Sunnybank, Broadbeach best in state
State Champ of Club Champs Fours finales thrilled the crowds, worthy runners-up Bribie and Maryborough Services Memorial. All eyes were on the Men’s Fours Final today at the 2015 State Champion of Club Champions at Club Helensvale (Oct 17-22), as the powerhouse Broadbeach four Robert Thompson, Clinton Bailey, Sean Ingham and Ryan Bester were held to account by a determined Maryborough Services Memorial unit, Trevor Learoyd, Steve Henry, and father and son Clive and Anthony Williams.
Goliath and David battled it out in a tense game that came down to just one shot to decide the winner.
As to be expected in a state final, the bowling was impressive all round, the result coming down to one bowl from Maryborough skip Anthony Williams; could he kill the end to keep his team in the running for the title?
With the Broadbeach rink ahead two shots 17-15 at 20 ends, Williams looked like he was going to succeed, but the jack rolled to a halt an inch short, ending the hopes of the country side for an upset win, the final score Broadbeach 17, Maryborough Services 16.
The narrowest of losses saw the Maryborough Services Memorial team gutted but always gracious, paying tribute to the excellent bowls of the experienced Broadbeach champs.
A country skip with a big bowl and big heart, Anthony Williams praised his teammates, particularly one of the stalwarts of the sport in Queensland, his father Clive Williams.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s hard enough to win at your own club, so to get to the state final is great, and it’s just gut-wrenching to lose,” Williams jnr said.
Broadbeach skip Ryan Bester said it was an unreal final, especially for it to come down to the last shot.
“We started in January and it’s been a long 10 months and to think of all the clubs in Queensland who have been part of this, it’s really remarkable to win,” Bester said.
Maryborough Services Memorial took an early lead, keeping the favourites to just one shot to lead 5-1 after four ends.
Broadbeach pegged back the deficit to even the score to 10-all by the 12th end.
From there, it was always a few shots either way, Maryborough leveling the score on the 14th end, 12-all, before Broadbeach gained a small lead, which they kept to the end.
It kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, with cheers ringing through Club Helensvale.
Meanwhile the Women’s Fours Final saw Sunnybank’s Julie Ezzy, Dell Lehmann, Elizabeth Parry and Sonja Smits prevail over Bribie Island’s Maureen Gittins, Margaret James, Veronica McDermott and Natasha Jones, 24-15.
Sunnybank got off to an early lead, 4-0 after three ends, before Bribie fought back to bring the score within one shot in the next end.
Sunnybank answered back, three shots in the next end to accelerate the score to 7-3.
Bribie Island finally got in front for the first time on the sixth end, 8-7, but by the end of the ninth, it was anyone’s game again, 9-all.
From there, Sunnybank surged, with Bribie getting only six more shots in the rest of the game, consistency the key for Sunnybank, said proud skip Sonja Smits.
“I am just elated with the result and I want to thank my team mates for their excellent bowling today – consistency was what won it for us,” Smits said.
Click on link below for RESULTS
https://www.bowlsqld.org/Events/State-Events/Champion-of-Club-Champion#Draw-Results-298
