Airlie Beach Bowls Club has hosted plenty of Christmas Parties in the past weeks, but bowls was the real winner of this merry season.

Tuesday afternoon’s social bowls saw Lyn Skein as skipper with Tess Walker at lead and Elaine Kippen at second just manage to beat all comers for the prize money.

Wednesday afternoon was a completely different story: Merve Stewart assured of evenly balanced contests, but to everyone’s surprise Gary Smith showed all his guile alongside skipper Bob Spees as the pair absolutely trounced the rest.

Due to a severe storm, Wednesday night Business House Bowls was cancelled and will complete in two weeks’ time.

Scroungers will resume on the January 28 of next year.

Sunday afternoon Social bowls again saw well matched teams but the leadership of Ladda Purdie was too much as she took her side of Mark Mawson at lead and Col Morris at second to the winners’ circle.

And the club witnessed an entertaining game from some of Hamilton Island Airport’s local firefighters, who showed they could do it with the best.

The firies bowled a great game and the club was glad to host the gallant group of Bob Dewhurst, Dylan Sanderson, Al Elkins, and Luke Wayth – they could even be great additions for the club’s pennants sides next year

Airlie Beach Bowls Club’s Christmas party is today, where the school children the club hosted earlier in the year will receive their awards.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

‍

The gallant firemen from Hamilton Island airport, showing their skills on the Airlie Beach Bowls rink

Bowen Bowls Club was host to an excellent contingent of bowlers this week, starting with its Wednesday Social Bowls.

Paula Welsted and Jeff Tierney were first in the winners’ circle, beating Jill Brabon and Brett Lampard.

Mary Ellen Pratten, Jane Gilbert, and Steve Roome were up next in winning against Peter Thomson, Peter Bruce, and Doc Fordham.

Joan Edwards and Helen Jacobsen, as well as Lou Fordham, and Daryl Tuttle defeated Bev Smith, Ross Scanlon, and D.Pickard to end the Wednesday Bowls.

Sunday Scroungers was won by Lee Welsted and Peter Thomson.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards
‍

Bowen Bowls Club’s Sunday Scroungers winners Lee Welsted and Peter Thomson

On Sunday afternoon, two pairs and one triple game was played at Wangaratta Bowls Club.

Winners for the afternoon were Gary Kelly and Penny Warren, who defeated Irene Laird and Geoff Danvers.

Other winners on the day were Deb Beel, Linda Scells, and Barry Beel in a narrow victory over Bron Tolcher, Sue Shearing, and Sugar Brunker.

Robyn Stitt and Fely Duncan defeated Bill Myers and Pat Tracey for the final game of Sunday.

The North Queensland Ladies District Side was announced on Friday, with congratulations to Penny Warren and Denise Wallace in being selected.

They will play against all the districts in the State at the Sunshine Coast in May.  

The Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday at 9am.

Contributed with thanks Penny Warren

‍

Sunday winners were Gary Kelly and Penny Warren

‍

Saturday’s competition at Bowen Golf Club was a single stroke event for the December Monthly Medals for both men and ladies.  

Men’s winner was Noel Schultz with a 68 nett, followed by runner up Mick Mawson, 70 nett. Pin shots to Rodney Miller, Glenn Wright, Toss Eisemann, and Brendan Wells.

Ladies’ winner on a countback was Morag Parker, 70 nett, with runner up Sarnie Eisemann, 70 nett. Pin shots to Rhiannon Nott, Tanya Gaudry, Paulette Barrett, and Jo Kukura.  

Chris Matheson won the carwash voucher and both competitions were sponsored by Bowen Meat Supply and Bowen Golf club.

This weekend’s competition at the Club is an American Foursomes event for Peries IGA Christmas Hams.  

NO Joker draw or dinner this week due to a private function.  Congratulations to Vicki who picked the Joker on Friday night.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

‍

Bowen Golf Club’s joker draw winners for December

The club’s December Monthly Medal winners

‍

Tuesday’s Competition at Proserpine Golf Club saw 15 players compete in a stroke event.

A very nice 63 nett by Aaron Prosser was too good for Brendan Spann’s 66 nett and John Dodds 69nett. Adam Maggs and Brendan Spann took out the NTP’s.

Thursday Competition: Wet conditions on Thursday limited the field to 23 for the Venue Smart Monthly Medal.

The heavy track didn’t stop Sam Deicke from shooting a nett 68, with Brendan Spann continuing his good golf with a 68nett.

