NSW Seniors Secure Win and All Abilities Shine In VIC Test Series
The NSW v Victoria Senior and All Abilities Test Series held at St Johns Park this week was a success in many ways. Our KENO NSW Blues Senior Men’s and Women’s Sides both won their Series 2-1, producing solid performances in the deciding Third Test to claim the silverware.
For our KENO NSW Blues All Abilities Men’s and Women’s Sides, their participation in the inaugural series against Victoria marked a huge step forward in the development of the All Abilities bowls space. The twenty representatives from New South Wales and Victoria performed incredibly, and while Victoria secured wins in the Men’s and Women’s events, all the players involved were winners for taking part in what is now a piece of bowls history.
Senior Men’s Side
The Senior Men’s side enjoyed a 57-49 First Test win courtesy of an emphatic rink win by Brian Suckley, Paul Jopson, Mick Beesley and Warren Shipley. Despite narrowly losing the other two rinks, the 25-7 win on Shipley’s rink was more than enough to carry the masterboard.
The Victorians countered in the Second Test, winning all three rinks by one, two and three shots respectively on route to a 59-53 win and setting up a decider in the Third Test. In the decider, it was Robbie Warren’s rink who stepped up, taking it to their Victorian opponents and winning 36-13. A tidy 20-18 rink win for Steve Ashdown added to the Blues’ success as they won the Third Test 72-52 and the series.
Senior Women’s Side
The Senior Women’s side followed a similar formula to their male counterparts, winning the First Test 62-47, with Christine Myers’ rink leading the way with a 28-12 win. Victoria again rebounded in the Second Test, coming from behind to win by a single shot, 55-54.
The deciding Third Test was a tight affair with New South Wales just ahead for the majority of the match. It wasn’t until the latter stages that they were able to pull away to a 66-43 win, again led by a 30-9 win on Christine Myers’ rink. With that win, the Senior Women’s side secured another tough series win.
All Abilities Men’s Side
The All Abilities Men’s side jumped out of the gates with an emphatic win in the Triples 21-4, and managed to claim the First Test with a brilliant 21-20 Singles win by Aaron Kelly. Victoria recovered from their slow start to take both the Second and Third Tests in emphatic fashion, not dropping a rink across the Singles, Pairs and Triples disciplines.
Despite the loss, many of the matches were close affairs and the NSW All Abilities Men would have gained invaluable experience playing against some of the best players in the game.
All Abilities Women’s Side
The All Abilities Women’s Side went down to Victoria 2-1 Tests, but in the process managed to claim one rink win in both of their Test losses, with many of their losses only by narrow margins. A Third Test victory was a fitting end to their Series, coming up against a strong Victorian outfit who played well throughout.
Click here to view the full Series results
Thanks to KENO, proud sponsors of the KENO NSW Blues
