Victoria downed by New South Wales in National Championships Opener
After a less than auspicious start to day one of the National Bowling Arm Championships at East Maitland Bowls Club in NSW, Victoria is still within striking distance of tearaway leaders Queensland after an all-rinks win in the singles and fours against South Australia on the eve of the first day’s activities. After a less than auspicious start to day one of the National Bowling Arm Championships at East Maitland Bowls Club in NSW, Victoria is still within striking distance of tearaway leaders Queensland after an all-rinks win in the singles and fours against South Australia on the eve of the first day’s activities.
The Armed Vics were systematically dismantled in the singles and fours against host state New South Wales in the morning games on day one and shared the points against them in the afternoon pairs and triples contests. At one stage in the afternoon matches the Victorians looked capable of winning at least five of their six contested matches but lost vital ends towards the conclusion of separate pairs and triples matches to share the points six a-piece and tie the leg.
New South Wales thoroughly deserved their 14 pts to 10 pts. shield win over the Victorians to see one of the individual State Shields previously held by the Armed Vics returning back over the border.
A very strong showing in the final matches of Day 1 saw the Victorians claim all of the points on offer from their luckless South Australian counterparts who tried everything they could to upset a Victorian team who realised if they didn’t take every chance that presented itself, their hopes of retaining their National Champions Title that all could be lost.
Queensland had a huge first day and set the pace for the rest of the field to catch up to, and with both Victoria and New South Wales yet to play the Queenslanders, it’s anyone’s guess how the final standings will eventuate?
Round 1
Singles:
Victoria vs New South Wales
Victorian players listed first
Neil Crisp 21 def Andrew Capararo 19
Michael Rose 11 lost to Clay Parker 21
Terry Gilmore 11 lost to Mick Kedwell 21
Fours:
Ray Arnold, Phil Gude, Phil Godkin and Barry Anset (s) lost 7-16 Ron Eckhardt, Rod Fletcher, Tony Long and Mal Finch (s) lost 15-25 Vern Rehe, Chris Randell, Stephen Coles and Lee Wesley (s) won 17-9
Round 2 – Victoria vs New South Wales (Pairs and Triples)
Pairs:
P. Godkin and B. Anset lost 7/17
R. Eckhardt and R. Fletcher won 17/11
R. Arnold and L. Wesley lost 13/14
Triples:
V. Rehe, S. Coles and M. Finch won 12/10
T. Gilmore, T. Long and N. Crisp won 21/9
M. Rose, P. Gude and C. Randell lost 15/16
Victoria 6 pts. – New South Wales 6 pts.
Victoria lost to New South Wales 10pts to 14pts.
New South Wales regained the Starrett-Ashley Shield
Round 3 – Victoria vs South Australia (Singles and Fours)
Singles:
N. Crisp won 21/16
T. Gilmore won 21/7
M. Rose won 21/5
Fours:
A. Ryan, R. Fletcher, T. Long and M. Finch won 18/9
R. Arnold, K. Ralph, P. Godkin and B. Anset won 31/7
V. Rehe, C. Randell, S. Coles and L. Wesley won 16/10
Rankings – End of Day 1
Queensland 26 pts
New South Wales 22 pts + 66 shots
Victoria 22 pts + 53 shots
Western Australia 15 pts – 3 shots
Tasmania 15 pts – 88 shots
South Australia – 6 pts – 136 shots.
All individual matches are appointed 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.
Overall winners are decided on accumulated points.
If points are equal it is then decided by shot margin.
Related article:
Victorians Secure Amazing 6th Straight 2018 National Bowling Arm Championship Title