Gavin Kerwand and Michael Leo completed the Division One rundown with 69 and 71, respectively.

Greg Walker was the winner of Division Two, edging out Michael Jarvis on a countback with 69 nett.

Brendon Meharry and Rees May were in the run down with 71 and 72nett. The NTP’s went to Rob Webb, Matt Muller twice, and Mick Leo.

Saturday Competition: The Medal of Medallists list is now complete with the addition of Jacqui Wall winning the Saturday ladies with 72 nett, narrowly defeating Jill Farinelli on a countback.

NTP’s went to Jill Farinelli and Peta Thomas.

70 men competed for the last spots in the men’s Medal of Medals competition. Sam Deicke, in great form, finished ahead of all A Grade players with a 66 nett, booking himself a start in next week's Honour Board MOM competition, along with Terry Handford for B Grade and Ben Raymant in C Grade.

Runner up in each grade were Lew Tuck, 69 nett in A Grade, Matt Camm, 70nett in B Grade, and Merv Hinton, 71nett in C Grade

NTP winners were Anthony Clinton, Ben Raymant and Sam Deicke.

Sunday Competition: Congratulations to Daniel O’Donnell with a great round of 65 nett to win the Sunday Competition, beating Jacob Nightingale on 68 nett.

Congratulations to Don Cameron winning the Medal of Medals prize with a 72 nett.

Peta Thomas won the Ladies, and also won the Medal of Medals prize with 71 nett, a clear winner from the field, with Anna Winterbourn in second place on 74 nett and Di Chard on 79 nett.

NTP’s went to: Don Cameron, Jason Bourke, Anna Winterbourn, Dean Kercher, Di Chard, and Jacqui Wall.

Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Club Pro Shop Team

‍

In the heat and humidity Proserpine’s Veteran Golfers tallied up some great scores with 33 players out on the course.

The ladies’ winner with a good score of 70 (c/b) was Tina Badenhorst, with second Lyn Muller (70), and in the rundown Jenny Hounsell (71), Beryl Nosworthy (72), Tessa Aitken (74), Jacqui Wall (76), and Leanne Alexander (77).  

For the men, if you didn't get under 70 you weren't in the running. The winner with a fantastic score of 66 was Frank Moloney, followed in second by Warren Deighton (67 c/b), and in the rundown were Wilf Herweg (67), Peter Browning, (68), John Roser (68), John Oates (68), and Barry Mortimer (69).  

The pin shots for the ladies were won by Lyn Muller (9th and 13th), Jacqui Wall (9th), Helen Deighton (13th), Leanne Alexander (16th), and Paula McQuat (16th).  

The men’s pin shots went to Barry Mortimer (2nd and 16th), John Oates (2nd), John Roser (13th), John Strelec (13th), and Peter Browning (16th).

Those with the least putts were Helen Deighton (28 putts), and Trevor Peroz and Wilf Herweg with 26 Putts.  

Chip-ins were Jacqui Wall, Tina Badenhorst, Geoff Harrison, and John Roser. Best of all, there was an eagle made on the day, Gary Scotford on the 18th.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

‍

The December Monthly Medal for Whitsunday Social Golf was held Sunday in great conditions for a round of golf.

A contingent of 21 players took part, with the medal for December went to Ladies A Grade Anna Winterbourn, with runner up Jacqueline Wall.

Ladies B Grade went to Sally Little, with runner-up Karen Rix.

Men’s A grade Darren Reynolds and in runner up Clay Coles and Mens B Grade Ron Jamieson, runner up Mark McDougall.

Longest drives went to George Meharry, Mark MCDougall, Pauline Redpath, and Robyn Witham.

Pins shots were claimed by Clay Coles, Ron Jamieson, Jacqueline Wall, and Anna Winterbourn

The was the last competition game for Whitsunday Golf for 2022.

The Club extends its thanks to its Monthly Medal sponsors for the year: Airlie Panel & Paint and Master Butchers Whitsunday.

Also thank you to the Reef Gateway Hotel for their support with Pin Shot prizes. Presentations will be held Saturday, December 10, from 5pm.

Contributed with thanks to Joanne Moynihan

‍

Whitsunday Golf Club’s Darren Reynolds, Sally Little Anna Winterbourn, and Ron Jamieson

‍

This week’s 9-hole Stableford was won by Chris Bartlett at Whitsunday Green Golf Club, with a great score of 18 points.

Running in second was Andrew Gomez on 17 points and coming in third was Glenn Rees with 16.

