Monday morning mixed pairs 2-4-2 winners were Darrin Laurens and Asko Helenius. Runners up were Phil French and Peter Hamelink. Lucky draw tickets went to Ian Rowan and Phil French.

Wednesday ladies’ day winners were Narell Schmidtke, Bev Woodward and A. Bailey. Runners up were the pairing of Jean Zamparutti and Gloria Sam. The cash jackpot for the month went to Cecelia and Jean.

Thursday mixed pairs 2-4-2 was won by the pairing of Mick Walsh and Peter Grant, followed by Ron Bowers and Graeme Hawke. Greens vouchers went to Doug Dungavell and Peter Miller. The raffle was won by “Lucky” Mick Walsh.

Friday mixed pairs three bowl went to Maryann Bartolo and Shirley Bartolo who won $75 each. Winners’ draw was won by the very popular team of Rob Evans and Peter Horsburgh. The losers’ draw was won by visitors L and B McDone.

Saturday men’s day pairs winners were Ray McCarthy and Doug Dungavell, followed by Wayne Mietzel and Rob Evans. The jackpot goes up next week.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

Ladies Victorious In Pennants

The 2022 pennant season concluded, with ladies’ teams from North Mackay picking up wins across all three divisions played this year.

North Mackay had strong representation with three teams in Division 1, two teams in Division 3 and two teams in Division 4. No Division 2 was played this year.

One of the Division 1 teams scored a perfect 8, congratulations to Sheryl Cuttriss, Michele Stockton, Lois Deguara, Nuggie Pratt. The Division 1 winning ladies’ team will compete in Brisbane later this year.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

Ryan Vigliante is a very colourful character who plays regularly on Mondays

John Chester-Master gives many hours umpiring matches

Division 1 winners

Division 3 winners

Division 4 winners

Winners of a perfect 8 score in one end, Sheryl Cuttriss, Michele Stockton, Lois Deguara, Nuggie Pratt

‍

It would seem that among the many prizes awarded at the recent BMA Mackay Marina Run, four talented juniors also took out special encouragement awards for their performance in the Isuzu Ute 3km junior event categories. Unfortunately, The Event was unable to present the awards to the significant four on race day, however, a special presentation was recently arranged at the Breakwater, Mackay Marina.

Owner and Director of Ricky Parker Painting, Ricky Parker was very excited to be on hand to present the awards to Sonny Morse (U12 winner and record breaker); Charlie Vella (U14 male winner); Katie Noonan (U12 female winner) and Kiara Johnson (U14 female winner).  

Ricky’s very generous donation of cash prizes to the talented youngsters will no doubt encourage and assist them in their future athletic endeavours.  Worthy congratulations must also go to the kids on their very humble and team orientated approach to sport in general with Sonny, Charlie, Katie and Kiara being such great role models for their schools and the community at large.

Sonny Morse U12 winner and record breaker

Charlie Vella U14 male winner

Katie Noonan U12 female winner

Kiara Johnson U14 female winner

‍

St Patrick’s College and Mercy College are the toast of Mackay after meritorious achievements at the CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League and QISSN Netball Carnivals last week.

Co-hosted by both schools for the first time in its proud 42-year history, the 2022 CONFRO sporting extravaganza proved a resounding success on and off the field and courts with more than 2600 athletes, officials and volunteers participating in one of the smoothest run events on record.

Sporting enthusiasts were treated to a feast of quality rugby league and netball during the five-day event with the host schools carving out their own slice of history.

In a tremendous feat, St Patrick’s College reached the Grand Final of both the Boys and Girls Confraternity Shield Rugby League competitions and finished fifth and third respectively in the QISSN Netball Division 1 Girls and Boys categories.

The celebrations continued when Diana Bailey’s talented Mercy College netballers lifted the Division 6 Trophy after a thrilling 16-15 victory over Marist College Emerald on the final day.

Proud rugby league nursery Ignatius Park College captured a seventh Confraternity Shield title when they overpowered a gallant St Patrick’s outfit 32-0 in the Boys decider.

Maestro half back Matthew Hunter, power forwards Jamal Shibasaki, Jamaine Stanley, hooker Jonah Raidaveta, fullback Elijah Joe, winger Tekelu Menu and five eighth Reece Foley led the way as Ignatius spoilt the Mackay team’s bid for a ninth trophy with jarring defence and sheer pace and skill.

