By Chris Karas

Mackay cricket legend Adam Knezevic has been appointed coach of the Queensland Schoolboys team for the annual Under 19s Cricket Challenge against NSW later this year.

The St Patrick’s College educator will prepare a strong Maroons X1 for a series of limited overs and Twenty20 fixtures against the Blues at Cudgen Cricket Club grounds in Kingscliff across the border.

Knezevic is Head Coach of Mackay-Whitsunday Cricket and continues to spearhead the Walkerston first grade attack with his left arm swing bowling in the Mackay Cricket Association.  

He guided the Capricornia Schoolboys X1 to a third placing at this year’s Queensland School Sport State Cricket Championships in Maroochydore.

Sunshine Coast were crowned champions with Met East finishing runners up.

Other competing teams included Darling Downs (fourth); South Coast (fifth), Peninsula (sixth), Met West (seventh), Wide Bay (eighth), Northern (ninth) and Met North (tenth).  

Talented Peninsula batsman Aidan Firman finished the tournament’s leading run scorer with 211 runs; Wide Bay’s emerging all-rounder Harry Sippel earned the Bowling Aggregate award with 13 wickets; Sunshine Coast gloveman Riley Johnson took most dismissals by a keeper with ten catches and one stumping while St Patrick’s College Mackay colt Etienne Pretorious was named Best All Rounder after scoring 167 runs and bagging nine wickets for the Capricornia team.    

A highlight for Murgon State High rep Sippel was grabbing a hat trick and superb figures of 7-5 off 23 deliveries against Capricornia in the preliminary rounds.          

Four players – Sunshine Coast star batsman Alex Procopis and ace all-rounder Curtis McAllister along with rising Brisbane State High School and Met East batsmen Daniel Skipwith and Jack Sonter – helped Queensland win the National Under 17 Championship title earlier this year in Tasmania.  

Skipwith (32 not out) and Sonter (19 not out) – who are products of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club in Queensland Premier Cricket - steered the Maroons to victory over the previously unbeaten NSW Metro in the trophy final.  

Sonter, a Holland Park junior, underlined his potential with a masterful 106 against Northern.                                                                                        

The Queensland Schoolboys Under 19 cricket squad is: Ben Baker (Sunshine Coast) captain; Alex Procopis (Sunshine Coast); Daniel Skipwith (Metropolitan East); Jack Sonter (Metropolitan East); Rohan Brady (Darling Downs); Liam Welsh (Capricornia); Aidan Firman (Peninsula); Zac McDermott (South Coast); Curtis McAllister (Sunshine Coast); Charlie Moore (Metropolitan East); Sahal Khatree (Metropolitan East); Cormack Wainwright (Darling Downs) and Ben Ramsbotham (Northern); Coach: Adam Knezevic (Mackay).  

Team manager is Lance Eggert from Metropolitan East.

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Legendary Mackay paceman Adam Knezevic will coach the Queensland Secondary Schools cricket team in a Challenge series with NSW later this year. Photo supplied

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There were only 4 matches to report on this weekend, one of which was a top 4 match between last year’s finalists Dom Friend and Jamie Maher.

Jamie came flying out of the blocks in the 1st leg, averaging in the 80’s thanks to back-to-back 140’s, and finding the triple 20 on regular visits.

He fumbled a little bit with the finish but managed to wrap the leg up in the end with a double 5 checkout.

That leg was quickly followed by a 2nd and a 3rd for Jamie to take a 3-nil lead, before Dom registered his 1st leg of the match to bring himself into the game.

The 5th leg had the feel of a match decider though with what would essentially be a 2-leg swing, either Dom was going to put the pressure on Jamie at 4/2, or Jamie was going to break the match wide open at 5/1, and that’s precisely what he did, and in style too, with an eye watering 145 checkout.

Dom dusted himself off after that impressive checkout, and won his second leg of the match, but the writing was on the wall by then, as Jamie managed to avenge his grand final defeat by winning the match 7 legs to 2.