Fridays 9-hole Stableford was very close with all three on 19 points, but first place went to Ryan Kenny, second to Scott Morrisey, and third for Justyn Durbin.

Terry Kimpton played Adam Singleton with Adam taking the one-up win, while Brad Low played Scott Morrissey in which Scott won one-up after the 19th hole.

David Wallace played Deeray Fo’ou with David taking the win with an astounding 13-up win.

This Sunday’ Competition is an 18-hole Skins with a tee off at 10am, while December 18 will be the final monthly medal for 2022 with a Christmas celebration to follow.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Golf Club

‍

The Proserpine Junior Cricket Association’s under 13 Pitbulls side took on the Magpies White on the weekend in the sugar city with rain threatening.

The Pitbulls won the toss and elected to bat, with the U13’s batting objective to bat for the entire 25 overs but move the scoring along without losing unnecessary wickets.

With a strong south-easterly and occasional light rain, the team executed well with the first 5 batsmen retiring not out after their initial 20 balls.

O. Seamer 10, J. Rock 23, K. McLoughlin 13, M. Logan 18, and W. Logan 18.

The first wicket fell with the score on 108 (A.Geisel 5), however the team continued to push the score along with J. Lawn retiring 17, J. Geisler 14 and B. Childs 6.

In line with the tournaments time rule, the Pitbulls innings ended after 22 overs at 1- 159.

The Magpies innings started with the light rain clearing and the outfield now drying out.

The Pitbulls bowlers started extremely well, with the opening pair K.McLoughlin and M.Logan both taking early wickets.

The Pitbulls bowlers continued to apply bowling pressure and the introduction of O.Seamer into the attack provided a match winning blow.

O. Seamer securing three wicket hattrick in his first over and ending with figures of 3–8 off his two overs.

It was a very good all-round team bowling effort with the remaining wickets being shared amongst the other bowlers.

The Magpies innings ended all out for 54 runs and the Pitbulls winning the game by 105 runs.

The player of the match could only be O. Seamer, with a bowling hattrick in his first over and ending with the bowling figures 3-8.

Contributed with thanks to Stephen Logan

‍
Ollie Seamer, the Proserpine Pitbull’s U13s Player of the Match against Mackay Magpies

The Airlie Beach Darts Christmas Open Final saw Jamie Woods and Dom Friend battle it out in a best of nine sets for the Christmas crown.

First up, though, was the third and fourth place match up, a best of seven sets between Andy Peel and Seumas Rose.

Andy took the first set 3/2, but Seumas bounced back to take the second set 3/1. And so the story went in the second and third sets with Andy claiming the third 3/1 before Seumas replied in kind in the fourth with the same scoreline of 3/1.

But it was in the fifth and sixth where Andy made his move, claiming both 3/1 3/1, and with it, the match by four sets to two.

Then it was onto the final: Jamie Woods claimed the first two sets and was looking strong early doors.

Dom replied in devastating fashion however, winning the next three sets on the bounce to make it three to two to Dom.

Jamie struck back in the sixth to level the match at three all, and everyone was sensing that this one was going down the wire.

Dom stuck to his task and wasn’t fazed, winning the seventh set to again put Jamie under pressure to win the next set to stay in the match and this year’s Open.

Class players always find a way, and Woodsy mustered every ounce of his skill to level the match again at 4 sets all to take it into the deciding set much to the joy of everyone watching.

But a dogged Dom Friend was not going to be denied his second Xmas Open title -- he found a way.

It was an incredible turn of events, and an incredible win by Dom. Congratulations to both men on a great afternoon’s entertainment, and a great note to end a huge season on.

Thanks to participants, Mika Airlie Beach for hosting us this year, and this year’s sponsor, Dyson Automotive.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

Dom Friend lifting the Xmas Open for the second time at Mika Airlie Beach

‍

On Wednesday night, the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club presented the Queensland LC team with their state shirts.

Congratulations to Jy Parkinson, Jacob Bell, Tora Delac, Holly Perrin, Jacob Dewis, Remy Hedges, and coach Mark Erickson for making the Cannons 2022 State Team.  

They will head to the Queensland LC Championships held in Brisbane from December 10 to 16.

At the start of club night, Giselle Burton presented Don Algie and Piper Walker with Chocolate Awards for their new best personal bests (PBs).  

Upgrade Certificates were presented to Piper Walker and Max Smith, and extra congratulations go to Jy Parkinson, Ehsan Helou, and Jax Clayworth for their new Club Records.  