Ignatius Park – who have produced Australian Kangaroo representatives Danny Moore, Scott Prince, Aidan Guerra, Valentine Holmes, Michael Morgan and Queensland Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and Coen Hess since established in 1969 – led 14-0 at the half time interval following tries by centre Jack Prior and lock Stanley and three Brodie Dinneen goals before adding three tries after the break.

St Patrick’s just couldn’t produce the slick form that netted them victories over St Peter Claver College Ipswich (34-10); Rockhampton Grammar (20-6) and Iona College Wynnum (10-6) in Pool fixtures before tipping out St Augustine's Cairns (28-0) in a quarter final and The Cathedral College Rockhampton (16-6) in a semifinal.

As a just reward four players – centre Kai Simon; five eighth Jaxon Purdue; hooker Xavier Kerrisk and inspirational lock and skipper Henry Thorpe – were named in the 2022 Confraternity Merit Team along with stalwart Matthew Paul, who was chosen as Honorary Coach after 20 years of distinguished service.

Officials also presented industrious forward Patrick Vella with the Spirit Award while rising hooker Kerrisk took out the Best & Fairest trophy.

Other players to shine were fullback Will Shears, winger Coby Arthur, centre Beau Jones, five eighth Harry Thorpe, props Levi Love and Matthew Watts, back rowers Liam Doherty and Bray Tait, Decy Jones and Hudson Galletly.

WOMEN CREATING HISTORY

St Patrick’s women players created history when they featured in the inaugural QISSRL Confraternity Shield Girls Grand Final.

Marymount College in Burleigh Waters claimed the title with a gritty 18-10 triumph over a determined Mackay team that fought tooth and nail in an absorbing contest.

Promising lock Lily Rose Kolc engineered the victory with a Player of the Match performance and was supported by hooker Hayley Sheather, centre Liberty Hoath, props Keely Harris and Piper Stockell and second rower Ellie Sommerville.

Both sides were locked 4-all at the interval following first half tries by Hoath and St Patrick’s dynamo hooker Paityne Johns before Sommerville and winger Sienna Jones nabbed two quick tries out wide as Marymount jumped to a 14-4 lead.

Strong running lock Gracie Watt kept St Patrick’s in the hunt with a determined try after 42 minutes that was converted by forward Lauren Jones.

St Patrick's College Mackay Open rugby league squad that finished runners up at the 2022 Confraternity Shield Rugby League Carnival

Industrious St Patrick's forward Patrick Vella in action with the ball during the Confraternity Shield Rugby League Grand Final against eventual winners Ignatius Park College with teammates Henry Thorpe and Xavier Kerrisk in support. Vella was the recipient of the St Patrick's Spirit Award

‍

With a rich heritage and emphasis on having a ‘bowling great time’, the Marian Bowls Club is a hot contender for the best in the bush.

Its rural location in the Pioneer Valley is no hindrance to fun and fierce competition, as recently played in last weekend’s 5-a-side competition with men and women in teams. This is the second consecutive year this event has run and has been generously supported by O’Brien Plumbing, Mackay.

The day was hailed another success, with eight teams competing in pairs and triples, with the pairs changing players for the second game.

The players enjoyed the format and hope to see it continue next year.

Credit was given to John and Doris Fry for organizing the event.

Winners on the day were Wally Kleidon, Wade Cranston, Michael Miller, Barry Jackson and Steve Ridolfi. Second place went to Rick O’Reilly, Kerry Ollett, Norm Waterhouse, Kay and Kevin McNamara.

Marian Ladies Bowls Club has two events in August, contact the club for details.

Organiser Doris Fry with first place winners: Wally Kleidon, Wade Cranston, Michael Miller, Barry Jackson and Steve Ridolfi (absent). Photos supplied

Organiser Doris Fry with second place: Rick O’Reilly, Kerry Ollett, Norm Waterhouse, Kay and Kevin McNamara

Organiser Doris Fry (right) with third place: Joe Oliver and Rob Evans, (absent - Emanuel Vassalo, Brian Pietzner, John O'Loughlin)

‍

‍

What do you get when you mix a cluster of male schoolboy athletes with strong links to basketball, AFL and boxing?

Answer: a highly competitive boys netball team that has captured the imagination of the Mackay sporting public.

The eleven boy netballers hail from the famous St Patrick’s College sporting nursery and created history last week when they competed in the inaugural Boys competition at the 2022 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball tournament in Mackay.

