Pairs Finals Conclude Successful Week of State Championships

by Rick Fontyn on March 12, 2021

After 540 bowlers started out in the Bowls Tasmania State Championships a week ago, the event came to an exciting climax today at the North Launceston Bowls Club, with State Champions decided in both the Men’s & Women’s Open Pairs, as well as the Disability Pairs.

Bec Van Asch (Invermay) & Alison Venn (Penguin) proved too strong for defending Champions, and rising young stars Jorja Maughan (Buckingham) & Lauren Banks (New Norfolk), running out victors 21-13.

Van Asch & Venn got off to a fast start to lead 6-0 after three ends, before their opponents rallied after picking-up seven shots over two ends to tie things up at 11-all. However, they were able to compose and win three of the next four ends to secure an 8 shot victory.

In the Men’s Open Pairs, Burnie’s Taelyn Male & Mark Nitz won a high-quality Final over Trevallyn opponents, Michael Sims & Scott Summers.

With just four shots separating the finalists after 12 ends, the Burnie duo won the final three ends to win the title 17-9.

The final match today saw an outstanding tussle in the Disability Pairs, between Cressy’s Shannon Hyland & Alan Ryman, and Invermay’s Jack Whelan & Jeremy Bracken.

The result went the way of the Cressy pair 16-9, however the final scoreline did not reflect the tightness of the contest, with both pairs winning 7 ends apiece.

A big thanks for the media’s support for the entire week.