The growing popularity of women’s rugby union was on display last Saturday as the Women’s Opens Grand Final was played between Kuttabul Bokettes and Proserpine Whitsunday Raiders.

A round-robin tournament was played between the Bokettes, Raiders and Slade Point Slashers earlier in the day with the Kuttabul and Proserpine Whitsunday clubs finishing on top to face off in the grand final.

The ultimate match was a one-sided affair, with the Bokettes scoring two tries in each half to win 26-0.

The grand final wrapped up the first ever season of women’s rugby in the Mackay region.

Bokettes captain Miranda Davidson said she couldn’t be prouder of her team.

“We’ve got girls from all different backgrounds … so for those girls to come out and have a crack and to see them develop over the season has been pretty impressive,” she said.

“We also have some girls that are juniors, 17-year-olds stepping up and playing in the senior division, too, which is pretty exceptional stuff.”

Miranda hopes to see the competition grow over the coming seasons.

“I really want to shout out to all the clubs that have had a crack at women’s union this season and all the coaches because the coaches have been by far the driving force,” she said.

It was Sharne Adams’ first season with the Bokettes after playing rugby league for Magpies and being invited to play by friends.

“Two of my mates from there (Magpies) are union girls, they have a union background,” she said.

With union on Saturdays and league on Sundays, Sharne’s weekends were all about footy and she says both are getting more popular.

“The growth’s been really good,” said Sharne.

“It’s just onwards and upwards from here.”

Sharne’s daughter Adelle has been playing league for three years and started come-and-try union sessions this year.

“I’ve learnt what you do when you get tackled,” she said.

She also learnt the difference between league and union tackles.

“You try and get the ball, but you can’t go passed the ball,” she said.

“If you go passed the ball it doesn’t count.”

Adelle says she looks forward to following in Sharne’s footsteps and playing club rugby.

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Mackay turned out in force to watch the stars of the AFLW take to Great Barrier Reef Arena last Saturday.

It was the Gold Coast Suns facing off against St Kilda, with both sides looking to bounce back from big defeats in round four of the 2022 competition.

With the sun shining above, fans of all ages took to the arena for the match, with mums, dads, boys and girls all donning their favourite guernseys.

Great Barrier Reef had previously hosted three elite women’s matches since the partnership between the Suns and Mackay Regional Council began in 2019; a partnership that was extended for four years in July.

“The Suns have made Mackay our second home for our AFLW team and we’ve had great support from the region every time we visit,” said Gold Coast Suns Chief Executive Mark Evans.

“We’re committed to bringing marquee AFLW matches to Great Barrier Reef Arena and continuing to grow women’s football in the region, which has seen a 50 per cent participation increase since 2018.”

AFLW Returns To Mackay

The Gold Coast Suns eclipsed St Kilda in Mackay on the weekend, regaining their confidence after a 73-point thrashing at the hands of the Brisbane Lions the week before.

While the first major went the way of the Saints in the 7th minute, it was to be their only goal until the last quarter, with the Suns dominating the majority of the game.

The Suns had the match all but won in the third, keeping the Saints scoreless and slotting three goals of their own.

While St Kilda finished with a strong last quarter, the Suns were able to hang on, winning 5.12 (42) to 4.4 (28), claiming their second win of the season.

The Suns’ Charlie Rowbottom proved why she was picked first in the 2021 draft, collecting a game-high 30 touches, six clearances and laid nine tackles.

Kalinda Howarth also turned it on, booting Gold Coast's first goal to finish with two majors and 22 possessions.

Howarth, who is of Indigenous descent, celebrated her first goal with a special dance as the Suns wore their First Nations jumper.

Local stars Lauren Bella and Wallis Randell both performed well in front of their home crowds, with six and 11 disposals respectively.

Bianca Jakobsson was the Saints' leading ball-winner with 19 possessions, while key forward Caitlin Greiser slotted two goals to be St Kilda's only multiple goalkicker.

Gold Coast coach Cameron Joyce said he was impressed with his team’s performance.

"We knew the Saints had come in with some decent form and held Melbourne for the last three quarters as well, which I think can get underestimated,” he said.

