fans thoroughly enjoyed seeing the world’s best players showcase their skills in person at Great Barrier Reef Arena.”

“We are delighted to continue to work alongside the Mackay Regional Council, Harrup Park Country Club and Mackay Cricket Association to bring the WBBL to the region and are excited to be back once again.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay was the perfect location to launch the WBBL 2022-23 season.

“The weather in Mackay in October is fantastic for cricket and we’re looking forward to welcoming some of Australia’s best female cricket stars back to our region for these matches,” he said.

“The WBBL games always draw a huge crowd to Harrup Park and we’re excited to showcase our first-class facilities once again as we cheer on the Brisbane Heat.”

The Finals series will take place following the conclusion of the regular season on November 20, with dates and details of each match to be confirmed.

Tickets to all WBBL Heat matches will be available via pre-sale on August 16 and available to the public from August 18 through Ticketek.com.au.
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Mackay Matches – WBBL|08

Thursday October 13, 2022

Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers – 6:40pm (season opener)
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Saturday October 15, 2022

Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers (2.40pm)

Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars (6.05pm)

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Sunday October 16, 2022

Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers (9.15am)

Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars (12.40pm)

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Tuesday October 18, 2022

Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades (2.30pm)

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To capture a state title in your chosen sport is a fine feat – but to claim back-to-back trophies is a tremendous accomplishment to be proud of.

Celebrating that big achievement is Mercy College Mackay student Harper Shields who recently earned his spurs with the Queensland Under 12 representative touch football team.

The versatile Year 7 athlete will realise a childhood dream when he represents his beloved Maroons at the National Schoolboys Touch Football Championships to be staged in the NSW town of Wagga Wagga during November.

Whiz kid Harper - the 2021 Mackay SportsPerson of the Year - gained selection after classy displays at the recent Queensland Schoolboys Touch Football Carnival held in Brisbane where he captained Capricornia to a deserved championship title.

The elusive middle player demonstrated his leadership skills, attacking prowess and vision on the field to help the well drilled Capricornia side post ten wins from 11 matches in the preliminary rounds before toppling Metropolitan East 7-5 in the Grand Final at the Whites Hill venue.

Capricornia trounced Metropolitan North (10-0); Metropolitan West (4-1); North West (13-0); Northern (8-3); Metropolitan East (5-2); Peninsula (8-0); South Coast (4-2); South West (11-0); Sunshine Coast (9-1) and Wide Bay (5-1) to earn the number one ranking with 28 points.

Darling Downs edged out Capricornia 5-4 in a pool match to inflict the only defeat for the 2022 Boys championship winners.

Talented Harper impressed keen judges with his ability to perform in pressure situations and was one of five Capricornia touch footballers to gain selection in the Maroons’ Under 12 State representative squad.

It capped another memorable milestone for the Mackay schoolboy sensation who was also a key figure in Capricornia’s triumphant 2021 State Championship-winning team as a rookie 11-year-old.

The middle maestro gained plenty of confidence as he upstaged more senior opponents with mature performances during last season’s trophy success – an experience that kept him in good stead when he was handed the captaincy reins for the 2022 campaign.

Donning the famous Maroons colours will be a proud moment for young Harper, who’ll be joined by the promising Rockhampton quartet of Charlie Spyve (middle); Sam Spyve (link); Kobe Miller (middle) and Archie Cugola (winger) when the Queensland team travels to Wagga Wagga for the National titles later this year.

A genuine will ‘o the wisp on the field with tricky footwork, the slick and crafty Shields has certainly come a long way since taking up the sport as a fresh faced eight-year-old while attending St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Mackay.

Harper proved to be a natural in the local schools’ competition and joined the Magpies’ sporting group at age 9 before linking with Mirani Touch Football Club where he has tasted Grand Final success in the Mackay Touch Football Association junior divisions.

The dashing colt was fast-tracked into the representative arena and forced his way into the Capricornia Under 12s squad with smart performances for Southern Suburbs in the selection trials.

A naturally gifted athlete, Harper is also an outstanding all-round cricketer with the Mackay Brothers club and Mackay-Whitsundays representative team and an exciting fullback prospect with the Wanderers club in the Mackay Junior Rugby League competition.

