Victoria v Tasmania – Day 3 with video
For Victoria’s women, it was a clean sweep. For Victoria’s men and Under 18 girls, it took a few more bumps and a fright or two along the way.
But eventually the Vics came away with three trophies from their Test series against Tasmania after three days of high quality bowls at Bowls Clayton.
Victoria’s women’s team swept their series 5-0, completing proceedings with a 59-55 fifth Test win over Tasmania – Lisa Phillips and Chloe Stewart’s fours winning their matches to ensure a margin for victory and the VLBA Perpetual Trophy.
Phillips (Coatesville) and teenage sensation Tiffany Brodie (Fitzroy Victoria) were named Victoria’s players of the series for their roles in the clean sweep.
Victoria’s men managed another narrow win in what had been an evenly matched contest throughout the three days, winning the series 4-1 to secure the French Holbrook Shield.
It was in the big moments the Vics shone. A nail biting third Test won 58-55 in the last couple of ends rated one of the best Tests Victoria has ever been involved in was testimony to what it took to see off a dogged Tasmania.
Brett Spurr (Bundoora RSL) was deservedly named Victoria’s player of the series, though every one of the 12-man team took their turns throughout the five Tests to stand and deliver what was needed, when it was needed.
The Under 18 girls sealed their three-Test series by Thursday, but Tasmania impressed in their third Test win on Friday, six shots up with the rubber two games apiece.
Mikayla Long (Glenroy) was Victoria’s player of the series and the mix of experienced Amelia Bruggy (Bendigo) and Natasha Russell (Clayton) and up-and-coming Jordan Long (Glenroy) and Kira Bourke (Maryborough Golf) offers hope for a bright future.
Tasmania were deserving winners in the Under 18 boys, sweeping their series 3-0 against a Victorian side in a rebuilding phase.
Victorian Open pairs champion Curtis Hanley, the lone experienced hand in the side, was named Victoria’s player of the series.
But youngsters Brody Harker (Sea Lake), Ty King (Deniliquin), Riley Hodgson (Bundoora RSL) and 13-year-old Grant McLaren (Colac) will have learned plenty over the past three days as they grow towards next year’s Nationals.
5th Test
Senior ladies
N Shortis 17 lost to C Hobbs 18
L Phillips 20 defeated R Van Asch 18
C Stewart 22 defeated L Triffitt 19
Victoria 59 defeated Tasmania 55
Victoria wins series 5-0
Player of the series: Tiffany Brodie & Lisa Phillips (tie)
Senior men
D Fisher 20 defeated M Nitz 19
M Flapper 21 d R McMullen 20
A Wilson 25 d L Schraner 23
Victoria 66 defeated Tasmania 62
Victoria wins series 4-1
Player of the series: Brett Spurr