Tough start for WA
Australian Sides Championships Day 1 Wrap The Western Australian State teams have gone through a tough initiation on the opening day in the Australian Sides Championships at Lockleys Bowling Club, South Australia. WA faced a tough draw up against NSW and Victoria with both sides littered with current and former Australian reps the task of matching up to these teams looked a good challenge for WA who were eager to make a strong showing.
In the morning match against NSW both WA teams (Men and Women) started really well and looked to have easily adapted to the Lockley’s Tiff greens which were running a nice 16 seconds.
Under sunny skies and with no wind, the conditions were perfect for good bowling as the Men’s side jumped out of the blocks to lead early 11-1 against a slightly startled NSW team. As was to be expected NSW didn’t take long to wake up and were very soon making in roads into the margin. John Slavich’s rink had started brilliantly against the top rink of Arron Sheriff leading 11-1 in the early stages. Both Lewis Grigg and Billy Brandsma were giving the team a great start. As the match progressed NSW started to capitalise – they were especially strong in the middle stages as the score progressed from 31-27 to 46-60 with WA scoring only 15 shots to 33 making a win look very unlikely. However the team fought valiantly, Slavich who had gotten behind fought back to win 22-19 whilst the Pieter Harris skipped rink closed the margin. The team needed 6 on the last end to level scores however couldn’t build a winning head as WA went down 57-64.
The Women’s team who had finished preparations for the Championships the day before against NSW in two shortened 15 end per rink matches of which they won the first and drew the second, played out a thrilling match which again ended in a draw. Scores were very close most of the game with no more than five shots separating the teams all the way. Helen Morss was playing an exceptional game for WA using the strength of her upshots to advantage taking on Australia’s most well known female bowler Karen Murphy. Morss showed the talent which has won her three state titles this year when during the late stages facing a head of five shots down played the perfect drive to collect the jack into the ditch and sit on it for shot. Ably assisted by her team of Helen Heal, Robyn O’Brien and Laura Merz they won the rink 22-17. The last end saw WA leading overall by two shots and in the box seat holding a good shot with nice cover. Opposition skip Kelsey Cottrell resorted to an upshot which appeared off target however as can happen in bowls a deflection resulted in the shot bowl going out and WA seemingly two or three down on the head. WA skip Lisa Featherby tried to salvage the situation but just ran past the NSW bowls and after a measure two shots to NSW left the aggregate a draw at 57-57.
Men – WA v NSW
Slavich
22
v
Sheriff
19
Mitchell
16
v
Ferguson
23
Harris
19
v
Turley
22
Total
57
Total
64
Women – WA v NSW
Morss
22
v
Murphy
17
Krstic
16
v
Scott
17
Featherby
19
v
Cottrell
23
Total
57
Total
57
After a quick lunch break WA were looking to put a win on the board against Victoria. Both sides started poorly whilst Victoria who very good. Early stages saw the Men facing a 10-27 deficit whilst the Women were also doing it tough at 12-32.
The Men slowly began to lift throwing everything at the Victorians with some great bowls. The Tom Mitchell rink of Cody Packer who was leading brilliantly with Shane Knott and Clive Adams also on song as they over powered Barrie Lester’s team to lead 20-10 whilst the other two rinks continued to work hard to close their margins which had been in double figures. The mid game surge saw WA quickly close the gap to 46-47 after 48 ends and clearly playing the better. However the Victorians quickly responded to the WA challenge as the margin began to blow-out at 48-57 with 10 ends to play. WA couldn’t find the big ends needed as the Vics applied the acid test to score at will over the late stages, in the end the aggregate finished Victoria’s way 50-73. Mitchell’s rink the only winner in the finish 23-15.
Despite their best efforts the Women’s team were never able to match their Victorian counterparts going down rather heavily 41-82. However Krstina Krstic’s team of Shenayde Heldt, Kelli Wray and Hailey Adams played a great game, level with two ends to go they piled in four shots to take a strong lead into the last end in which they conceded just a single to win 21-18. Unfortunately the other rinks were outclassed but will look for a better showing tomorrow.
Men – WA v Victoria
Slavich
11
v
Wilson
31
Mitchell
23
v
Lester
15
Harris
16
v
Flapper
27
Total
50
Total
73
Women – WA v Victoria
Morss
14
v
Edwards
29
Krstic
21
v
Brodie
18
Featherby
6
v
Krizanic
35
Total
41
Total
82
WA face more strong opposition tomorrow with games against Queensland AM and Tasmania PM. Scores during play will be posted on the Bowls WA Facebook Page
For all fixtures, draws and ladders at the Australian Sides Championships click here