Dom got straight back on the horse following that disappointing loss, with a 7/3 win over Arthur McMinn. Arthur himself had to follow that defeat up, unfortunately for him though with another defeat, this time 7/2 at the hands of Joe Wilson, that win for Joe keeps him in 2nd place, level on points with the league leader, although having played a game more.

The round was closed out with a 7/1 win for Gary Robbie over Hawkeye Rick, that win leapfrogs Gary into 7th place over Seumas Rose, Hawkeye still looking for his 1st points of the season.

The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie, Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach, and Master Butchers Whitsundays, thank you for your support.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher.

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Weekly Results

Monday 29 May 2023 – REMEMBRANCE DAY PAIRS

Week 3 of 3 – 7 Table One Winner Red Points

1st Terrence Sheedy / Eric Goodchild

2nd Marilin Robins / Sandy Patterson

3rd Antonia Tarradas / Lorna Shuttlewood

4th Janelle Conroy / Alan Brown

FINAL REMEMBRANCE PAIRS

Overall Winner after 3 Weeks

1st Frances Brown

2nd Terrence Sheedy

3rd Janelle Conroy

4th Eric Goodchild

Australian Wide Pairs

11 Table One Winner Green Pts

1st Joy Block / Diane Stokes

2nd Geoff Cowan / Sandy Patterson

3rd Ann Whitmore / Laura Howland

4th Anne Lutz / Mary Cruickshank

Tuesday Evening 30 May 2023

5 Table One Winner Green Points

1st Frances Brown / Peter Cowling

2nd Diane Morgan / Sandra Morris

3rd Ken Seaniger / Richard Wix

4th Janine Rodgers / Nancy Wix

Wednesday 31 May 2023 –9 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

1st Joy Brunette / Don Poole

2nd Josie Crowley / Barbara Tait

3rd Terrence Sheedy / Eric Leivesley

4th Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

E/W

1st Janelle Conroy / Alan Brown

2nd Ian Cruickshank / Antonia Tarradas

3rd Monica Darley / Kath Poole

4th Sandy Patterson / Geoff Patterson

Thursday Evening 1 June 2023 - 4 Table Mitchell One Winner Green Points

1st Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

2nd Geoff Taylor / Annie Lynch

3rd Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

4th Annette Howe / Debra Goodchild

Friday 2 June 2023 – 7 Table Mitchell - Green Points

N/S

1st Edward Kliese / Nancy Wix

2nd Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy

3rd Gwen Liddle / Ann Whitmore

4th Kath Poole / Nancy Martin

E/W

1st Geoff Taylor / Joy Robinson

2nd Eric Goodchild / Sandy Patterson

3rd Victor Mason / Josie Crowley

4th Antonia Tarradas / Joy Block

Saturday 3 May 2023 – Whitsunday Zone Teams Event Red Points

Team Members

Brown Alan Brown / Frances Brown / Diane Morgan / Geoff Taylor / Janet Hansen

Conroy Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy / Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

Goodchild Eric Goodchild / David Ting / Debra Goodchild / Ming Ting

Martin Lydie Martin / Deb Breeze / Betty Andison / Ellie Sheffield

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Contributed by Joy Block

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club.  

Ladies’ winner was Gayle Bynes 36pts, runner up Bev Lowcock 35pts.  

Men’s winner on a countback Bruce Moriarty 37pts, runner up John Courtney 37pts.  

Our local competition was followed by the Professionals shootout in the lead up to the Pro-Am on Thursday.  

Winner was Blake Proverbs, 2nd Finlay Bellingham, 3rd Brad Hallam.  

The shootout was kindly sponsored by Gilmour Space.  

Thank you for being a part of the Pro-am for 2023.  

We appreciate your support.  

Thank you to the Onsite rental group for providing lights to complete the shootout.

