WA success at the Australian Championships
WA was strongly represented at the Australian Championships in the past week in an event matches all the state and territory state champions compete against each other for National glory. WA had one of their most successful events overall winning medals in seven of the nine disciplines including gold in the Men’s Fours and Men’s Singles.
Here is a quick review of every days play.
Images courtesy of Bowls Australia
TRIPLES – TUESDAY, APRIL 26
MENS
The combination of Tom Mitchell, Warren Holt and Daniel Trewhella faced some tough competition in this event, they went down 11-16 in their opener to Tasmania before wins 14-12 against South Australia and 21-8 over Victoria saw them playing off for the Bronze Medal. They were able to win that with a solid 22-13 victory over the Northern Territory.
| GOLD – Queensland | SILVER – Tasmania | BRONZE – WA |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 MEN’S TRIPLES – RESULTS
WOMENS
Linda Warburton, Laura Merz and Lisa Featherby combined to win their section and advance to the Gold Medal play off. Their opening match was a hard fought affair but they prevailed 20-17 over Victoria before recording a massive 41-2 victory over Northern Territory. In the final the WA trio all played well but their Tasmanian opponents skipped by former Jackaroo Rebecca Van Asch proved just a touch too good for them with a 17-12 win.
| GOLD – Tasmania | SILVER – WA | BRONZE – Victoria |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 WOMEN’S TRIPLES – RESULTS
PAIRS – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
MENS
The pairing of Greg Taylor and Bruce Eagles were the 2021 Pairs Champions, unfortunately due to personal reasons and the uncertainty of Covid-19 at the beginning of the year when players had to register their participation, Bruce Eagles was not be able to compete. Jack East however was able to come in as a substitute in his position. Having never played together before it was always going to be a tough ask but they combined well to win the first match 13-9 against South Australia however the Queensland duo of Ingham and Sherriff proved a bit tough going down 24-6. In the bronze medal playoff Tasmania took it over the WA pair who did acquit themselves well for their first crack at National level – the final score being 18-6.
| GOLD – Queensland | SILVER – Victoria | BRONZE – Tasmania |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 MEN’S PAIRS – RESULTS
WOMENS
Mosman Parks Lisa Featherby and Linda Warburton faced several tough teams in this event, but they did have the advantage of having already competed in the Triples. With just five states represented this was played as a round robin and the WA duo finished with two wins and two losses and ultimately claimed a Bronze medal finishing mid table.
| GOLD – Queensland | SILVER – Tasmania | BRONZE – WA |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 WOMEN’S PAIRS – RESULTS
MIXED PAIRS – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
The last event of the 2021 season saw the Osborne Park duo of Kaitlin Tyrrell and Connor Biddle combine to win their first State Titles. These faced up against players with a wealth of international experience and talent who were at their best unfortunately. Although soundly beaten both Connor and Kaitlin played extremely well and can be very proud of their efforts. New Zealand international Ali Forsyth skipped his Victorian team to the Gold.
| GOLD – Victoria | SILVER – Tasmania | BRONZE – Queensland |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 MIXED PAIRS – RESULTS
FOURS – THURSDAY, APRIL 28
MENS
The Men’s Fours event sees the Mt Lawley team of Adam Graham, Paul Sinden, Anthony Enfield, and Mark Masel throw their hats into the ring, coming in as underdogs they pulled off perhaps the most unlikeliest win at the National titles. Great team work and the ability to perform when needed under pressure where the catalyst for them claiming gold. Their sectional wins were a 12-8 victory over Victoria and a 24-12 win over ACT. In the final they trailed most of the match but won the last few ends and skip Mark Masel played the match winner with his last bowl for an amazing 18-15 triumph over Tasmania.
| GOLD – WA | SILVER – Tasmania | BRONZE – Queensland |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 MEN’S FOURS – RESULTS
WOMENS
The awesome foursome from Manning of Helen Heal, Robyn O’Brien, Hailey Packer, and Kristina Krstic have proved to be a formidable opponent in recent State Fours winning the title twice. They split their matches with two wins and two losses however with the victories being a 19-7 win over Queensland and 18-9 over Northern Territory it gave them enough shots up to secure the Silver medal.
| GOLD – Victoria | SILVER – WA | BRONZE – Tasmania |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 WOMEN’S FOURS – RESULTS
SINGLES – FRIDAY, APRIL 29TH
MENS
Cambridge’s Blake Nairn came into the event as one of WA’s best chances after having a phenomenal season capped off by multiple state titles and strong pennant form. He delivered on the National stage with sectional wins against Garry Smith from South Australia 25-12 and 25-16 against Mark Malagorski from Northern Territory. This left him needing to win or lose but score at least 21 shots to advance to the final. Amazingly that is exactly what he did despite losing 25-21 and he advanced to the final by the barest of margins. Nairn was simply sensational in the final drawing well and when needed converting the head to his advantage against his Tasmania opponent Jacob Brown. After trailing 5-4 after seven ends played Nairn put his foot to the floor winning 10 of the next 14 ends including a big count of four to move him into an unassailable 23-9 lead, he finally wrapped up the match 25-11.
| GOLD – WA | SILVER – Tasmania | BRONZE – Queensland |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 MEN’S SINGLES – RESULTS
WOMENS
Kristina Krstic was also a strong contender having won multiple titles in the past she has always competed well in the National Championships. With just four competitors this was played as a round robin with no finals. Kristina started well with a comfortable 25-12 victory over Sarah James from the Northern Territory however up against Kate Argent-Bowden she went down in a close one 25-22. This meant she had to record a 25-12 or better victory against Queenslander Bolivia Millerick which was always going to be a very tough ask. Kristina hit her best form of the event after trailing 7-2 she raced to a 17-9 lead and looking like she could do it. Unfortunately Bolivia played a couple of very good ends to reach her required 13 shots for the Gold medal. Kristina managed to hold on for the win 23-18 after time elapsed before either player could reach 25. This meant Kristina took home her second silver medal for the Championships.
| GOLD – Queensland | SILVER – WA | BRONZE – South Australia |
AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 WOMEN’S SINGLES – RESULTS
