Mackay Teacher Claims Back-To-Back World Titles
Read the full storyThe Australia Wide Novice Pairs were played in May with 28 Novice players from Mackay competing. N/S winners were Mary Cruickshank and Geoff Cowan. E/W winners: Ted Cullinan and Susan Gibson. Weekly Results Monday 2 June 2025 –- 8 Table Mitchell Green Points N/S E/W 1st Janelle Conroy / Terry Sheedy 1st Margaret Lane / Barbara Tait 2nd David Ting / Eric Goodchild 2nd Noel Bugeia / Geoffrey Patterson 3rd Edward Kliese / Diane Stokes 3rd Ming Ting / Pamela Finger 3rd Joy Block / Nancy Wix 4th H
Read the full storyCairns once again proved itself an ideal host city for the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games, held from May 29 to June 1, with over 220 swimmers taking part in three days of competitive pool events at the Tobruk Memorial Pool, followed by an open water swim at Lake Barrine. This year’s swimming program concluded with a scenic open water event on the Atherton Tablelands, where 74 swimmers took on either a 1500 or 3000 metre course in the 24-degree waters of Lake Barrine. Among the competitors we
Read the full storyIt was a strong showing for Dunbar, with their players demonstrating a keen eye at the plate, drawing 11 walks to get on base. Tristan Hillier connected well with the bat, though was caught out by Dragons’ Lachlan Colless. Dragons’ powerhouses Connor Doolan and Noah Baxter made it on base three times each, both eventually crossing home. Boyd Baxter launched a centre-field home run, helping secure a 14-6 victory over Dunbar. Heavy Iron Hawks dominated Dragons Ausgroup in a 14-6 win. Justin Loche
Read the full storyOn October 7th, the greens at North Mackay Bowls Club witnessed an exhilarating showdown during the mixed fours competition final. Eight skilled players rolled their bowls in a fiercely contested match. The final score of 18-17 eventually declared Isla Commeli, Chrissy Hall, Dave McKendry, and Ray Walker as the triumphant champions.
The runner-up team, consisting of Brenda Trannore, Ivy Giddings, Wayne Trannore, and Doug Giddings, displayed remarkable skill and sportsmanship throughout the match. Congratulations and well done to all participants in this thrilling competition.
No Ladies Social results were available for this week.
Contributed by Sue Hazledine
L-R: Ivy Giddings, Doug Giddings, Brenda Trannore, Dave McKendry, Chrissy Hall, Isla Commeli, Wayne Trannore and Ray Walker
The First National Mackay Congress 2023 was held over the previous long weekend in Mackay. Pairs and Teams travelled from Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Townsville, Bowen, Gold Coast, Toowoomba andAirlie Beach. It was great to see so many familiar faces from all over the state. Mackay members joined together and worked tirelessly to make this event a success. Local Team Morris won Section B. The team consisted of Ted Cullinan, Annie Lynch, (Noel Bugeia - President), Sandra Morris and Noel Saunders. Local Pair Diane Stokes and Ann Whitmore won Section B Pairs.
Weekly Results
Tuesday Evening 3 October 2023 – 3 Table One Winner Mitchell Green Points
1st Eric Leivesley / Janelle Conroy 2nd Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild
3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Terrence Sheedy 4th Sandra Morris / Simon Barnes
Wednesday 4 October 2023 – 9 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st David Ting / Eric Goodchild 1st Gwen Liddell / Anne Lutz
2nd Marie McGuire / Nancy Wix 2nd Janet Hansen / Alan Brown
3rd Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia 3rd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley
4th Joy Brunette / Don Poole 4th Debra Goodchild / Ming Ting
Thursday Evening 5 October 2023 – 4 Table Green Points
1st Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan 1st Patricia Garner / Mick King
2nd Frances Brown / Ann Whitmore 2nd Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless
Friday 6 October 2023 – 10 Table Mitchell Green Points
1st Debra Goodchild / Joy Robinson 1st Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix
2nd Kath Poole / Nancy Martin 2nd Christine Nice / Diane Cox
3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Don Poole 3rd David Ting / Ming Ting
4th Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 4th Eric Goodchild / Sandy Patterson
Saturday 7 October 2023 – 8 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild 1st Frances Brown / Alan Brown
2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Joy Brunette 2nd Mick King / Jan Harris
3rd Ming Ting / David Ting 3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole
4th Carol Gaskell / Ian Gaskell 4th Roland Taylor / Jarek Taylor
Mackay Congress 2023 Section B Teams Winners
Mackay Congress 2023 Section B Pairs Winners
The annual Dr Williams Lawn Bowls Tournament took place last weekend at the North Mackay and City Bowls Club, bringing together enthusiastic teams from across the region. Here's a rundown of the results:
Mackay Club won their game on Saturday Afternoon against Wests but were beaten on Sunday Morning by North Mackay in the Semi-Final. North Mackay went on to play Northern Beaches in the Final with the latter being successful.
