Aussies in rush of gold
THE Australian Jackaroos finished off a successful UK campaign winning three golds on the final day of the 10 Nations Test event in Wales.
Gold Coast-based Kelsey Cottrell claimed gold in the women’s pairs alongside Ellen Ryan from NSW in a thrilling extra end win over Malaysia.
The women’s triples, featuring Tweed Head’s Chloe Stewart with Kristina Krstic and Rebecca Van Asch, joined the gold rush against South Africa.
The men’s fours beat Ireland, adding to the men’s pairs gold medal from last week.
With four gold, two silver and two bronze from eight events, Australia was the best performer from 10 countries.
■ Broadbeach’s Chris Lanham and Ryan Burnett have advanced to the final of the Gold Coast Tweed District Men’s Champion of Club Champion Pairs. The duo will now take on Aron Sherriff and I in the final on August 12. The men’s fours final will also be played on this day between Helensvale and South Tweed.
The men’s singles start Sunday at Musgrave Hill, with a couple of clubs yet to finish finals. Players to watch include Gary Mounsey on his home green at Musgrave Hill after winning their club singles, pairs and fours this year.
Queensland under-25 rep Dale McWhinney-Shillington from South Tweed continues to improve, while former South African rep Eric Johannes from Paradise Point has been in fantastic form. Mudgeeraba’s Alan Law, who recently reached the final of the Musgrave Prestige Open Singles, will also be hard to beat.
The women’s fours commenced yesterday at Southport and will continue today with semi showdowns between McKenzie Park and Broadbeach, and Tweed Heads and Musgrave Hill. The final will follow this afternoon.
The women’s singles start tomorrow at Tweed Heads with an interesting first-round match between Chloe Stewart (fresh off a plane from representing Australia in the UK) and Broadbeach’s Kiwi International Katelyn Inch.
■ Helensvale survived a last bowl thriller against Tweed Heads in Round 2 of Division 1 men’s pennant over the weekend. Broadbeach defeated Musgrave Hill to join Helensvale and South Tweed as the only undefeated teams.
■ The Gold Coast Tweed District Ladies introduced the “Goldy 7s” this year with the aim of enabling working women to take part in the seven-a-side event.