Bowls Gala Week back to its best

BOWLS Tasmania CEO Rob McGuire says factors helped to ensure its Gala Week of State Championships returned to its previous lustre this week.

With Covid far less of a factor, great weather ensured the draw featured elite bowlers from across the state on greens around the Launceston region.

The final day at Trevallyn was headlined by the open triples championship. Skip Erin Moore (Latrobe), Invermay’s Kim Saunders and Trevallyn’s Kirsten Viney won the women’s tournament.

Moore guided her team past dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rebecca Van Asch, Debbie Lee and Jess McMullen, who won the 2021 national championship, by two shots to reach the semi-finals.

They accounted for Carol Bannister’s team by four shots before winning the final by two against East Launceston’s Heather Thompson, Penguin’s Rose’Ann Howard and Karen King.

In the men’s tournament, Devonport Country Club’s Scott Summers skipped Cam Windram and Phillip Munday to a nine-shot win over Burnie’s Taelyn Male, Port Sorell’s Codi Marshall and Baily Bellchambers.

In the juniors, Trevallyn’s Chloe Collins ensured her 16th birthday was a memorable one by winning the girls’ singles on her home green.

In the boys’ decider, Burnie’s Jonty Hayes came from behind to defeat Port Sorell’s Logan Marshall.

The Bowling Arm Singles Championship was taken out by Glenorchy City’s Noel Buckingham, who defeated South Burnie’s Chris Sturzaker by five shots.

“It was terrific this year and we also had great weather,” McGuire said.

The second Gala Week will be held at Burnie from March 11-17, while the seniors event is in Hobart on February 12-15.