Day 7 Wrap: State Champions Week

by Team BV

The final day of competition at State Champions Week wrapped up this afternoon with the mixed pairs semi-final and final determined.

The mixed pairs semi-finals saw Nicole McKenzie and Michael Coram (Strzelecki) take on Sam Shannahan and Paul Wellington (Metro West), and Jessica Wallace and Josh Sanders (Eastern Ranges) go head to head with Kelly McKerihen and Ali Forsyth (Sandbelt).

Both games were close, and after six ends the Strzelecki team were up by four shots and Eastern Rangers by two. Both Metro West and Sandbelt closed in on their counterparts and scores were even tighter by the last two ends.

But it was Lilydale’s Jessica Wallace and Josh Sanders who made it through to the final round, defeating Kelly McKerihen and Ali Forsyth from Clayton 19-15 to face Strzeleck’s Nicole McKenzie and Michael Coram after they defeated Deer Park duo Sam Shannahan and Paul Wellington 14-13.

In the afternoon final, both teams went shot for shot with Strzeleck 1 shot up after five ends to be 6-5. But it was Eastern Ranges day in the end winning 23-14 to take the title.

The winner of the Vic Trophy was also announced with Sandbelt taking home the accoladed with 72 points.

Top-5 regions finishers were:
1. Sandbelt – 72 points
2. Northern Gateway – 63 points
3. Metro West – 53 points
4. Geelong – 50 points
5. Bendigo-Campaspe – 48 points

The mixed pairs competition wrapped up a fantastic week of bowls in Bendigo. To all players, club volunteers, markers and spectators thank you for your support and contribution to this week’s events. We look forward to bring you another great event next year with dates for 2020 to be announced at the start of June.

State Champions Week is proudly supported by Steller, the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo East Bowling Club. For all scores from the week please click here.