Aussie team stakes their claim at $50,000 EC5AS
Australian squad members Kristy Thatcher and Rebecca Van Asch commenced their $50,000 East Cessnock 5 A Side Challenge campaign in scintillating style this morning.
The duo, who are participating in the 20-team event as part of a five-strong Australian women’s team chosen by the national selection panel, faced a daunting proposition in their opening rubber, pitted against the Warilla Gorilla contingent containing the man widely regarded as the best bowler in the world.
Not even Scotland’s dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Marshall MBE could stand in the way of the Jackaroos women however, with the pair posting a comfortable 20-9 victory over the tartan titan and his Warilla lead, Jamie Mitchell, to kick start their campaign.
The remaining members of the quintet, NSW’s trio of Natalie Noronha, Samantha Shannahan and Anne Johns couldn’t follow suit in the 8.30am opening session, with Wayne Crane, Greg Jeans and Aaron Teys recording a 17-5 win.
Defending champions Helensvale, which boasts three green and gold combatants in its line-up; Brett Wilkie, Mark Casey and Nathan Rice, produced victories in both disciplines to commence proceedings, defeating Soldiers Point 13-10 and 14-10 in the pairs and triples respectively.
It was a similar story for Australian squad representatives in the 10.30am singles and fours session, with only one discipline finishing inside the winners’ circle.
Kristy Thatcher, Natalie Noronha, Samantha Shannahan and Rebecca Van Asch proved to be a winning combination after a posting 19-5 victory against the Ocean Grove quartet, skipped by Australia’s Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Matt Flapper, but Anne Johns suffered a three-shot loss in the singles.
Helensvale made it 4-0 in the afternoon, with Queensland NTC Coach Brett Wilkie getting the better of his boss National Coach Steve Glasson 21-18, while the fours prevailed 14-11 against the Mt Lewis team.
Click here to follow the results live on East Cessnock 5 A Side Challenge website , and click here to view the points table.
Caption: Rebecca Van Asch made light work of the man commonly referred to as the best bowler on the planet, Alex Marshall, in the opening rubber at the East Cessnock 5 A side.