Congratulations to all three Mackay Club teams for their commendable efforts throughout the tournament.
Social Bowls Highlights:
• Tuesday afternoon Social Bowls saw a strong turnout, with players adjusting to the slightly heavier greens after morning showers.
• The winning team for the afternoon consisted of Alf Pagden, Albert Wicks, and Peter Carter.
• The winners of the losers category were Julie Caban, Marie Mayfield, and Dot McMamara.
Thursday Scroungers:
• Fourteen bowlers participated in Thursday Scroungers across four rinks.
• In the Semi-Finals, Steve Cassidy faced Peter Carter, while Brian William played against Karina Dunn. Peter and Brian emerged as the winners, setting the stage for an exciting final.
Friday Social Bowls Results:
• Winners: L Jenner, M Mayfield, V Edwards
• Defeated: H Truscott, K Robinson, B Jenner, R Schatkowski
Competition Results - Ladies:
• Consistency Singles: E Clements defeated J Caban.
• 2 Bowl Triples: L Jenner, M Mayfield, and D McMamara defeated K Dunn, C Savage, and K Burns.
Competition Results - Men's:
• Open 2 Bowl Triples: A Naylor (sub), B Jenner, and C Stevens defeated P Carter, C Marks, and B Paskins.
• Open 2 Bowl Triples Final: K Tranberg, J Wallace, and N Wilson faced J Steindl, S McMillan, and R Dunstan.
• B Grade 2 Bowl Triples: L Dargin, A Sommerville, and R Bell took on J Smith, S Cassidy (sub), and R Casey.
• Mixed Fours: C Marks, M Mayfield, D McMamara, and T Mayfield competed against L Jenner, B Jenner, E Clemett, and P Molloy.
Contributed by Mike Irving
Local skateboard star Freddie Hazelton has been selected for the YouFor2032 program, a youth feeder program for alite athletes aspiring to compete in the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics.
A Year 8 St Catherine’s Catholic College student, Freddie is a busy young man, having travelled Australia competing in skateboarding competitions, testing his skills and techniques against a wide variety of other skaters.
“I was scouted out at one of the competitions I was in a little while ago,” Freddie explained.
“Through the program, I am given coaching and, training and professional development, to promote for the 2032 Olympics.
“Every skate comp I go to, I have to keep going up in ranks, and I might even be picked for competitions overseas.”
A natural born talent, Freddie was skating almost as soon as he could walk.
Having travelled Australia, his all-time favourite skatepark is in Bondi Beach, overlooking the ocean.
And his favourite trick?
“I think it’d have to be the backside, where you go in the air and grab the board and then come back down.”
St Catherine’s Catholic College Principal Luke Thomson is confident in Freddie’s abilities and future accomplishments.
"I'm sure Freddie will make the most of this incredible opportunity to hone his skills in becoming an elite athlete,” he said.
“I have no doubt we will be cheering him on from the grandstands at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics."
Freddie Hazelton, the one to look out for in the upcoming 2023 Olympics. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
The North Queensland Zone Mission Beach Regatta was conducted at South Mission Beach on the weekend of 16th and 17th of September.
The conditions were challenging with a persistent strong wind and choppy seas.
The Outrigger Whitsunday team performed extremely well.
In the Ocean Canoe One or OC1 races, Maree Mullett, Tim Dodds, Stephen Lynes, and Rob O’Connor won their respective divisions with Rob backing up his 4klms win with another in the 14klms race.
In the OC2 class Kim Dodds, Maree Mullett, Stephen Lynes, and Tim Dodds all received placings in their respective divisions.
In the OC6 class, the women’s team outperformed their male counterparts by taking out third place in the 9.5klm race and backed up this performance with a first in the 14klms race on Sunday.
Congratulations to the entire team and a special thanks to Michelle Lynes and Glen Bray who safely steered the OC6s in challenging conditions.
Our team included a mix of experienced and relatively new paddlers and all benefited from the experience.
Contributed with thanks to Paul Tobias.
