Triples State Championships 2023/24 Report

The 2023/24 Triples State Championships concluded on Wednesday, 20^th March as State Champions across five categories were crowned at Club Dubbo.

Titles were on offer in the State Men’s, State Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, and Open Reserve Triples.

After two days of top-quality sectional play across the three host clubs – Club Dubbo, Macquarie Club and North Dubbo RSL Sporties, only the top team from each group progressed to the semi-finals.

As the semi-finals got underway on Wednesday morning, the weather disrupted the play with teams forced indoors after just a few ends played due to heavy rainfall. Once the weather cleared after lunch, competition resumed as the top teams battled it out for a place in the final later in the day.

State Women’s Triples

St Johns Park claimed the Women’s State Triples Championship title in style, dominating the final with an impressive 24-15 win over Figtree Sports. The St Johns Park trio of Brianna Smith, Samantha Ferguson and Dawn Hayman were on fire, winning 15 of the 24 ends played.

Figtree Sports got off to a strong start in the final, going 4-2 up on their opponents, but it didn’t take St Johns Park long to find their form and win 10 consecutive ends, running up a 19-4 lead. Despite a spirited comeback from the Figtree Sports trio, the gap was too much to close in the end.

St Johns Park have had an unbeaten run up to the finals and were deserving winners of the final. All three players have performed brilliantly with their skipper Dawn Hayman claiming her second title of the championships after winning the mixed pairs earlier in the week.

The Figtree Sports team, made up of Olivia Reid, Brianna Graham and Kay Moran had an outstanding performance throughout the championship, winning all three matches in sectional play, building up a considerable shot difference. They overcame a strong Park Beach side in the semi-finals, securing a 26-22 victory but ultimately came up against a stronger side in the final.

State Men’s Triples

Merrylands were crowned Men’s State Triples Champions after a tough encounter with Taren Point in the final. Just a single shot separated the teams in the end as Thomas Rich, returning champion Heath Lewis and Jack McShane clinched the victory 21-20.

The sides were evenly matched with neither team getting much of an advantage over their opponent. With three ends to go, Taren Point trailed by two, but Simon Lyttle, Kyle Hansen and David Axon brought themselves back into the lead with a three-shot end. It was all square going into the final end, but it was Merrylands who sealed the deal in the end by a shot.

Taren Point were undefeated in sectional play and were worthy finalist after beating Park Beach in the semi-final. Merrylands topped their group on points difference after losing one of their matches. They were victorious over Club Maitland City in the semi-final, wining 23-14.

State Senior Women’s Triples

St Johns Park won their second title of the day with their Senior Women’s side beating Soldiers Point. Jacqueline Short, Cheryl Patman and Maryann Parcell of St Johns Park combined exceptionally well in the final to hold off the reigning campions, sealing the win 16-13.

Both sides were undefeated in sectional play with St Johns Park securing a hard-fought 17-15 victory over Forster in semi-final while Soldiers Point won against local favourites Dubbo City 22-17.

State Senior Men’s Triples

In a nail-biting final, Bateau Bay clinched the victory on the final end over Taren Point 21-20.

It was Taren Point who had the upper hand in the final stages of the match, they had a two-shot advantage going into the final end, but Bateau Bay pulled out a three-shot end to claim the win.

Both teams maintained flawless records throughout sectional play, with Bateau Bay beating Temora B&R 23-19 in semi-final one and Taren Point claiming a decisive win against Charlestown in the second semi-final with a scoreline of 25-21.

State Open Reserve Triples

Tura Beach were crowned Open Reserve State Champions in emphatic fashion, sealing the title with an impressive 38–9 win over Wagga Rules in the final. The winning team consisted of Graham Gammon-Berwick, Stephen Greig and Daniel Clough who were all on top form to beat Wagga Rules.

The two sides had dominant wins in the semi-finals with Wagga Rules beating Bangalow 29-21 while Tura Beach had a commanding 27-14 victory over Avoca Beach.

Pairs

The Pairs competition gets underway on Thursday, 21^st March at 8:30am with round 1 of all disciplines taking place across the three host clubs. Rounds 2 and 3 will also be played tomorrow.

In the morning, Dean Perkins & Peter Taylor (Alstonville) against Heath McGuire & Clinton Doust (Forster) will be livestreamed from 8:30am on the Bowls NSW Facebook and Youtube channel.

Rebekah Lord & Natalie Noronha (Engadine) versus Deidre Stubbs & Cheryl Schram (Lithgow Valley) will be livestreamed at approximately 11am.

In the afternoon session at 2:30pm, we will have live coverage of Simon Mitchell & Michael Cronin (Club Maitland City) versus Ben Winther & Brett Spurr (Mt Lewis).

State Women’s Triples

Brianna Smith, Samantha Ferguson & Dawn Hayman (St Johns Park) Winners

Olivia Reid, Brianna Graham & Kay Moran (Figtree Sports) Runners Up

State Men’s Triples

Thomas Rich, Heath Lewis and Jack McShane (Merrylands) Winners

Simon Lyttle, Kyle Hansen and David Axon (Taren Point) Runners Up

Senior Men’s Triples

Terry Hughes, Graeme O’Donnell and Anthony Shoebridge (Bateau Bay) Winners

Paul Butler, Richard Clarke and Brian Morton (Taren Point) Runners Up

Senior Women’s Triples

Jacqueline Short, Cheryl Patman and Maryann Parcell (St Johns Park) Winners

Jan Sutherland, Vacie McIntyre and Betty Herbertson (Soldiers Point) Runners Up