On Thursday, the golf club hosted the Abbot Point /Onsite Rental Group Pro-am, where we saw 43 Professionals play alongside the amateurs.  

We extend our thanks to Abbot Point for again coming on board to be our main sponsor and to the Onsite Rental group for providing co-sponsorship.  

Our amateurs played a single stableford with Lorraine McArthur winning the ladies and Jeremy Chrzanowski taking out the mens.  

Runners up were Joy Hose and Peter May.  

The professionals played a stroke event with Luke Higgins shooting 6 under par to win the competition, followed closely by Sam Brazel 5 under par.  

We look forward to hosting the professionals in 2024 with the support of our sponsors.

Saturday's competition was a single stroke event for the Mens June Monthly medal.  

Winner was Ben Bon 66 nett, runner up Brenden Wells 67 nett.  

Ladies June Monthly medal was held on Sunday.  

Winner was Pauline Martin 68 nett, runner up Judi Morris 69 nett.  

Both competitions were sponsored by Bowen Meat Supply & Bowen Golf club

This weekend's competition is an 18-hole 2 ball Ambrose Medley sponsored by Tropix Refrigeration.  

Joker is worth $3100.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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June Monthly Medal Winners

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The Foursomes Club Championships were held on Sunday with a field of 86 players.

Ryan Wilkes and Jon Miller shot one over par for the 27 holes to win the men's event, ahead of Andrew Colborne and Danny York in 2nd place.

Peter and Matthew Faust combined well to win the best nett and Adam Hooley and Brad Fleet were the nett runner up winners.

The Ladies Foursomes was a close competition with Mel Patullo and Trish McNeill winning only 3 strokes ahead of Lyn Muller and Tina Badenhorst.

Anna Winterbourn and Heather Luvis also combined very well to win the best nett and the team of Elspeth Scotford and Paula McQuat won the nett runner up prize.

NTP winners were: Levi Holmes, Brad Fleet, Scott Dwyer and Michael Cragg and for the ladies: Mandy Patterson and Tiina Randmae, Peta Thomas and Toni Clauss, Jordyn Albergo and Faye Elder, Elspeth Scotford and Paula McQuat.

In other golf news, Pam Harrison was in form to score 39pts on Wednesday, edging out Trish McNeill on 38 pts, and Lyn Muller in 3rd place with 35 pts.

NTP winners: Mel Patullo, Pam Harrison, Di Chard, and Ann Gardel.

The Venue Smart Monthly Medal was hotly contested, George Meharry winning Division 1 on a countback from Geoff Harrison both on 69 nett, Aaron Prosser close behind in 3rd place with 70 nett.

Division 2 was another close result, with Jim Cochrane winning over John Roser, both also on 69 nett. Barry Shawalow in 3rd place with 70 nett.

NTP winners: Scott Mason, Aaron Prosser x 2 and Ross Meade.

33 players teed up for the Metropole 9 Hole comp on Friday, Tom O'Brien a clear winner on 23 pts, followed by Nick Watson on 21 pts, and Ryan Kenny on 20 pts.

Sam Deicke and Billy O'Connor were the NTP winners.

105 players turned out for the RGH Monthly Medal, Tina Badenhorst in great form to win the Ladies with 69 nett, Tiina Randmae 2nd with 72 nett and Di Chard 3rd also with 72 nett. NTP winners were Trish McNeill and Di Chard.

Shane Van Poelgeest shaved 5 strokes off his handicap winning the overall RGH Monthly Medal as well as C Grade with 63 nett.

Jon Miller won A Grade with 69 nett, followed by Sam Deicke and Dave O'Conor on 70 nett. Phil Batty won B Grade with 67 nett, followed by Brendan Spanna nd Brian ALlen on 68 and 69 nett respectively.

Andrew Mau was 2nd in C Grade with 65 nett and Adam Hagy in 3rd also on 65 nett.  

NTP winners: Jason Whitney, Rob Stanley and Phil Batty x 2

Contributed with thanks to The Pro Shop Team.