The Men’s marathon team with the Women’s team. Photo supplied
On Wednesday, the Cannons hosted the first Distance Club Night for the season.
Swimmers had the opportunity to swim longer distances than normal.
The coaches were pleased to see senior swimmers taking up the challenge of swimming 400m IM or 400m, 800m or 1500m Freestyle.
Jacob Bell swam 1500m Freestyle in a time of 18.15.97.
Millie Groom, Remy Hedges and Nelson Malady swam fantastic times in their 800m Freestyle. Congratulations to Don Algie, Mae Carter-Attwood, and Noah Maltby swimming one of the toughest events of the night, 400m IM!
Well done to Don Algie, Jax Clayworth, Jack Ganter, Thomas Ganter, Noah Maltby, and Matilda Nicholes for swimming super PBs in their 400m Freestyle.
Jack and Matilda took close to 60 sec off their previous best times.
Congratulations to all the swimmers who participated at Club Night on Wednesday! Well done to all the swimmers who achieved PBs including: Eloise Chegwidden, Zane Clayworth, Bonnie Crichton, Miller Eaves, Liam Filewood, Thomas Ganter, Millie Groom, Lucas Korosec, Abi Maher, Owen Maher, Nelson Malady, Isaac Pisaniello, Trace Quick, Addie Sanders and Levi Smith.
The Cannons commended Jack Ganter for taking out of the Swim of the Night award for his 100m Freestyle.
Upgrade certificates were presented to Isaac Pisaniello, Mae Carter-Attwood, Noah Maltby and Harry Chegwidden. Congratulations to Bonnie Crichton for winning the Chocolate Award for the biggest PB. The Cannons also presented Jy Parkinson with 4 new Club Record Certificates (2 for 100m Freestyle, 1 x 200m Butterfly and 1 x 50m Butterfly).
On Sunday, Cannonvale Cannons who were 9 years and older thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Swimnastics workshop facilitated by Kirsten Norden. This was an awesome opportunity for local swimmers to participate in a swimming specific athletic development without having to travel to Brisbane. A big thank you to Kirsten Norden, Swimnastics and Swimming Queensland!
Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.
Swimnastics 8th Oct 2023
Jy Parkinson with 4 new club records Oct 2023
Jack Ganter Oct 2023. Photos supplied
An exciting opportunity for the local sporting community, Base 51 played host to the Australian Kangaroos earlier this week ahead of their clash with Samoa in Townsville this weekend.
Joining them for Monday’s high intensity workout were a group of Under 17 Whitsunday Brahmans.
The special invitation was extended to boys, who had the chance to meet some of their idols and get tips and tricks on effective training and discipline.
Simon Lee, the owner and operator of Base 51, said he was honoured to host elite athletes at his gym.
“We just got the call one day, asking about the Kangaroos training here,” he explained.
“And who I am to turn that down!?”
A fully equipped gym with state-of-the-art facilities, it is no wonder that the Australian Rugby League Team chose Base 51 for their work out.
For Noah Connell, one of the boys on the U17 Brahmans, and who trains at Base 51, it was exciting to be able to watch his idols train on the same equipment he uses almost daily.
“These guys are my idols, so I’m going to get some pointers from them, he said.
Being able to see these sporting legends train was an amazing experience for these aspiring athletes.
Kaylem Douthwaite is also an U17 Brahman who was eager to learn from the best.
“It’s awesome that they came here, and that we can learn from them,” he said.
“My goal is to get some tips for training, improve my form, that sort of thing.”
For Murry Hinton, the experience was very exciting.
“Because not many big teams come through here, and we all watch them play.”
Photo credit: Norina Jane
To round out the year, many fitness facilities (including mine - F45 Airlie Beach) run 6, 8 or 12 Week Challenges. With so many to choose from, how do you decide which one is right?
Firstly, Challenges can actually be fun! Gone are the days where starving yourself for 6 or 8 weeks puts you as a "contender" to win a challenge. Most fitness facilities have grown up a lot of late, so they should generally be very well rounded and include everything you need to set you up for short- and long-term success.
Challenges can also be a fantastic time to join in on a gym or studio where it might feel awkward as to when to actually join or start. Because many fitness facilities see plenty of new faces joining for a Challenge, then it certainly can help those of you nervous to start, break down that initial barrier and take that first step, knowing you`ll be joining with heaps of new people.
As mentioned above, Challenges nowadays should be very well rounded. Customisable fitness routines, customisable meal planning, accurate recording of results, and recovery methods and education to keep you feeling energised, moving well, and heading towards your goals week after week.
