Sturt I and III produced two highly competitive performances on Thursday 29 October against strong opposition.
Sturt III secured a valuable 18–14 rink win against Kensington Marryatville, sealed by Maria Canala drawing two shots with her final bowls to score four on the last end.
Meanwhile, Sturt I fought out an excellent 51–51 draw against reigning Division 1 premiers Tranmere, with scores remaining close throughout the day.
Women’s Coach Peter Hughes reports on two contests that provided plenty of high-quality bowls — and plenty of excitement.
Sturt III report by Women’s Coach Peter Hughes
Sturt women were aiming high this week.
Sturt III were at home to Kensington Marryatville.
This was a big challenge as Sturt I defeated them in the Grand Final last year.
They are experienced and determined. It was going to be a challenge. And it was.
Maria Canala’s rink was undeterred. New player Cheryl Parsons is settling in very well as a reliable leader.
Anne Paschke is starting to have a very positive impact with her naturally good flowing left arm style.
And Ned Kelly is there looking for opportunities to blast the opposition out whenever her coach will allow it!
And so it came to be. It was a valuable 18–14 win after Maria Canala drew two shots with her final bowls of the day to score a big number – a four – to win.
Sturt I report by Peter Hughes
Sturt 1 approached their game with a quiet confidence. Nothing is going to faze them this year.
What they perhaps didn’t realise — and probably for the better — was that Tranmere had won the pennant in this division last year.
They should be in Premier League but as they already have a side there, it’s just not allowed.
Sturt were settled, the weather was perfect and the greens a delight.
The first three ends are one indicator and it was 7–7. At half time we were three up.
The next indicator is the C, C and C: Cool, Calm and Collected – they were all there except when we had something to cheer about and cheer we did. Often.
Our strong supporter base also regularly showed their appreciation of the high-quality bowling, often in pressure situations.
Both sides were taking shots off each other. The supporters appeared to be more nervous than the players.
Scores remained extremely close all day and we held on to a very commendable and low-scoring draw 51–51.
Oh, so close to defeating a virtual Premier League side.
Karen Esdale’s rink (with Victoria Kavanagh, Bronwyn Perry and Fiona Mansfield) was excellent again.
It narrowly claimed Rink of the Day honours from Cheryl Saunders’s rink (with Di Phillips, Jenny Johns and Margie Haines) in Sturt II.