Victorian Women triumphant, Tasmanian Men level series.
The Victorian women have already locked up their test series taking a 3-0 lead against a much improved Tasmanian team. But it would be the Tasmanian Men that would walk off the green with their held high, undefeated for the day with a draw and a win.
In the morning matches, the Men looked like they were on their way to levelling the series when they lead by 5 shots with 6 ends to play, but it wasn’t to be with Victoria fighting back to lead going into the final end. Michael Sims needed to get two shots but could only secure one, to level the scores and tie the second set.
Although Sims may regret his final bowl, his rink put Tasmania in with the chance of victory with a convincing 15 shot win. Mark Nitz was also successful, winning by 4 shots. Unfortunately it was Lee Schraner who would be on the wrong end of the ledger, losing 12-31, including a 6 on their 20th end.
The women were once again off to a slow start, again allowing the Victorians to build an early 20 shot lead. Unlike yesterday, the Women fought back hard and reduced the overall margin to 10 by the end of the 63 ends.
Bree Mabb continued her excellent start to the series, with great help for 3 Hollie Keen, recording another win, this time by 2 shots. Courtney Hobbs only narrowly went down by 5 to Gayle Edwards, who was playing her 200th game for Victoria, whilst Lyn Triffitt’s rink lost by 7. The women knew that if they were to keep the series alive, a win in the afternoon was now a must.
But it wasn’t to be for the women. This was by far their best test, leading at times and looking like they were going to register their first win. Courtney Hobbs had the star rink leading 21-5 after 13 ends. But it’s always hard to keep a good player like Nicole Shortis down, with Shortis picking up two 4’s in the last 8 ends, with the final score being 24-18. Lyn Triffitt’s rink went down by 5, but had helped the team over the last few ends picking up 6 shots to recover from a 19-8 score line. The very last bowl came down to Bree Mabb, whose rink had previously been undefeated. Leading by 2 overall, Mabb had the last bowl but couldn’t prevent Victoria from picking up 3, winning that rink by 2 and taking the test by 1 shot.
The Men had their slowest start to a test match but fought hard to take a lead during the middle of the game that they never relinquished. Lee Schraner’s rink recovered from their morning lost to lead Wayne Roberts 18-9 after 14 ends, thanks to some strong play from Jacob Brown and Schraner himself. Unfortunately Schraner would not win another end, but the key was of the last 7 ends he only allowed the opposition to get 8 shots. Mark Nitz won 19-14, finishing very strongly with 6 shots in the last 2 ends and due to the overall score, didn’t need to play their last end. Michael Sims, who had great support from Chris Dudman once again, had the end that probably turned the match with a 6 on the 16th end. The end score would be 20-12, maintaining Sims’ undefeated record.
This now leaves the Men’s series locked at 1.5-1.5 with two tests remaining. If you’re able to, get along to the Spreyton Bowls Club to cheer our team on!
By David Genford