Lastly, challenges can be whatever interpretation of a challenge means to you. It can simply be to start exercising and stay on track. It could mean removing or reducing your alcohol consumption. It could be simply making healthy and sustainable decisions to put your health and wellness first. And it could mean to break a "rut" you have found yourself in either mentally or physically.
I love challenges, and highly encourage anyone to try, whether you have done one before or you don't even have a current gym membership. With the best decision that works for you, I am sure you`ll be feeling fantastic come December, and ready to share your results with your new gym buddies, family and friends.
Sonny Ivanovic, owner of F45 Airlie Beach.
Pioneer Swimming Club held its annual Long Course Transition Meet at the Mackay Aquatic Centre on Saturday, 30 September and 1 October, proudly sponsored by Naming Rights and Gold Sponsor, BTP Group.
The popularity of this meet has grown again this year – having welcomed just under 200 swimmers and double that in supporters through the gates over the 2-day event.
Swimmers travelled from as far North as Cairns, Townsville, Ayr, Proserpine, Cannonvale and then to the South, Rockhampton, Emerald, Yeppoon and Gladstone.
The Pioneer Long Course Transition Meet is one of the first carnivals for the Long Course Season Calendar, as North Queensland swimmers seek to achieve qualifying times for the Hancock Prospecting Queensland Long Course Championships, set to be held in Brisbane in December.
A highlight of the meet was the “PB Challenge”, proudly sponsored by Move it Chiropractic this year.
Ten times are nominated for swimmers to seek to achieve as personal bests – if one of these times were achieved, the swimmer presented at the Awards Table to receive $50!
Four lucky swimmers achieved one of the PBs and were awarded their prize.
Another highlight of the weekend was the presentation of the 2023 Season Captains, Yasmin Seedwell and Zahli Herring – each being deserving and inspirational seniors to guide the junior swimmers of the Club.
The Club were also grateful to have welcomed Deputy Mayor, Karen May, to the Meet who officially opened racing on Sunday morning.
Karen was keen to learn what opportunities the sport of swimming, Mackay and Swimming North Queensland can present to budding athletes for the 2032 Olympics and what the facilities the Mackay Aquatic Centre has to offer.
With the carnival behind them, swimmers return to training at the Pioneer Swimming Centre this week, having trained the past month at the Memorial Swim Centre managed by DMR Leisure.
Millie and her team at the Memorial Pool have been wonderful to the Club whilst the Pioneer Pool received a deserved face-lift, having even joined as Bronze Sponsor for the 2023 Carnival.
The next meet on the swim calendar is the Whitsunday Swimming Club Carnival in just a few short weeks.
Contributed by Pioneer Swimming Club.
Pioneer Swimming Club's Captains Presentation
Swimmers dive in to the Long Course Carnival
Alex from Pioneer Swimming Club takes on butterfly stroke
Ella from PSC competing in backstroke
Henry from PSC
Team photo of the Pioneer Swimming Club
Rex from PSC
Xavier dives off his mark amongst his competitors (Photo Credit: TS Photography)
Mackay schoolgirl Skye Vaughan relishes a challenge on the hockey field or basketball court.
With her steely determination, athletic prowess, vision and will to win the dual Queensland representative is well equipped to show her wares.
At the age of 14 the versatile Vaughan is regarded as one of the State’s most gifted sportswomen with an impressive list of achievements at an elite level.
When she’s not keeping close tabs on strikers as a talented high fullback on the hockey pitch, you’ll find promising hooper Skye creating mayhem as a basketball guard.
“I enjoy the different challenges and have been lucky enough to wear the Queensland colours in both sports,” the hard-working Vaughan exclaimed.
“Both complement my competitive instincts and keep me motivated to learn and improve,” she revealed.
The St Patrick’s College student demonstrated her skills at last year’s Hockey Australia Under 13 Girls National Carnival in Hobart – steering her undefeated Queensland Cinders team to a deserved championship title.
With a dedicated Skye in superb form, the Cinders chalked up impressive wins over NSW Stars (2-0), Tasmania (4-0), Northern Territory (6-0), Queensland Embers (1-0), South Australia (3-1), Victoria Venom (1-0), Victoria Volt (5-0) and Western Australia Lightning (2-0) and drew 0-0 with NSW Lions and 1-1 with both ACT and Western Australia Storm to top the standings.
