2019 Australian Championships: Nail-biters aplenty in Fours titles

by Bowls Australia on December 4, 2019

The Men’s and Women’s Fours titles have been run and won at the 2019 Australian Championships, with nail-biting finishes across the board.

Lee Schraner’s Tasmanian outfit got the better of Trystan Smallacombe’s Norther Territory foursome by seven shots to claim the Men’s gold, which was the highest winning-margin from all four medal matches.

Elsewhere, New South Wales defeated Victoria by one shot to secure the Men’s bronze, New South Wales again defeated Victoria by two shots to claim the Women’s gold, while Western Australia pipped Tasmania by two shots to win the Women’s bronze.

Collectively, 12 shots was the margin across all finals, showcasing the talent and standard of the field.

Thursday will see the start of the Singles action before Mixed Pairs will round out the event on Friday.

See below for results from Day 3 (Fours) of the 2019 Australian Championships from Club Sapphire, Merimbula:

Men’s Fours:

Gold Medal Match – Paul Rodin (Darwin), Ian Smith (Darwin), Mark Malogorski (Nightcliff), Trystan Smallacombe (Darwin, NT) def by. Joshua Appleyard (South Burnie), Brad Johns (Franklin), Robert McMullen (Kings Meadows), Lee Schraner (Rosny Park, TAS) 7-14

Bronze Medal Match – Peter Hughes, Craig Donaldson, Harley McDonald, David Ferguson (Engadine, NSW) def. Josh Barry, James Pearce, Ray Morrisey, Brett Mahoney (Deer Park, VIC) 12-11

Women’s Fours:

Gold Medal Match – Erin Swatridge, Kay Moran, Jamie-Lee Worsnop, Ellen Ryan (Cabramatta, NSW) def. Tiffany Brodie (St Kilda), Courtney Gabb (Clayton), Kelly McKerihen (Clayton), Lisa Phillips (Caulfield, VIC) 12-10

Bronze Medal Match – Laura Merz, Robyn O’Brien, Therese Hastings, Helen Morss (Manning, WA) def.
Sophie Fletcher (Westbury), Madge Strochnetter (North Launceston), Judy Gurr (Kings Meadows), Maxine Monson (Birdport, TAS) 13-11

Bowls Australia (BA) will be live-streaming the Singles & Mixed Pairs action from December 5-6.