Leading into QISSN, the team finished runners up to Emerald State High School at the Vicki Wilson Cup tournament staged in Yeppoon where they registered three wins from four matches played.

The versatile St Patrick’s outfit defeated Toolooa State High, Biloela State High and Tannum Sands High Schools before succumbing to overall Cup winners Emerald State High in the round robin series.

But despite the loss there was a silver lining for the Mackay based athletes.

St Patrick’s boys netball team

‍

‍

Boom hooker Xavier Kerrisk (pictured) stole the show as hosts St Patricks College opened their 2022 CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League Shield campaign with emphatic 34-10 and 20-6 victories over St Peter Claver College Ipswich and Rockhampton Grammar at the Mackay Junior League grounds on Monday.

The livewire 17-year-old rake demonstrated his skill and turn of speed in a best on ground performance against St Peter Claver to help St Patrick’s kick off the coveted Carnival in style.

From the moment he burrowed over for St Patrick’s opening try after nine minutes, the North Queensland Cowboys scholarship holder was in a class of his own – creating havoc with his darting runs from dummy half and clever passing in a dominant first-up team effort.

There was no stopping the Mackay colts who had too many big guns for their Ipswich rivals – establishing a 24-0 lead at the half time interval.

Three quick tries by St Patrick’s before the break left the St Peter Claver side in tatters.

Emerging lock and skipper Henry Thorpe set up St Patrick’s second try after bursting through defenders on halfway and turning a crisp pass inside to rampaging prop Levi Love who galloped over to score.

From the ensuing short kick-off, powerful centre Kai Simon latched onto the ball and strode 55 metres untouched for an easy try that he converted.

When St Patrick’s winger Coby Arthur scored the first of his two tries moments later the damage was done.

Rising centre Simon was rested after his first half contribution of 12 points from a try and four goals along with several key forwards as coach Michael Comerford gave his interchange roster valuable playing time.

The Ipswich team staged a mini revival after the break with snappy tries by wingers Mackenzie Graham and Seth Holland before St Patrick’s rallied with four pointers by forward Patrick Vella and the elusive Arthur.

Other St Patrick’s players to impress were lock Henry Thorpe, crafty half back Jaxon Purdue, fullback Will Shears and the strong running Matthew Watts, Liam Doherty, Bray Tait, Ethan Van Kerkwyk, Hudson Galletly, Love and Vella.

St Peter Claver were best served by half back Lachlan Stuart, back rower Joshua Organ, centre Ryan Shepherd and prop TJ Toeleiu.

ST PATRICK’S MACKAY 34

(Coby Arthur 2, Xavier Kerrisk, Levi Love, Kai Simon, Patrick Vella tries; Kai Simon 4, Beau Jones gls) d

ST PETER CLAVER IPSWICH 10

(Mackenzie Graham, Seth Holland tries; Lachlan Stuart gl).

Meanwhile another first half blitz enabled St Patrick’s to slam Rockhampton Grammar 20-6 in a second-round fixture at BB Print Stadium.

Powerful running forward Liam Doherty, centre Kai Simon, playmaker Jaxon Purdue and winger Bailey Anderson crossed for tries and Simon booted two conversions as St Patrick’s jumped to an unassailable 20-0 lead.

It was another solid all-round performance from Michael Comerford’s charges on a fruitful opening day of the prestigious rugby league tournament.

ST PATRICK’S MACKAY 20

(Liam Doherty, Kai Simon, Jaxon Purdue, Bailey Anderson tries; Kai Simon 2 gls) d

ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR 6

(Dominic Kallquist try; Luke Callanan gl).

By Chris Karas

Xavier Kerrisk was awarded player of the match in St Patrick’s opening clash with Ipswich in the 2022 CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League Shield

Highlights from St Patrick’s games on the opening day of CONFRO

‍

Mackay’s Cooper Whitestyles took the Lawn Bowls Australian Open by storm last week, winning the multi-disability pairs final alongside para-Jackaroo Damien Delgado.

The pair hoisted the trophy on the Gold Coast last Thursday courtesy of a nail-biting one-shot victory over Phillip Mahonney and Clive Williams.

Cooper says he’s still on cloud nine.

“It’s hard to believe,” he said.

Being his first time at the Australian Open, Cooper says it was a nerve-racking experience at first.

“I knew it was going to be big, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big,” he laughed.

“It was definitely a bit overwhelming at the start but once I got settled, I felt right at home.”

