A relieved and pleased Peter Hughes, coach of Sturt I on Thursday 12 March 2026, wrote this detailed report on the Preliminary Final against Beaumont II, played at Beaumont.
Peter Hughes's report:
We had lost to Beaumont II twice this year and the narrow deciding factor in those games was the deficit from the first three ends.
We knew we had matched them for the last eighteen ends of those games!
It started as a beautiful, mild, calm morning. The green was medium paced with predictable grass.
There was a sense of anticipation and perhaps nervous apprehension in the air.
Beaumont had finished second on the ladder, we were third, just one rink loss by 1 shot away from being second ourselves.
After three ends we had the lead. But as often happens, things changed. A slightly swirly, flukey, unpredictable breeze picked up and we were down a few.
First aid arrived in the form of Haigh’s Chocolate Frogs. They were courtesy of and hand delivered by club member Rosalie Rotolo.
At the half way mark it was 26 – 26. Karen Esdale's and Jackie Hammond's rinks were up while Wendy Rutten's rink was having a battle.
With strong spectator support being provided, composure and determination were required from our players.
We really value the role of our Leaders. Janine Skurray was having a consistently good day and from early in the second half Vicki Kavanagh and Sharon Gray really found their way too.
Was it to be the start of another second half surge?
Wendy’s rink all ‘found it’ thanks also to Terry Morgan and Joanne Kirby. In the last five ends they scored 2, 2, 7 and 1 to the opposition's single 1.
That was a very decisive turn around.
Karen’s rink played consistently all day. Bronwyn Perry and Fiona Mansfield were very reliable. Karen’s accurate draw bowling at key moments was crowd pleasing.
The final score 56 – 51.
Rink of the Day honours went to Jackie, again. She was also very well supported by Lyn Witt at Second and Cathy Stevens' quality inputs at Third, as well as Janine as mentioned above.