Fourth time’s the charm
By Kelsey Cottrell
Perseverance, persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. This sums up the road to victory for Belmont’s Kerry Flint and John Finlayson who in three consecutive years had bowed out in the semi-finals; however, today they broke the hoodoo and claimed gold in the men’s over 60’s pairs against club mates Tom Olin and Hugo Freeland.
The local sides had snuck over the line in their semi-finals by one and two shots respectively to face off in the final this afternoon at Capalaba Sports Club.
Skipped by Finlayson, who enjoyed a semi-final appearance in the men’s fours just three days ago, said it was fun being out there despite playing against club mates in a big match. It was a title they wanted to win so they jumped out of the blocks quick, and after picking up a seven (no mention of who was out of the eight!), it became a one-sided affair with a 29-11 victory to the Belmont Premier League players.
The women’s final on the rink next door was a close encounter with the underdogs prevailing.
McAnelly and Callaway, great players in their own right, went into the final-end two shots ahead of recent Open Triples Champions Ruth Smith and Serena Matthews.
McAnelly got to the jack first on the deciding end and Serena Matthews, despite being the hero on the final-end of the women’s triples, was unable to do it again; the Fraser Coast pair held on for the win.
It was a big day at the office for our champions who also defeated the strong combination of Adele Pershouse and Gail Crompton, former Australian Open Over 60’s Champions, by one shot in the semi-final.
Thank-you to Life Without Barriers for sponsoring the Over 60’s Pairs and to their representative Rebecca Hubball for presenting the medals to our winners and runners-up today.
Life Without Barriers focuses on disability and aged care, enabling people to stay at home and live as independently as they can.
Men’s Over 60 Pairs Final-
Kerry Flint & John Finlayson def Tom Olin & Hugo Freeland 29-11
Women’s Over 60’s Pairs Final-
Robyn McAnelly & Jill Callaway def Ruth Smith & Serena Matthews 19-16
The Men’s Open Pairs final was live streamed and can be found on the Bowls Queensland Facebook page along with other matches filmed during these championships.
Tomorrow, Saturday May 15th is sectional play of the men’s and women’s blue-ribbon singles event.
Winners Over-60 women Robyn McAnelly & Jill Callaway with Life Without Barriers’ Rebecca Hubball 
Winners Over-60 men Kerry Flint & John Finlayson 
Runners-up Over-60 Serena Matthews & Ruth Smith with Robyn McAnelly & Jill Callaway with Life Without Barriers’ Rebecca Hubball 
Runners-up Over-60 Hugo Freeland & Tom Olin with Life Without Barriers’ Rebecca Hubball
