Sturt I, II and III gained valuable match practice against strong opposition at Kensington Marryatville on Wednesday 30 September, with unfamiliar synthetic greens adding another dimension to the pre-season test.
As Sturt II Team Manager Ralph Hounslow observed, the trials gave selectors “an opportunity to try combinations, shift personnel and generally give the sides a serious test under match conditions”.
Reports from the three Team Managers follow.
Sturt I Report from Team Manager Rod Stuart:
Overall, we went down four rinks to one against a team we will meet on Saturdays during the season.
Conditions were delightful with a gentle but consistent breeze in mild conditions.
The artificial greens were generally very straightforward, albeit a bit slow, but the infamous rinks one and two provided character-building opportunities that challenged us.
On Rink Two we had the only win due to a very solid all-round performance. We had a slow start while adapting to the vagaries of the rink but managed to keep losing ends to just one shot before the consistent weight of bowls in the head prevailed.
For Sturt it was a valuable hit-out against a strong team in unfamiliar conditions.
Kensington Marryatville were very amiable hosts, and we would look forward to having further trial matches there in the future.
Sturt II Report from Team Manager Ralph Hounslow:
Sturt II were welcomed by the good folks of Kensington Marryatville for a Wednesday ‘pennant format’ match. It always appears to be a friendly club and today was no exception.
The weather was superb with mid-twenties and a varying breeze.
The artificial turf has now had time to settle in. Our green, at least, played pretty well, arguably one of the better artificial surfaces we encounter.
Interesting having an early start (11.00) which led to an early 2.15ish finish. Unusual timing but not unpleasant.
Having a beer after a warm game is even more pleasant at 2.30.
Our pair – Mocha Dunstan and Kym Pratt - had a good day out with a solid win.
Our two triples rinks had a win and a loss.
The two fours rinks both did well, representing Sturt with spirit.
The pre-season ‘friendly’ against a club of similar standing has many advantages.
The selectors have an opportunity to try combinations, shift personnel and generally give the sides a serious test under match conditions.
For the players, it is practice under match conditions, maybe in unfamiliar roles. Win-win for all parties.
Bring on the season.
Sturt III Report from Team Manager Nick Manglaras:
The Sturt III side ventured eastward to Kensington Marryatville on an overcast, warm day and came home winners (68-52), with two rinks up.
There was little wind and the synthetic surface played truly.
Ed Parker's rink had a big win, all bowled well, but Noal Mullins was the standout, closely followed by Silvio Marollo. A solid 16-shot win for this good-looking rink.
Robb Nuus's rink made a quick start, building a big lead, with great bowling from Dirk De Jong as lead, who used his exceptional height and reach to worry the kitty - smooth as silk.
Robb went into the match with a shoulder injury, but with judicious use of drugs, managed to hold the fast-finishing opposition at bay, to finish six shots ahead.
Martin Fry's rink got behind early and were in big trouble, thanks to the opposition skipper, but fought back gamely, and won the last five ends to finish six behind.
Special mention to David Beales who could hardly see through his hay fever-afflicted eyes, but despite this, bowled well. Hate to think how his eyes would have coped bowling on grass. Perhaps follow Robb's lead and take (legal) drugs.
Overall, a good team effort, a solid win, with some excellent individual performances.