State Championships – Men’s and Women’s Open and Over 60 Pairs Champions Crowned

by Bowls QLD

By Vanessa Bacon-Hall

Fierce competition for Open and Over 60s Men’s and Women’s pairs

After three days of play both the Men’s and Women’s Open and Over 60s pairs were contested with the final day of play once again held at Coolum Beach Bowls with perfect conditions on offer.

The Men’s Open Gold Medal match was close with the team of Tyler Pettigrew and Jake Rynne edging out Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick and Nick Cahill 20/19.

Locked at 19 all on the last end and down game, Jake played a precision conversion shot with a ricochet of the jack going their way to claim the victory.

Tyler explained that the pair had played for a couple of years in pairs but had never got to the “pointy end of the competition” before.

“We just managed to sneak through a couple of close games and come this morning we were playing well, and we had a good win in the first game.

Tyler also praised the conditions at Coolum.

“Coolum was the best surface that we have played on for this whole event – the greens have been immaculate.”

The guys from Carina intend to come back next year to defend their Gold Medal and make it back-to-back wins.

The Open Men’s Bronze Medal match saw Jade Groenewege and Sean Baker defeat Gary Pearson and Graeme Shillington 27/13.

The Open Women’s Gold Medal match saw Claire Turley and current Australian Jackaroo Lynsey Clarke defeat Emma Spicer and Wendy Wilson 21/16, with the game a back and forth for the first half and the Gold Medal winners taking a decent lead after 15 ends.

The Open Women’s Bronze match was contested between Val Jackson and Tilly Orero who defeated Emma Boyd and Kira Bourke 22/21.

It was an all Kawana Thunder final for the Women’s over 60s with the team of Denice McLean and Lynda Brownen taking home the Gold 25/11 after 21 ends against Leigh Fortington and Maria Rigby.

The ladies who credit each other as, “like sisters” were not too stressed going into the final day of play.

“We were very excited to get through to the finals and we just thought that we would enjoy the game and it was a very exciting final game and very worthy opponents,” Lynda said.

The Over 60s Men’s Gold match was a one-sided contest between Alan Pritchard partnered with Graeme Hooper against the team of Chris O’Brien and Anthony McAnelly. Pritchard and Hooper led the whole way taking a commanding lead of 16/1 after just six ends with the final score 33/10.

The Men’s Bronze medal playoffs in the Over 60s saw Kevin Bell and Greg Rolls 21 defeat Greg Caletti and John Steel 19. The Women’s Bronze was a contest between Terry McAlary and Sue Brady 22, who defeated Ruth Smith and Gail Waitai 18.

Medals Presented by sponsor Coolum Beach’s Board Director Carole Belsham and Bowls Director Keith Wilson along with BQ Vice President Kerry Green.

Thank you to our sponsors Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Identified Services and host club Coolum Beach Bowls. Thank you to all the volunteers and umpires and greens staff.

Bowls Queensland also thanks the live streaming team from Bowls Gold Coast/Tweed and to the other host clubs during the three days of play. The final events start tomorrow with the State Men’s and Women’s Singles commencing at various clubs across the Sunshine Coast. Please keep up to date with all the news from the events via our Facebook page or the link below.

RESULTS

GOLD Medal Play Offs
WOMEN Open – Claire Turley & Lynsey Clarke 21 def Emma Spicer & Wendy Wilson 16.
MEN Open – Tyler Pettigrew & Jake Rynne 20 def Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick & Nick Cahill 19.
WOMEN Over 60 – Denice McLean & Lynda Brownen 25 def Leigh Fortington & Maria Rigby 11.
MEN Over 60 – Alan Pritchard & Graeme Hooper 33 def Chris O’Brien & Anthony McAnelly 10.

BRONZE Medal Play Offs
WOMEN Open – Val Jackson & Tilly Orero 22 def Emma Boyd & Kira Bourke 21.
MEN Open – Jade Groenewege & Sean Baker 27 def Gary Pearson & Graeme Shillington 13
WOMEN Over 60 – Terry McAlary & Sue Brady 22 def Ruth Smith & Gail Waitai 18.
MEN Over 60 – Kevin Bell & Greg Rolls 21 def Greg Caletti & John Steel 19.

Semi Finals Results
WOMEN Open
Emma Spicer & Wendy Wilson 20 def Val Jackson & Tilly Orero 7.
Claire Turley & Lynsey Clarke 24 def Emma Boyd & Kira Bourke 19.

MEN Open
Scott DeJongh-Fitzpatrick & Nick Cahill 18 def Gary Pearson & Graeme Shillington 15.
Tyler Pettigrew & Jake Rynne 28 def Jade Groenewege & Sean Baker 4.

WOMEN Over 60
Leigh Fortington & Maria Rigby 25 def Terry McAlary & Sue Brady 18.
Denice McLean & Lynda Brownen 23 def Ruth Smith & Gail Waitai 22.

MEN Over 60
Alan Pritchard & Graeme Hooper 29 def Greg Caletti & John Steel 13.
Chris O’Brien & Anthony McAnelly 18 def Kevin Bell & Greg Rolls 17.

More info and full results: https://www.bowlsqld.org/events/state-championships/

Thank you to sponsors Identified Services,  Sunshine Coast Council and Coolum Beach Bowls Club.