Noal Mullins, team leader of Sturt V in its tussle with Sturt VII on Saturday 31 January 2026, said that the game will be remembered as "the first great showdown for 2026", with Sturt V eventually winning by six shots.
Noal said that "at the pre game huddle, Sturt V was quietly confident, although Sturt VII clearly had many years more experience." In his report below, Noal emphases this importance of the experience in Sturt VII.
Here is Noal's detailed report
Neil Fisher's team (Sturt V) v Maria Canala's (VII)
Representing Sturt V on championship rink 1 were Peter Quick, Lesley Dunstall, Peter Mann and Neil Fisher, battling against the skill and experience of Heather Todd, Joe Capasso, Janet Mullins and Maria Canala, representing Sturt VII.
It was a great game with a test of skill when bowling on the side with no grass. A very even contest. At the break, 8 all and the final score a draw 14 - 14.
Nick Manglaras's team (Sturt V) v Richard Sismey's (VII)
On the newly opened rink 15, Sturt 5 was represented by the legendary David Paley, Noal Mullins and John Panozzo and skippered by the steady Nick Manglaras.
The Sturt VII team consisted of Peter Vroom, Errol and Joylene Koch, skippered by "the master of the drive", Richard Sismey.
Sturt V had confidence based on a great lead in Dave Paley and often built a good head but then watched as Joylene Koch from Sturt VII rolled one in to take shot.
On the 17th end Sturt V was confident, holding 5 in a circle around the jack, until Richard - master of the drive - Sismey, with a magnificent drive put the jack in the ditch to level the score.
On the final end, Joylene took shot, enabling Sturt VII to win the rink by one.
Ed Parker's (Sturt V) team v Jake Ettridge's
Skipper Ed Parker represented Sturt V together with Paul Badenoch, Jason Kohlmorgen and Frank Sabatino, a great mix of youth and experience.
Jake Ettridge for Sturt VII, in his debut as skip, had the experience of Giovanni Spagnulo, Rob Warhurst and Dean Buder.
There is no surviving video recording of this game and all contestants are keeping tight lips. Results show Ed and his team won this rink 24 to 17. There have been no protests lodged and Sturt V won the day by 6 shots.
Sturt was the winner.