Hobbs and Douce win mixed pairs gold
A report for The Mercury by Peter Kirby
The southern bowls community congratulates Courtney Hobbs (East Launceston Bowls Club) and Tim Douce (Latrobe Bowls Club) for their magnificent efforts at Bowls Australia’s recent Australian Championships in Perth, Western Australia, winning the Mixed Pairs Gold Medal with their 19-14 victory over Victoria’s Kirsty Van den Hoff and Vincent McIlwain in the decider, completing an undefeated run through the series.
Courtney and Tim were in fine form throughout the sectional rounds, winning all three games with a healthy 22 shot difference from their three contests, defeating mixed pairs from Queensland 13-8, Northern Territory, 20-13, and South Australia, 19-9, to ensure their participation in the gold medal round.
All participants in the Australian Championships had to be the current Mixed pairs Champions of their state or territory, Courtney and Tim being Bowls Tasmania’s Mixed Pairs Champions, winning their title during Bowls Tasmania’s Gala Week at the Trevallyn Bowls Club in January this year.
For Courtney, winning Bowls Australia’s Mixed Pairs gold medal with Tim was the culmination of a very successful week at Bowls Australia’s Nationals, having previously received the medallion as Bowls Tasmania’s Women’s Player of the Series for her strong consistent performance over the seven rounds of the Australian Women’s Sides Championships.
Divergence Built Premier Division
The clash of two undefeated sides, Brighton and Dover, is the match of the round of Bowls South’s Divergence Built Premier Division today. Dover will be hoping to build on their ladder topping opening to the season but Brighton on their home green will be a difficult proposition for the visitors. Sandy Bay is at home to Buckingham and should take the points in what could be a close contest.
Claremont will be expecting that their new combinations will begin to gel in their clash with Cremorne at Claremont, both sides having lost their opening round matches and desperate for a win to stay in touch with the leading sides. Claremont should win this one on their home grass. Howrah will be expecting a better outcome from their away match with Glenorchy Rodman but the home side’s greater depth should keep the visitors winless for the season.
In the final match of the round, Kingborough is at home to New Norfolk and the current Premiers will be expected to present a formidable barrier to success for the visitors. Kingborough should have too many strong across all four rinks to ensure them a good winning margin in this match.