McIlwraith Challenge

IMG_1529Queensland’s first gateball event of 2018 was closely fought. As the final team games were about to be played, 5 of the 9 teams playing in the event were on five wins apiece. Blue Macs, Ipswich, Redcliffe, Southport Red and Toowoomba were all in with a chance.

In the final round Ipswich were to play Southport White. Toowoomba and Redcliffe faced one another on court 2 while Southport Red and Blue Macs played on court 1. 5 teams all had a chance of winning the competition!

Southport White defeated Ipswich while the Blue Macs went down by a point to Southport Red. In the remaining game Toowoomba failed to put all their balls on court and Redcliffe won the game by a convincing 7 points. This margin gave them a 1 net hoop advantage to win the comp over runners up, Southport Red.

The McIlwraith lawns were in great condition after a wet start to 2018. Although conditions were humid, play was only interrupted for about ten minutes during a brief heavy shower which was considerate enough to schedule its arrival between games.

In the doubles competition an innovative format allowed ten pairs to contest three rounds in which teams were matched by a random draw. After three rounds two pairs were undefeated and thereby faced off in a closely fought final. Jim and Barbara Northcott won 12 to 11 over Claus Jehne and John Park. The game was still in contention until the last stroke.

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