Two inspiring local athletes have just returned from competing oversees triumphant, having both finished in first place in their respective categories, which enables them to now progress to the Ironman World Championship Events later in the year.

President of the Whitsunday Triathlon Club Michael Kimpton competed in his 4th full Ironman in Port Elizabeth, South Africa last month and prior to his departure he said:

"I hope to swim faster than the sharks, cycle faster than the tigers and outrun the Elephants!"

He certainly achieved these goals, beating all other competitors in his age-group.

“Port Elizabeth was a tough event with washing machine conditions in the 3.8km swim, gale force winds in the hilly 180km cycle and rain to top it off in the long 42km run,” he shared.

Meanwhile, Michael’s training partner Rowena Sinclair Smith also competed on the same weekend in the Half Ironman.

This one was held in Cebu in the Philippines.

Rowena's event in hot and humid Cebu, saw the sweat rolling off her in 1.8km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run. Indeed extreme and challenging conditions for racing.

Both athletes are thrilled to win a place in the Ironman World Championship and are looking forward warming up with the Coral Sea Marina Resort Triathlon which is due to be held in Airlie Beach on 27-28th July.

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Michael Kimpton competing in the Iron Man heats in South Africa last month

Michael Kimpton with his wife at the finish line

Rowena Sinclair Smith competing in the Philippines

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The first of two AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds were played on Saturday which celebrates, recognises and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, peoples and their cultures. 

Whitsunday Sea Eagles travelled to Harrup Park and Sarina this round to put on a mighty display against Mackay City Hawks in Seniors and Under 17s whilst Under 12s romped it home against Sarina Demons.
 
In one of the most special rounds of the year Sea Eagles Senior Men scraped it home 48– 37 in a tight match against the Hawks. It was another high-pressure, high intensity game with co-captain Alex Rodgers named best on ground for his hard work in the back line. Xander Hall was strong in the ruck whilst Billy Gardner and Jake Turner played well through the midfield. Sea Eagles now look to next week’s massive game against the Swans at home with Swans sitting just above Sea Eagles on the ladder.
 
Sea Eagles Senior Women played against the higher placed Hawks. It was always going to be a tough hit out. Sea Eagles came out with the right attitude and some great set plays allowed Sea Eagles to slow the game and play their own brand of footy taking the hard-earned win 36 - 18.
 
Sea Eagles Under 17s turned in another terrific team performance against the Hawks with a good result 87 – 27. Sea Eagles Under 17s are ones to watch in their competition with some top of the table clashes coming up against Moranbah and Saints in the next few rounds.
 
Sea Eagles Under 12s made the trek to Sarina coming home with a comfortable win against the Demons 46 – 1.
 
This week Whitsunday Sea Eagles will run onto Ngaro and Gia country in the second Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round taking on the Eastern Swans at
home. Juniors start from 10:40am Seniors from 1:50pm.
 

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles
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Photo Credit: Cody Fowle

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The days are starting to cool which is producing some fabulous bowls both in the pennant competition and in social bowls.

On Wednesday Social Bowls Arthur Griffith, Dale Haack and Mike Harrison defeated Bruce Uhe, Dale Haack and Barry Zillmann 27 – 10. Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton defeated John Anderson and Philip Brown 22 - 19.  In Sunday Social Bowls Alen Sanderson, Mary Hedgelong and Heather Brown defeated Arthur Griffith, John Anderson and Philip Brown 23 - 19.

On Saturday both divisions had away games.  In Pennants Division 1 Kendall Watts, Grahame Kinnear, Scott Hamilton and Gavin Milne won 18-15. Michael Kinnear, Bryan Davy, Barry Saroglia and Nathan Harriott drew 19 all. Shane Kinnear, David Ling, Andrew Bell and Wayne Handley won 18-12.  Proserpine 55 - Northern Beaches 46....Winning 5.5 points plus 9 margin. Also on Saturday, Division 5 had a win against Mackay club at Mackay.

