Home deck heroes Great Southern secure flag at Inter League Round Robin Pairs tournament in Katanning

In a gripping showdown during the final day of the Women’s Inter League Round Robin Pairs competition, the Great Southern bowling team emerged victorious on their home deck. Up against worthy opponents in Upper Great Southern, South Central Arunga, Great Southern, Central Stirling, South East Coastal and Lower Great Southern, the hosts were left unfazed at the annual two-day tournament on November 25 and 26 at Katanning Lawn Bowls Club. Heading into the final day, Great Southern, South East Coastal and Lower Great Southern were locked together with four points each. Great Southern and South East Coastal were evenly matched with 9.5 rinks each, separated by just two shots. In the opening game of the final day, Great Southern flexed their muscles with a commanding 66-38 victory over South East Coastal, solidifying their spot at the top of the ladder. South East Coastal’s final-day loss allowed Lower Great Southern to leapfrog them into second spot. Great Southern held their nerve in the final fixture against Central Stirling, prevailing 54-41 on their way to the title. At the conclusion of the tournament, Great Southern and Lower Great Southern were locked on eight points apiece but after finishing with five more rink wins and a 50-shot advantage over their southern neighbours, Great Southern were declared the winners. The side was represented by Kojonup’s Bev Broom, Paula Reid and Shelley Bilney while Kerrie O’Halloran and Sharon Whana featured from Katanning. Dumbleyung’s Karen Ward and Audrey Bateup and Zellie Schinzig (Moodiarrup) made up the triumphant team of eight. Reid, Bateup, Whana, Bilney, Schinzig and Mary Wellstead’s (Gnowangerup) excellent individual performances, earned selection in the Inter Zone Round Robin tournament in Geraldton in February.