“Just the way our girls went around the contest and were able to then get the ball forward for us and give us a chance to score, it was really pleasing."

The AFLW fixture is the first of many elite games coming to Great Barrier Reef Arena this spring, with the ground to host nine WBBL matches over a week in October.

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Image: The Gold Coast Suns took on St Kilda at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Saturday to claim their second win of the season. Photos supplied: Gold Coast Suns

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The Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club congratulated Jy Parkinson, Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin, Remy Hedges, Austin Edwards-Bland, Ehsan Helou, and Anisa Helou for being selected for the SNQ State and National Development squad.  

The youngsters were invited to participate in a special swim clinic on Sunday led by Queensland Coach Barry Prime.  

Cannons’ Coach, Mark Erickson was also involved with coaching on the day and said that it was great to see all the top swimmers in NQ having an opportunity to meet up and to fine tune their skills.

Swimmers participated an athletic development session, kick and pull test sets, race specific training and recovery practice.  

Also this week, the Cannons hosted another successful Club Night.

Congratulations to Don Algie for setting a new 25-metre Butterfly record.  Congratulations to Addie Sanders and Celeste Orenshaw on their Upgrades.  

The club also presented Levi Smith with the Swim Star Award for swimming extremely well at last Club Night.  The Chocolate Awards went to Jack Ganter and Matilda Nicholes for the best personal bests.  

The Cannons also presented JX Caps and awards to: Anisa Helou (Gold), Ehsan Helou (Bronze), Isabella Pisaniello (Blue), Nathan Saunders (Blue), Daniel Saunders (Blue), Lukas Trevaskis (Bronze), Don Algie (Bronze), Tora Delac (Silver), and Jai Dennison (Blue).

As well, Austin Edwards-Bland (Gold), Rohan Gascoyne (Blue), Rory Gascoyne (Blue), Scarlett Gascoyne (Blue), Thomas Ganter (Blue), Matilda Nicholes  (Blue), and Isaac Pisaniello  (Blue), received their JX Caps.

Alongside them were Oliver Bond (Silver), Charlie Doherty (Blue), Nelson Malady (Silver), Remy Hedges (Silver), Lochlan Jamieson (Bronze), Taj Murray (Blue), Blake Hanks (Silver), Abi Maher (Blue), Tiana Bell (Blue), and Ruby Harland (Blue).

The Cannons are kickstarting the new season and would like to invite new swimmers and their families to “Come and Try” Club Night and to learn more about club swimming.  Club Nights are on every Wednesday from 5pm.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Addie S and Celeste O with Upgrades

Don Algie with record certificate Sept 2022

2022 finals got underway on Sunday, with some great darts on show.

Dom Friend was the first to make it to a preliminary final by defeating Jamie Woods 9/5. Dom’s finishing was the key to this one, with the match ultimately decided on the outer ring.

Although Woodsy hit a lovely 113 checkout in the match, Dom ultimately deserved the win as he performed well throughout.

Jamie Maher was the second player to make it to the prelims, narrowly beating Joe Wilson 9/8 in a battle of attrition that neither player deserved to lose.

Joe had a 4/1 lead early in the match, but Jamie fought tooth and nail to get back into it at six all. It was leg for leg all the way to the end, with Jamie clinching it on a double 10 in the last leg of the match.

The winners of both those games earn the weekend off next week, with the preliminary finals taking place in two weeks’ time.

Andy Peel hit a nice 101 checkout on his way to victory over Aaron Paull in the first of two Elimination Finals by 9 legs to 3. Andy will now meet Jamie Woods in next week’s semi-finals thanks to that win over Aaron.

Seumas Rose beat Alan Green 9/3 in the other Elimination Final to earn his place in next weeks semis where he will meet Joe Wilson. Both of those men are currently in fine form and playing well, so that’s shaping up to be a cracker.

In the consolation finals series, Ross Gallichan defeated Nathan O’Hara 7/5 to reach this years Hetlock Cup final. Ross hit a sweet 171 in that match, and he now awaits the winner of the other semi final of that series between Kameron Reason and Gary Robbie which will be played next week at Mika.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie Live BBQ & Bar and Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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Joe Wilson in action, narrowly losing but with a second chance next week

Saturday saw the Mama Africa Raiders play a knockout semi-final against the Kuttabul Camelboks on their home turf at Whitsunday Sportspark.

