Sport
3 February, 2026
Deborah Wright, Allyson Hearnden, Greg Shay and Matthew Vernon set for finals
Sixteen entered, now only four remain for the right to be called Goldfields Champion of Champions after an enthralling day of preliminary round action last weekend.
At the end of Sunday’s matches at the Maryborough Highland Society, Deborah Wright and Allyson Hearnden will meet for the ladies’ crown while Matthew Vernon attempts to win his third men’s trophy in four years at the expense of Greg Shay.
The female bracket was delivered a major shakeup immediately, thanks to Wright knocking out last season’s runner-up Barbara Crossley in the first round, 25-14.
Wright went on to meet Judy Cassidy in the semi-final after the Carisbrook bowler overcame Maryborough Golf’s Elizabeth Bucknall 25-17.
Cassidy proved no match for Wright on Sunday, with the Highland premiership player booking her place in the final by defeating Cassidy 26-7.
On the other side of the bracket, Pam Lyons stood tall after taking an entertaining affair against Angela Hill 25-18, facing Hearnden in the next round after the Avoca bowler defeated Dunolly’s Sandra Chaplin 25-14.
Attempting to avenge her heartbreaking semi-final defeat to eventual winner Leanne Wallis last year, Hearnden earned a date with Wright for all the marbles by overpowering Lyons 25-16.
Headlining the first round of the men’s bracket was a much-anticipated affair between two bowlers who have combined to win the last three tournaments, as Chris Williams battled Vernon.
The contest exceeded all expectations, ending with Vernon avenging his 2025 semi-final defeat to reigning champion Williams by the narrowest of margins, 25-24.
Remarkably, Vernon’s victory wasn’t the only first round match to go the distance, with Tony Chambers surviving a thrilling affair against Carisbrook’s Ross Gregory by the same scoreline.
After their spectacular first rounds, it was Vernon who returned to the Grand Final, vanquishing Chambers 25-13.
With Vernon reaching the last dance, Bill Burnett seemed determined to create a 2023 and 2024 Grand Final rematch by overpowering Avoca’s Ian Proctor 25-18.
It wasn’t meant to be for Burnett, as Shay followed his 25-17 first round conquering of Jim Brookshaw by besting Burnett 25-13.
Wright, Hearnden, Vernon and Shay will fight for their respective Goldfields Champion of Champions crown this Sunday, February 8 at the Maryborough Highland Society, with both Grand Finals commencing at 9.15 am.