Sport
11 February, 2025
Finals set for Champion of Champions
The Goldfields Champion of Champions preliminary rounds brought about some captivating contests which will prelude the final battles next Sunday to crown new champions.
The female final will be a rematch of the 2023 decider, with Highland’s Leanne Wallis looking for a repeat of her 2023 victory against Talbot’s Barbara Crossley.
Bill Burnett returns to his third consecutive final in the men’s bracket, where he will take on a new foe after Chris Williams overcame two-time defending champion Matthew Vernon to reach the final.
The female competition kicked off in style with Avoca’s Allyson Hearnden and Maldon’s Annette Gillham competing in a back-and-forth contest.
Ultimately Hearnden kept her nerve and progressed to the semi-final, winning 25-24.
After her 25-12 victory over Newstead’s Rhonda O’Toole, Wallis faced Hearnden in the semi-final in what was another highly competitive affair.
Wallis used all her experience to reach the final, winning 25-24 in a cruel twist of irony from Hearnden’s quarter-final matchup.
On the other side of the bracket, Crossley started her campaign strongly, prevailing against Mary-borough Golf’s Michelle Harris 25-12.
She was joined by Judy Cassidy in the semi-final, who qualified after a walkover victory against Karen Waters in the quarter-finals.
Crossley used all her skill to dominate the semi-final contest, winning 25-7 over Cassidy to set up a rematch with Wallis.
Their 2023 matchup saw Wallis walk away with the crown rather comfortably, defeating Crossley 25-14.
In the men’s competition Talbot’s Vernon had to fight hard to start his defence with a victory, but got the job done against Avoca’s Daniel Giddings 25-19.
In another tight matchup, Dunolly’s Williams managed to conquer Highland rival Gregory Shay 25-19 to set up a semi-final clash against Vernon.
Williams kept his momentum going, playing fantastic bowls to knock out the defending champion 25-13.
That opened the door for Newstead’s Burnett, who has lost finals against Vernon in back-to-back years.
Burnett first swept aside Maldon’s Peter Sedgwick 25-7 before facing Maryborough Golf’s Gerry Carmody in the semi-final after Carmody was victorious against Carisbrook’s Ross Gregory 28-16.
While much closer than his quarter-final, Burnett qualified for the final, defeating Carmody 26-20.
Both finals will be played at the Maryborough Highland Society, starting at 9.30 am.