It was a chance for Raiders to bounce back after their loss against Bowen in the preliminary final round. Even though the Whitsunday side were very disappointed in that previous loss, 11-14, they turned up for training and got on with the job at hand.

This semi-final was always going to be a battle, not only mentally, but also physically. Up against one of the bigger pack of forwards in the competition, the Raiders were ready to go to battle and the local rugby community turned up in numbers to support the men in green and black.

The Kuttabul forward pack were the first to score, crossing the line out wide, but were unable to convert, taking the lead 5-0, not for long though, as the raiders stood up and put on the pressure to come away with their own converted try taking back the lead 7-5.

Both teams were intent on pushing as hard as they could, and at the half time break, the Mama Africa Raiders were in the lead 17-13. Coach Andre Houston echoed one of his favourite sentiments: “The game is not won in the first three quarters; it is won in the last.”

Fifteen minutes into the second half the game was in the balance with Kuttabul ahead 32-27, and the crowd on the edge of their seats. As they have shown throughout the year, the Raiders were not about to let this game get away from them and stepped up a notch, taking control of the ball and with some straight runs, line breaks and quick ball through the hands managed to put a further 21 points on the board and take out the game 48-32.

Well done to all the Mama Africa Raiders players, coaches, and staff, second year running, into the grand final.

This will be played out between the Mama Africa Raiders and the Bowen Mudcrabs on Saturday, September 17 at BB Print stadium, Mackay. Check out the Proserpine/Whitsunday Rugby Union Club Inc. Facebook page for kick off times and any other information on the game.

Players of the day Joel Hoffmann three points, Brodie Elson two points, and Jack Briskey one point.

Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence

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Tackler Kainoa Close-Houston, assisting Brodie Elson background Jack Briskey, side Kumya Gabey

Try scorer Connor Spence, 15, Aden Spence, and Rhys Ward

Niall Clancy, Joel Hoffmann (ball carrier) and Jye Hawkins

There were 32 players yesterday for Proserpine Veteran’s Golf Monthly Medal round where the temperature was nice but a tad windy leaving for a low scoring outing.  

The ladies’ winner was Tiina Randmae, with a nett 73, followed by Jenny Hounsell, 74, and in the rundown were Jacqui Wall, 75, Paula McQuat, 76, Marieta Smith, 77, and Di Chard, 77.  

The men’s winner was Frank Moloney with a great score of 68 nett, second was Nick Apruzzese, 69, and in the rundown were Geoff Harrison, 71, Wilf Herweg, 74, John Oates, 75, and Ken Granger, 76.  

Nearest the pin winners for the ladies’ were Di Chard, Vickie Wallace, Mandy Patterson, and Tiina Randmae. The men's winners were Geoff Harrison, Albert Pini, Frank Moloney and Barry Mortimer.

Our chip in winners were Tiina Randmae, Marieta Smith, Elspeth Scotford, Patrick Patterson, Albert Pini, and Peter Fox.  Least putts went to Jacqui Wall, 27, and Peter Fox, 27.  

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Frank Maloney and Tiina Randmae

Over the weekend the Ladies’ Scramble was played on Saturday and the Open Scramble on the Sunday.

Saturday’s results saw the team of Trish McNeill, Noelene Spurway, Renae Maxwell and Laura Anderson, 60.75 nett, sneak home by one shot over Carene Vandersea, Kim McPherson, Carol McAuley and Karen Robertson.

The men’s scramble was won by the Mackay team of James Copping, Maurice Van Wyk, Matt Dwyer and Greg James. They had a score of 59 gross (nett 52), 11 under par, their front nine consisting of two pars, six birdies and an eagle.

The ladies’ regional final will be held at Palmer Coolum on October 3, while the Open will be played at Yeppoon on October 16, where the Club Professional will join the teams. Only the winning team from each will travel.