Since joining the Wanderers as a skinny six-year-old, the capable Shields has ignited his age group with dynamic running and try-scoring feats to earn yet another representative jumper.

Harper was at his elusive best for the Capricornia Under 12s rugby league team that performed with distinction at the recent Queensland Junior State titles on the Sunshine Coast.

In recognition of his super deeds on the touch football, rugby league and cricket fields, young Harper was the recipient of the Stuart Jackson Trophy for Mackay’s Sports Person of the Year.

By Chris Karas

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A proud Harper Shields (kneeling with trophy) with the triumphant Capricornia team that recently clinched a second consecutive Queensland U/12 Boys Touch Football championship title in Brisbane. Photos supplied

Mercy College Mackay touch football whiz Harper Shields with the Queensland U/12 Boys Touch Football Championship trophy. Harper spearheaded Capricornia to back-to-back State titles and was one of five players selected in the Queensland U/12s rep team for the 2022 National Titles in Wagga during November

Precision, power and performance were on display when the Women’s Northern Challenge took over the Mackay City Bowls Club last week.

The tournament saw three action-packed days of women’s lawn bowls between four highly competitive teams from three North Queensland Districts.

Two Tropical Far North Queensland teams, one team from North Queensland and the home team from the Mackay District battled it out in the Round Robin competition made up of nine rounds and 27 games.

Approximately 70 players, officials and managers were involved in the tournament and a healthy contingent of spectators came down to check out the action each day.

“We’ve got the cream of the crop of bowlers here,” said Mackay Ladies District Bowls Association Match Chair & Media Liaison Hilary Jones Rowan

North Queensland finished the three days on top, winning the tournament with a total of six wins and a +191 margin.

Tropical Far North Queensland Reef were the runners-up with five wins, a draw and a margin of +24.

The home team came in third place with two wins, a draw and a margin of -103.

Tropical Far North Queensland Rainforest finished in fourth place with two wins and -112.

North Queensland will now hold the Women’s Northern Challenge Trophy for the next twelve months until next year’s tournament is hosted by Tropical North Queensland.

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Winners Lesley Watson Trophy Wendy Jones, Elsa Piotto, Penny Warren and Kate Leverton of North Queensland. Photo supplied: Hilary Jones Rowan

North Queensland: Photo supplied: Hilary Jones Rowan

Approximately 70 players, officials and managers from four teams were involved in the tournament: Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

The Eastern Swans women’s team held their first pride round against Bakers Creek Tigers at Etwell Park Oval in Bakers Creek on Saturday.

Both teams unveiled their clubs’ first pride guernseys at training the week before after successfully applying for the Toyota Gear Grants.  

The Eastern Swans AFLW 2022 kit was designed by player Sarah Keenan with added input from the queer community.

The kit maintains the Swans’ traditional design with the added representation of the iconic rainbow pride colours, celebrating diversity and inclusion in local AFLW.

“As a team, we’ve always known visibility is part of why Pride Round is so important, but to have our Swans footy supporters, younger members and wider community ask me about the design and meaning really rams it home the power of this round and these jumpers,” said Ms Keenan.

“It’s a massive honour to continue to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community,” added Eastern Swans President Peter Kiegerl.

The Tigers’ jersey was designed by Jeanne Ronald with input from the team, with jagged rainbow pride colours splashed across the front.

“Our 2022 pride guernsey is about more than Pride Round,” said Ms Ronald.

“This guernsey isn’t just for our team; it’s for our volunteers, our club, our history, our members and the Mackay community.”

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Mackay AFLW clubs Eastern Swans and Bakers Creek Tigers unveiled their first Pride Round guernseys at training last week. Swans (white/red uniform)  - Top left Sarah Keenan, bottom left - Alice Hill. Bakers Creek - top right Zali Ronald, bottom right - Indie Brough.
Photo credit: Mackay Seen

The U14 Mackay Meteorettes finished second at the Basketball Queensland U14 Girls State Championships in Cairns earlier this month.

The Meteorettes had an undefeated run leading into the grand final before going down to Brisbane Club Southern Districts Spartans.

U14 Head Coach Ross Jensen said the team prepared well for the tournament.

“We just led into it and continued on what we’d been doing for the last 6-8 months, just refining it and getting everyone on the same page and then just lots of shooting,” he said.

