Triple Triumph for Birchmore Orange Ladies Team
On Thursday 20 March, the Birchmore Ladies Orange team created history by defeating Kingscote Gold to win their third Kangaroo Island Ladies Grand Final in a row.
Birchmore Orange started very average early in the season probably bottom for the first half but through consistent effort worked their way up the ladder to finish 4th so went into the finals with no expectations. We had lost two vital players to injury through the season however the replacements were very able.
The final was played on a neutral green and the weather was totally different with light showers all morning. This made play difficult for everyone. There was a time over the lunch break where the rain was quite heavy and it was undecided if play could continue because of water on the green. There was a wait of nearly an hour for a decision. Finally the water disappeared and play could continue if one rink changed rinks so they had a 2 end roll up to continue.
During the game one rink was struggling while the other was just in front, then the critical last end being 8 shots behind, one rink picked up 6 and because the other rink had been interrupted by changing rinks there was a time lapse in the finish. Eventually in the last end of play Birchmore was 2 shots down over all. After being behind all day there was hope and disbelief that another win could be achieved. Critical bowls were applauded and the crowd was very tense. Coming down to skippers last 2 bowls Birchmore was 2 up in the head but the Birchmore Skipper’s first bowl clipped an opposition bowl into shot. Oh dear! There was a groan going around Birchmore supporters. Then with no other change in the head the skipper’s last bowl clipped the shot bowl out and Birchmore held 3 shots. Just unreal for Birchmore supporters.
Birchmore Bowling Club Victorious Orange Team, From left to right
Maria Miller, Glenda Walladge, Di Morris, Maria Lehmann, Jenny Clifford, Brenda Beal, Pauline O’Brien, Adrienne Bates, Lyn Jamieson, and the indomitable Betty Collins (at 91and a half years)
Written by Di Morris | Submitted by Janet Possingham