Tuesday’s stableford was won by Brian Smith with 36 points from Paul Grey 35 and Anna Winterbourn 34.

On Wednesday Heather Luvis took out the Ladies Monthly Medal with nett 69, from Penny Wardroper, 71, Elspeth Scotford 72 and Jenny Hounsell 73.

Thursday’s Division one winner of the single stableford was Sam Deicke with 40 points from Michael ward, 38.

The Division two winner was Barry Shuwalow with 37 points from Rees May 36 on a count back.

On Saturday, 15 ladies and 45 men ventured out in front of the ladies Scramble for a single stableford.

Men’s winners were Sean Tyrrell with 38 points, from Ken Granger, 37 on a count back from Warren Deighton.

The ladies’ winners were Pauline Redpath 40 points from Diane Chard 34, and Tiina Randmae and Paula McQuat with 33 points.

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Wednesday’s Bowen Golf Club competition was a single stroke event for the midweek Monthly Medals.  

Ladies’ winner was Jane Seaborne, 67 nett, runner up Carol O’Connell, 68 nett.  Men’s winner John Martin, 66 nett, while runner up was Graeme Baker, 67 nett.  

Saturday, the club played a single stableford event for Bowen Sportspower trophies.  

Ladies’ winner was Wendy Tracey, 40 points, runner up Morag Parker, 38.  Two pin shots to Deb Breeze, with single pinshots to Lisa Raisbeck and Bev Lowcock.  

Men’s winner Graham Seaborne 42 points, runner up on a countback Mitchell Greenbank, 41.  Pin shots to Greg Daniel, David Madden, David Carus, Paul Martin, and Graham Seaborne who also won the Car Wash voucher.

This weekend’s competition is a single stableford event sponsored by Margaret Whyte. Purple is the colour theme for the day.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

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Ladies’ winner Wendy Tracey, Men’s winner Graham Seaborne, Margaret Need, and Ladies ‘runner up Morag Parker

Monday triples result: Winners for the afternoon R Stitt, M Wilson, and F Duncan defeated N McNamara, W McNamara, and P Wilson.

Tuesday results: Winners for the afternoon were Debbie Beel, Keith Aykens, and Joe Paynting defeating Judy Christie, Brian Bellingham, and Pearl Aykens.

Last of Fun Fridays: Mark, Tim Noar, and Joe Paynting defeated Pieta Pawlow, Virginia Noar, and Judy Christie. Brian Bellingham, David Madden, and Jim Steele defeated June Paynting, Lyn Madden, and Carole Bellingham.

Friday Night Barefoot Bowls: Winners for the night were Les, Glen, and Peter, as well as Dave, Barry, and Dennis.

Sunday, Aug 28: Winners for the afternoon Judy Christie, Brian Bellingham, and Pat Tracey defeating Bill Myers, June Paynting, and Pearl Aykens. Others: Deb Beel and David Madden beating Toni Bowen and Linda Scells.

Lyn Madden, Laurie Land, and Mark Drummond also defeated Robyn Stitt, Carole Bellingham, and Barry Beel, while Sue Shearing, Penny Warren, and Alan Rolfe won against Denise Wallace, Keith Aykens, and Joe Paynting.

Competition Mixed Pairs saw Fely Duncan and Jason Wright defeat Denise Wallace and Ted Evans.

Best of luck to Wangarrata’s ladies playing in the Premier Cup this week in South Townsviile.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Tuesday winners Keith Aykens Deb Beel Joe Paynting with President Margaret Wilson‍

Throughout term three, Proserpine Bowls Club has had the opportunity to host the Year 10 Students of St Catherine's Catholic College for PE lessons.

With one class on Monday mornings and the other class on Thursdays, the pupils showed a great deal of interest in the game and all learnt that there is a great deal of skill involved in making the bowls go where you intend.

The club extends its thanks for this opportunity in this annual event.  

On Wednesday in social bowls Proserpine Bowls Club welcomed Bruce Uhe back from a long holiday and farewelled Tom Jessop who enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Proserpine.  

Jim Bownds, Mike Harrison, and Heather Brown defeated Tom Jessop, Mary Hedgelong, and Peter Lawton 27-17.  Bruce Uhe played double lead.

