State Champions Week 2016 – Day 2
Anthony Flapper helped his Northern Gateway rink from Essendon secured their men’s fours final in an epic on Day 2, forcing Sandbelt to an extra end before running out 16-14 in a magnificent final at Bendigo East Bowling Club.
It was a match which pitted brother against brothers – Flapper and Wilson brothers Cameron, Nathan and Matthew against Aaron Wilson from Sandbelt. It changed complexion from end to end. It came down to the last shot of regulation ends.
Sandbelt led by a shot in the 18th end with just skip Flapper’s bowl to come.
Flapper’s brilliant last bowl tied the match up at 14-all, and sent it to an extra end. There Northern Gateway picked up another two shots to seal victory.
Northern Gateway also won the women’s fours final, also beating a Sandbelt/Clayton rink 22-12.
Skipped by Australian Indoor and Victorian Open champion Carla Krizanic (nee Odgers), the Northern Gateway rink also featured three of the State’s best Under 18 talents in Mikayla Long and Lisa Trewarne (both Glenroy) and Tiffany Brodie (Fitzroy Victoria).
They trailed early, before taking control mid-match over Kelly McKerihen’s rink to grab a 13-6 led, before Sandbelt powered back to trail 14-11.
But Krizanic’s young team were unfazed by the pressure of the occasion, and eventually ran out 22-12 winners – with a little help from the sidelines in team puppy Marlee, who even bobbed up in the team photo after the presentation.
For Brodie, it was her third State title in nine days after winning the Under 18 women’s singles, then the Under 25 singles on day one of State Champions Week before her Day Two fours triumph.
In the women’s pairs, three of the quarter-finals produced one-shot results, with Bendigo Campaspe, Central Victoria and Wimmera through to the semis.
Sandbelt also booked a semis spot via a twilight match.
In the men’s pairs, Central Goulburn Murray’s Shepparton Golf rink of Mitch Sidebottom (skip) and John Hallam beat City of Echuca’s Phillip Thorn and Wayne Brooks 17-9 to make the semi-finals.
Sandbelt’s St Kilda duo of Richard Callanan and Glenn Cook (skip) and Dan and Mike Irwin of Heathmont representing Eastern Ranges also won through to the semis.
Nathan Wilson also kept himself in the running for another State title, teaming with Essendon’s Jay-Bye Norris for Northern Gateway to win through to the semi-finals late on day two.
Results, Men’s pairs
Results, Women’s pairs
Results, Men’s fours
Results, Women’s fours
State Champions Week, Day 1 wrap-up
State Champions Week, U25 and Novice Singles wrap-up