Club Night highlights included: Top performer of the night Maeve Dichieria, aged seven, smashing out three personal best times.

Isabella Pisaniello swam a super 100-metre Breaststroke in 1.51.90 which was a 13.06 second personal best.

Tora Delac swam a fantastic time of 1.11.42 in her 100-metre Freestyle taking 4.86 seconds off her previous best.  While her brother, Harris, also swam an excellent time of 1.38.35 in his 100-metre Freestyle and swam a 1.21 second personal best in his 50-metre Backstroke.  

Alessa Penglasse- Fortunato swam extremely well in her 50-metre Freestyle and 100-metre IM, setting personal best times.  

Congratulations to all the swimmers who achieved PBs:  Abi Maher, Lily Maher, Celeste Orenshaw, Holly Perrin, Piper Walker, James Davies, Ehsan Helou, Jasper Korosec, Molly Smith, Lukas Trevaskis, Millah Walker, Don Algie, Harry Chegwidden, and Billie Jamieson.  

Swimmers are looking forward to next week’s Christmas themed Club Night. A big thank you to all the wonderful parents and volunteers who assisted, and continue to assist, with the running of Club Nights over the year.

‍

Max Smith with his upgrades at Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club

The Cannonvale Cannons’ Queensland LC Team

Tora Delac coming through the Cannons' tunnel

‍

Image: The Queensland Firebirds defeated the Sunshine Coast Lightning to claim the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup in Mackay. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

The Queensland Firebirds finally took to the court at Mackay Multisport Stadium last Saturday, taking on the Sunshine Coast Lightning for the inaugural Suncorp Spirit Cup.

It’s been almost a year since the Firebirds announced their intentions of visiting the sugar city and Mackay netball fans were hungry, turning out in force to cheer their team home.

The match started in a physical, end-to-end fashion, with both shooters rarely missing.

The first of five ten-minute periods finished with the Firebirds down 13-14.

The second period played out in a similar affair, finishing with the Lightning on 24 to the Firebirds’ 22.

It wasn’t until the third period that the Firebirds took the lead for the first time, starting the period with four quick goals.

The Lightning finished the period with a Super Shot on the buzzer, bringing the Firebirds’ lead back to 38-32.

The Firebirds started to find their groove in the fourth period, stretching their lead out to 47-38.

The Lightning started the fifth period strongly, but the Firebirds refused to relent, cranking up the heat to finish the game 56-46 victors.

It was Firebirds Coach Bec Bulley’s first game in the role, saying she found the Mackay crowd “incredible”.

“I was a little bit nervous before the game, but I’m so stoked with the win and how everyone played,” she said.

“I think these opportunities would mean so much to these country people.

“I hope everyone enjoyed it because we certainly enjoyed playing in front of the local crowd.”

The Firebirds hosted a Night With The Firebirds dinner the previous night and coaching clinics the morning of the match with Firebirds defender Remi Kamo describing her time in Mackay as “wonderful”.

“How good’s Mackay?” she exclaimed.

“It was wonderful getting to see so many different young athletes at the clinic, catching up with Mackay Netball Association and seeing what they’re all about, it was really hot but it was worth it for all the smiling faces.”

View gallery: www.mackayandwhitsundaylife.com/social-pics/firebirds-bring-the-heat-to-mackay

Image: Jasmine Peters, Marco Peters and Emma Manzelmann. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

The Mackay Cutters have announced their sixth team in the statewide Queensland Cup competitions with the inclusion of the Mackay Cutters BMD Premiership team.

The announcement comes following the North Queensland Cowboys entry into the NRLW and provides a direct pathway to the game’s top league, with players from the North Queensland Gold Stars (Townsville) and Northern Pride (Cairns) systems to be involved in the Cutters squad.

“We’re really excited and proud to have the team represented out of Mackay and it’s going to be great for our pathway here for women’s footy,” said Cutters CEO Mitch Cook.

“To include a senior women’s team is the future of our game and in Mackay, we produce so much talent in the male and female game.”

It is hoped that the BMD Premiership season will transition into the NRLW season, allowing players to be eligible for both competitions.

“It provides a direct pathway for our local girls to progress from junior rugby league to the NRLW competition within our own region,” said Cutters Head of Football Kim Williams.

“It is an extremely exciting time for women’s rugby league in Mackay, and we look forward to working closely with the North Queensland Cowboys as they prepare for their first season in the NRLW competition.”

New BMD Premiership Cutters Coach Marco Peters has long been a coach, mentor and advocate in the women’s game and with training already underway, he said he has high hopes for the Cutters’ inaugural season.