Bruce, Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Barry Zillmann defeated Bruce, Pat Bownds, Sandy Daffara, and Jim Quod 18-17 when they played an extra end to decide the drawn game.

Sunday Social Bowls: John Anderson, Heather Brown, and Peter Lawton finished well to defeat Mike Harrison, Heather Brown, and Sandy Daffara, 27- 24 after scoring 12 shots in the last four ends.  

Mary Hedgelong, Bruce Uhe, and Jim Quod defeated Arthur Griffith, Philip Brown, and Garry Alexander, 27-23.

The club’s Triples team of Scott Hamilton, Grahame Kinnear (subbing for Nathan Dodds), and Todd Leys were defeated by Wests Tigers in the Champion of Champion Triples.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

Wednesday Social: One card only for Wednesday this week at Bowen Bowls Club. Attendees can please hand cards in after their games. There was a drawn game between Paula Welsted, Bev Smith, and Tiarna Rogers against David Moodie, Joan Edwards and Eddie Neylon, and Peter Thomson.

Sunday Scroungers Winners: Wayne Crowhurst, Steve Roome, Paula Welsted, and Lee Welsted.

Scroungers is still on Sundays.

Tuesday and Friday bowls are finished for this year.

Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards

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Spring has sprung at Airlie Beach Bowls Club

Tuesday: Skipper and top district bowler Betty Nicole spurred her team of Robin Brown at lead, and Michael Jacometti at second, to an outstanding win on the day.

Wednesday Afternoon Social Bowls: The skilful Merve Stewart organised an 18 player competition won by Noel Crosbie’s team.

Wednesday Night Business House Bowls: The competition went down to the wire with Woolies Allsorts showing true grit ably led by Eric Barnard. Woolies Allsorts won the trophy by a single point.

Second place was claimed by club sponsors PRD, with their team of John Harris and Darrel Brewer showing amazing improvement with 19 points. Third place went to Hadlow Racing team.

The last season of the year will commence on Wednesday, October 5.

Whitsunday Gold Coffee, Tuk Tuks, Health Hub, Airlie Splash of Colour, Blockheads and Battery Warehouse are some of the teams already signed up.

Saturday Scroungers: The last round of the competition, organised by John Askew, was host to hot competition as the final spots for the finals were up for grabs.

It was Andy McDougall who claimed the final round win. The final will be played by Weekly winners Ladda Purdie, Peter Barratt, John Askew, Tony Whitehorn, and Russell Jackson – as well as Andy McDougall.

Sunday B Grade Singles: Harry Quod beat a dogged Andy McDougall, whom had been waiting for the contest for over two months.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

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Woolies Allsorts team receive their trophies from last season’s winners PRD

The excitement that built to the Grand Final was nothing short of extraordinary for Whitsunday Sea Eagles Under 12s and Under 17s teams.

Both sides had the entire club behind them for their Saturday AFL Grand Final battles at Harrup Park.

Under 12 Sea Eagles were first up for the day, entering like warriors into the Grand Final battle against the unbeaten Moranbah Bulldogs.

Confirming their status as the dominating team of the season Moranbah put in a near flawless display of footy. In the face of such a formidable opponent the Sea Eagles did themselves proud with a show of determination which ended in a 6–53 loss.

Fletcher Schumski led the Sea Eagles backline, saving goal after goal, whilst Connor Marks snagged the Sea Eagles only goal for the Final.

Sea Eagles Under 17s came out to battle it out with the undefeated North Mackay Saints in their Grand Final with the siren sounding a 26–64 loss.

Sea Eagles put in a courageous effort against the polished North Mackay side but were unable to penetrate their strong defence enough to change the result.

Taking on a Club showing to be a powerhouse in the AFL Mackay competition in both Under 17s and Senior Men this year the Sea Eagles are keen for the match up with the Saints again next season.

Saturday, September 17, Sea Eagles will celebrate Presentation Day for their 2022 season.

