First time for Mooloolaba men, front row: Greg Wordsworth, Col Pritchard, Brian Sands, Tim Diedricks, John Beresford, Louie Delakis. Back row: Geoff Allan, manager Allan Sandercock, Troy Somerville, Paul Henricks, Wes Hedges, Robert Thompson, Allan Newman.
MOOLOOLABA BOYS SNAP UP STATE TITLE Mooloolaba cemented their status as a state pennant force last month, taking out their second title in as many years. After their ladies hoisted the Division 1 flag in 2011, it was the men’s turn for glory, defeating Souths Suburban in the final, 62-51. It was by no means an easy victory, with the Mackay side taking an early 15-13 lead.
Col Pritchard’s Mooloolaba rink boosted his side with a dominant performance, helping the Sunny Coast men get out to a 48-39 lead after 49 ends.
From there they had one hand on the prize, steadily increasing their lead to a game-high 12 shots, before finishing with an 11-shot victory. Skip Troy Somerville, whose side enjoyed an incredibly successful sectional campaign, struggled early in the decider but clawed their way back to a 24-21 rink win. Somerville said he had faith in the side throughout the tournament, despite their early troubles in the championship match.
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“I was confident all the way through, because our particular rink played fairly ordinary throughout the game and we were still scratching our way through,” he said.
us, not only from our club but from the whole district.
The Sunshine Coast men were the dominant side through the tournament, going through sectionals as the only undefeated team, despite being in a tough section.
“It was good. I felt like the pressure was on them, because we were the underdogs,” he said.
“I was confident the whole way that we could improve.”
Opening with a 67-32 defeat of Swifts, Mooloolaba carried their form through to the first afternoon, knocking out defending champions Pine Rivers with a 62-53 win.
Such was the evenness of the competition, that the coast side required a win from their final match, against Tantitha, to secure their final spot. Somerville, who joined the north coast club three months ago as general manager, said the players were under the spotlight going into the finals.
“In pennant we won the one, two, three and four divisions in our district so…coming down here we had a lot of expectations on
For Macleay Island Bowls Club manager and secretary Conchita “Connie” Maulguet, the best thing about 2012 was winning Queen of the Green. To Connie, Christmas means visits from family. In 2013, Connie will holiday in her native Spain. “I am Spanish with a wicked sense of humour, we like a good party!” Connie likes bowls because it’s “interactive and friendly.” Her advice for a good life? “Live sensibly and roll up as much as you can!”
“I think that we fulfilled it today.”
Their Mackay opponents were glad to fly under the radar heading into the final, second Alex MacKelvie said.
“We went okay but they were just a bit too good, that’s all.”
MacKelvie said the Souths Suburban side were better prepared than in previous years. “Our preparation was a bit more serious this year and the attitudes were better.
“We actually enjoyed the pressure. Everyone got a bit of a buzz out of it.”
Photos - top left: Souths Suburban’s Bruce Bridger (right) catches up with Col Pritchard from Mooloolaba. Runner-up skips from Souths Suburban, Peter Blackburn, Alan Howard, and Ray Kurtz. South Johnstone skips Shane McInerney, Michael Roots, and Kevin Foord.
Chairman Harold Alford has enjoyed eight years of competition and friendship at Kilcoy Bowls Club. Highlight of 2012 was winning B-grade singles championship. In 2013 he’d like to “stay chairman and compete in the A-grade championship”. The best thing about Christmas is spending time with his kids and a few drinks. Harold enjoys writing bush poetry and riding his motorbike. His best advice for a good life is to stay happy and laugh lots. queensland bowler | 7