2024 Australian Open: Day 12 recap

by Val Febbo on June 19, 2024

Day 12 summary

Men’s Singles – QF

The men’s singles semifinals are set with some tantalising matchups set to take place for a place in Friday’s decider with two-time defending champion Aron Sherriff continuing his supreme run at the tournament after defeating Cody Packer 21-11 to set up a 2022 final rematch with Corey Wedlock.

Wedlock was tested in an epic against Adam McKeown, in which he trailed for the second half of the contest before fighting back to secure a two on the final end and emerge with a 21-20 victory.

Carl Healey will play in the other semifinal after also netting a 21-20 victory in an epic against Aaron Teys, with his opponent being Cohen Litfin after he knocked off Dead Drummond 21-8.


Women’s Singles – SF

The highly anticipated Kelsey Cottrell versus Dawn Hayman semifinal lived up to every single ounce of hype with the Queenslander winning in a nail biting 21-20 thriller that had Club Helensvale in raptures.

Cottrell gained the upper early, racing out to an 18-8 lead after some scintillating conversions throughout the middle portion of the contest.

Hayman was playing sensationally however, and began her push to fight back and landed some telling blows to pull the score back to 18-14 before Cottrell steadied the ship and netted a pair of singles to gain a 20-14 advantage.

From there, Hayman secured the next three ends to somehow level the contest at 20-20 to set a shootout for a place in the final.

The St Johns Park product was able to secure the ascendancy with one bowl to play and Cottrell needing something special to secure a victory.

Her drive was something else, utilising the shot that had worked so wonderfully for her throughout the contest that conjured a relieved celebration from the two-time champion.

It would be her third straight Australian Open women’s singles final in one of the all time great achievements.

Laura Butler will be her opponent after securing a rampant 21-12 victory over South Australia’s Sharon Cavanagh in the second semi.

The Western Australian raced out to a 13-1 lead before Cavanagh managed to fight back and edge to within six before a big four to Butler ended all hopes of a South Australian comeback.

It will be Butler’s maiden Australian Open women’s singles final and it will be a rematch of the 2023 semi, in which Cottrell emerged victorious.


Women’s Pairs – QF

The semis of the women’s pairs are set with four sensational teams ensuring their spots in the final four of the competition.

Tayla Bruce and Jessie Cottell made their way through against defending champions Natasha Van Eldik and Genevieve Delves thanks to a 20-14 win.

They will meet Butler and Olivia Cartwright thanks to their 21-8 win over Lynne Moloney and Gill Pudney.

Ellen Fife and Kristina Krstic kept their dreams of a first title as a pair alive thanks to a near perfect display against Lynsey Clarke and Cottrell, claiming an astonishing 22-6 win that sets up a clash with Chloe Stewart and Katelyn Inch in the final four.

Stewart and Inch managed to secure a last gasp win against Deb Saunders and Hailey Packer thanks to a supreme final end that saw them net a three to win 15-14 in an scintillating contest.


Men’s Fours – R16, QF & SF

It was a thrilling day of men’s fours action at Club Helensvale on Wednesday, with one finalist now locked in.

Carl Healey’s side of Ray Pearse, Peter Taylor and Gary Kelly took a one-shot quarter final win over Aaron Wilson’s side, before taking care of Ryan Bester’s team to book a spot in the final.

At the time of publishing, the final is still yet to be decided.


Women’s Fours – QF & SF

There will be a different Australian Open women’s fours champion this year, after last year’s winners fell in the quarter finals on Wednesday.

Katelyn Inch’s team fell by 9 shots to an impressive Kristina Krstic skipped side.

At the time of publishing, the final is still yet to be decided.


O60 Men’s Pairs – R128, R64 & R32

The final 16 teams are set with some big names making their way through after a tense day’s play at Musgrave Hill, with Kepler Wessels and 2022 champion Scott Franklin making their way through.

Former Jackaroo Sammy Laguzza and his partner Rowan Brassey also made it through as they look to add to their two titles at the event already.

The next rounds will take place at Musgrave Hill tomorrow.


O60 Women’s Pairs -R64, R32 & R16

Defending champion Karin Lynch remains in the draw with her partner in the in form Cavanagh, progressing through to the quarterfinals.

Sandy Wallace would also ensure her spot in the quarterfinals as well, making it through with her partner Pam Edmunds.


Multi-Disability Women’s Singles – SF

Serena Bonnell set up a showdown with Louise Hoskins in the final after avenging her loss in the 2023 decider to Cheryl Lindfield in today’s semi, winning 21-17.


Multi-Disability Pairs – R16, QF & SF

Para Jackaroos Tony Bonnell and Josh Barry moved through to the final after a brilliant day that saw them overcome Jodie Nikolic and Alan Ryman 19-7 in the semifinals.

They will meet James Reynolds and Chris Flavel or Jongtai Park and Kookju Hwang in the final.


U18 Boys’ & Girls’ Singles – Sectional

The under-18 singles sectional rounds unfolded on Wednesday, with some of the country’s best young bowlers experiencing Australian Open action.

Reigning boys champion Riley Gerick was among the 12 boys section winners, with four next-best qualifiers advancing. 

2023 girls champion Reese Finn-Young snuck into the knockout rounds as a next-best qualifier, one of two, with a strong field advancing to the quarter finals.

The 2024 Australian Open will run from the June 8-21, 2024 on the Gold Coast in Queensland with Rinkside Live coverage from 9am AEST daily on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel.