2024 Nationals: Day 4 wrap
The 2024 Para Nationals took centre stage on a warm and sunny Friday at Broadbeach, with many of the sport’s biggest stars earning titles or booking their places in many of the finals across the competition.
Open women’s pairs
Queensland’s Right at Home Para Jackaroo pairing of Louise Hoskins and Serena Bonnell were the first gold medallists of the competition after overcoming a strong test in Victoria’s Annette Ruffle and Alison East in the final.
After jumping out to a 6-1 buffer, the Queenslanders were left stunned as their opponents slowly chipped away to take the lead for the first time at 9-7 after the twelfth end thanks to some tactical long ends.
Bonnell and Hoskins then made good use of a shorter jack roll to pounce and clinch the final three ends of the contest to take it out 14-9.
The duo came through their section as next best qualifiers and ensured that they made the most of their second chance in the competition with yet another brilliant display.
Women’s B5/6 singles
New South Wales’ Carolyn Nelson leads the sole section with one round to go, undefeated after two matches.
Victoria’s Gwen Fabris and Western Australia’s Diana Nixon follow with one win, while Michelle Campbell of New South Wales makes up the four.
Men’s 14-point pairs
It will be a Victoria versus New South Wales decider in the 14-point pairs as Lucas Protopapas and Josh Thornton face Geoff Seton and James Reynolds.
The Victorians were behind for the majority of their semifinal against Queensland’s Para Jackaroo pairing of Brett Sellars and Tony Bonnell before rocketing home for a 13-10 win.
Seton and Reynolds were tasked with overcoming Adam Eskanow and Eddie Gollan in the semis and ensured their campaign continued with a comfortable 20-7 victory.
Men’s B5/6 singles
Protopapas progressed to his second final of the competition thanks to a gritty 19-17 win over Seton in the semifinal.
He will take on South Australia’s Andrew Reed for gold after he defeated Sellars 21-18 in a brilliant contest.
Women’s B7/8 singles
The semifinals of the B7/8 women’s singles have been set with Para Jackaroo Cheryl Lindfield to take on Victoria’s East as she looks to gain revenge on her opponent for ending the Queenslander’s pairs campaign at the same stage.
Lindfield’s Commonwealth Games and World Bowls Championships teammate in Bonnell will contest the other semi after topping her group, with Jodie Nikolic of Western Australia awaiting after finishing first in her section on shot difference.
Men’s B7/8 singles
It was a sensational day of men’s singles action with some pulsating contests taking Broadbeach by storm as the semifinals were all set.
Josh Barry of Victoria conquered Cooper Whitestyles 21-13 to set up a final four showdown with South Australia’s Chris Flavel, who defeated David Minns 21-16.
Damien Delagdo would also progress having overcome Victoria’s Barry Brennan 21-11 and he will meet his World Bowls Championships para men’s pairs winning teammate in Reynolds, who won an epic 21-19 encounter against Thornton in what was the match of the tournament.
Open pairs
Victoria’s Brennan and Barry would progress to tomorrow’s final thanks to a flawless 18-6 win over Queensland’s Wesley Brown and Clive Williams in the semi.
The pair will meet South Australia’s Aaron Emonson and Chris Flavel after they defeated the Victorian pair of Michael Clark and Ross Higgins 13-10.
The 2024 Nationals will run from October 8-25, 2024, with live streaming to take place on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel.