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What a huge crowd we had for the second round of the Croker Shield 2023, 45 PGC Vets and 20 PV Vets who graced our course with their humour and fun attitude to golf.

We also welcome new member, Ross Tong who joined PGC Vets and played his first game with us.

It was a pretty coolish day with a strong wind which made putting on the more exposed greens tricky and carried a few drives off course.

PGC Vets won the day taking out the first 11 places, with an aggregate score (top 8 scorers) of 300, PV with 252, which took the cumulative totals to: PGC 574, PV 520.  

The top 8 players for PGC Vets were Peter Lindsay, Rehab Hull, Anna Winterbourn, Lyn Muller, Peter Lewis, Laurie Dakin, John Roser and Harry Milne.

The top 8 for PV were Sally (Mora) McDonald, Terence Duffy, Herman van Uitert, Paul Tilse, Ken Wolfenden, Richard Treloar, Joe Wilkinson, and Don Bloxsidge.

Next Tuesday we will be hosting the Whitsunday Vets.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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By Chris Karas

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Mackay rugby league stars Xavier Kerrisk, Jaxon Purdue, Kai Simon and Matthew Watts are well versed on the traditions of Queensland Origin football.

The talented quartet were part of an elite 37-man squad that spent two days training at the Maroons’ recent Under 18 Emerging Origin camp at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Brisbane where participants were given a taste of life as an Origin player.

The Emerging Origin program aims to help develop highly skilled rugby league players for Queensland representation with hooker Kerrisk, five eighth Purdue, centre Simon and power running forward Watts from the Mackay Cutters junior nursery earmarked for higher honours.

Kerrick and Purdue will spearhead St Patrick’s College Mackay in this year’s Cutters Cup, Confraternity Shield and Aaron Payne Cup competitions.

They were joined in the Emerging Origin camp by boom Redcliffe juniors in prop Michael Waqa, second rowers Zac Garton and Larry Siala, hooker Mitch Rogers and front rower Aholoka Toia who starred in the Dolphins’ Under 18 Mal Meninga Cup premiership winning side and Townsville Blackhawks trio of prop Jamal Shibasaki, back rower Elijah-Shane Tapau and half back Reece Foley.

The two-day camps are staged to give players of significant potential an insight into what it takes to play State of Origin football for Queensland.

Several aspects are covered including the Maroons players’ physical and mental preparation, team culture along with testing, field sessions and recovery.

Squad members listened to talks from Maroon legends Darius Boyd and Matt Gillett about the demands of being a State of Origin player and the sacrifices it takes to be successful.

Head Coach Nathan Cross said the camp had a strong focus on development, connection and encapsulating the Queensland Origin brand.

“We aim to give the players a deep understanding of what representing Queensland is all about and the core values that underpin our culture” said Cross.

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Rising Mackay rugby league half back Jaxon Purdue at the Queensland Emerging Under 18s Origin camp

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Mackay Table Tennis Association Tuesday night fixtures May 23, 2023:

Division 1:

Lexus (Graham Brake, Steven Whiting, Allan Edwards) d Mercedes (Geoff Denman, Graham Drury, Mark Sleeman) 7-4. Steven d Geoff -4, -11, 8, 14, 5.

Ferrari (Lee Brake, Andrew McHugh, Robbie Richards) d Jaguar (Barry Patterson, Anne Sheridan, Tim Sheehan) 8-3. Lee d Anne 7, 11, -6, -7, 10.

BMW (Emma Widdup, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) d Audi (Duncan Treloar, Neil Brown, Janice Kent) 8-3. Ivan d Duncan -5, -9, 9, 5, 8.

Division 2:

Nissan (Matthew West, Graeme Walker, Will VanDeKaa) d Mazda (Peter Goodson, Lily Boland, Tony Bowman) 6-5. Graeme d Peter -6, 12, 9, -14, 9.

