Defending Champions Stage Fightback to Reach Pairs Final

by Rick Fontyn on March 10, 2021

Today’s action at the Bowls Tasmania State Championships saw some terrific matches in the Pairs. Defending Champions Lauren Banks (New Norfolk) and Jorja Maughan (Invermay) have the opportunity to go back-to-back after they progressed through to the Women’s Open Pairs Final.

However, this was only secured on the final end, where they scored five shots in their Semi-Final, to sneak through by just one solitary shot.


Their opponents will be Rebecca Van Asch (Invermay) & Alison Venn (Penguin) who had an easier ride through to the Final, with a 20-10 victory in their semi against former Champions Lyn Triffitt & Jenny Suttie.


In the Men’s Open Pairs, Scott Summers & Michael Sims (Trevallyn) defeated clubmate Josh Appleyard & Isaac Maughan (Buckingham) in their Semi-Final in a high-quality contest, eventually running out 18-14 winners.


They’ll face Burnie duo Taelyn Male & Mark Nitz, who have been in scintillating form this week. They defeated Cameron Griffiths & Nick Chilcott 13-10.


Kelly Gilchrist (Penguin) & Fiona Cort (Trevallyn) have been crowned B-Grade Pairs Champions, after they defeated Claremont’s Maree Grimmond and Helina Travers. It was a tremendous performance from the pair, who only met on Monday following the withdrawal of Gilchrist’s partner due to injury.


Sandy Bay’s Ian Salt & David Lovett took out the Men’s B-Grade Pairs. They defeated Cressy’s Jimmy Bannon & Peter Whiteley 12-10 in a terrific contest.

In the Disability Championships, the sectional play of the Pairs was completed today. The three-section winners will now play-off in a round robin event.


Latrobe’a Leroi Cort & Damien Gallagher went through undefeated in their section, and will play Invermay’s Jeremy Bracken & Jamie Wheldon, who won section 3 on a count-back. The third team through to the round robin is Shane Van Riel (Invermay) and Shannon Hyland (Cressy).

Pairs action will continue on Friday from 9.30am.

Thursday’s action promises to be a fabulous day, with the Open Singles Quarters, Semis & Final to be held, along with the Semis & Final in the B-Grade. Finals will also be held in the Disability Singles sections; all matches will be played at the North Launceston Bowls Club.


Bowls Tasmania will be live-streaming the Singles Semis & Finals via their Facebook page.