Australian Sides Series Wrap Up
The Western Australian women’s team has placed second at the Australian Side Series held at Queanbeyan last week. WA’s only loss of the tournament came against champions New South Wales as they completed a remarkable turnaround from a disappointing campaign in 2015. Key victories over strong Queensland and Victoria sides proved the difference as they won five games in a row to claim a silver medal.
The campaign didn’t start particularly brightly for WA played the reigning champions New South Wales. The Blues beat WA comfortably and it looked like lower-table obscurity might swallow Western Australia. However coach Therese Hastings says it was an easy game to move on from as winning wasn’t the be all and end all.
“We really took the pressure off the game knowing we weren’t likely to win,” Hastings said.
The strength of that New South Wales side was shown as they handed out a couple of beltings on their way to their fifth successive championship.
In the next two games the WA girls got their confidence back with hard fought wins over the ACT and Queensland. Those two wins proved to be crucial in setting them up for a strong week.
“During the ACT win, coming from behind, I saw a bit of spark in the distance,” Hastings explained.
“But beating Queensland was a great result for us and gave the girls real confidence, that’s when I really thought we could finish around the middle and anything else was a bonus.”
Following up with wins over South Australia and Tasmania, WA headed into their game against Victoria in good form and very confident, a win would guarantee them at least second place and give them an opportunity should New South Wales slip up. The team was not overawed and put in a strong performance to beat the Vics and secure second place.
The men had a more modest campaign but still were able to show that they could compete at the level required. Although two wins was a disappointing return the side was in most of its matches for most of the game and just unable to get over the final hurdle. Their sixth place finish has WA in the same position as last year as the selectors, coaches and players continue to search for an answer that will lead to more wins.
The men had a similarly poor start as the women with a comfortable defeat at the hands of New South Wales. Unable to win a rink WA found they were unable to stay with the reigning champions through the game. Looking to rebound strongly WA started well against the ACT establishing a lead early. However the home side refused to be put away and came home strong to beat WA after trailing for much of the game.
Day two looked much more promising for the Western Australians as they responded to a bitterly disappointing first day with a strong win over Queensland. Having won the series just two years ago Queensland looked to be the scalp that might turn things for WA and lead to a good finish. Although unable to string together a second win WA stayed right with South Australia for most of the game. Although the margin increased late day two was much more promising and gave WA a chance.
A loss to Tasmania early on day three dashed any outside hopes of a medal as the side struggled to get going. After being jumped in the first third of the game the deficit remained largely the same until the game’s conclusion as WA were again unable to take that extra step to get back in the hunt. The competitive form continued against champions Victoria in the afternoon and the West were a chance to produce a massive upset. In the end they again found themselves that one jump away as Victoria finished strongly winning the match. With shackles off on the final day WA recorded a huge win over the Northern Territory moving them into sixth place.
Milestones achieved during the series were Pieter Harris 200 games, Daniel Patterson and Matt Ellul 50 games.
A shining light in the men’s side was debutant Lewis Grigg who took out the Eddy/Wishart Medal for player of the side series. Playing for Matt Ellul Grigg lead well to set up his rink for the entire series. The award caps off a promising start to the 24 year old Grigg’s state career which, given his age, may continue for many years.
For the first time there were joint winners for the Beryl Godfrey award as best player for the women’s team. Kristina Krstic capped off a fine twelve months winning her second Beryl Godfrey award in a row. After representing Australia and claiming her maiden State Singles title Krstic led her rink to second place on the skip ladder for the side series to claim the a share in the award. Joining her was team mate Shenayde Heldt also a past winner who enjoyed a fine series setting up the rink. Therese Hastings said she had never seen Heldt play so consistently and that Krstic was dominant figure.
“Both were standouts not just in our side but across all sides,” Therese Hastings said.
“Even against New South Wales Shenayde won her position.”
Kristina was just a dominant figure and led her team really well.”
Photo: Shenayde Heldt, Lewis Grigg and Kristina Krstic
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