Isuzu (Andrea Nicholson, Donna Abbott, Steve Mathieson) d Honda (Ishan Rana, George Camilleri, Mark Stam) 9-2. Andrea d George -4, 3, 6, 7.

Division 3:

Hyundai (Duncan Sheridan, Noreen Fredericksen, Ollie Hamelink) d Holden (John McGee, Tiffany Camilleri) 6-5. John d Duncan 9, 10, -9, -9, 7.

Ford (Steve Crocker, Val Austin) d Kia (Sasha Palod, Virginia Clayton). Virginia d Val 4, -3, 8, 10, 6.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures May 23, 2023:

Division 1:

Blue (George Camilleri, John McGee, Don Boettcher) d Green (Charlie Payne, Pam Joyce, Noreen Fredericksen) 7-5. Noreen d John 5, -9, -9, 7, 8.

Red (Branko Vucurovic, Steve Mathieson, Kevin Abbott) d Yellow (Donna Abbott, Peter Goodson, Bryan Marshall) 9-3. Branko d Donna -4, -12, 8, 7, 4.

Division 2:

Purple (Iris Grasso, Ken Best, Judi Hicks) d White (Kim Challender, Marie Taylor, Kim Daffy) 9-3. Ken d Marie 8, 8, -5, -4, 6.

Orange (Coral Morgan, Louise Gould) d Pink (Robyn Bushell, Fred Saliba) 7-3. Louise d Fred -9, -5, 17, 4, 10.

Division 3:

Grey (Sharon Muller, Ian Dodds) d Lime (Thelma Caruana, Glenda Brookes, Myles Dutton) 7-5. Ian d Thelma 4, -7, 3, -10, 5.

Aqua (Pam Keune, Robyn Giles, Glenda Dutton) d Tan (Madge Saunders, Cheryl Aprato) 9-3. Cheryl d Glenda 17, -9, 6, 7.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Sashia Palod in action at the Mackay Table Tennis Centre. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

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Elite Mackay Road Runners have battled for nearly thirty years to get their name on coveted The Grove 10km Handicap Trophy and today was no different when Oliver Rule took a resounding win in the historical event.  Oliver’s form of late has been nothing short of classy as he bolted from his handicap start to take on and hold off the rest of the field in the technically tricky course which included a seriously challenging ascent and descent of Apsley Way, Andergrove.

President Tim Magoffin and Vice-President Brendan Bishop welcomed over sixty runners and supporters to the annual event which was held in very cool conditions.  All runners were set off on their official Club handicap with the winner of the Award to be the first male or female member to cross the line. Lauren Connor’s brave effort in her very first ever 10km was rewarded with an outstanding second place behind the talented Oliver Rule.  

Heli Talinurm made a welcome return to running, taking gold in the 5km from her handicap start.  Jarrod Mackie registered an excellent 5km time to be the first male home based on his handicap start. Runners enjoyed the perfect running conditions despite the temperature being in single figures as they warmed up prior to their race start. The bright cloudless sky and low knots assisted runners produce some excellent performances with personal best times recorded by several runners including Carolyn Mapes.

Many thanks to Yuwi Country and The Grove for allowing use of their tree covered car park for a couple of hours, much appreciated!  

Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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2022 The Grove 10km Handicap Champion, Heli Talinurm hands the coveted trophy to 2023 Champion, Oliver Rule

Chrissy Evangelou takes time out from the BMA Mackay Marina Run organising committee to slot in an easy 5km at The Grove Handicap Trophy event

Michael Feenaghty strides out well in the 5km despite a niggly injury

Joe Grech, Mick Vivian and Werner VanDerLinde relax after The Grove 10km Handicap Championship event. Photo credit: Janelle Tilse

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By Chris Karas

Rugby league young guns Xavier Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue have enhanced their sporting reputations with selection in the Queensland Secondary Schools Under 18s representative team.

