Young player representing FNQ on Gold Coast Off to Aussie bowls open

a junior and there were only 14 of us. This open is over 1000 people and I’m representing us (FNQ), so it’s a big honour.” peted over four days against 20 teams across Queensland and we played 12 games in a team of four,” he said.

MOSSMAN Bowls Club’s leading man Malachy McTaggart is gearing up to compete in the 2023 Australian Bowls Open in the Gold Coast from this weekend.

After taking third place in the state men’s district sides’ championship in early May and being selected as most valuable player at the tournament, the spirits are high for Mr McTaggart, who will take on the national stage from June 10-23.

“I’m a bit anxious but I’m also excited to step up and get into the biggest Australian tournament there is,” the 20-year-old said.

“My main goal is to be able to go down there and be seen by Queensland selectors, Australian selectors and hopefully have a chance to make it into these very big teams.

“I’ve never got a chance to represent the region since I was

A natural in bowls, Mr McTaggart started playing seven years ago, and beyond junior state championships under his belt, he really started to grow upon his return to the sport with Mossman Bowls Club.

“I started bowling nine years ago but really playing seven years ago,” he said.

“I could’ve done quite well when I was 17, unfortunately that year COVID hit and I lost my last year as a junior.

“Then I took an 18-month break and moved to Mossman and started playing socially with Mossman Bowls Club and a few of the bowlers invited me to bigger tournaments. From then on I’ve got a position in the Tropical Far North Queensland (TFNQ) side.”

Mr McTaggart said he had felt most honoured being selected as most valuable player in the last tournament. “We com-

Sport Results

MOSSMAN MEN’S BOWLS

June 1: 26 bowlers for social bowls. June: 34 bowlers for jackpot bowls. Peter Riley, Nev Tesch, Nev Fletcher d David White, Daryl Hoskin, Gary Horne 23-18. John Fleming, Jock Constantine, Joe Girgenti d Terry Richards, Peter Gorsuch, Peter Fairchild 29-20. Wayne Parkes, Tony Brlyack d Michael Sims Dave Egan 25-15. Col Widdows, Richard Anderson, Alistair Douglas d Sas, Peter Worley,Bob Carroll 24-13. Eric Smith, Jim Geddes, John Arnold d Dave Blain, Kiwi, Col Maxted 26-14 and the winners Steve Cue, Jeff Sims, Chris Payne d Steve Heffernan, Warren McCoist, Brian King 28-8. In the club championship, June 2 in the B grade singles, Gerrard Beech d Bruce Lester 25-19. June 4, in the A grade singles semi-final

Mick Frese d David White 2518 and in the B grade singles, Peter Fairchild d Troy Churchill 25-21. Men’s social bowls will be held June 15 from 5.30pm. Jackpot bowls this Saturday. To register call the club on 4098 1434.

BROTHERS EDMONTON

BOWLS

Ladies, Weipa Shield: Mareeba 1, Edmonton 2. Men’s, May 24: A. Del Favero, K. Holden, R. Jorgensen 1, A. Begg, R. Moody, D.Stewart 3, M. Bucklar, R. Pamphilon, J. Populin 3. Pennants div. 2 Gordonvale d. BEBC, Div. 3 Stratford d BEBC.

MOSSMAN LADIES’ BOWLS

June 1: Champion of champion pairs final winners were Joan Day and Robin Petrus d

“I personally felt like I hadn’t played up to my standard that week, but the other members had, so it was a huge achievement for me. It almost brought tears to my eyes when I heard it.”

With the boost and trust of his teammates and the club, Mr McTaggart is getting ready to travel this weekend on his own to Gold Coast to tackle the open.

“I will be playing with a Mossman uniform so anyone that sees me knows where I play and gets our little club seen,” he said.

Men’s section secretary David White said the club was proud of him. “On behalf of the men’s section we wish you all the best at the Australian open,” he said in a Facebook posting.

“Good luck mate playing well,” said Ben Cribbin also on Facebook.