On Sunday both divisions had home games.  In Division 1 Gavin Milne's team won 24 – 20. Wayne Handley's team won 25-11 and Nathan Harriott's team went down 12 - 18.  Proserpine won the match 61 - 49 against Sarina winning 5 points plus a Margin of 12.  

In Division 5 Mike Harrison, Bruce Uhe, Todd Leys and John Matterson were defeated 22- 17. Gavin Noonan, Ken Watts, Peter Lawton and Dale Haack were defeated 7 - 18.  Proserpine went down 29-45 to RSL Memorial earning 0 Match points and a Margin of negative 16.

Proserpine Golf Club thank all who went and gave assistance at the club to make this possible. Thanks to Pat Bownds and Lee King who represented the club with Heather at North Mackay's PAH on Wednesday.

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Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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Tuesday social bowls winners were Lyn Danvers, Ron Hyde, Mark Drummond and Geoff Danvers who defeated Sue Shearing, Greg, Keith Armstrong and Greg Colquhoun. Merle Elphinstone, Isobel Wheeler, Marg Wilson and Penny Warren defeated Robyn Stitt, Deb Retchless, Lorraine Knight and Maureen Hyde. The jackpot didn’t go off.

The Crooked Kitty final was won by Penny Warren who defeated Robyn Stitt. A Singles semifinal Fely Duncan defeated Denise Wallace. The final of the A singles was played Sunday morning in a very close match. Both players were on 23 with Penny Warren scoring the next two shots to defeat Fely Duncan. Men’s A Pairs Mark Drummond and Allan Rolfe defeated Alby Vigar and Ron Hyde.

On Sunday the Wangaratta Men played Country Pennant in Brandon. Social bowls carried on at the club with some great matches. Winners for the afternoon Robyn Stitt, Terrie Crozier and Penny Warren defeated Merle Elphinstone, Lorraine Knight and Keith Armstrong. Runners Up Toni Bowen, Michael Loughhead and Maureen Hyde defeated Jim Quad, Isobel Wheeler and Pat Tracey. Bill Myer, John Hayston, Sue Shearing and Denis Madeley defeated Alby Vigar, Lyn Danvers and Jim Steele. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Winner A Singles final Penny Warren
Sunday Winners Penny Warren, Terrie Crozier, Robyn Stitt and Lyn Danvers
Photos supplied

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On Saturday a single stableford competition was played and was sponsored by Sportspower Bowen, thanks to Marg and Andrew for their support. 

Ladies' Winner was Linda Scells 40 points, Runner up on a countback was Pauline Martin 39 points, and 3rd Place was Linda Vincent with 39 points.  

Men's winner on a countback was Jack McEniery 39 points, Runner up Danny Borgh had 39 points, and 3rd Place Mike Strickett 38 points. Shoutout to John Lawson who had a Hole in One on Number 7.  

Pin shots to Denise Bianco, Robyn Slade, Marg Need, Judy Atkins, John Lawson, Ross Lineham, Reg Goldup and Vince Hargraves who also won the Car Wash voucher. 

Choccy Chip-ins to Robyn Slade x 2, Jo Goldup, Kim Bennion, Morag Parker.  
 
This Saturday is a single stableford event sponsored by LiveLife Pharmacy.
 
The Joker draw is $2600 this Friday night.  If you are dining in, please ensure you call the club to book your table, so you don’t miss out - 47851206.  Everyone is welcome to attend the Joker draw. 

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Photos supplied

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Aaron Prosser edged out Brendan Spann with a nett 70 in Tuesday's competition, with Tina Badenhorst on nett 71 and Rehab Hull on 74 leading the ladies. Pins went to Aaron Prosser, Brendan Spann and John Bissell.

Wednesday's PDLAW monthly medal went to Lyn Muller on 73 nett ahead of Tiina Randmae on 77 nett. Two pins went to Tina Badenhorst and the other to Pauline Redpath.

