Mixed Pairs Champions Kelsey Cottrell and Nick Cahill with sponsor Nic Fisher from Image Property

Raining Gold for Cahill & Cottrell – Mixed Pairs

by jgrey on May 11, 2022

Queensland young gun Nick Cahill teamed up with Australian Jackaroo Kelsey Cottrell to win the State Mixed Pairs in wet conditions at the Broadbeach Bowls Club.

The conditions didn’t put a dampener on the day with the four semi-finalists all playing exceptional bowls despite the constant rain and blustering winds.

Our gold medallists continued their rich vein of form after Cottrell and Cahill tasted success for Queensland at the Australian Championships just a fortnight ago; Cottrell in the pairs with Cassandra Millerick, whilst Cahill won gold in the triples with Barrie Lester and Aron Sherriff.

Members of the Broadbeach Bowls Club, Cahill and Cottrell had to first overcome club mates Bolivia Millerick and Sean Ingham in the semi-final this morning, in a classic encounter that saw Cahill and Cottrell get out to an early lead and keep their noses in front the entire game.

The other semi-final match was going down to the wire, with 19-all at the final end.

Sue Brady and John Balzarolo defeated the husband and wife pairing of Eileen Swanson and Tim Swanson from Enoggera, who had also made the semi-finals in 2021.

Sue Brady is no stranger to state finals having won numerous titles throughout her career whilst John Balzarolo was playing just his second state final, a relatively unknown player outside his Gold Coast Tweed District.

The pair were teaming up brilliantly and getting the better of their Broadbeach opponents, jumping out to an 11-5 lead after scoring back-to-back 3s on the 10^th and 11^th ends.

It took a great drive by Cahill putting the jack in the ditch to pick up a 3 themselves; Cottrell then threw ditch-to-ditch and the eventual winners started to find their groove as the rain continued to fall.

Cottrell and Cahill continued to chip away at the deficit and grind out a memorable victory 18-12, just in the nick of time as the heavens opened, and the greens begun to puddle!

“Today was nothing short of special teaming up with Kelso and winning on our home turf,” said a delighted Nick Cahill.

“Even though the conditions were extreme, we kept focussed and snuck over the line; they were both hard fought battles with great shots being played by everyone.

You couldn’t play a final against two nicer people in John and Sue and congratulations to Bolivia and Sean for winning bronze and Eileen and Tim on making the final four again.”

Kelsey Cottrell and Nick Cahill will now represent Queensland at the Australian Championships in October this year at the Broadbeach Bowls Club.Thank-you to our sponsor Nic Fisher from Image Property and the City of Gold Coast.

To watch the Mixed Pairs final click here. Thank-you to the Gold Coast Tweed Media Team for covering the Mixed Pairs Championships.

Semi Final Results-

Kelsey Cottrell & Nick Cahill def Bolivia Millerick and Sean Ingham 22-15

Sue Brady & John Balzarolo def Eileen Swanson and Tim Swanson 21-19

Bronze Medal Playoff-

Bolivia Millerick and Sean Ingham def Eileen Swanson and Tim Swanson 19-11

Gold Medal Playoff-

Kelsey Cottrell & Nick Cahill def Sue Brady & John Balzarolo 18-12