GOLD RUSH!!!
Gold Coast Tweed sweep 2015 District Sides titles at Tewantin Noosa, smashing Sunny Coast’s dream of a home-town victory. Always hot favourites at District Sides, Gold Coast Tweed didn’t disappoint in 2015, snaffling the men’s and women’s Division 1 titles at Tewantin Noosa today, to cement their standing as Queensland’s ultimate powerhouse district.
The Goldie men put in an awe-inspiring performance, blazing through the four-day championship undefeated to lift the Harry Wright Memorial Shield.
For the women, it was a return to their 2012 winning form and their fourth District Sides crown since the inaugural women’s event in 2007.
“It’s absolutely awesome,” said Gold Coast third Sammie Wilson, “I’m stoked.”
“This is my first District Sides with Gold Coast and it was amazing, we gelled awesome as a group, and we really supported each other.
“It was tough-going physically over the four days, but definitely worth it. Personally the win was very important and I think it was equally important to every member of the team, even those who have won in the past.”
The Golden girls lost just one sectional game, to defending champ Sunshine Coast, and Wilson admits they had revenge on their minds when the sides met in today’s Div 1 play-offs.
“They beat us by one yesterday, so definitely we were out for a bit of blood. There was a different energy in today’s match, we were definitely fired up for it and it paid off.”
“There is a rivalry there between the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, it’s like the State of Origin for bowls, so getting the win over them was massive for us.”
Gold Coast women kicked off their finals campaign with a 44-41 victory over Cunningham this morning, before dispatching the hosts 48-40.
Tropical Far North pushed hard to upset the favourites in this afternoon’s third and final round, but couldn’t contain the rampant Goldie girls, going down 40-53.
At the end of finals day, Cunningham was declared the worthy runner up to the runaway Gold Coast Tweed champs.
“It’s been a super campaign and we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it,” Gold Coast talisman Sue McKenzie said.
“We’re all elated and I imagine the Sunshine Coast will be very disappointed. After working so hard for all those days, to just get tipped at the end is very hard.
“But they’ve had the title for two years, so it’s our turn again. There’s a bit of a rivalry there, it’s because they’re so good, but we’re better,” McKenzie joked.
Click here for full results from all divisions.
With the Sides done and dusted many of the stars will turn their attention to Queensland’s 10-day State Championships, which kick off on the Sunshine Coast on Friday (May 8-18).
Click here for more information on the 2015 State Championships.