Short, Patman, Farrell & Moore Win State Carnival

by Billy Johnson

Jacqui Short, Cheryl Patman, Kerry Farrell & Sue Moore have won the 2022 Women’s State Carnival in a gripping final against Linda O’Reilly, Mel L’Estrange, Chris Myers & Debbie Quick from South Tamworth. Both sides were in supreme form heading into the match after making their way through tough semi-final opponents.

Debbie Quick’s South Tamworth team overcame crowd favourites Gloria Schofield, Karen McKay, Sarah McKay and young gun Chelsea McKay 13 – 11 in a brilliant match. The Bateau Bay & Raymond Terrace team held a slender 8 – 4 nearing the halfway stage of the match, thanks in part to some skipping brilliance from Chelsea. However, determined to reach a second-straight State Carnival final, the South Tamworth team dug deep to level the scores 10 – 10 heading into the penultimate end. From there, they picked up a crucial three and managed to hold off their opponents in the last end to make the final. Those who missed the match or would like to re-live the action can watch the live stream on the Bowls NSW Facebook page.

It was a similar story in the other semi-final between Jacqui Short, Cheryl Patman, Kerry Farrell and Sue Moore against Bronwyn McPherson’s composite team. The match was a tight, low scoring affair from start to finish, with barely a shot separating either side at any stage, and the lead being exchanged multiple times. When it mattered most, Sue Moore produced some incredible shots from skip to help secure a 12 – 11 win.

In the final, both teams were ruthless, exchanging shots across all positions. Sue Moore’s team won the first end, but didn’t regain the lead again until the 15th end, leading by a single shot heading into the crucial end stages of the match. On the penultimate end with Moore’s team ahead 12 – 11, they produced arguably their best end of the match to pick up a count of four and take a decisive lead heading into the last end. South Tamworth tried their best to produce the five shots needed to force an extra end, but it wasn’t to be as Short, Patman, Farrell and Moore held on for a 17 – 11 win. Congratulations to Jacqui Short, Cheryl Patman, Kerry Farrell and Sue Moore on being crowned our newest State Carnival champions, and a special mention must go to South Tamworth’s Linda O’Reilly, Mel L’Estrange, Chris Meyers and Debbie Quick who have now featured in two-straight State Carnival finals, an incredible feat!

Click here to view the full State Carnival results