The win was made even sweeter by Cooper’s mother and aunty making a surprise trip down to see him play.

“That was a total shock, I had no idea they were going to come down,” Cooper said.

“I had no idea until I turned around and there was my mum and aunty.”

His mother and aunty found out their flight was cancelled at 6:00pm the night before Cooper’s final but that didn’t stop them; they got in the car and made the 13-hour non-stop trip to Broadbeach before turning around and making the trip back after the match.

“Mum said she’d do it all over again just to see me win, so that was pretty special,” Cooper said.

This is the second time Cooper and Damien “Damo” Delgado, of Tweed Heads, have competed together after winning a state title together two years ago.

“We just read each other well and the chemistry’s great,” Mr Whitestyles said.

“I enjoy playing with him, he’s just a good bloke in general.”

Cooper first got involved in lawn bowls through school at Mercy College at 13 years of age.

He currently plays at Souths Suburban Bowls Club in Mackay, which he says prepared him well for the tournament.

“They’re the strongest club in Mackay so there’s always competition and it’s always quality competition,” he said.

Cooper will line up alongside Damo again in August for state titles, vying for selection in the Queensland team and ultimately pushing for a spot in the World Cup taking place in New Zealand next year.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get so I’ve just gotta put my head down and work my butt off,” Cooper said.

Cooper Whitestyles and Damien Delgado are the Australian Open Multi Disciplinary Open Pairs Champions for 2022. Photo supplied: Australian Open

‍

The final of the men’s B Pairs was played on Saturday: Ray McCarthy and John Stronach against Tony Allsop and Glen Royes. It was an exciting game, with Tony and Glen needing three on the last end to tie, four to win. They held four shots, when Ray delivered his last bowl,  a great shot, drawing onto the jack. Ray and John won by 19 to 15.

SOCIAL RESULTS

Monday mixed pairs 2x4x2 resulted in a win for P. French and M. Leotta with D. Dodds and L. Edwards in second spot. Lucky draw winners were E. Skellern and J. Little.

Wednesday ladies’ day winners were S. Roscoe and L. Howland. In second place was C. O’Loughlin, A. Bailey and D. Dodds.

Thursday mixed 2x4x2 was won by Warren and Cheryl Corbett. Next came Arthur and Judy Jewel. Greens vouchers were won by Jan Little and Marg Fogg. The kitty toucher jackpots.

Friday mixed pairs winner was the very consistent team of Rob Evans and Peter Horsburgh who won $75 each. The winners’ draw was taken out by Sheryl Cuttriss and Pat Elgey, while the losers’ draw was won by Warren Corbett and Jan Keat. The kitty toucher was not won.

Saturday men’s pairs winners were Trevor Laurens and Kees Struik with Asko Helenius and Maurie Pearson in second place. The jackpot goes up next week with no winners.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Men’s B Pairs finalists. Glen Royes, Tony Allsop, John Stronach and Ray McCarthy. John and Ray won the title

Lois Deguara bowls in the club 8’s championships, with Carmel Bell watching

‍

Australia’s bronze medal winning Olympic basketballers continue to inspire a new generation of young hoopers.

Nine students from Mercy College Mackay are living the dream after recently helping the Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes clinch a rare North Queensland Junior Basketball Championship double.

In a huge fillip for basketball in the Mackay region, the talented local products underlined their potential with superb performances on the boards against Cairns and Townsville to bring home their respective Under 14 trophies.

Outstanding 13-year-old point guard Cooper Currie skippered the triumphant Meteors who produced impressive team efforts over the Tri Carnival series to claim the tag of North Queensland Age Champions.

Currie was supported by rising stars in power forward Treyce Ciantar, shooting guards Usai Bickey and Sam Osborne, small forward Landon Naylor and point guard Winton Martin.

The Meteors swept all eight games in the challenge legs in Cairns and Mackay but lost three matches during the Townsville leg with a depleted squad after key forward Ciantar broke his foot.

Secret to the team’s success is their ability to combine effectively with each other on court, tactical nous and natural lay-up and shooting skills.

Currie, Ciantar, Martin and Naylor are products of the Souths club in the Mackay Junior Basketball Association with Bickey lining up for the Magpies and Osborne, a Renegades colt.

All six have represented the Meteors in the Under 12 and Under 14 age divisions -  

Treyce and Usai for the past five seasons; Cooper (four seasons) and Sam (two) which stands as a proud achievement.

