Maroons clinch series opener
Queensland quick on the draw in Wild West shootout Queensland got their interstate campaign in Western Australia off to the perfect start with a comfortable victory over the Sandgropers on their home turf in Perth.
The Maroons chalked up five rink wins to one, across the men’s and women’s events, during last night’s series opener at Rossmoyne Bowls Club.
Lynsey Clarke’s girls looked very comfortable on Rossmoyne’s indoor carpet green, clocking up a 13-shot victory over WA skip Therese Hastings, 27-14.
Louise Witton and Tracy Foster had much tighter wins, beating Noelene Abe and Kathy Gobbart 21-20 and 15-13 respectively, but a win’s a win as they say, and it was enough to get Queensland’s girls a clean sweep in test one, 63-47.
The men, meanwhile, couldn’t complete the clean sweep, but comfortable wins to Brett Wilkie and Nathan Rice ensured they claimed the series opener, 62-44.
Wilkie’s team beat Clive Adams 22-15, while Rice’s crew demolished Anthony Provost’s outfit, 26-11.
Alex Murtagh was the only Queensland skip to drop a rink in test one, going down 14-18 to WA’s John Slavich.
State coach Bill Cornehls was happy with his side’s success in the series opener.
“It was a good start to the series,” Cornehls said. “There were some close games, but everyone played their part and we got over the line.
“It’s important to get that first win under your belt, it gives you a little bit of breathing space.
“But there is no room for complacency at state level and as a side we’ll be looking to improve in the second and third tests.”
Queensland are hoping to wrap up the series early with a decisive win test two later today, but with pride on the line, the home side won’t down without a fight.
A win for WA in test two would add some spice to tonight’s third and final test at Rossmoyne Bowls Club.
(Test two kicks off at 12-noon Qld time)
Test 1 final scores:
Women: QLD 63 – 47 WA
L Clarke 27 def T Hastings 14
L Witton 21 def N Abe 20
T Foster 15 def K Gobbart 13
Men: QLD 62 – 44 WA
B Wilkie 22 def C Adams 15
N Rice 26 def A Provest 11
A Murtagh 14 def by J Slavich 18