2023/24 State Junior Championships – Day 4 Report

by admin

Competition peaked on day four of the Junior State Championships as the first State Junior Champions were crowned in both the boys and girls pairs competition, along with the highly anticipated fours competition.

Thursday morning kicked off with the Fours semi-finals, setting the stage for intense battles as teams vied for a coveted spot in the final. With the reigning champions eliminated in the quarter-finals, anticipation soared as a new fours team was destined to be crowned State Junior Fours Champions.

In the first semi-final, the local team comprised of Zac Moran, Blake Perry, Zoe Davies & Travis Moran emerged victorious with an 18-12 win over Joshua Potts, Will Price, Cooper Wrightson & Jacob Aitken. Despite a strong start from the locals, the Engadine/Taren Point team staged a comeback, but the Windang/Warilla team maintained their composure to secure the win.

In the second semi-final, Charlie McCudden, Joshua Allman, Reese Finn-Young & Charlie Grebert prevailed over Jeremy Bourke, Cooper Appleby, James Allerton & Xander Webber with a 16-10 win. The match remained closely contested throughout, with Grebert’s team ultimately clinching victory by a six-shot margin.

In a fiercely competitive showdown, the fours final unfolded with the local team, led by skip Travis Moran, emerging triumphant with an impressive 18-8 victory over their opponents. The early stages saw little separation between the teams, but as the match progressed, the local side gradually gained a narrow advantage. Despite the relentless pursuit from the Tathra/Marimbula team, who remained within striking distance trailing by only two shots after 10 ends, the locals surged ahead by winning four consecutive ends, ultimately sealing the win.

In the afternoon, focus shifted to the pairs competition, where Jasmine Smith and Chanel Chakouch from St. John’s Park clinched the title of the inaugural State Junior Girls Pairs competition in a gripping final against Zoe Davies (Windang) and Reese Finn-Young (Merimbula).

Transitioning from opponents in the Fours competition to teammates, Zoe and Reese joined forces for the pairs event. Despite their first-time partnership, they showcased brilliant teamwork to reach the final.

The atmosphere at Warilla Bowls Club was electrifying for the girls’ final, with both teams leaving it all on the greens. With the sides deadlocked after 16 ends, following Zoe and Reese’s impressive five-shot haul in the previous end, tension soared. A crucial shot in the 17th end tipped the scales in favour of the St. John’s duo, and despite a valiant effort by Zoe and Reese in the final end, the St. John’s side emerged victorious with a final score of 19-16.

In the boys’ semi-finals, Cooper Appleby and Xander Webber from Kurri Kurri secured a thrilling victory over Engadine’s Cooper Wrightson and Jacob Aitken with a slim margin of 15-14 in an intensely close match. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, it was the duo of Coopers, Fliendner and Dart, who emerged victorious against the Merrylands brothers, Sam and Tom, with a score of 15-11.

Spectators were treated to yet another extraordinary match in the boys’ pairs final, with an unexpected finish that left everyone in awe. Cooper Appleby and Xander Webber orchestrated one of the most remarkable comebacks, securing a dramatic win with the final bowl of the match.

Initially, it appeared that Cooper Fliedner and Cooper Dart had a firm grip on the game, surging ahead to a commanding 17-5 lead after 10 ends. However, the Kurri Kurri duo mounted a stunning comeback, winning six consecutive ends to narrow the gap to just two shots.

In a tense penultimate end, the Coopers managed to pick up a crucial shot, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. Emotions ran high in the final end as Xander executed a definitive three, leaving the fate of the fourth bowl in the hands of the umpire. After a nerve-wracking moment, the decision fell in favour of Cooper Appleby and Xander, securing a sensational victory by a single shot.

The Junior State Championships conclude tomorrow, Friday with the Singles competition. The semi-finals and finals of the girls under 15 and under 18 categories scheduled for 9:15 am and 11:15 am, respectively. The boys under 15 and under 18 quarter-finals will also take place at 9:15 am, followed by the semi-finals at 11:15 am. The finals will then commence at 1:45 pm, promising another day of thrilling competition and memorable moments on the greens.

Click here to view the full event results