Chris Brett won Thursday's stableford competition with 38 points; one more than Jason Bourke in the A division, while Tom O'Brien had 36 points to beat Kev Gosney by a shot in the B division. Aaron Watts won two pin shots and Tom O'Brien and James Devery one each.

Friday's Met run winner was Rob Smith with 20 points ahead of Tom O'Brien on 19. The pin shot was won by Shane Van Poelgeest.

Mick Kavanagh had a 66 nett to win Saturday's Hayman Electrical stroke competition by a shot from Chris Brett. The B division top two were David Telford and Kristian Mulholland 68 and 69 nett. Penny Wardroper had a nett 71 to beat Elspeth Scotford by a shot in the ladies' division. Pins went to Scott Dwyer, James Kean, Allen Roberts, Vincent Collins, Penny Wardroper and Tiina Randmae.

Sunday's competition was won by Aaron Watts on 42 points with Brent Franke three shots adrift. Pins went to Leigh Jones, Ryan Wilkes and Ryan Kenny.

Contributed with thanks to Proserpine Golf Pro Shop

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Local Proserpine golfing ladies. Photo supplied

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This week’s 9-hole stableford saw Michael Bond in first place with 21 points, second place with 20 points c/b was James Mathews and third place with 20 points was Justyn Durbin.

Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Peter Bitz take the win with 23 points, second with 20 points was Glenn Rees and third place with 19 points c/b was Gary Goddard. 

This Sunday 26th May will be the monthly medal tee off at 8.30am -9.30am.
 

Michael Bond, Photo supplied

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Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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Excitement Builds as Finals are about to start!

The twelve rounds of WTA’s Season have been completed and final positions decided in all 4 Divisions.

Teams positioned 1, 2, 3 and 4 will contest the Final Series.

Next week 1 v 2 will see the winner go straight to the Grand Final Friday 7 June.

Round Twelve Results:

Mixed A
In the Crear 6 d Vipers 3
Raiders A 7 d G.E.T. Touch 3

Mixed B
Flametree Flames 7 d Raiders B 6
Ray White d Full Boar (forfeit)
Whitmonday Eagles 12 d Stingers 3

Mixed C
ShedNHomes 8 d Bulls 1
Untouchables 9 drew Mighty Mustangs 9

Mixed Juniors
Hammorent 10 d Raiders Green 7
Raiders Blue 9 d Raiders Purple 0

Contributed with thanks to Alita De Brincat.

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Entries for Whitsunday Sailing Club’s (WSC) Ocean Dynamics and Mount Gay Airlie Beach Race Week 2024 continue to flow in and competition is set to ignite in the Trailable Yachts and Sports Boat class, while new support sponsors sign up for the popular Queensland regatta. 
 
Akin to the other classes taking part in the 36th running of Airlie Beach Race Week, numbers are growing in the Trailable and Sports Boats, which has attracted new blood. 
 
Expresso Martini is making her ABRW debut, but her co-owner, Judi Marshall, is not. She explains: “We bought Expresso Martini a couple of years ago from the Gold Coast, but excluding the last two years, I’ve done the last six or seven Race Weeks as crew on other people’s yachts.” 
 
Marshall says of the Ross 780e she owns with husband, Steve Brierley, “We’re working directly with Greg Hammon at the Club (WSC) to get a group 780s to make a separate division. That’s the hope.”
 
Marshall and Brierley are representing Tasmania and Queensland. “I’m a FIFO (fly in fly out) who spends time in both places, but the boat is based at Townsville Sailing Club and at least one of our crew is from Townsville,” she says of Helena May’s co-owner/skipper Lyndy Sawbridge, a regular on the podium at SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week.
 
“We have a highly skilled crew. My husband Steve is sailing master on Mayfair, a Sydney Hobart competitor and we have a sailmaker and others. Our only problem is we have four skippers and only one foredeckie! 
 
“We love Airlie Beach,” Marshall continued, “as you have a lot of options of things to do compared to other northern races and regattas. There’s a variety of places to go and a lot of different people to mix with and it’s not just all the top end boats. 
  