A product of the Mackay Norths Hockey Club, Skye has quickly established herself in A Grade and with the J League Rising Stars and Queensland Under 15 Indoor Hockey squad.
On the basketball court, Vaughan is part of an exciting young crop at the Mackay Meteorettes where she burst into prominence as a ten-year-old.
Last year she helped the Meteorettes reach the final of the Basketball Queensland Under 14 Girls State Championship where they were toppled 70-45 by the Southern Districts Spartans.
The talented guard will also spearhead a powerful St Patrick’s College side at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland Juniors tournament on the Gold Coast.
Skye will team up with fellow Queensland North State reps Lily Mapp, Maggie Thorburn and Alley Simpson as the Mackay school attempts to replicate the recent championship-winning deeds of their senior basketballers at the same prestigious event.
If skill and determination count for anything, then the sky is the limit for this teenage titan who dreams of representing Australia at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
By Chris Karas
Dual Queensland representative Skye Vaughan is one of the brightest prospects on the State hockey and basketball scene
In the world of social bowls, on Wednesday, September 27th, the triples game saw Betty Mulhall, Isla Comelli, and Kathy Mathews emerge as winners. The pairs game witnessed Fay McCubben and Lidia McCarthy securing the runner-up position.
Moving to Sunday, September 24th, the Club Mixed Pairs final took centre stage. Competing in this closely contested match were Mick Walsh and Lois Deguara against Peter Delaney and Jean Zamparutti. Ultimately, Mick and Lois clinched the title.
The Men's and Ladies Club Presentation night is scheduled for October 14th, where awards and recognitions will be presented to the participants.
Contributed by Sue Hazledine
L-R : Peter Delaney, Jean Zamparutti, Lois Deguara and Mick Walsh
Life can’t get any better for Mackay Cutters iron woman Shannon Mato after powerhouse performances on the rugby league field in 2023.
The dual code international – who was part of the Jillaroos’ World Cup-winning squad in the United Kingdom - has experienced a bumper season in the women’s ranks since leading the Cutters to the BMD Premiership semi finals back in May.
Front rower Mato helped Queensland clinch an Origin series against the NSW Blues before helping the Gold Coast Titans reach the NRLW Grand Final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
The 25-year-old prop turned in a strong display in the Titans’ 22-18 loss to the Newcastle Knights – racking up 250 running metres and getting through a mountain of defence in an epic tussle.
It was just another non-stop effort from the former Wallaroo and Queensland Reds forward who transitioned to rugby league in 2020.
Mato has come a long way since winning a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in her debut season in the NRLW before linking with the Titans.
She was a stand out for the Maori All Stars and for North Sydney in the NSW Harvey Norman Womens Premiership but has prospered in Queensland with stints at Tweed Seagulls in 2022 and in Mackay this year.
A mobile forward with a high work rate, Matto was one of the best on ground in the Cutters’ heartbreaking 22-18 loss to eventual champions Burleigh Bears in the BMD Women’s Premiership.
Her non-stop performances were rewarded these past two seasons with Shannon receiving back-to-back Titans’ NRLW Player of the Year Awards and recognition from her peers with the Players’ Player trophy.
Mato underlined her status as one of the competition’s best middle forwards when she was named Prop of the Year and in the NRLW Team of the Year at the recent Dally M Awards at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
The Mackay warrior will cap a memorable 2023 with selection in the Jillaroos squad for the Pacific Rugby League Championships opener against the Kiwi Ferns on October 14
at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Shannon Mato
At the start of this September’s school holidays, Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club sent a ‘small, but strong’ contingent of 10 lifesavers to take on the best of the North Barrier Branch, consisting of competitors from Sarina in the south to Ingham in the north.
The event took place at the beautiful Magnetic Island for the first carnival of the season, hosted by Townsville’s Arcadian SLSC.
The small team in numbers was strong in its competitiveness, taking out ten gold, five silver and six bronze medals, as well as a host of 4th, 5th & 6th places.
Josh Grant, Director of Surf Sports commented, “The team is only really at the start of their competitive training cycle, with most only hitting the water for the last month or so.
“To have such great results from such a small team is very promising, particularly as we build for the North Australian titles which we are hosting on our home turf at the end of October.”
He went on to state, “In terms of individual results, based on an aggregate total, we punch well above our weight when compared to huge clubs like Arcadia & Picnic Bay (both from Townsville) who field teams that number over 100 competitors.”
The lifesavers will now be training hard to get ready for the North Australian Titles, to be hosted at Harbour beach from 27th – 29th of October.
