Mid West bowling clubs miss out on victory at AFGRI Women’s Country Week

The best of the Mid West was represented at this month’s AFGRI Women’s Country Week bowls, but victory eventually slipped through the fingers of the local teams this year.

Held at Osborne Park Bowling Club on March 21, the 2022 Blue Ribbon singles was won by Gingin star Kathy Gobbart — a former State representative and titleholder — who claimed the final with a strong 17/8 return against Kojonup’s Jacinta Zadow.

Geraldton’s Jill Adam moved through to the last eight round before losing to Zadow 17/10. Carnarvon’s Lisa Day made the final 16 stage, with Zadow again the spoiler and going on to win 17/14.

Northampton’s Minna Rassmussen, Denison’s Michelle Leeson and Anne Carlshausen, and Wonthella champion Margaret Kupsch reached the last 32 stage. Kupsch came close to a win but Gobbart claimed the victory 17/16.

The pairs title saw former State player and WA hall of fame inductee Roma Dunn from Dudley Park team up with Lexie Webster, with the duo winning 14/12 in a quality match against the Biningup’s Janice Munday and Judy Flanagan.

Geraldton’s Jill Adam and Natalie Anderson moved through to the last 16 stage before loosing 14/13 in a nailbiting encounter against Trayning’s Lyn Yates and Gail Prosser.

Denison’s Michelle Leeson and Lisa Downing dropped their advance to the last 16 round with an agonising 10/9 defeat to the eventual winners Dunn and Webster. Both pairings were in fine touch and had luck fallen on their side, the Mid West could have claimed victory.

The fours championship went to Brunswick’s Nee Archer, Noleene McCormack, Jo-Anne Horton and Margaret Exten, who won 18/9 over Busselton’s June Beswick, Gail Botting, Maureen Beaton and Helen Paganoni.

Northampton’s Dion Delamotte, Pauline Forrester, Lyn Joyce and Karen Drage reached through to the last 16 stage before falling to Brunswick’s Gloria Pelham 13/9. Wonthella’s Margaret Kupsch, Julie Simms, Mary Fenton and Di Knight dropped their encounter against Beswick’s Busselton side after reaching the last 32 stage.

The results proved that our Mid West players are serious competitors at this level, with the outlook strong as our girls return to home base and work toward a improved campaign in 2023.

Northampton Bowling Club will on Sunday take centrestage as the host of the Batavia leagues champion of champions singles for the 2021-22 season.

The day will see open, veteran and novice winners for all five associated clubs compete in a round-robin tournament to review the region’s best Blue Ribbon player for the year.