The dynamic St Patrick’s College Mackay duo were named in a powerful Maroons schoolboys’ squad after stand out performances for the Capricornia region at last week’s State Secondary Schools Carnival in Townsville.

Both played key roles to help Capricornia reach the Championship final against South Coast with the classy Kerrisk – rated one of the best young hookers in Queensland – also named Player of the Tournament and joint Player of the Final with rival Bailley McConnell.

Kerrisk and the skilful Purdue are both Mackay Cutters junior products and contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys.

The pair recently participated in the Queensland Under 18s Emerging Origin camp and will now focus on helping St Patrick’s College go one better at this year’s Confraternity Games Rugby League Championships in Brisbane later this month.

Promising Capricornia fullback Mutua Brown, from The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, also forced his way into the Queensland Schoolboys squad.

The trio will line up for the Maroons at the National Secondary Schools Championships that will be staged at Redcliffe during July.

There was more good news for St Patrick’s College when emerging forward Sam Anderson was chosen in the Queensland Secondary Schools Under 15s White squad.

Anderson joins fellow Capricornia reps in The Cathedral College Rockhampton second rower Jake Armstrong and five eighth Archie Lloyd and St Brendan’s Yeppoon hooker Jay Marsh in the Maroons squad to compete at the National Schoolboys Under 15 Championships at Port Macquarie during September.

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Mackay hooker Xavier Kerrisk was named Player of the Tournament at the Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships

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Steer Meteors Into NBL 1 North Top Four

Mackay Meteors have rediscovered their championship groove in the NBL 1 North basketball competition.

Joel Khalu’s marauding charges gathered momentum when they registered their seventh victory in eleven matches after trouncing the Cairns Marlins 107-76 last Saturday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium.

The win avenged a seven-point loss on the road to the Marlins earlier this month and keeps the Meteors entrenched in the top four.

Spearheaded by champion point guard Isaac White and key guard Tyler Williams, the Mackay men had too many big guns for the visitors as they stamped their authority from the outset.

The Meteors powered their way to a 34-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 60-34 at half time and 89-62 at the end of the third break.

White was at his mercurial best as he blitzed the Marlins with accurate shooting and super court craft to finish the match with 33 points, eleven assists, six rebounds and two steals.

Also effective for the Meteors were hot shot Williams who notched 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals; Shane Temara (14 points and six rebounds); Amarco Doyle (11 points and five boards) and Isaiah Lee (10 points, six rebounds and two assists).

The Marlins were best served by Tad Dufelmeier (20 points, seven assists and four rebounds) with Lachlan Anderson contributing 19 points and four boards and Ky Stattmann (13 points, four rebounds and two assists.

In the womens fixture the Dolphins rolled the Meteorettes 82-73 in an entertaining match.

New Cairns import Jennifer Coleman capped a superb debut with 20 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

The Dolphins led 24-18 at the first break and controlled the play to notch their fifth win after ten matches.

Leichan Williams contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds; Teyahna Bond 17 points and five boards; Taylor Mole 17 points and five rebounds and Shaneice Swain nine points, four boards and two assists.

Brittany Reeves produced a stand out display for the Meteorettes with 23 points, 16 rebounds and two steals and was supported by

Denesha Bobongie (12 points, seven rebounds and four assists); Ellie Collins (10 points) and Davida Dale (seven points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals).

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Isaac White. Photo credit: Chris Karas

McDonald's Mackay Meteors beat the Cairns Marlins 107 - 76. Photo credit: Keiron Place Art & Photography

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In his first season as Mackay Mavericks coach, Brad Somerville exceeded expectations by leading the local gridiron club to the Reef Bowl, coming agonisingly close to their first ever title.

“All we wanted to do was play great football and improve throughout the year so the fact that we were able to get there was amazing for the boys,” he said.

“They really put in 110% to get us there.”