“We’ve got a really good squad so we just want to build off that … we should go really well, we should be very competitive,” he said.

“We’re a genuine pathway to the Cowboys … and that’s our job, to get them ready for that.”

Former North Queensland Gold Stars Emma Manzelmann and Jasmine Peters both made their NRLW debuts earlier this year for the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans respectively and are excited to play in front of their home crowd with the Cutters next season.

“Playing for your hometown means more,” said Ms Manzelmann.

“Showing the younger generation what pathway there is to follow from U13s right through and with the Cowboys coming in next year, there’s literally the whole pathway right up to NRLW.”

“I’m really excited to see what will happen next year,” added Ms Peters.

“I started my journey with football in Mackay so to bring it back to local is just amazing.

“I’m just hoping to guide (teammates) and show them what it takes at this level … and make the next step to NRLW.”

‍

The season finale of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia came down to the wire in the Championship Round with Singleton’s Cody Heffernan claiming both the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals event title and the 2022 PBR Australia National title.

Starting the event 72.5 points behind reigning champion Aaron Kleier of Clermont, Heffernan dominated night two covering all three of his bulls in front of a sold-out crowd at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.

The 33-year-old put on a bull riding masterclass that kept the entire arena on their feet and asserted his dominance on the sport’s biggest night.

The Townsville crowd were on the edge of their seats after Kleier posted a 90-point ride on Mystery.

The 2021 YETI Bull of the Year was tamed by Heffernan, garnering him 92 points, the highest score of the event.

Heffernan then earned the highest score of the night with 92, launching him into first place on the event leaderboard.

The Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre held its collective breath when finding out whether Kleier, the 24-year-old from Clermont, would claim a fifth consecutive national title or if Heffernan would earn his second golden buckle.

Ultimately just 2.5 points separated the two riders, with Heffernan reigning supreme and taking home the title and the $68,500 pay-day.

“I can’t really remember it, I was just hanging on,” Heffernan said of his ride on Cattle King Boogers Beach.

“I knew I had to ride him and do anything after Aaron rode that bull (Mystery).

“I just knew I had to ride him if I wanted to have a shot at winning it.”

In the bull pen, Bloomsbury’s Dittmann Bucking Bulls capped off a dominant year, taking home the YETI Grand Finals Bulls Team, Contractor of the Year and Roid Rage taking out the YETI Finals High Point Bull of the Event as well as Bucking Bull of the Year.

“He’s been an outstanding bull,” team owner Jason Dittmann said of Roid Rage.

“He’s become pretty special to us.

“I can’t ask any more of that bull, we love him.

“The whole team’s been good all year.

“I can’t ask any more of the bulls and even my team here, my family, everyone who helps out, I can’t ask for more.

“Everyone gives 100 percent, I’m so happy.”

Koumala’s Qynn Andersen was also crowned Rookie Rider of the Year, finishing fourth on the national standings on 645 points.

PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals

Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre – Townsville, Queensland

Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Round 5-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Cody Heffernan, 0-0-86.5-87.5-92-266.00-160 Points.

2. Lachlan Richardson, 84-84.25-85.75-0-0-254.00-116 Points.

3. Aaron Kleier, 82-0-0-0-90-172.00-85 Points.

4. Jake Curr, 80.75-86-0-0-0-166.75-67 Points.

5. Brock Radford, 0-87.5-0-0-0-87.50-60 Points.

6. Qynn Andersen, 0-87-0-0-0-87.00-45 Points.

7. Lachlan Slade, 0-86-0-0-86.00-29 Points.

8. Kurt Shephard, 0-0-0-85-0-85.00-22.5 Points.

8. Nick Tetz, 85-0-0-0-0-85.00-27.5 Points.

10. Michael Smith, 0-0-83.5-0-83.50-12 Points.

11. Clint Glass, 0-0-0-83-83.00-10 Points.

12. Braith Nock, 0-0-82.75-0-0-82.75-8 Points.

13. Kelsey Pavlou, 0-0-82-0-0-82.00-6 Points.

____________________________________________________________________

Image 1: Cody Heffernen andPBR Australia General Manager Glen Young

Image 2: Cody Heffernan onboard 'Cattle King Boogers Beach' for 92pts

Image 3: Aaron Kleier and'Russian Roulette' for 82pts in the first go-round

Image 4: Jason Dittmann ofDittmann Bucking Bulls and his sons. Photos supplied

‍

‍

Six of Mackay’s sporting best – that aptly sums up the St Patrick’s College Queensland Honour Roll for 2022.

