Day 2 Results
The Tasmanian under 18 Boys team have ensured that Tasmania will be returning with one of the four trophies on offer on a day where all of the series were decided. The day will be remembered for some excellent bowls and some close results, but it would be the Victorian teams who would manage to score the crucial ends when it counted.
The Men were gallant in their 3 shot defeat in the morning, a closely fought affair with no team able to create a match winning lead. Aaron Wilson’s rink were once again proving their class being the biggest winners of the test and also the rink that played the last end ensuring Rob McMullen was unable to get the shots required for the win. Mark Nitz was able to defeat Matthew Flapper by 3 shots and Lee Schraner also won defeating Dylan Fisher by 3 shots but it would be the 9 shot defeat of McMullen that proved the difference, despite some quality lead play by Brad Gibson. All six skippers would have to have left the game pleased with the way they played as the constant quality sown by all 24 players meant that the skips needed to play well at all times. In the 4th test, a replay of the skip matchups of the 1st test, it would be a complete role reversal from that test. McMullen who had dominated Fisher found himself on the end of a heavy defeat, Nitz was able to turn the tables on Wilson and only Schraner and Flapper would have a similar result to the first test. The Victorians made sure that there would be no opportunity for last end heroics and were able to secure the French Holbrook Shield with a convincing 13 shot win.
The Ladies once again demonstrated that they have the ability to match it with the Victorian team but have ended day two being 0-4 down in the series. Although the end result of the 3rd test was 11 shots, the Tasmanian side lead by 3 with 10 ends to go but the test win slipped through their fingers over the closing stages and the series was over. Bec Van Asch was once again in the winner’s circle with a 9 shot victory and Lyn Triffitt only narrowly went down by 3 to Nicole Shortis. The 4th test saw a change of skips, with Courtney Hobbs being given the rink previously skipped by Kim Saunders who had previously lost by 13, 12 & 17. Once again the margin of the test would be close with only 4 shots separating the two teams. Triffitt continued her good form recording the only win of the afternoon by 1 shot. Hobbs justified her promotion earning a draw against Chloe Stewart but it would be Nicole Shortis’ rink who would keep the Tasmanian ace Van Asch quiet and the 5 shot victory proving the deciding factor of the test. Heads can be held high especially the performances of Maureen Zoon, Dee Harman, Hollie Keen & skips Hobbs & Triffitt who all played very well in the afternoon match up.
Will we see a freshly shaved Tom O’Brien? The Junior boys coach promised a shave for any gold medals at the Junior Championships but is this 2-0 victory worthy? All five boys have played extremely well but the highlight had to be Lockie Sims 25-2 victory in the singles. This was a crucial margin of victory as earlier in the day the Pairs had lost by 17 and the triples had won by 4. This 13 shot negative differential meant two wins were going to be required. That was until Sims won by 23 shots and did so quickly, giving the fours knowledge that a 9 shot loss was going to be good enough to win the series. The fours team of Julian Brown, Josh Walker-Davis, Will Coad & Mitchell Banks didn’t need that margin as they too were successful taking the deciding match 31-12. A great effort against strong opposition.
The Girls were unable to match the highs of the boys but they gave it a mighty shake. By losing both the Pairs, by 14 shots, and the triples, by 2 shots, the girls knew a big turnaround was required in the afternoon. Just has the boys had done, a win in the singles gave the girls the chance they needed, a 25-20 victory for Ebony White left the fours needing a 12 shot victory. After 11 ends it looked like this result was a real possibility with the fours leading by 11. But alas, it wasn’t to be with the Victorian team reducing the margin to 6. A 2-2 result but the shots up gave Victoria the test and the series.
Although all test tomorrow will be dead rubbers, lots of players will be keen to ensure they impress the selectors to ensure they maintain their spot for the Sides Championships in April. The Victorian teams will be using the tests to prepare for upcoming matches against NSW & SA, so there will be no edge given!