The boys’ immediate goal is to be part of basketball’s Future Development Program and to push for selection in the Queensland Under 16s representative squad.

Following their North Queensland regional success, the super six will represent Mackay at the upcoming State Junior Basketball Championships in Brisbane.

It doesn’t end there for Cooper, Usai and Treyce who will spearhead the Mercy College Year 10 basketball team at this year’s Champion Schools Basketball tournament to be staged on the Gold Coast during October.

The gifted 13-year-olds will take on players three years their senior in the annual competition to determine the best Junior Basketball school in the State.

Mercy College trio Tahlia Jenson, Lily Mapp and Cleo Ape starred for the all-conquering Mackay Meteorettes who were also crowned North Queensland Junior Basketball U/14 age champions.

Promising point guard Jenson and skillful forwards Mapp and Ape were instrumental in the team’s success with top performances against Cairns and Townsville in the Girls division.

Also heading to the Gold Coast later this year is exciting prospect Lily, who will be part of a strong Mercy College Year 10 Girls squad that will pit their skills against the best schoolgirl basketballers in Queensland.

By Chris Karas

‍

Mackay’s PCYC pickleballers had another successful North Queensland outing last month, with a trip to Townsville for the second leg of the Queensland Pickleball Tour.

Approximately 100 competitors played across the full Tennis Townsville venue, comprising 12 plex pave courts. Mackay’s team consisted of Heather Hayes, Gigi Brake, Colleen Ingham, Mil Rohan and Michelle Sheehan.

Heather played in her first singles tournament in skills 3.5 and under, for ages 19 to 49. She came fourth overall and then picked up a silver medal in the women’s doubles (same skill range) with Vicki Mathews from Hervey Bay, a playing partner she met the day of the tournament.

For Colleen and Mil, it was their first tournament on outdoor courts and a great experience for everyone playing their first pickleball competition utilising a new scoring system.

The Mackay ladies competed in the women’s doubles skills 3.5 and under, age 50+, against some very competitive ladies from Townsville, Cairns, Hervey Bay, and the Atherton Tablelands.

There was also a valuable training opportunity held during the tournament, conducted by recent gold medal winners at the Asia Open 2022 Finals, Sarah Barr and Bec Kingsley, also Australian Pickleball champion Brendan Lee, plus Engage Pickleball Representatives, Nicholas Cooper and Martin Clark.

Michelle Sheehan said it was an education to watch these champions play their match with such speed and agility over the two days.

“We are re-energised and now gearing up for our next tour to Yeppoon on the weekend of 23-24 July 2022.

“Pickleball can be a low-impact sport that is easy to learn and play at almost any age—it is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis; this sport for life is regularly described as the fastest growing sport worldwide.”

You can find Mackay Pickleball at the PCYC indoor basketball stadium twice a week, Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 pm and Thursdays from 12pm to 2 pm.

Mackay’s PCYC pickleballers competing in Townsville: Heather Hayes, Gigi Brake, Colleen Ingham, Mil Rohan and Michelle Sheehan. Photos supplied

Heather Hayes (second left) with fellow doubles players

Pickelballers could also take part in a training event

Heather Hayes won silver in the doubles with Vicki Mathews from Hervey Bay

‍

Thrills and spills were aplenty last weekend when over 500 BMX riders from across Queensland descended upon Sarina and Mackay for the 2022 AusCycling BMX State Series.

With round 3 of the Series taking place at Sarina BMX Club on Saturday and Round 4 at Mackay and District BMX Club on Sunday, riders from two years of age up to 60+ years competed for valuable points in the Queensland State Series.

Sunday saw podium finishes for many Mackay and District BMX Club riders who showed the rest of the state what we’re made of.

Podium finishes came for Lilly Bolger (1st in 8 Girls), Jack Hancroft (3rd in 8 Boys), Paige Knights (3rd in 10 Girls), Travis Chilton (3rd in 11 Boys), Connor Parish (1st in 16 Boys and 1st in Junior Superclass Men), Brock De Silva (1st in 17-24 Men), Brendan Knights (2nd in 35-39 Men and 2nd in Cruiser 35-39 Men) and Brett Wilson (3rd in Cruiser 45-49 Men).

Mackay and District BMX Club took to Facebook to thank participants, officials, first aid personnel, canteen staff and other volunteers and businesses involved in the successful weekend.