With the 2023 preseason approaching, Mr Somerville is excited by the growth the sport has seen, exemplified by the announcement of the club finding a new home at Western Suburbs Leagues Club.

“It really sures up gridiron in Mackay moving forward,” Mr Somerville said.

“It allows us to take the next step forward as a football program.

“They’ve got strategic plans out there for future developments, so we want to be involved in that.”

The Mackay Mavericks also welcomed a new roster of coaching staff, with many of the players coming on as coaches including Saige Webber as Offensive Coordinator, Ben Clement as Line Coach, Chase Ayres as Defensive Coordinator and John Williams as Strength and Conditioning Coach.

Mr Somerville said the growth in coaching staff as well as the growth in sponsorship is positive for the sport, with plans for women’s and junior competitions in the works.

“We’re hoping to keep it growing,” he said.

“We want to get as many numbers to training and games as we can, and we want our home games to be a spectacle this year.”

With the game of Gridiron requiring a large roster of players, Mr Somerville said the club is still looking for players, coaches and volunteers.

“Anyone who’s thought about it, anyone who wants to keep fit in the rugby league offseason, anyone who’s interested in even helping out, we’re after all sorts of people,” he said.

Message Mackay Gridiron on Facebook or Instagram to express your interest and keep an eye out for the Mavericks’ first home game.

“It won’t just be a game,” Mr Somerville said.

“It’ll be very American.”

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Mackay Mavericks came agonisingly close to their first title in the 2022 season. Photo supplied

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Pipped By Tigers In Hostplus Cup Thriller

Mackay Cutters Rugby League Club paid homage to their champions of yesteryear but couldn’t share the spoils after another heartbreaking Hostplus Cup loss at BB Print Stadium last weekend.

Brisbane Tigers pipped the courageous Cutters 30-28 in a QRL top division thriller to move into second spot but can consider themselves lucky after surviving a monumental challenge from the home side.

A last gasp try by winger Jaylan To’o gave the Cutters an opportunity to salvage a deserved draw – but Brandon Finnegan’s sideline conversion attempt shaved the upright.

It was a cruel twist for Finnegan and his team mates who played superbly in their best performance of the season against a quality Tigers team.

The classy Finnegan marshalled the Mackay team with aplomb and figured in a classic goalkicking duel with rival half back Jack Miers – with both kickers landing spectacular goals from the sideline in a n epic contest.

Earlier members of the Cutters’ triumphant 1993 State League and 2013 Intrust Super Cup premiership-winning sides formed a Guard of Honour as the Mackay players took the field.

And the Cutters made an early statement – spinning the ball wide with passing rushes as centre Blake Paskins and the elusive To’o crossed for tries in the opening six minutes to give Mackay a 12-0 lead.

The Tigers hit back when fullback Tahj Wood swooped on a loose ball to score before power running Mackay forward Hiale Roycroft crashed over for the Cutters third try that was converted by Finnegan.

At 18-6 a major upset was brewing with the Cutters controlling the rucks and menacing the Tigers with their bustling defence and strong running.

But the Tigers found a new lease of life and notched two quick tries by back rower Joe Chan and winger Kane Bradley as both sides went to the break locked at 18-all.

In a second half arm wrestle, Tigers’ utility Zak Taibi grabbed a crucial try in the corner before Cutters’ five eighth Adam Cook responded as Mackay levelled proceedings.

Bradley gave the visitors the edge when he nabbed a second try with eight minutes left on the clock with Miers potting the extras from the sideline for a six-point lead.

Mackay launched another raid and set the scene for a gripping finish when the athletic To’o snared his second try in the dying moments.

The entire Cutters team deserve special mention for a wholehearted performance and go into this Saturday’s tussle with Sunshine Coast Falcons at Sunshine Coast Stadium with a confidence boost.

In the Hastings Deering Colts fixture the second placed Brisbane Tigers eclipsed the Cutters 30-14.

