Held at the Joondalup Bowls Club in Perth, Western Australia from October 8 to 11, the 12-member Victoria women’s team won the Gold Medal, after returning from Queensland with Gold last year.
After a narrow loss to NSW by just six shots over the three rinks in the first match – Victoria’s only loss - the Gold Medal came down to the last game.
The last match scenario was: Victoria had to beat WA and South Australia had to win against NSW. “It all made it very interesting,” Anne told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“Laureen and I were in the same rink and Claire led in her rink. It all went down to the wire.
“It was a matter of if all the stars were going to align. We were hoping for the best. The men’s team got Silver. Overall, Victoria won the championships with Gold and Silver. We played alongside the men. When we knew the results, what chaos! It was amazing.”
As is well known in sporting circles, the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ can produce challenging weather conditions, for various sports including lawn bowls.
“Every afternoon was very windy. It made bowling very interesting,” Anne said. “But we all did our job.” Those combined efforts resulted in Gold.
The successful Victorian team comprised: Rink 1. Anne Miles YMGCR, Sharon Warfe Moira (Benalla), Jan Morton Sale and Laureen Smith YMGCR; Rink 2. Jan Hurst Altona, Robyn Thomassen Moama, Alison Hall MCC and Claire Sanders YMGCR; Rink 3. Mary Tragardh Myrtleford, Gayle Edwards Altona, Denise Heunder MCC and Paula Wood Clayton.
