Pialba Classic Fours
By John Walker
The Pialba Classic Fours held in Hervey Bay for the third time in November 2020 had 28 teams instead of the usual 32, due to operating the carnival in a Covid-19 safe manner and better control with social distancing.
Bowlers from across the state converged on Pialba to throw out the challenge of playing for the $10,900 prizemoney up for offer. Some of the State’s best bowlers from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton areas attended. The Friday night Calcutta kicked the carnival off with a massive $11, 500 pool to be distributed out for the first four past the post. When a regional club offers such good prizemoney it attracts players like the Nelson brothers Jacob and Kane, Jake Rynne the State Champion of Club Champion winner, Peter Leon the State Singles Champion, Australian Pairs Skip Sean Baker, Matt Lucas, State Pairs Champion, Nick Cahill with numerous State Junior titles, current State representatives Sean Ingham, Jimmy Anderson, Steven Tong, Mitch Meares and Scott De Jongh-Fitzpatrick.
Geoff Gees and Tim Smith auctioned all 28 teams to raise a record pool of $11,500. Team Lucas with the legend Brett Wilkie, Craig Hodges and Peter Ivey sold for $1,500 and last year’s winners Team Tong sold for $1,300. The eventual carnival winners Team Nelson went for $1,300. 1st prize payout for the Calcutta was $6,115. The top two teams, Team Nelson and Team McLauchlan had to play each other in the last round to claim the win. However, sitting close by was the Dougy Wilson side and the Matty Lucas team endeavouring to win with a good end’s result to challenge the top two.
After the dust had settled and scores were recorded, the team of young guns Jacob Nelson, Kane Nelson, Jake Rynne and John Newell were the victors for 2020.
