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Kate Casswell’s Home Hill team, with a bit of help from Michelle Jones of Townsville and Joyce Morris from Bowen, played out some tough rounds to come up with the Tier One Intermediate win. Photo credit: Jacob Casha
The 2026 Cane Country Cup pickleball team event did not disappoint. The event named after Heather Hewit’s edition of Home Hill’s Back Roads started the day with the courts covered in black snow. How appropriate! 28 teams participated in 4 different divisions with Home Hill connections in every section. Teams travelled from Cape Gloucester to Tully with some staying overnight and enjoying some social play and a meal afterwards.
Contributed with thanks to Kate Casswell
In the Advanced Competitive section, Hannah Casswell’s team was pipped at the post by Darren Hutchenson’s team from Townsville picking up second place. In Tier one Intermediate Kate Casswell’s Home Hill team with a bit of help from Michelle Jones of Townsville and Joyce Morris from Bowen played some tough and close rounds to come up with the win. In the Social section, Merv Mohr and Tracey Groom’s teams picked up first and second place respectively.
It was refreshing to see and hear the enthusiasm for the sport, with lots of laughs coming from the competitors. Home Hill members put on a fantastic spread of food which will no doubt be remembered long after all the bad shots are forgotten. Thanks go to all the sponsors, donors and especially the volunteers who helped make this event happen. Organiser Kate Casswell said that Pickleball was the real winner with everyone agreeing that it was a great day.
Results
Advanced Competitive
1st 297 points Pickle me dink Darren Hutchenson Townsville
2nd 253 points Pickle d’Lulu Hannah Casswell Townsville
3rd 231 points Leyton’s Larrikans Townsville
Tier 1 Intermediate
1st 235 points In a pickle Kate Casswell Home Hill
2nd 208 points Let’s Get Pickled Rob Dunn Bowen
3rd Tie 207 points Michael Northwood Dink and Dive Home Hill and Faramade Fours dinks and a point Townsville
Tier 2 Intermediate
1st 239 points Trish Harley Holey Dinkballs Townsville
2nd 228 points Fantastic Forehand Trish Harley Townsville
3rd 223 points Extra Pickles Susan Kalemba Townsville
Social
1st 292 points Green and Pickled Merv Mohr Home Hill
2nd 283 points Sandy Slammers Tracey Groom Home Hill
3rd 275 points Social Dinkers Lori Morris Bowen
Fair Play Trophy
Social Dinkers Bowen
Gloucester Gherkins Cape Gloucester
Contributed with thanks to Kate Casswell
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