Millerick & Nelson Crowned State Mixed Pairs Champions
Bolivia Millerick and Kane Nelson have survived a last bowl thriller to claim their first State Mixed Pairs Title. In a high-quality affair, Silver Medalists Lauren Schultz & Dean McWhinney held game until a sublime drive from Nelson dislodged two bowls to claim four shots and the game 23 – 21. All four played quality bowls throughout the match with the score see sawing throughout.
Millerick completed a rare feat of now winning all events at the State Championships. Nelson was thrilled with his second State Title victory “Bolivia and I are really good friends and combine well together on the green, I struggled a bit in the final, but if there was a last shot that was made for my game, it’s the back hand drive, so I backed myself and was stoked to be able to play it and win with Bolivia”. “Credit to Lauren and Dean on a great game” Nelson added.
The Bronze match was another close encounter, also coming down to the last bowl of the match. Emma Boyd & Dale McWhinney-Shillington overcame defending champions Jane Bush and Scott De-Jongh-Fitzpatrick 21 – 20 to claim Bronze.
Glorious weather prevailed over the three days of the State Mixed Pairs Championships with 32 sections starting out on Monday at Club Musgrave, Broadbeach and Paradise Point Bowls Clubs on the Gold Coast, whittling down to our final four today.
In the morning games, Millerick & Nelson overcame Boyd & McWhinney-Shillington in the semi-final, trailing 4-7 the pair then hit their straps going out to lead 12-7. They then kept a 6 to 10 shot margin for the remainder of the game to claim their spot in the Gold Medal match, 24 – 15.
Schultz & McWhinney defeated Bush & DeJongh-Fitzpatrick in their semi-final, after leading 5-4 they then extended their lead to 18-5 after 12. A come back from the defending champions reduced the gap to 19-14 until Schultz & McWhinney steadied to claim the match 22 – 14.
Bowls Queensland would like to thank host clubs Club Musgrave, Broadbeach and Paradise Point.
The State Triples (Men’s and Women’s) will commence on May 16 at Club Musgrave and Broadbeach. Be sure to watch the live stream if you can’t make it to one of the clubs or to check back to our event page (link below) for all of the updates.
Thank you to event sponsor Nic Fisher – Pure Real Estate and to Experience Gold Coast and Club Musgrave for their support of the State Championships.
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