Rosny survives with Houdini-like effort
A report for The Mercury by Peter Kirby
The 18th and final round of Bowls South’s Thursday Women’s Division 1 Pennant has been played with no change in the order of the top four, and a late season surge by Rosny Park saving it from relegation for the second season in succession.
At Sandy Bay, in a game crucial to Rosny Park’s survival in the top Thursday Pennant division, and for the hosts to maintain their place in the top four, Sandy Bay were the victors by 8 shots, 55-47, although the visitors claimed 2 rink wins.
Peri Buckley led the charge for Sandy Bay, with consistent supportive bowls played by Gail Price, Maxine Munro and Jann Baxter to defeat Carolyn Monks by 14 shots, 23-9.
Rosny Park winning skips were Judy Sherrin, who defeated Yvonne Buckley by 1 shot, 18-17, and Gaylene Ridgeway, won by 5 shots, 20-15 against Jac Phillips.
Sandy Bay’s players were relieved to finish in the final four in fourth spot, and Rosny Park will remain in Division 1 for 2024-25, edging out a very unlucky Sorell on percentage.
It was a disappointing end to the season on their home green for Sorell, after a brave draw against Glenorchy Rodman, 60-all. While a draw was a fitting result, with no skip winning by more than 3 shots, the points gain was not enough to keep Sorell in Division 1 for next season. The points gain was vital to Rodman, also, as they were equally determined to secure enough points to retain third place on the ladder and a home semi-final next week.
Sorell had their chances to win, and at lunch the scores were close thanks to good heads by both sides. Special mention must be made of Sorell’s Elaine Winthrop, who not only stepped up to the skip position due to illness to Cheryl Holland but also recorded Sorell’s only rink win for the day, defeating Peta Barnett, 22-19.
The results in the other 2 matches went Rodman’s way, Joy Voss defeating Vicki Philp by 2 shots, 20-18, and Crystal Brooks sneaking in by a shot against Trish Taylor, 21-20.
Howrah completed a solid 2-rink, 18 shot win over visitors, Brighton, 68-50, to hold on to top spot by a point over second-placed Kingborough. Charon Foster put an 11-shot gap between herself and Brighton’s Noelene Fehlberg, 25-14, with teammate, Denise Tanner, chiming with an 8-shot margin over Tayla Munro, 22-14.
Brighton’s Lyn Triffitt finished off her season with a 1-shot win over Rosie Geeves, 22-21, for Brighton’s sole rink victory.
Kingborough defeated Buckingham, winning on 2 rinks, by 19 shots, 73-54, at Buckingham. Leonie Price had a runaway 18-shot win, 30-12, against Bucks’ Lynette Hall, supported by Kerrie Lane’s 3-shot victory over Christine Thompson, 26-23.
Jeanette Lane finished off her season in style, ahead by 2 shots in the end against Kingborough’s Maddie Johnston, 19-17, for to win a rink for Buckingham.
Claremont dominated its final pennant game for the season against Glenorchy City to secure a 10-shot, 54-44, victory over their hosts. In challenging wind conditions, Claremont’s win proved crucial as they clinched 10 points to secure a 6th place finish in the overall standings for the 2023-24 season.
The Mont’s Meekie Salter faced off against Leonie Hyland, with Hyland ultimately claiming a 15-9 victory in a closely contested battle.
Maree Morgan and her team, comprising Maree Careless, Rhonda Rider, and Trudy Davis, showcased exceptional skill and determination, to secured a notable 26-14 win over City’s Ingrid Makowski.
Skip, Jan McPherson, led her team to victory and Claremont’s second rink win, maintaining their lead throughout the match and ultimately triumphing over Marg Poulter with a final score of 19-15.
Next Thursday, Howrah and Kingborough will contest the Qualifying Semi-Final at Howrah, and the Elimination Semi-Final will be played at Glenorchy Rodman, between Rodman and Sandy Bay.