Other serious contenders in the class include Thompson 7 and 8 designs. In the ‘8’s are the likes of Andrew Jones’ Cutting Edge (Tas) and Dave Eickmeyer’s Rush (Vic). Hard to beat too, will be Andrew York’s Reo 8.5, Like Oxygen (NSW). 
 
Jan and Peter Claxton’s approach to the event is different to the competitors. Their company, Ocean Rafting, is a new support sponsor of ABRW. 
 
“We’ve been here (Airlie Beach) 23 years and have three generations of family involved now. So many of our team have done their training at Whitsunday Sailing Club; 50 percent joined us as crew and then went to the Club to obtain Coxswain and Skipper’s certification, so we’ve enjoyed grass roots involvement with the Club over the years,” Jan Claxton says.  
 
“Our involvement with Airlie Beach Race Week is supporting Whitsunday Sailing Club because of our involvement with them. It’s also because we have the maritime connection in common and it’s about supporting local events,” she said. 
   
To enter ABRW and for all information, visit the new official website at: www.abrw.com.au
 
For all information on Mobile Power Trailers, visit: https://mobilepowertrailers.com.au/
 
Contributed with thanks to Di Pearson.

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Expresso Martini and crew are ready to face their foes. Photo credit: Judi Marshall

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Hard-fought matches under perfect skies resulted in medals for some of the 30 Whitsunday picklers who competed in the Qld Pickleball Tour series of events in Townsville last weekend.

This relatively new sport in Australia, which is a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has grown so quickly in the past few years.

It now has 4,000 registered players in Queensland alone and many more social players.

Bowen, Cannonvale and Mackay all contributed strong teams that didn’t exist a few years ago.

Kudos go out to the PAQ for developing the QPT series of competitive events played in the regional Qld towns of Townsville, Yeppoon, Hervey Bay and Redcliffe.

With over 100 competitors it was a great way of catching up with picklers from around the state and challenging one’s pickleball skills.

Contributed with thanks to Lorraine Christiansen.

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Photos contributed

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Sailing conditions on Pioneer Bay are now at their premium, as seen at last Wednesday’s twilight race conducted by Whitsunday Sailing Club. A fleet of 18 boat carrying a total of 133 crew sailed in a 12 – 15 knot south easterly breeze as they competed for bragging rights at the aprez-sail event back at the club.
In the first race of the day, Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) timed the run to the starting line to perfection, initially leading the fleet away, but Black Jack (Blair Mitchell) soon took the lead and were never headed.  
While Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale) held on for a while, they were unable to keep up and settled instead for second place, finishing 3 minutes after the leader. There was a similar gap back to Smooth Criminal, Reignition (Charles Wallis) and QMS Ponyo (John Galloway), while it was a lonely race for Wide Load (Shannan Hart), followed by Wobbly Boot (Craig Piccinelli), Twister (Kevin Fogarty) and Matchless (Terry Stevens). On corrected time, Black Jack held on to the win, with Wide Load second and Bobby’s Girl third.
In the Division 3 fleet, Rossgo (Greg Hammon) felt that he had won the Doyle Sails sponsored best start prize, but a fast-starting Good Vibes (Robert Holm) took the honours, before sailing away to a start to finish lead. Rossgo managed to sit comfortably in second place on the water, with a clear gap back to the trio of Masquerade (Tom Vujasinovic), Lighthorse (Di Forster) and Shiraz (Nicholas Lee), and a similar gap to another trio of Riff Raff (Dan White), Lama (Maz Weatherburn) and Symbiosis (Anne Ross).  After handicaps were applied to each boat, Rossgo came out on top, with Lighthorse and Lama filling the minor placings.
The Whitsunday Sailing Club twilight series continues every Wednesday with racing commencing at 4:30. Limited crewing positions may be available. Those wishing to participate as crew need to be at the club by 2:3 pm (limited spots available).