“They’re a good bunch of kids, everyone got on, everyone played their roles, we were always confident of doing well.”

The Meteorettes showed pure dominance in their pool games, defeating teams from Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast before taking on rivals the Townsville Flames for a spot in the grand final, winning the semi 83-42.

“We sort of got better each game as the tournament went on which is always good,” said Mr Jensen.

The dominant run came to an end in the grand final, going down to the Spartans 45-70.

“They tried their best,” said Mr Jensen.

“They probably got caught up in the situation a little bit with the noise and the whole atmosphere but that’s a learning curve for them.”

The one-two punch consisting of Isabel Smith and Maggie Thorburn delivered consistent stand-out performances throughout the tournament and Mr Jensen says everyone in the team did their jobs well.

“They’re a great bunch of kids,” said Mr Jensen.

“They came together and everyone played a role at certain times and that’s what got us through to the final.”

The Meteorettes now qualify for the Basketball Australia U14 Club National Championships being held in Sydney this September.

Mr Jensen says the team will take a short break before preparations start.

“The girls are excited, it’s a great experience for the girls,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to take another group to Nationals a couple of years ago so it’s exciting to go and share the experience with this group as well.”

The U14 Mackay Meteorettes finished 2nd at the Basketball Queensland U14 Girls State Championships in Cairns earlier in the month. Photo: supplied

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Twenty-nine Mackay Contract Bridge players attended the 2022 Bowen Swiss Pairs last weekend, six of whom have only been playing one or two years. Veterans Monica Darley and Geoff Taylor came runner-up in the Open Section, followed closely by Max and Diane Holewa and Alan and Frances Brown.

Maria Setiyawan and Janelle Conroy were runner-up in the B Section.

Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch were winners in Section D.

Many new attending players gained lots of experience. Max and Diane Holewa were winners in the  Bowen Special Walk-in East/West.

Mackay Club Results

Monday 4 July – 5 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Monica Darley / Nancy Martin 1st David Ting / Eric Goodchild

2nd Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia 2nd Diane Stokes / Eric Kliese

Tuesday 5 July – 3 Table One Winner  

1st Janelle Conroy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

3rd Griffin Bancroft / Faye Wright

Wednesday 6 July – Founders Teams 1 of 3 10 Table Mitchell            Thursday Night 7 July – 3 Table One Winner

1st Terrence Sheedy Team 1st Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

2nd Debra Goodchild Team 2nd Terrence Sheedy / Griffin Bancroft

3rd Maria Setiyawan Team 3rd Noel Bugeia / Janelle Conroy

4th Monica Darley Team

Friday 8 July – 7 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Janelle Conroy / Pamela Finger 1st Susan Wright / Geoffrey Patterson

2nd Maria Setiyawan / Christine Nice 2nd Eric Goodchild / Richard Wix

3rd Julie O’Neill / Ann Whitmore 3rd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

Saturday 9 July – 5 Table One Winner

1st Faye Wright / Christine Nice

2nd Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

3rd Janice Scott / Marie McGuire

4th Richard Wix / Geoffrey Patterson

Newbies Geoff Cowan and Sandy Patterson

Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch

Geoff Taylor and Monica Darley

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Mackay motorsport rising star Declan Fraser claimed his first ever Super2 win in Townsville last weekend.

Fraser led from pole to victory in a shortened race at Reid Park, winning the 18-lap thriller to claim a series points lead.

The race started in a dramatic fashion with Saturday winner Tyler Everingham clashing with Matt Payne.

“It was pretty crazy, I got probably one of the worst starts in history but everyone else got a worse one around me, so it made mine look really good,” Fraser laughed.

“We got off the line relatively okay eventually and then it ended up being chaos behind me.

“All I saw in my rear-view mirror was a cloud of dust and I ended up keeping my head down and just kept driving and we ended up getting in front before the safety car came out.”

Being the closest race to Mackay, Fraser claims it as his home race and couldn’t have picked a better race to claim his first win.

“I’ve been trying to get this win for a long time and to do it at my home race, it’s a very cool feeling,” he said.

“I knew a lot of people on the grandstands, especially the last two turns, and after I had the win I was cruising around and could see everyone from Mackay that was there.

“It was a very special moment for me … I had a lot of people come down to my pits and say g’day that were from Mackay so that was very special to me.”