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Mackay Cutters guard of honour. Photo credit: Chris Karas

Mackay Cutters were narrowly defeated by Brisbane Tigers 30-28. Photos supplied: Mackay Cutters

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After Sunshine Coast resident Scott Smith had a work accident in 2005 resulting in the amputation of his right leg, discovering the Queensland Amputee Golf Association (QAGA) changed his life.

“I used to play socially with mates and then I found QAGA and joined up and it’s been great,” he said.

“It’s a very big thing for your personal wellbeing, the social aspect of it as well, getting out and meeting new people, amputees in the same situation as you are and hearing their stories.

“It just inspires you to get out and play.”

Mr Smith has since become President of QAGA, bringing the QAGA Open back to the Mackay Golf Club for the second year in a row in August.

Mayor of Mackay Regional Council Greg Williamson said the 2022 event was the first to be held outside southeast Queensland in the Open’s 18 year history.

“When they first came here last year, they had such a great time that they’re coming back this year,” he said.

The QAGA Open will consist of a charity golf day on Friday, August 11, where social and corporate golfers will be able to play alongside the amputees before the tournament gets underway across August 12 and 13.

“They really do know how to have fun and the golf’s pretty good as well,” Mr Williamson laughed.

Mackay Golf Club President George Jenkins said last year’s event was a success.

“The club staff and our pro shop, they ran a really successful event last year and it’s a testament to that success that QAGA are back here again,” he said.

“It’s always exciting to have these events hosted here.”

Approximately 30 amputees are expected to compete in the 2023 QAGA Open with some coming from as far as Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, competing alongside local amputees.

The four-person-per-team Ambrose charity golf day is happening on Friday, August 11 from a 12:00pm shotgun start with the tournament to continue over August 12 and 13.

Contact Mackay Golf Club to register for the charity golf day and registrations for the world ranked QAGA Open are open now at golf.org.au.

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Mackay Golf Club President George Jenkins, QAGA President Scott Smith, QAGA Treasurer Ken Rowsell and Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Mackay Bowls Club News

Men's Pennants fixtures have finished with for 2023 and Mackay Club have finished first in Division 6, Second in Division 2 and fifth in Division 4.

After not getting away to a good start in the first couple of rounds, the club got it together and won all of their next seven games playing some great bowls and claiming maximum points to secure the flag. Thanks to all the players who made themselves available and showing good sportsmanship and competitiveness throughout the competition.

Thanks to the selectors who had the job each week to select best teams as sometimes very hard with a lot of shift workers in the club. Well done, boys. Very appreciated.

The Club is holding Men's B Grade Fours Carnival on Weekend of June 17-18.

Information and nomination sheets are on the noticeboard and there are still a few vacancies.

Ladies Pennants continue this week with a home game against North Mackay.

Ladies competition continues this Friday with Single Finals Carol Savage v Karina Dunn; Championships Pairs Helen Truscott, Erin Clemett v Kerrie Catanzariti; Saturday June 3 Ladies Championships Fours Final; Sunday 4th June Ladies Championships Trebles.

RESULTS:

Tuesday Social Play (22)

Winners of Winners

John Jorgensen, Greg Thompson, Trevor Mayfield Winners of Losers Alan Bartlett, Robyn Schatkowski Thursday Scroungers (14) Carol Savage def Mick Coll

Contributed by Mike Irving

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Novice and B Grade winner for 2023 Phyllis Morgan

Mackay City Ladies 4’s winners Anna Forsyth, Ashlee Knight, Barbara Adams and Beth Dawes

Ladies Open Fours Winners of the Marie Gravino Shield Barbara Adams, Mary Orchard, Jenny Cecil and Kathy Mathews

Brand new members Beris Jeffrey, Rose Patroni and Grace Ryan receiving their Welcome Booklets from Janette Dark

Merle Cameron playing pennants at Airlie

Emma Pash enjoying her pennant game at Airlie. Photos supplied: Shirley Sturgeon

Division 6 Pennant Winners

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