We got out of jail twice
It was more about the journey but Kiwi friends Pat Logan and Eryn Finningan won the big prize. State Champs Women’s Over 60s Pairs GOLD: Pat Logan & Eryn Finnigan (Algester)
State Champs Women’s Over 60s Pairs SILVER: Adele Pershouse (Bargara) & Mary Geary (Mooloolaba)
TIE-THIRD (semi finalists):
Linda Morish (Pine Rivers) and Margaret O’Rourke (Mooloolaba)
Merril Kerss & Marie Williams (Kawana)
Eryn Finnigan considers she “got out of jail twice” on her way to winning her first state title, in the Women’s Over 60’s Pairs, having been runner up once before, in 2013.
“Our semi was tough (against Kawana duo Merril Kerss and Marie Williams), we were down and we managed to pick up eight in the last two ends, we got out of jail,” Finnigan said.
“The final was tough too, that multiple of five at a crucial time helped, and we managed to hang on, I’m over the moon.”
Lead Pat Logan met Finnigan at Darra Cementco but the two have now moved to Algester and took their friendship on to the green, Logan playing in her first State Championships ever, at the urging of Finningan, and winning a State Title on her maiden outing.
“I asked Pat to come into the Championships with me this year because she’s my rock,” Finnigan said.
“We’re both Kiwis, and she’s been so supportive, she puts up with me, and I wanted her to have a go at State Championships.
“I was pretty comfortable all the way through, I’m pretty easy going, we’re just delighted.”
The women’s Over 60s pairs semi finals were very long, four hours for 21 ends, so it was an exhausting day for all finalists, playing a long and competitive final after a long and competitive semi.
Play was tight in the first half, Finnigan just one shot ahead 8-7 after nine ends, but she made five on the 10th, 13-7, putting Pershouse and Geary under pressure for the first time to catch up.
Over the next three ends, they made six to Finnigan’s two, 13-19, but when Finnigan grabbed four on the 14th, 19-13, they just had to grit their teeth and remember how hard they finished in the semi 23-21 against Linda Morish and Margaret O’Rourke.
They had seven ends to go, and they took the next three, to climb back within striking distance 17-19, then a single each to go into the final two ends 20-18 to Finnigan.
Finnigan was clearly enjoying her bowls, relaxed and chatty, Pershouse and Geary less so, with the pressure on to pull something big out of the hat and fast or say goodbye to the title.
20th end, two more to Finnigan, 22-18
The final end went to Geary, and they got two, but not the four they needed to force the extra end and stay in the fight.
The title was Logan and Finnigans, well deserved, the fairy tale finish of the semi eluding the Pershouse-Geary combo in the final.