Fraser’s focus now turns to the next round of Super2 in Sandown, Victoria in August before taking on Mount Panorama alongside Craig Lowndes in October.

Mackay’s Declan Fraser has claimed his first Super2 win after a dramatic race in Townsville. Photos supplied

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When Mackay netball legend Kelly Beckingham travelled to Bundaberg as a fresh faced 16-year-old back in 2000 for the inaugural Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival, little did she realise the influence she would have on the new wave of St Patrick’s College netballers.

The goal shooting whiz underlined her potential during the first-ever QISSN event, producing skillful performances against more seasoned rivals to help guide St Patrick’s to the top division finals series.

Fast forward 12 months and a mature Kelly was representing her school and region at the second annual QISSN Carnival in Rockhampton – inspiring St Patrick’s to a top five ranking in Division One and being named the official Player of the Carnival.

In the ensuing years she carved out an illustrious career as a goal attack in the State League and representative scene and proved a role model to all aspiring netballers in the Mackay Netball Association.

Beckingham rekindled her love of netball when Mercy College and St Patrick’s College recently co-hosted the 2022 QISSN tournament staged in Mackay.

She was a keen spectator at the prestigious five-day event that attracted the best schoolgirl and schoolboy netballers from across Queensland and watched her former schools taste success in their various categories.

Both St Patrick’s and Mercy College were a force to be reckoned with throughout the Carnival with Kelly most impressed by the depth of netball talent bubbling through the local ranks.

“I was so proud of the girls who stood up to be counted against some very strong combinations,” quipped Kelly, who still plays the game at a social level with the DAS club in the Mackay Netball Association.

“The Netball Excellence program at both schools continues to unearth plenty of talent which is a testament of the first class coaching by the likes of Tracey McLeod, Nadine Becker, Dianna Bailey and Christine Newland,” she said.

Just like their pioneering QISSN colleagues of 2000 and 2001, the St Patrick’s Netball Class of 2022 also claimed a top five finish in one of the strongest fields ever assembled.

Despite being drawn against the top two Gold Coast schools in eventual winners Canterbury College and runners up Somerset College and third placed Matthew Flinders Anglican College Sunshine Coast in the virtual “Pool of Death”, the St Patrick’s girls battled like trojans to qualify for the finals.

“Their competitive spirit, silky teamwork and never-say-die attitude was evident from the outset of the tournament and helped the girls achieve their pre-Carnival goal of reaching the last eight,” Kelly revealed.

“It certainly revived memories for myself as they rallied to defeat St Columban's College Caboolture on the final day to clinch fifth spot,” she said.

“When the young Mercy girls came out and won their Grand Final it capped a magic five days for the Mackay community” Kelly added.

By Chris Karas

The first QISSN carnival team uniform for St Patrick’s netball

St Patrick’s College Mackay Netball Class of 2000 that competed in the inaugural Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) Carnival in Bundaberg. Pictured standing L-R: Kylie Isbister (coach), Edie Weiss (manager), Jayde Archer, Kelly Park, Janine Bella (captain), Jocelyn Boyd (vice-captain), Bernadette Guthrie (umpire); front Antoniette Ricciardi, April Eva, Jody Smith, Zoe Perry, Amanda Donaldson, Danielle Sells.

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They didn’t come away with the top prize but St Patrick’s College Mackay rugby league mainstays Xavier Kerrisk, Henry Thorpe, Kai Simon and Jaxon Purdue were officially recognised for their sterling efforts at the recent CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League Shield Carnival.

Having tasted defeat at the hands of Townsville’s mighty Ignatius Park College in the trophy decider, the talented quartet gained solace by earning selection in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team.

It was a deserved honour for the emerging St Patrick’s colts after standout performances for the proud Mackay school throughout the five-day event.

Michael Comerford’s courageous warriors may have stumbled at the final hurdle but the tremendous efforts of boom hooker Kerrisk, lock forward Thorpe, goalkicking centre Simon and clever half Purdue and their high achieving teammates will forever be etched in the memories of local sporting pundits.

All four played key roles in St Patrick’s charge to the Grand Final – proving instrumental in victories over St Peter Claver College Ipswich (34-10); Rockhampton Grammar (20-6); Iona College Wynnum (10-6); St Augustine’s College Cairns (28-0) in a quarter final and The Cathedral College Rockhampton (16-6) in a semifinal before locking horns with the powerful Ignatius Park side.