“Thank you to all the riders from near and far who travelled to compete here this weekend,” read the Facebook post.

“Congratulations on your outstanding results and wishing the injured riders a speedy recovery.

“With anything successful, behind the scenes is a huge army of workers that make it all happen.”

Queensland State Series Round 4 Results

EMAC Superclass Men

1st Jesse Asmus (Nerang)

2nd Dylan Bennetts (Wanneroo - WA)

3rd Trent Asmus (Nerang)

Werner Engineering Superclass Women

1st Teya Rufus(Maryborough)

2nd Ashleigh Gunn (Townsville)

3rd Celeste Barr (Townsville)

Over 500 BMX riders competed in Sarina and Mackay over an action-packed weekend. Photo credit: JDT Photography

‍

Monday 21 June 22 – 71/2 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Maria Setiyawan / Geoff Taylor 1st Lorna Shuttlewood / Faye Wright

2nd Terrence Sheedy / Janelle Conroy 2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild

3rd Sandy Patterson / Debbie Ludkin 3rd Noel Bugeia / Geoffrey Patterson

Tuesday Evening 22 June 22 – 7 Pair Howel

1st Noel Bugeia / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

3rd Janelle Conroy / Eric Leivesley

Wednesday 22 June 22 – 101/2 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Max Holewa/ Diane Holewa 1st Joy Robinson / Robert Carless

2nd Geoff Cowan / Noel Saunders 2nd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

3rd Ted Cullinan / Geoff Taylor 3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole

4th Joyce Deguara / Griffin Bancroft 4th Frances Brown / Maria Setiyawan

5th Eric Goodchild / David King 5th Alan Brown Janelle Conroy

Thursday Night 23 June 22 – 61/2 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless 1st Kevin Sheedy / Jan Harris

2nd Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia 2nd Eric Goodchild / Debra Goodchild

3rd Patricia Garner / Mick King 3rd Sandra Morris / Annie Lynch

Friday 24 June 22 – 3 of 3 Rounds 2022 Club Pairs Championship Final

N/S E/W

1st Monica Darley / Del Ryan 1st Eric Goodchild / Richard Wix

2nd Max Holewa / Diana Holewa 2nd Terrence Sheedy / Janelle Conroy

3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Don Poole 3rd David Ting / Ming Ting

4th Lorna Shuttlewood / Debra Goodchild 4th Anne Whitmore / Josie Crowley

Saturday 25 June 22 – GNOT 3RD QUALIFY TEAMS Event – NO RESULTS available at time of submission

Sunday 26 June 22 – Novice Pairs 5 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Geoff Cowan / Noel Saunders 1st Frances Brown / Robert (Bob) Ellis

2nd Alan Brown / Laura Howland 2nd Diane Stokes / Mick King

Congratulations - Diane and Max Holewa winning the 2022 Mackay Pairs Championship after a fiercely fought third round of bridge was played last Friday. Del Ryan / Monica Darley along with Eric Goodchild / Richard Wix while all winning on Friday couldn’t overtake Diane and Max after the three rounds

‍

Three Mackay rugby league players represented Malta last Wednesday night, taking on Lebanon for the Elias-Fenech Trophy at Belmore Sports Ground in Sydney.

Mackay Cutters’ Hayden Pace and Wests Tigers’ Connor McDermott both made debuts for Malta while Carlton’s Devils club captain Nathan Benson made his twelfth appearance.

Lebanon took an early 4-0 lead, but Malta soon hit back with Pace scoring on debut playing in the centres.

Pace latched onto a Jarrod Sammut grubber with Sammut converting the try to make it 4-6 in the fifteenth minute.

A barrage of tries followed for Lebanon, with Malta going gown 30-14.

Malta coach Aaron McDonald said the young side needs to continue to build.

“Some young guys got an opportunity tonight and were impressive, so we just need to keep that core group together and keep working hard,” he said.

"They are a good young side as well, obviously they will throw in some NRL experience and you will have to back them to do well at the World Cup."

Hayden Pace plays on the wing for the Cutters and was slotted into the centres for Malta

Connor McDermott played on the wing in his Malta debut

Cartons Devils captain Nathan Benson made his twelfth appearance for Malta, playing on the wing. Photos supplied: Malta Rugby League

‍

‍

In a big weekend for extreme sports, Mackay hosted two mountain bike events last weekend organised by Rocky Trail Entertainment with support from the Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program and MAD MTB Club.

