Back 2 back
QLD men take 2016 U-25’s inter-state test series against NSW. By Tom Sharman
(Pictured from left: QLD U25 representative side Jesse Turnbull, Nic Gosley, Cohen Litfin, Paul Kajewski, Jason Carpenter, Jay Cross, Ethan Lord.)
Defending champs QLD men went back to back in the annual Queensland vs NSW Under 25 Test Series at Cabramatta Bowls Club, NSW (Sept 19 – 20) and brought home the coveted Stewart Archer Shield in a incredibly close result.
The last bowl in the pairs of the third test decided the series for QLD, with the final bowl of Club Helensvale’s Jason Carpenter clinching the deal 16-15.
Queensland coach Bill Cornehls said the men’s 2-1 series win came down to skill and teamwork as Queensland battled it out against the always-tough New South Wales competitors.
“The boys really dug deep for each other,” Cornehls said.
“At the end of the day you can’t ask more than that, it was good to see them working together and playing well.
“If it hadn’t been for that last bowl by Jason, it would have resulted in a series tie and it would have gone down to a shot count, in which case the result would have gone the other way, to NSW.”
QLD managed to put in a strong performance in the singles and pairs matches, but couldn’t make headway in the fours against the consistent NSW side.
WOMEN
It also proved to be a tricky series for the QLDU-25 women. who started the series with a loss in all three disciplines in the First Test.
However, on day two after a full night’s rest, the women were refreshed and put in a solid effort, improving in every game and started to close the gap between themselves and the opposition.
Despite missing out on a win in the second test, the girls managed to narrow the shot margin down to (41-52) with Jacinta Weier (Urangan), Amyee Bellert (Kingaroy),Cassie Millerick (Broadbeach) and Taleah Putney (Helensvale) falling only four shots behind in the fours discipline (10-14).
Keeping the momentum up from the second test QLD, the women managed to win the pairs (17-16) and fours (17-13) in the Third Test, however the NSW women enjoyed the Series win 2-1.
2016 QLD U-25 Rep Side:
Cassandra Millerick (Broadbeach), Connie-Leigh Rixon (Club Kawana),Nic Gosley (Musgrave Hill),Taleah Putney Club Helensvale),Ethan Lord (Broadbeach), Lauren Wilson (Club Helensvale),Jesse Turnbull (Hamilton), Aymee Bellert (Kingaroy), Cohen Litfin( Jindalee), Jacinta Weier (Urangan), Paul Kajewski (Bargara), Tiffany Murray (Miriam Vale), Jason Carpenter (Club Helensvale).
To view the full results of the competition please click here.