Peter Hughes, coach of Sturt I against Kensington Marryatville II on Thursday 26 February 2026, said the team approached their top of the table home battle "with quiet confidence, having won the first time around".
"Kensington are a very strong side with many extra years experience.
"The equation was simple - win and we would be top, lose and we would be third."
Each of the three rinks fared differently, said Peter.
"Jackie Hammond’s rink (with Janine Skurray, Lyn Witt and Cath Stevens) played a very tight game. After 12 ends it was just 7 – 7.
"Eventually one side would get a break. That was us with a big number, 5!
"We then lost the next 4 ends but gained the mat and won the vital last four ends to finish with 18-13.
"Wendy Rutten’s rink (with Sharon Gray, Terry Morgan and Joanne Kirby) was jumped on early and fell to 3-15.
"They are our Comeback Queens, having an 89-44 scoring record in the last half of games since Xmas.
"They responded with a 14-8 second half and just missed out, 21-24.
"Karen Esdale’s rink (with Victoria Kavanagh, Bronwyn Perry and Fiona Mansfield) was our leading rink going into this game and raced to an early lead, 12-5.
"Straight after the break they held a 5 shot head only to have it ‘stolen’ by Kensi’s experienced and skilful, leading skip.
"This time we were unable to recover."
As a result, we finished third and will play Tranmere in the knockout semi final next Thursday.