Two closely fought encounters produced contrasting results at home for Sturt I and III on Thursday 12 November, with both teams showing plenty of determination against experienced opposition.
Sturt I held off a strong challenge from Modbury II to secure a six-shot victory and retain its place in the top four. Women's Coach Peter Hughes praised the performances of skippers Jackie Hammond and Karen Esdale, whose rinks delivered some impressive bowling.
Sturt III also showed plenty of promise against Toorak Burnside II, with skippers Maria Canala and Pamela Rowe both recording victories. However, a late surge by the opposition turned a promising position into an eight-shot defeat.
Despite the disappointment, Peter found plenty to applaud, particularly the progress of several emerging players and the encouraging performances of those returning from injury and illness.
Sturt I report by Women’s Coach Peter Hughes
We were blessed with the best conditions at home on Thursday 12 November.
Sturt I played Modbury II – another well-established and experienced club – and had a very close game.
We went into the break after 11 ends just four shots up. In the three ends immediately after the break, we took advantage and went a further five shots up.
That was a decisive break in the game that enabled us to hold on and win by six shots.
Skipper Jackie Hammond had a strong game. Her draw bowling created conversions and the building of numbers (multiple shots). Her rink scored numbers on seven ends.
Most rinks that score seven numbers go ahead and win. And that’s just what Di Fullerton (in her best game for the season), Janine Skurray and Lyn Witt did.
Karen Esdale’s rink (Vicki Kavanagh, Bronwyn Perry and Fiona Mansfield) was impressive all day. They had bowls in the head and that led to scoring nine numbers and earning (again) Rink of the Day honours.
The win has enabled us to hold our place in the top four but in a tightly contested middle group of sides.
Sturt III report by Peter Hughes
Sturt III played Toorak Burnside II.
Congratulations to our leading skipper Maria Canala on another win 20–15 and to emerging skipper Pamela Rowe who won 15–14.
These winning rinks featured new bowler Cathie Rumbelow, new Parkside resident Cheryl Nathan and emerging player Karen Hill. These women are training regularly and deserve their early success.
We went into the 11-end break up by four shots. We gained another two in the next three ends. Very good signs.
Alas, we tired, and during the last four ends we dropped 15 shots. That was the difference.
Unfortunately for us, Toorak Burnside had the experience and composure to see the game out and we went down by 8 shots.
Considering we had players returning from long term injury and recent illness our result was a strong one.