Tasmanian Junior Championships finish on a high

by Rob McGuire on January 17, 2024

 High class bowls were the order of the day when the Bowls Tasmania’s State Junior Championships concluded yesterday at the Kings Meadows Indoor Centre.

The day started with the boys pairs grand final between Port Sorell’s Logan Marshall and Longford’s Ollie Morrison and Ulverstone’s Lachie Thurley and Burnie’s Jonty Hayes and what a game it was.  There were some sensational bowls played, the lead was constantly changing, bowls sitting on the jack and drives made, and it wasn’t clear who would take out the win until the final couple of bowls.  On the final end scores were level at 18 all.   Marshall and Morrison  were holding shot and it didn’t matter what Thurley did he wasn’t able to take it back with Marshall and Morrison scoring one shot for the win at 19 – 18.

The next game was the girls singles grand final between the two best girls bowlers in Tasmania, Port Sorell’s Amity Bickley and Trevallyn’s Chloe Collins.   The game did not disappoint with Collins putting in some outstanding bowls but Bickley used her knowledge and experience to play some amazing shots to eventually take out the win 21 – 10.

In the semi-finals of the boys singles championship, Invermay’s Trey Daines defeated Cremorne’s Reiley Banks 21-18 and Ulverstone’s Lachie Thurley beat Burnie’s Jonty Hayes 21-9.

The final game of the championships was the boy’s singles championship grand final.   Thurley and Daines  were neck and neck, with the lead changing multiple times, some expert drawing, drives and concentration from them both.  Thurley led 13-5 after eleven ends but Daines won four ends in a row to draw within one shot.   Consistent draw bowling from Thurley enabled him to remain in front and take out the grand final in a high-quality game of bowls 21-15.