Pauline Lightfoot and Leonie Sims. Social winners were Carmen Bolten and Greta Kessler, second were Margaret Cooper, Barbara May and Anne Geddes. For more information about the Thursday Ladies contact Carole Maxted: caroles44bb@dodo. com.au or 0400 954 537. May 28: Sunday mixed social bowls winners were Ian Bailey and Mike Sims, second were Mary McGrory and Anita McCoist.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS

Results of last week’s play. Tuesday morning bowls: Neil, Andy J 1, Ken Traill, Kaye Elliott 2. Tuesday afternoon men’s triples: Kevin, Geoff, Clive 1, Paul, Garry, Ross 2. Tuesday night bowls, spider: Michael, Deb, Keith Shooee, Rod. Wednesday mixed bowls: B. Clarkson, N. Hooker, L. Hamilton, C. Thompson 1, J. Baumann, A. Jennings, J. Jenner, J. Young 2. Thursday morning bowls: Kim, Ken, Laurie W

1, Bob, Jim, Jock 2. Thursday mixed triples: John, Gordon, Brian O 1, Olga, Christine, Jo 2. Saturday morning scroungers: Bob Waters 1. Club championships, men’s A grade singles: B. O’Connor d P. Callaghan 25-24, S. Porter d R. Gillman 25-18, J. Walford d G.Midson 26-15, D. Spicer d S. Vidgen 25-23, S Pitt d P Williamson 25-22. Ladies A grade singles: J. Whitehead d A. Lim 26-17.

EDGE HILL BOWLS

Ladies social bowls, June 1: Elaine Whitehead 1, Peter Whitehead 2. Pennant game 3 switched to Marlin Coast due to rain and Edge Hill lost to Marlin Coast 67-50.

T. McAlary 21-14 d C. Scott, J. Alexander lost 17-22 to B. Drewitt and J. Wild lost 12-31 to J.Whitehead.

Men’s championship bowls, club A singles: Lyle Braggins d Russell Hubbard 26-13 and Wayne Hewitt d Mal Taylor 25-

19. Club B singles: Rob Wilson and Peter Ryan both proceed with a forfeit from their opposition due to ill health. Club pairs Simon Vardy and Russell Hubbard d Wayne Hunter and John Hayes 25-7. Mixed social bowls, May 30: Ron Pearce, Tricia DeRon and Irene Crampton 1. George Taylor, Steve Bragger and Jill Alexander-Sachse 2.

WEST CAIRNS

LADIES BOWLS

Four members went to Silkwood on May 27-29 to play in the Weipa Shield.May 31: A grade singles, Liz d Joyce. June 7: Next round of A grade singles, Fran v Joyce (marker Edna), Liz v Pauline (marker Marg).

WEST CAIRNS

MEN’s BOWLS

May 30: D. Aumuller, M. Groodwool, J. Populin 1, B. O’Shea, A.Morris, J.Rilley 2. Thirsty Thursday best players: Lyn Barber, John Santer, Ian Tin- der. A pairs: W. Vella, S. Hawels d M. Hetherton, S.Kavanagh 2824, Ted Hamilton, Phill Buntain d Jeff Smith, Steve Smith 31-18. Friday night scroungers: winner Geoff Rowley, Edna Parks 2. A singles: Alan Paraha d Steve Howells 25-10. June 4: N. Kehrer, D. Lazarvs, E. Harris 1, Larry, Vinny Moore, K. Vivian 2. Free game: N. Kehrer Jackpot not won.

WEST CAIRNS

TPI MEMORIAL BOWLS

Only 11 players were available last Monday won by the team of Gwen Cory, David Nicholls and led by Kevin Krump. Every Monday our club plays social mixed bowls on the carpet green at West Cairns Bowls Club. The game is non-competitive and always played in a friendly atmosphere. New and visiting bowlers are always welcome and can join us by phoning Rosemary on 0409 624 623 to be included. Game starts at 1.30pm.