Queensland eyeing first Shield since 2014
Queensland have moved within striking distance of the men’s Alley Shield at the Australian Sides Championships at Broadbeach, which would be their first since 2014.
The host state claimed arguably the two biggest scalps of the competition on the second day of play, toppling NSW comfortably in the morning, and than narrowly escaping a scare in the afternoon with a 1-shot win against Victoria.
The Maroon men managed just one-rink win in the three-rink affair, but did just enough to walk away with the points, 66-65, courtesy of an 11-shot rink win by Nathan Rice’s quartet over former Queenslander Mark Casey’s contingent.
Their untarnished three victories, following yesterday’s win against South Australia, only has them in second placing, however, despite their performances coming against the past three champion states (NSW 2019, Victoria 2018, South Australia 2017).
Western Australia currently holds pole position, with a 38-shot better score differential, after triumphing against Northern Territory and Tasmania on day two of the event.
Queensland will face ACT in tomorrow morning’s fourth round, while Western Australia will clash against South Australia.
In the women’s Marj Morris Trophy battle, it’s a similar tale for the Sandgropers, who lead the pack with an unblemished record from three rounds.
Perennial powerhouse New South Wales lurks ominously in second position, just behind on shots, in a very similar position to Queensland in the men’s event, having notched up wins against Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, by a slender margin to finish day two.
The Blues escaped with a 4-shot victory against the Croweaters, 64-60, with final bowl specialist Ellen Ryan snatching four shots on the last end of her clash against Kate Argent-Bowden to seal their fate and keep their hopes of a three-peat well and truly alive.
The reigning titleholder Blues will face Tasmania in their morning contest on day three.