Whitsunday Sea Eagles in conjunction with Sherwood AFL Club Old Boys will also be giving the new perpetual Club award of the Cody Gibbs Memorial trophy to a player displaying attributes of resilience, courage, respect, and selflessness both on and off the field.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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The Under 12s Grand Final team

Under 17s set for Grand Final

Cody Fowler & Chris Morrison

Historic Brothers Leprechauns are the Mackay & District Rugby League Under 20 champions for 2022.

A last-minute field goal by scheming half back Alex Lawton clinched the title for the Leprechauns after they recorded a gripping 25-24 Grand Final victory over the Magpies at the Mackay Junior Rugby League Fields.

Comprising several current and former Mercy College and St Patrick’s College Mackay students and staff, the Brothers contingent showed their champion qualities to bring home the trophy and cap a fruitful season.

For rookie senior coach Shane Mau, it was a maiden premiership to savour.

Brothers – who were formed back in 1920 - are one of the longest established clubs in the Mackay & District Rugby League competition.

The Leprechauns boast a proud 102-year history in the Mackay region along with the famous Magpies club that participated in the inaugural competition back in 1919.

Both clubs turned on a classic contest in the trophy decider with playmaker Lawton’s crucial one-pointer proving the difference.

The capable Lawton was named best on ground by officials and capped a memorable 2022 when presented with the Under 20 Player of the Year award for the best and fairest player in the competition.

Other Brothers players to impress were interchange forward Patrick Hoare, who menaced the Magpies with his bustling runs and deft off-loads; ball playing lock Ethan Roberts and strong running back rower and skipper Tyler Parish in a mighty team effort.

Hoare and Roberts are both staff members at Mercy College and turned in tireless displays in the pressure cooker conditions.

The Magpies opened the scoring after three minutes when half back Blake Kynaston crossed for a try that was converted by hooker Jaxn Sign.

But Brothers quickly established a 12-6 lead when Parish and centre Hudson Camilleri grabbed tries in the space of seven minutes with goalkicker Lawton adding the extras.

Magpies centre Mackenzie Novosel levelled the scores with a converted try after 15 minutes before Brothers winger Andrew Manera scooted over for his team’s third try to give the Leprechauns a 16-12 advantage at the break.

Brothers extended their lead to 22-12 after the interval when forward Elliott McLeod burst over for a vital try but the Magpies clawed their way back into the match with second half tries by forward James Kelleher.

At 22-all, rival kickers Lawton (64th minute) and Sign (69th minute) traded penalty goals before superboot Lawton proved the hero when he potted a memorable field goal just 60 seconds later to seal another Brothers’ premiership.

Other former and current Mercy College and St Patrick’s College students in the triumphant Brothers squad included centres Camilleri and Patrick Vella, Manera, five eighth Corben Becker, back rower Ryan McCowan, Reece Morris, prop Ryan Morris, Alex Attard, utility Ethan Van Kerkwyk and boom hooker Xavier Kerrisk.

Magpies players that attended either Mercy College or St Patrick’s College were playmaker Kynaston, utility Henry Thorpe and winger Coby Arthur.

By Chris Karas

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Brothers’ 2022 premiership winning Under 20 squad (pictured) includes Dawson Harch, Ryan Hanson, Hudson Camilleri, Patrick Vella, Andrew Manera, Corben Becker, Alex Lawton, Ethan Roberts, Tyler Parish (captain), Ryan McCowan, Ryan Morris, Mitchell Cargill, Alex Attard; Reece Morris, Patrick Hoare, Pat Hall, Elliott McLeod, Ethan Van Kerkwyk, Xavier Kerrisk and Clay Nolan; Shane Mau (coach)

Eighteen pairs competed in the Mackay Barometer Pairs on the weekend of September 3 and 4 with the winners pictured.

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Mackay winners in the A section: 2nd Diane Morgan & Eric Leivesley, 3rd David & Ming Ting

Winners in the B section: 1st Lorna Shuttlewood & Doone Mitchell, 3rd Debra & Eric Goodchild

Winners in the C section: 1st Helen Van Den Broek & Anne Lutz, 2nd Sandy Patterson & Vic Mason, 3rd Noel Saunders & Mary Rose Ramsden