This event will see over 500 competitors compete in the largest regional Surf-lifesaving Championships outside of the southeast.
“For us this is just the beginning of bigger and better things for our club,” said Mr Grant.
Masters competitor Ben Madden took out 1st in the surf swim, board race and ironman events
Mackay U11’s Johnny Grant, Kellan McLean and Harry Madden getting ready for their next event and having some fun on Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island’s Alma Bay was a hive of activity at the first Surf Lifesaving carnival for the season
Winners are grinners – the U15 Board Relay team (Zara Richardson, Molly Madden and Meliana Craig) dominated all other clubs taking out 1st place. Photo Credit: Lean McLean Photography
Mackay Surf Club’s “small but strong” team is gaining a reputation throughout the region for their surf sports competitiveness. Photo credit: Leah McLean Photography
Mackay-Whitsunday senior representative cricket team have fallen short in their quest for the Bulls Masters Twenty20 Country Challenge Cup.
The Nitros bowed out of the trophy race after a heart-breaking four wicket loss to the Central Queensland Seamers in an epic semi-final last weekend at Griffiths Park in Cairns.
It was the Nitros first defeat at the 2023 tournament after posting impressive wins over the Wide Bay Flames, reigning champions Far North Fusion and Darling Downs Suns in the preliminary rounds.
The Fusion get an opportunity to retain the title when they pit their Twenty20 skills against the versatile Seamers line-up in the Challenge Cup Grand Final at the Gabba on December 27.
Far North advanced to the trophy decider after eliminating Sapphire Coast Scorchers by six wickets in their semi-final fixture.
Central Queensland skipper and top all-rounder Joe McGahan received the Dirk Tazelaar Medal for Player of the Tournament after compiling a series high 158 runs @ 39.5 and snaring eight wickets @ 11.
Mackay-Whitsunday were dismissed for 117 in their semi final with Shaun Austin top scoring with 42 runs off 35 balls and clouting five boundaries.
The inspirational McGahan produced a standout performance – grabbing 3-17 with the ball before steering the Seamers to victory by scoring a valuable 27 runs with support from David Heymer (40 not out).
Key Nitros bowlers Isaac Borg and Chris McEldowney continued their fine form, bagging two wickets each as the Seamers (6-118) eclipsed the Mackay-Whitsunday total.
The capable Austin also registered knocks of 33 not out against the Suns and 21 against the Flames and proved a model of consistency.
Other batting highlights for the Nitros were Matthew Wicks’ superb 87 off 44 balls that included six sixes and seven boundaries and Darryn Dyer’s unbeaten 79 off 53 balls.
In Walkerston off spinner McEldowney the Nitros had a bowling trump card.
He finished the series with nine wickets including a haul of 4-6 – combining with Mackay Norths all-rounder Mason Kohler (3-6) to rout Darling Downs for 51 and set up an important fifth round victory.
Central Queensland Seamers captain Joe McGahan received the Dirk Tazelaar Medal for Player of the Bulls Masters Twenty20 Country Challenge Cup tournament in Cairns
Year 12 Bowen State High School student Henry Snell is making big movements in the world of high speed motorsport, taking to the track across Australia to compete.
Starting on the dirt tracks when he was seven, it wasn’t until Henry was 13 that the paved circuit caught his eye.
Taking on the Oceania Junior Competition then, Henry has never looked back, taking each and every track opportunity in his stride.
However, it wasn’t until recently that Henry moved up the gears and decided to give the sport a proper crack, giving it his all in hopes to make the big leagues.
Now, with the 2023 season close to finishing up, he has welcomed numerous podium finishes, and even a first place win at Philip Island a few weeks ago, securing a top five place in his category.
“That was a big competition,” Henry explained.
“I ended up winning the 300 class and came second in the 200. We did have a bit of unluckiness with one of the races because I had a malfunction on my bike, but I came back and won the last race of the day.”
Henry’s dad, Rodger, is Henry’s right-hand man on the track, always making sure Henry has the best supports and the best outcome.
“The finishes can be pretty tight, and exciting. Henry is one of the top five in Australia, with all the boys finishing at similar speeds, all within not even half a second of each other.”
Now on the cusp of completing Year 12, Henry is looking to compete professionally internationally, hoping to secure a place at an academy or program to learn the ropes.
Henry is backed by a team of sponsors, most of which are Bowen locals.
“I wish to thank all my sponsors, because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Henry racing on the track, securing numerous podiumfinishes. Photos supplied