Prestige Medley: Eastern Region Ladies did us Proud
Eastern Region Ladies were runners up in this year’s Prestige Medley held at Marion Bowling Club on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March.
Our region was represented by:
Pairs: Chris Nicholls (Mt Barker), Alex Reynolds (sk)-(Woodside)
Triples: Kathy Miller (Oakbank), Kristeena Kirchener (Murray Bridge), Helen Lindner (sk)( Murray Bridge)
Fours: Carol Thompson (Lobethal), Chris Jarman (Lobethal), Joan Jackson (Murray Bridge) Christine Keller (sk )(Hahndorf)
In their opening game the girls were ecstatic and almost in disbelief as they defeated Metro West 46-45. The Fours team led by Chris Keller were on fire and defeated their opposition 17-11. This created sufficient buffer to cover the other 2 rinks which suffered narrow losses. Inspired by their success, Eastern completed their Saturday commitment with a 64-38 defeat of York Peninsula and a 48-28 defeat of Metro North. With a 3 from 3 record on Day 1 they went home exhausted but ecstatic with the result.
Eyre Peninsula have always presented with a strong team and they were the first opponents for the Sunday matches. With the lead changing many times during the course of the game it was perhaps fitting that it concluded with a draw 41-41.
After 4 matches Eastern had 3 wins and a draw to give them a score of 34 points (6 points for a win and 2 points for each winning rink). Yorke Peninsula had 3 wins and a loss and were one point ahead. In the final game Eastern needed to win and win well to finish top of their Pool. When Yorke Peninsula defeated Metro West with one rink up, it enabled Eastern to finish top of their pool with 3 rinks up, and a convincing 61-34 shot win.
After the 6 rounds played the pairs finished with 2 wins and 4 shots down, Helen Lindner’s triples won 3 and finished 16 shots up and Chris Keller’s rink of fours finished with 5 wins and 25 shots up. Unfortunately for Eastern they did not sustain their form in the Grand Final against Metro East. Showery conditions and strong winds made play and shots difficult and the experience and skills of the Metro East team were too strong for the Eastern girls.
Overall, a great weekend for our girls and their best ever finish in this event. Congratulations to all involved.
From Left: Chris Jarman (Lobethal), Chris Nicholls (Mt Barker), Alex Reynolds (Woodside), Christine Keller (Hahndorf), Joan Jackson (Murray Bridge), Ivy Kluske (Past President BowlsSA) Helen Lindner (Murray Bridge), Kristeena Kirchner (Murray Bridge) Carol Thomson (Lobethal), Kathy Miller (Oakbank), Jan Kennedy (Manager)