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm.

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On Sunday, 25 swimmers travelled to Mackay to compete at the Pioneer Swim Carnival while two Cannons competed in the first Townsville open water swim for the season. The Cannons swam very well on Sunday despite the very chilly conditions in Mackay. The pool water was warmer than the air temperature. The Cannonvale Cannons would like to thank Coach Ken Crittenden and his Apprentice Coach, Tiana Bell.  A big thank you to Kristin Pisaniello and Theresa Manning for officiating.  
7 years and Under: Harry Chegwidden, Miranda Palmero and Jax Eaves achieved top placings for all their swims. Indigo Harland’s best swim was her 25m Breaststroke which she did a 3.53 seconds PB and came 2nd.  Leo Mulliss’s best swim was his 25m Backstroke which he swam in 29.73 seconds ( 0.4 second  PB).  
Top performers: Miller Eaves, Zach Trefz and Celeste Orenshaw all swam extremely well, achieving PBs for most of their swims. Miller swam a massive 26.88 second PB in his 100m Backstroke. Celeste Orenshaw came 1st in her 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle. Zach achieved top placings for the majority of his swims and achieved 5PBs.
Don Algie and Alex Trefz loved the 50m events. They came 1st in all their 50m swims. Eloise Chegwidden and Maeve Dichiera swam super times in their 100m Freestyle achieving PBs. Charlie Doherty, Jack Ganter, and Thomas Ganter swam top placings in many of their events. Evie Doherty’s best swims include her silver medals in 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle. Koa Harland’s best swims included her 50m Breaststroke (2nd) and 50m Butterfly(3rd).  Ruby Harland, Isaac Pisaniello, Andie Reynolds swam fantastic times in their 100m IM and 100m Freestyle. Eric Mulliss swam his best times in 50m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle.  Sophie Palmero, Isabella Pisaniello, and Millie Groom all swam impressive Breaststroke.  
Meanwhile in Townsville, Jacob Bell came 2nd in the 2km TOWSA swim in a time of 29.44 and Nelson Malady completed the 1km ocean swim in a time of 26.12 and came third in his age group.  
Congratulations to all the swimmers and a big thank you to all the wonderful parents for their support.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

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Cannonvale Cannons at Pioneer Carnival May 2024
Evie and Eloise rugged up in Mackay
Isaac, Zach and Thomas on the podium at the Pioneer Carnival

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Mackay Cutters women’s rugby league team have taken a giant step towards claiming the 2024 BMD Women's Premiership.

The well-drilled Cutters are the competition’s newly crowned minor premiers after toppling second-placed Norths Devils 26-22 in a cracking contest last Sunday at Brisbane’s Bishop Park.

Marco Peters’ Mackay warriors went into the match with the minor title in the bag, but tuned up for the finals series with an impressive victory over the depleted Devils in an absorbing tussle.

The Cutters are expected to play host to the fourth-placed Western Clydesdales in finals action this weekend while the Devils will square off with third-ranked Burleigh Bears.

Mackay jumped to an early 10-0 lead following tries by hooker Alisha Foord and star centre Jasmine Peters plus a Kayla Shepherd conversion before the Devils hit back with tries to five-eighth Georgia Hannaway and centre Rebecca Davidson and an Emily Vievers goal to lock the scores 10-all at the interval.

The Cutters drew first blood after the break when interchange prop and North Queensland product Sareka Mooka crashed over to nab a converted try and give the minor premiers a six-point advantage.

When prop Lyrech Mara and number nine Foord crossed for further tries in the space of nine minutes, the Mackay girls had established a handy 26-14 lead.
Norths rallied in the second half with flying winger Denyce Perham scooting over for a try double before Davidson claimed a second with two minutes left on the clock.
Mackay staved off the late challenge and got into the finals series brimming with confidence.

A delighted Peters quipped post-match, “That was really important to get a win and a bit of momentum for the finals.”

