Day 4 – 2017 Steller Vic Open

by Team BV

Defending champions Michael Sims and Sharon Steele have led the charge through to the last 16 of the mixed pairs at the Steller Vic Open.

On the traditional middle day of the Open, Sims and Steele are among a host of quality players safely into the knockout stages.
Matt Flapper (Ocean Grove) and Nicole Shortis (Leopold) are also into the last 32 after cutting a swathe through the sectionals, then beating Wayne McLaren and Vikki Smith (Mooroolbark) 14-9.
But the most thrilling knockout matches so far involved Victorian player Dane McKinnon and State women’s coach Jan Hurst. The Altona duo took their match against Dan Mars (MCC) and Nicole O’Connor (Richmond Union) fighting back from two shots down with two ends remaining to level up after the regulation 15 ends.
McKinnon then landed a peach of a bowl in the extra end to secure victory.
They then played another thriller against Yarrawonga’s Claire and Garry Sanders, which you can watch above.
Already deep in all three women’s disciplines, Lisa Phillips is also through to the last 16 in the mixed pairs. Stunningly, it was the third time this tournament the Brighton bowler had been pitted against Canadian international Kelly McKerihen in a knockout match – and she prevailed for the third time.
Phillips and partner Nick McIntyre, who won this event in 2015, beat McKerihen and her Clayton teammate Neil Jebb 17-4 to make the last 32.
They then managed to edge out Lilydale’s Jan O’Regan and Josh Sanders by a single shot to make the round of 16.
Tasmanian Lee Schraner also continued his unreal run of form at the Vic Open, making the last 16 with partner Gayle Edwards.  

Results updated throughout the day:
Results, Mixed pairs
Results, Mixed pairs finals
 

Knockout Rounds and Finals:
Click here for the Knockout and Finals schedule.
Please note:  Knockout Rounds for the 22nd & 23rd November 2017 – This schedule may change depending on players still being in multiple events.  Some of the scheduled later rounds in the day may be played at a different time. If there are changes, teams and players will be notified.