Sport
17 February, 2026
Highland sweeps the Grand Final berths
After winning all weekend pennant minor premierships, the Maryborough Highland Society had a perfect beginning to the finals series on Saturday, with three teams automatically advancing to the Grand Final.
DIVISION ONE
The Maryborough Highland Society survived a tough Talbot challenge, winning 74-59 to draw one step closer to reclaiming the division one crown.
Similar to their round two encounter with Highland, Chris Crossley produced the goods for Talbot, vanquishing Greg Shay 24-12.
Even with Highland’s Garry Coburn overcoming Peter Fletcher 27-22, Talbot held a slight seven-shot advantage as the final rink was completed.
With his team needing a convincing win to pay for their Grand Final ticket, Greg McHugh supplied the goods and then some, dominating Peter McLaughlan 35-13 to send Highland back into the season finale.
Thanks to them earning the double chance, Talbot still can deny Highland a premiership, needing to win this week’s preliminary final against Maryborough Golf after their elimination semi-final win against foes Dunolly Blue.
In a rivalry filled with nail-biting results, including Golf’s championship clinching 55-54 victory last season, the reigning premiers conjured a commanding performance on Saturday, delivering Dunolly Blue more finals heartbreak with a 80-47 triumph.
Kevin Prime set the tone quickly for Golf, overpowering Chris Williams 32-17. Alan Weir attempted to mount a comeback for Dunolly Blue, but Gerry Carmody took a tight affair over Weir 22-21, setting the stage for Anthony Chambers to finish the Golf sweep by conquering Tony Galofaro 26-9.
After completing step one of their premiership defence, Golf will arguably enter Saturday’s final as the underdogs after losing both meetings with Talbot in the regular season.
However, Talbot is well aware that Golf won’t be an easy hurdle to surpass following their see-saw affair in round 12, which ended 64-59.
DIVISION TWO
Division two was swept with Highland fever last weekend, with Highland Black and White victorious in their respective semi-finals.
Highland White faced a tricky test in their do-or-die semi-final, taking on a Dunolly Gold team that defeated them back in round eight.
When Aaron Britten bested Frank Mifsud 25-18, it seemed that Dunolly Gold would conjure a devastating dose of deja vu to Highland White.
However, Dennis Prosser produced a swift blow to Dunolly Gold’s aspirations, outlasting Raeleen Mebbrey 25-12 to give Highland White a 43-37 victory that eliminated Dunolly Gold.
Not to be outdone by their sister team, an Albert Spencer masterclass has guided Highland Black to the season finale with a 51-23 triumph against nearby neighbours Maryborough Golf.
Even in defeat, Gary Chaplin placed Golf in a reasonable position, with his nail-biting 18-17 loss to Robert Bursill giving Highland Black the narrowest of leads.
However, Spencer went on to exploit that advantage, not giving Gary Haigh a chance with a 33-6 demolition.
It isn’t all doom and gloom for Golf, who can dust themselves off before their preliminary final showdown with Highland White.
Golf has routinely been a thorn in Highland’s division two domination this season, resulting in some remarkable matches with Highland White, which includes a 36-36 draw in round six.
Highland White was victorious in the round 13 rematch 41-31, but Golf had the regular season last laugh by pipping Highland White to the double chance on the final day.
DIVISION THREE
The Maryborough Highland Society retconned their regular season finale defeat to Carisbrook by booking a place in the Grand Final at their expense after a thrilling semi-final.
Similar to their round 14 victory, Jeff Smith gave Carisbrook a vital boost by winning a vital rink against Gregory Long 19-15.
Despite Smith’s success, Allan Pike carried Highland over the line with a composed 26-14 triumph against Phillip Burt.
Carisbrook now has to meet a familiar foe in the preliminary final after Angela Hill sent Newstead past Dunolly in the sudden-death semi-final.
Pressure creates diamonds, and Hill was sparking on Saturday with an astonishing 38-8 victory against Graeme Cain, handing Dunolly an early exit despite Paul Chase besting Noel Bott 25-17.