“We want to hold the momentum as long as we can” he declared.

MEANWHILE there was no joy for the Cutters in Hostplus Cup action after suffering a 28-12 loss to the Burleigh Bears at Whitsundays Sports Park at Airlie Beach.
The table-topping Bears proved they are a genuine force by securing their seventh win from nine fixtures with a powerhouse second-half performance.

Burleigh led 8-6 at the break after a gripping first stanza.

They stunned Mackay with early tries to wingers Mitch Watson and Josiah Karapani after seven minutes before Cutters winger Josh Smith crossed on the brink of halftime with five-eighth Riley Dean adding the extras.

Karapani nabbed a second try straight after lemons that was converted by half-back Guy Hamilton for a 14-6 lead – only for Cutters’ livewire fullback Raydan Burns to bridge the gap with a fine try soon after.

Burleigh centre Kea Pere posted four-pointers in the 54th and 75th minutes and forward Nick O’Meley in the dying moments to seal a resounding victory.

The sixth-ranked Cutters face another tough test this Saturday when they host fourth-placed Northern Pride at BB Print Stadium at 6pm.

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The Mackay Cutters lost to the Burleigh Bears 28-12 in the Hostplus Cup. Photo source: Mackay Cutters

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Mackay Brothers have preserved their unbeaten status in the 2024 Northern Region Mackay & District Rugby League A Grade competition.

The high-flying Leprechauns recorded their fourth successive victory in as many rounds after edging out the tenacious Souths Sharks 18-10 last Saturday at Shark Park.

Dashing fullback Tyrese Parter, clever halfback Brad Campbell and wily hooker Daniel Kelly posted tries for Brothers with centre Rydge Smith potting three conversions in a hard-fought contest.

Sharks prop Tyler O’Brien and talented number seven Henri Stocks kept their side in the mix with determined tries.

Parter, a gifted custodian who is a development player in Michael Comerford’s extended Mackay Cutters first-grade squad, sparked the Leprechauns with his sharp running and tricky step.

Brothers remain the only undefeated side on eight points in front of Mackay Magpies and Moranbah Miners, both on six points ahead of Souths, Sarina Crocodiles and Wests Tigers on four points.

MACKAY Magpies trounced Whitsunday Brahmans 50-12 last Saturday at Sologinkin Oval with fullback Andrew Borg and crack centre Maika Tudravu the standouts.

Borg compiled a personal tally of 14 points with two tries and three goals while the power running Tudravu crossed for three of the Magpies’ eleven tries with his pace and strength.

Smart hooker Kyle Barnwell (2), winger Sebastyan Jack, five-eighth Corey Shepherd and centre Joshua Kilpatrick also nabbed four-pointers in the Magpies rout.
Moranbah Miners skittled Wests Tigers 36-12 last Sunday at Darryl Bourke Oval to move into a share of second spot on the competition table.

The Miners’ gun centre pairing of Mark Rosendale and Steven Stafford engineered the victory with strong games, both collecting crucial tries along with prop Raiden Fonoti and winger Dylan Womal.

Sarina Crocodiles thumped the Carltons Devils 66-10 last Sunday in a try fest at Ray Edwards Oval.

The Crocodiles overpowered the Devils – running in thirteen tries with Quintel Wailu (3) and fullback Zane McKellar (2) scoring five between themselves in a dazzling display.

Twenty-four-year-old Wailu is a talented hooker in the Cutters Development system with the guile and passing skills to play Hostplus Cup.

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Another fantastic weekend of bowls was had at Mackay City Bowls Club on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May. The ladies’ club once again made both days highly enjoyable starting with Cath’s scones and finishing with an array of sweet tastes. All teams ‘laboured’ on the green in great camaraderie with the following teams being successful.

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First place winners on day 1: Pauline Turchet, Jean Campbell, Janette Dark, Cath Davis
First place winners on day 2: Monique Pershouse, Bruce Eaton, Anna Knight, Pauline Turchet. Images supplied

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