Tokyo Olympic Games swimming triallist Tom Henderson heads an impressive list of St Patrick’s students that left their mark in the sporting arena this year with outstanding performances at national level.

Backstroke sensation Henderson was joined by Mackay Meteorettes basketball forward Charli Bliss, State hockey aces Haiden Mellifont and Kaleb Mayfield, Queensland Schoolgirls cricket all-rounder Meghan McCartney and softball young gun James Allen.

‍

17-year-old HENDERSON – a product of the Mackay Swimming Academy – represented Queensland with distinction at the 2022 National Swimming Championships and Australian Age Swimming Championships in Adelaide and National Short Course Swimming titles in Sydney.

At this year’s National Schools Swimming Championships in Brisbane, Tom collected bronze medals in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events and was part of the crack Queensland Open relay teams that won gold and broke two Australian records.

Tom also clinched gold in the 17yrs Boys 200m backstroke at the Australian Age Championships.

Under the tutelage of legendary coach Pat Wright – who has trained Olympians including Linda Mackenzie, Justin James, Nick Ffrost and Geoff Huegill – the emerging Henderson is somewhat of a late bloomer in the sport of swimming.

He showed promise in rugby league and Surf Lifesaving before taking his swimming seriously at the age of 12.

Last season at the age of 16 the exciting backstroke prospect participated in the Tokyo Olympic trials in Adelaide, gaining valuable experience and competing against his swimming idol Mitch Larkin, one of the current Australian Olympic golden boys.

If Tom continues his rapid development in the pool then the sky’s the limit for the Mackay schoolboy who is now well on the radar for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

CHARLI BLISS is touted as one of the best basketball forward prospects in Queensland and showed her credentials at the National Under 18 Championships in Ballarat earlier this year and with Mackay Meteorettes in the NBL1 competition.

A local product, Bliss has represented the Meteorettes since the age of 12 and was also named in this year’s Queensland North State Under 18 team and the Basketball Queensland 2022/23 Under 18 State Performance Program (SPP).

The SPP is Basketball Queensland’s second tier high-performance program for players aged under 16 and under 18, which has seen identified athletes go on to represent Queensland and Australia, play in both the NBL and WNBL and secure college scholarships in the United States.

To prepare herself for elite basketball, the fast-developing Charli participated in a six-week intensive training program before returning to her club side Renegades and making an impact in the Mackay Basketball Association.

JAMES ALLEN has made every post a winner in the sport of softball this season.

The outstanding catcher was co-captain of the Queensland Under 16 representative team that finished runners up to NSW during this year’s National Softball Junior Championships staged in Blacktown, Sydney.

A powerful batter, James caught superbly and hit several home runs to help the Maroons down the Blues in three entertaining tussles throughout the tournament – only to watch his Queensland team stumble at the final hurdle for the Arthur Allsopp Shield.  

As a reward for his polished displays, young Allen was named the Most Valuable Player of the championships.  

QUEENSLAND Schoolgirls representative cricket captain Meghan McCartney is a young all-rounder in a big hurry.

The 17-year-old Brothers Cricket Club product continues to shine in both the junior and senior grade mens ranks and has just linked with the Valley Cricket Club in the Brisbane Womens Premier League first grade competition.

Meghan, a stylish top order bat and prolific pace bowler, skippered the Maroons schoolgirls in the annual interstate challenge fixtures with NSW and racked up some big scores and took a bulk of wickets during the drawn series earlier this year on the Sunshine Coast.

The Capricornia representative captain piloted St Patrick’s/Mercy College to a Queensland State Twenty20 Schools Challenge championship title last October and is freely tipped to earn selection in the Queensland Country womens team for the upcoming National Country Cricket Championships to be staged in Canberra during January.

DYNAMIC hockey duo Haiden Mellifont and Kaleb Mayfield are firmly established in the current Hockey Queensland Under 18 State squad for 2022-23.

The 16-year-old Capricornia schoolboy reps hail from the strong Mackay Hockey Association and turned in consistent displays at an elite level this season.

Young gun Haiden was named in the Queensland Representative School Sport 19yrs Hockey Merit Team and claimed the Best & Fairest trophy for his superb performances in this year’s Mackay Hockey A2 Mens competition.

Mellifont and Mayfield impressed keen judges with classy displays for Queensland Gold at the Hockey Australia Under 18 Championships in Cairns earlier this year.

By Chris Karas

‍