Simpson and Bickley take out State Champion of Champions Singles Championships
Burnie’s Tony Simpson and Port Sorell’s Amity Bickley were crowned Bowls Tasmania’s 2026 Champion of Champion Singles Championship winners at the Devonport Country Club on Saturday.
In the Men’s Championship, Simpson was defeated by Trevallyn’s Michael Sims in the first game of the day 21-14. Simpson then played Brighton’s Keghan Booth. Simpson raced out to an 8-0 lead after five ends and led 12-1 after eight ends. It was tight after that, but Booth could not bridge the gap and Simpson eventually won 21-11. The final game was between Sims and Booth, with Sims having to score 18 shots to win the championship. Sims started well and led 7-2 after six ends, before Booth closed the gap to level the scores at 13 all. Booth finished strongly picking up eight shots over the last four ends to beat Sims 21-17. Simpson, Sims and Booth won game each and Simpson and Sims both had a score difference of +3 and Booth -6. The winner was decided on score percentage with Simpson having 109.38% marginally in front of Sims on 108.57%.
In the Women’s Championship, Port Sorell’s Amity Bickley started the day well to defeat North Launceston’s Teresa Turmine 21-13. Turmine then played Kingborough’s Crystal Brooks, who amazed everyone by attending after giving birth to her first child, Hudson, three days earlier and having only been released from hospital the day before the championships. Brooks was in front all day and defeated Turmine 21-12. In the final game, Bickley took charge early and raced out to a 10-1 lead after seven ends. Brooks won three of the next four ends to close the gap to four shots before Bickley finished strongly to win 21-9 and take out the championship.
Simpson and Bickley have won the right to represent Tasmania and their respective clubs at the Australian Champion of Champions Singles Championship which is being held at the North Beach Bowling Club in WA from 1 – 4 October 2026.
