Haevecker & Nelson Claim 2026 Fours Gold

by bwilson

Amanda Haevecker’s and Kane Nelson’s teams have etched their names into Queensland bowls history, claiming the women’s and men’s titles respectively at the 2026 Bowls Queensland State Championships Open Fours, with both gold medal playoffs delivering the drama expected of a state championship final at Paradise Point on Monday afternoon.

Haevecker’s rink, comprising Denise Gilbert, Bonnie Attwooll, Olivia Rothwell, and Haevecker herself, overcame Patricia Cullinane’s team 21-16 in the women’s decider, while Nelson’s rink, featuring Tyler Pettigrew, Brad Piper, Jacob Nelson, and Kane Nelson, held off a determined Dale McWhinney-Shillington team 19-17 in a tense men’s final that kept spectators gripped until the final bowl.

Women’s Fours: Haevecker Builds Momentum

After receiving a bye through the final eight, Haevecker’s team opened their knockout campaign in the quarter-finals on Sunday morning against Faye Clarke’s rink, featuring Kirsty Van den Hoff, Susan Jardine, and Kim Jackson. The match proved competitive, but Haevecker’s composure in the skip’s position proved decisive, securing a 25-11 victory that announced their intentions to the rest of the field.

Monday’s semi-final brought Jacinta Weier’s team into the contest, a rink that had been among the most consistent performers of the week. Haevecker’s team responded with some of their sharpest bowling of the championship, winning 25-15 to advance to the gold medal playoff in dominant fashion.

Waiting in the final was Patricia Cullinane’s team, who had earned their place the hard way. Cullinane, alongside Vikki Grenot, Sheena Smyth, and Elizabeth Walton, had produced one of the performances of the championship in the semi-final, edging Wendy Wilson’s team in a breathtaking 23-22 thriller. The gold medal match at Paradise Point reflected the quality of both teams. Gilbert’s precise lead work set the platform, and Haevecker’s shot selection under pressure was outstanding throughout, building an advantage that Cullinane’s team simply could not close. The final 21-16 scoreline confirmed Haevecker’s team as worthy champions.

Cullinane’s silver medal was reward for a strong and competitive campaign, while the bronze playoff delivered a 24-17 victory to Jacinta Weier’s team over Wendy Wilson’s rink, rounding out a high-quality women’s draw.

Men’s Fours: Nelson Holds Nerve in Tight Decider

Nelson’s team entered the knockout stages with a bye through the Round of 16 before producing a dominant 19-7 quarter-final victory over Shaun Wheeler’s team, featuring Adrian Sechtig, Jason Trainor, and Ian Mitchell, on Sunday morning. The performance served notice that Nelson’s rink was hitting form at the right time.

The semi-final against Mitchell Mears’ team, comprising Peter Richards, Scott Chamberlain, and Tomas Nathan, was a more demanding test. Mears’ rink had been one of the most consistent performers throughout the event and came to play. Nelson’s team lifted when required, winning 19-12 to advance to the gold medal playoff.

Waiting in the final was Dale McWhinney-Shillington’s team, who had been in outstanding form throughout the championship. McWhinney-Shillington, leading Dean McWhinney, Gary Pearson, and Kristian Crocker, had demolished Mears’ team 23-10 in their semi-final, making them strong contenders for the title.

The gold medal match delivered everything a state final should. Both teams traded ends relentlessly, with McWhinney-Shillington’s team refusing to surrender despite Nelson’s rink establishing control through the middle stages of the match. Pettigrew and Piper’s front-end work created the opportunities Nelson needed, and Jacob Nelson’s steady third play kept the rink on course. As the match entered its final ends, McWhinney-Shillington pushed hard to take the lead at one stage, but Kane Nelson held firm to seal a 19-17 victory that was celebrated as a deserved triumph for a team that had been impressive all event.

McWhinney-Shillington’s team claimed silver after a campaign that featured some of the best bowling seen across the entire championship, while Mitchell Mears’ team completed a strong outing with a commanding 21-7 bronze medal victory over Roger Stevens’ rink, featuring Dean Drummond, Peter Brown, and Sean Baker.