NSW suffer opening blow
NSW have suffered an early blow to their Alley Shield, Marj Morris Trophy and Overall State Champions Trophy campaigns NSW have suffered an early blow to their Alley Shield, Marj Morris Trophy and Overall State Champions Trophy campaigns at the Australian Sides Championships.
Pitted against an in-form South Australian line-up in the opening rubber encounter, the Blues suffered a shaky start to their title defence – after claiming all the silverware in Bendigo last year – managing to secure only one of out three rinks in both the men’s and women’s events.
World champion Natasha Scott’s star studded line-up proved too slick for the Croweaters, but it was the South Australian young-gun skipped teams of Breeanna Dickson and 2013 Under-18 Female Bowler of the Year Renee McPharlin that proved to be the catalyst for South Australia’s first victory in the hunt for an elusive Marj Morris Trophy.
Dickson guiding her contingent to a stunning 21-15 win over the recently crown Female Bowler of the Year Karen Murphy’s team, and McPharlin made light work of Saturday’s Super 6 singles gold medallist Kelsey Cottrell’s rink, 24-11.
In the Alley Shield campaign, South Australia’s Scott Thulborn and Wayne Ruediger’s rinks both enjoyed early triumphs, over Australian Jackaroos member Shane Garvey and his Blues teammate David Ferguson respectively.
NSW will look to bounce back to form this afternoon against the ACT, while South Australia aim to string together consecutive wins against Western Australia.
Joining the winners’ circle in the men’s event was Western Australia, who overcame ACT, Queensland defeated Tasmania, and Victoria, who hold pole position after a demolition of Northern Territory.
The Big V also hold top of the table standings in the women, with Western Australia following close behind alongside South Australia, while Tasmania’s Jenny Redshaw and Gaylene Elsworthy’s two rink wins gave them an ideal first start against Queensland.
The second round of the Australian Sides South Australia will be pitted against Western Australia, and Victoria will go toe-to-toe with host state Tasmania.
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