The action kicked off with the Rocky Trail Academy Schools Competition last Friday and continued with the Fox Superflow gravity enduro race over the weekend.

In the Fox Superflow event, competitors rode to the starts un-timed and then completed three race tracks for many categories – from elite to amateur racers to families with juniors, couples and groups of friends riding together.

Racers came from interstate and throughout Queensland to participate, but local knowledge prevailed with local rider Ethan Weiss claiming first place in the Elite classification.

The 17-year-old completed the challenging three race stages in 6:44.2 as the fastest racer on course, followed by 39-year-old Clay Schulz from the Gold Coast with 7:02.3, claiming outright second and the Veteran category win.

With only 0.2 seconds of a gap, Callum Duffy from Western Sydney was third overall with 7:02.5, with the 19-year-old winning the Expert category.

Sunshine Coast Elite racer Jess Hoskin claimed first in the women’s with a winning race time of 7:27.3, too strong for local U17s racer Kristen Rowlands who finished with 8:23.7.

Kristen is the School Mountain Bike Captain at Mercy College and a real prospect for the future.

Master 40+ racer Kate Deambrogio came in third overall in the women’s.

Part of the junior development program by Rocky Trail Entertainment, the Academy schools competition focuses on encouraging students of all abilities to come and race with their mates in a safe and social environment.

On Friday, students from 14 schools took on the challenge to test their riding ability across three skill areas at Rowallan Mountain Bike Park: endurance, speed and technical skills.

Mercy College claimed the Schools Championship Title for most points achieved with almost 20 students competing.

Rocky Trail’s National Event Manager Jo Parker says the program reflects the values the company wants to foster by engaging youth in healthy social and active recreation, creating pathways into the sport.

“Our Rocky Trail Academy events bring a heightened appreciation of nature, the environment, self-reliance, self-learning and independence, all as part of riding a bike in the outdoors,” Ms Parker said.

Local rider Ethan Weiss claimed first place in the Elite classification of the gravity enduro race over the weekend

Sunshine Coast rider Jess Hoskin claimed first in the women’s Elite category

Local rider and Mercy College Mountain Bike Captain Kristen Rowlands finished second in the women’s

Mercy College claimed the Schools Championship Title Rocky Trail Academy Schools Competition on Friday. Photo credit: OuterImage.com.au

‍

Mackay’s Cooper Whitestyles took the Lawn Bowls Australian Open by storm last week, winning the multi-disability pairs final alongside para-Jackaroo Damien Delgado.

The pair hoisted the trophy on the Gold Coast last Thursday courtesy of a nail-biting one-shot victory over Phillip Mahonney and Clive Williams.

Cooper says he’s still on cloud nine.

“It’s hard to believe,” he said.

Being his first time at the Australian Open, Cooper says it was a nerve-racking experience at first.

“I knew it was going to be big, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big,” he laughed.

“It was definitely a bit overwhelming at the start but once I got settled, I felt right at home.”

The win was made even sweeter by Cooper’s mother and aunty making a surprise trip down to see him play.

“That was a total shock, I had no idea they were going to come down,” Cooper said.

“I had no idea until I turned around and there was my mum and aunty.”

His mother and aunty found out their flight was cancelled at 6:00pm the night before Cooper’s final but that didn’t stop them; they got in the car and made the 13-hour non-stop trip to Broadbeach before turning around and making the trip back after the match.

“Mum said she’d do it all over again just to see me win, so that was pretty special,” Cooper said.

This is the second time Cooper and Damien “Damo” Delgado, of Tweed Heads, have competed together after winning a state title together two years ago.

“We just read each other well and the chemistry’s great,” Mr Whitestyles said.

“I enjoy playing with him, he’s just a good bloke in general.”

Cooper first got involved in lawn bowls through school at Mercy College at 13 years of age.

He currently plays at Souths Suburban Bowls Club in Mackay, which he says prepared him well for the tournament.

“They’re the strongest club in Mackay so there’s always competition and it’s always quality competition,” he said.

Cooper will line up alongside Damo again in August for state titles, vying for selection in the Queensland team and ultimately pushing for a spot in the World Cup taking place in New Zealand next year.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get so I’ve just gotta put my head down and work my butt off,” Cooper said.

Cooper Whitestyles and Damien Delgado are the Australian Open Multi Disciplinary Open Pairs Champions for 2022. Photo supplied: Australian Open

‍