State Championships – Women’s & Men’s Fours Champions Crowned
By Vanessa Bacon-Hall
Once again it was three days of impressive bowls across the Sunshine Coast with the Men’s and Women’s fours contested and the finals played at host club Coolum Beach with rainy conditions prevailing.
The Women’s team from Broadbeach consisting of Cheryl Heaps, Karen Goldsworthy, Julie Keegan and Bolivia Millerick took home the gold 24-16 after 21 ends from Fiona Williams, Adele Pershouse, Nicole Williams and Joan Tennent.
Skip Julie Keegan said that the game “could have gone either way.”
“It was neck and neck all the way and it was our toughest game which you would expect in a final.
“The other team just played amazing… we never felt comfortable, and we never took the game for granted as they were just converting so well.”
The gold medal team were also happy with the conditions throughout the final day of play.
“We were lucky as it didn’t rain as much as we thought it might, but the wind did come up, but we just had to be on our toes, and we just had to hang in there – they hit the lead and then we hit the lead.”
The women from Broadbeach are already looking forward to returning next year to continue their fours success and to playing in Perth later in the year at the National championships to be held in Perth in October.
After 21 ends the Men’s team of Tom Blaszyzck, Steve Hayden, Jacob Nelson and Kane Nelson took the gold from competitors Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick, Rohan Wilson, Brett Wilkie and Adam White 19/13.
The game was a near one sided affair for the first half and a commanding lead was obtained by the winners – at 12 ends the score was 17/5.
Skip Kane Nelson described the winning formula as having a team who “played fantastic.”
“We have made a few finals and had a few silvers so to finally get over the line is a pretty good feeling.
All hailing from Belmont Services in Brisbane Kane said that they didn’t go into the match expecting to win.
“You just take it game by game and as it went on, we were lucky enough to keep on winning.”
Despite the big lead Kane said it was still nerve wracking.
“It was tense, and it was a good game on both sides… the conditions were tough, it was raining on and off, so the green was constantly changing – but lucky enough the greens here at Coolum are really good.”
Despite the inclement weather at times thrilling bowls was the order of the day with a large turnout of spectators enjoying the skilful bowls play being served up.
Well done to Bronze Medalist’s Olivia Rothwell, Lauren Schultz, Gail Crompton, Wendy Wilson in the women and Mark Armstrong, Ben Walsh, Cohen Litfin, Nic Gosley in the men.
Medals Presented by sponsor Coolum Beach’s Bowls Director Keith Wilson and BQ Director Gary Costigan.
Bowls Queensland thanks major sponsors Sunshine Coast Council and Henselite. Thanks also to host club Coolum Beach and to the volunteers who have helped keep the events running smoothly, especially as national volunteer week begins. Thank you to Gold Coast Media Team for quality live streaming.
The State Men’s and Women’s Open and Over 60s will commence tomorrow Tuesday May 19. Please keep updated with all the action via the links below and via the Bowls Queensland Facebook page.
Results
GOLD Medal Play Offs
WOMEN – Cheryl Heaps, Karen Goldsworthy, Julie Keegan, Bolivia Millerick 24 def Fiona Williams, Adele Pershouse, Nicole Williams, Joan Tennant 16.
MEN – Tom Blaszczyk, Steve Hayden, Jacob Nelson, Kane Nelson 19 def Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick, Rohan Wilson, Brett Wilkie, Adam White 13.
BRONZE Medal Play Offs
WOMEN – Olivia Rothwell, Lauren Schultz, Gail Crompton, Wendy Wilson 25 def Janet Healey, Jess Parolin, Ester Regan, Faye Clarke 18.
MEN – Mark Armstrong, Ben Walsh, Cohen Litfin, Nic Gosley 21 def Joel Downey, John Hammond, Robert Hammond, Jake Rynne 10.
Semi Final Results
WOMEN
Fiona Williams, Adele Pershouse, Nicole Williams, Joan Tennant 20 def Olivia Rothwell, Lauren Schultz, Gail Crompton, Wendy Wilson14.
Cheryl Heaps, Karen Goldsworthy, Julie Keegan, Bolivia Millerick 25 def Janet Healey, Jess Parolin, Ester Regan, Faye Clarke 16.
MEN
Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick, Rohan Wilson, Brett Wilkie, Adam White 23 def Joel Downey, John Hammond, Robert Hammond, Jake Rynne 16.
Tom Blaszczyk, Steve Hayden, Jacob Nelson, Kane Nelson 26 def Mark Armstrong, Ben Walsh, Cohen Litfin, Nic Gosley 18.
More info and full results: https://www.bowlsqld.org/events/state-championships/
Thank you to sponsors Henselite, Sunshine Coast Council and Coolum Beach Bowls Club.








