Fours finish in style
The State Championships Fours final proved to be a smash hit with spectators at the 2018 State Champs. (Pictured left: The winners of the 2018 State Champs Women’s Fours title)
The men’s fours team of Darren Christie, Reed Burgess, Sam White & Sean Ingham proved to be the cream of the crop in this year’s State Championships Fours event and took the title with gusto winning the grand final 20-15.
The Broadbeach skip and his team claimed some impressive scalps during their campaign, they eliminated ‘Big Jimmy’ Anderson’s rink of Neil Peach, Bob Dobinson and Mitch Mears in the quarter final, before proceeding to knock out Nick Cahill, Joel Andersen, Ian Schuback and Kurt Brown in the semi final.
“The final was tough, we were behind for most of the way but just managed to get in front on the 18th end and stay there,” Ingham said.
“Every game is tough when you get to this level, but the boys played brilliantly and we’re all pretty stoked this is my first State Fours title win and this is the first State title win for the rest of the team too.
“We were a bit nervous when we were behind but we just managed to get there in the end so it feels pretty good.”
Women:
In the women’s competition, North Dalby’s Wendy Usher and her team of Val Dun (Dalby), Cheryl Hutchinson (Broadbeach) and Heather Hodgson (Paradise Point) defeated Brenda Thompson, Nicole Williams, Adele Pershouse and Gail Crompton 19-14 in the grand final.
Usher’s team had been in fine form throughout the competition and had won all three games in the sectional rounds and continued their upward trajectory throughout the elimination stages to earn their spot in the final.
In the final they were quick to take the lead claiming the first eight ends to sit at 11-0 before their opponents could even respond, Crompton’s rink managed to produce 10 shots over five ends to put themselves back in the game and bring the score to 11-10.
Usher retook control of the game once again and opened up a bigger lead and although Crompton picked up four shots, she was unable to stop Usher from steaming to the finish line and claim the title 19-14.
“We are euphoric!” Cheryl Hutchinson said soon after the end of the game.
“Total disbelief that we won, as we really came here to practice for the Bowling Arm National Title.
“We felt that we were playing above our league as we were up against the best in Queensland!
“The toughest part of the competition was concentrating at the level needed for a high calibre competition like this.
“We are not used to having as many spectators who are all very good bowlers and we didn’t want to make a fool of ourselves, so really focused on our game and gave it our all.
“Our team did really well to come up from being 5 shots down in the sectionals moving up to the finals, then winning.”
You can replay all of the action via the Bowls Queensland Fours Finals Live Stream available here.