Mercy College Head of HPE Matthew Paul was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Merit Team in recognition of his 20 years of distinguished service to Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League.

It was a fine achievement by the tireless Paul, who is highly regarded in the Mackay sporting community.

He is a Brothers junior product and former back rower who represented St Patrick’s College in the Confraternity Shield in 1995-96 before linking with the Western Reds Colts and Norths Devils clubs in the ARL and Brisbane Rugby League competitions.

Since returning to Mackay, Paul has given St Patrick’s and Mercy College yeoman service as a coach, manager, trainer and administrator.  

Rising hooker Kerrisk, dynamic centre Simon and playmaker Purdue are contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys while inspirational skipper Henry Thorpe is on an NRL scholarship scheme with the Canberra Raiders.

After an arduous QISSRL Confraternity Shield campaign, the St Patrick’s rugby league team will now pour its energies into the Aaron Payne Cup schoolboys competition.

By Chris Karas

St Patrick's College Mackay rugby league stars Henry Thorpe, Jaxon Purdue, Kai Simon and Xavier Kerrisk were named in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit team

Mercy College Mackay Head of HPE Matthew Paul (standing far right) was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team. Also pictured are St Patrick's College centre Kai Simon, hooker Xavier Kerrisk, half back Jaxon Purdue and lock forward Henry Thorpe

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In the words of local fitness legend Kay Nyenuh “It didn’t tickle.”

Fresh from running the Gold Coast Marathon the week prior, Kay laced up his shoes along with around 40 other runners to tackle one of the most challenging running and cycling events on the local calendar, the Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain.

The chilly morning saw around 70 competitors rugged up in winter woolies, but once the meandering pace started up the Eungella Range, the layers were quickly discarded. It’s only a distance of 6.4km, but the constant gradient is what makes this challenge iconic.

The cyclists were the first to depart with a 1-minute lead over the runners, but this doesn’t mean all cyclists finished in front of the runners! That’s what makes this race great, some runners can cover the 6.4km faster than some cyclists.

Ethan Weiss was the first cyclist to cross the line in a time of 22.26.27 minutes, only fractions of a second ahead of Brendon Brauer in second place, 22.27.10. Rebecca Baird was the first woman cyclist across the line, in 16th place overall, in a time of 35.42 minutes.

Runners Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith conquered the mountain once again with Cristian taking the crown for the second year in a row and Demi’s superb performance just eleven seconds outside the female race record of 34.55 minutes set in 1991. Second placed runner Tahnie Malagueno was very pleased with her efforts crossing the line ahead of Glynis Forse and Heli Talinurm. Paul Mackenzie continued his regular podium form by scorching up the summit for second ahead of junior runner, Luke Leven in third and fourth placed Justin Rule.

Lily Leven and Damien Rutland took out the Laura Pettifer/Podiatry Mackay Junior 3.2km King of the Mountain whilst Millie Bishop took home silver. Oliver Rule also took home silver with his younger brother Toby collecting bronze.

Marathon runners Brenda Windsor and Kay Nyenuh both received praise for backing up only a week after completing the Gold Coast Marathon.

Torque Tyre & Trailer Spares Perpetual Trophy winners for the 2022 Eungella King of the Mountain male and female cyclists and runners (left to right) Ethan Weiss, Rebeca Baird, Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith

Mackay Road Runners Signature Event and Club Championship event, the M-Test Mackay Open female and male winners of the 2022 Eungella King of the Mountain, Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith

Laura Pettifer Memorial Trophy and Podiatry Mackay Junior 3.2km Eungella King of the Mountain won by (centre) Lily Leven and Damian Rutland with second placed Millie Bishop (left), third placed Toby Rule (right) and second placed Oliver Rule (far right)

Birthday Boy, Arthur Dick (seated) gets a very cool happy birthday at Netherdale’s minimum of 3 degrees at 7am at the start line by Paul Mackenzie, Tahnie Malagueno, Hamish Donnollan, Julie Bishop and Jo Hughes. Photos supplied: Mackay Road Runners

Runners and cyclists embarked on the Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain last weekend. Photo credit: Photos by Nell

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