North Shore District champions did well at the Regional Play-Offs this year, with our bowlers now destined for the State Finals in three of the Women’s disciplines plus the Mixed Pairs.

On the opening day of the RPOs at Mona Vale, 24 July, the Belrose team of Lorraine Hazzard, Margaret Murphy, Benita Andrews and Patricia Tan overcame a slow start in the Senior Fours play-off to work their way into the game and keep the scores close in the later stages. Going into the final end, Belrose was up by 1 shot; then the Harbord team sent the jack into the ditch, with their toucher in the sand a couple of feet away. However, after being given advice by her skip, Margaret managed to seal the win for the Belrose team by pushing team-mate Lorraine’s toucher a couple of metres up into the ditch, landing only 10cm away from the jack. Meanwhile, in the Open Fours, the Turramurra team of Jan Martin, Marilyn Brenner, Jenny Wallis and Sue Hamilton had also got off to a slow start against Virginia Longfellow’s team from Harbord. Harbord team maintained the lead throughout the game, to post a comfortable win 22-12.

Day 2 saw the Belrose team of Michelle Treadwell and Billie Maas contest the Open Pairs, and another Belrose team — Benita Andrews and Patricia Tan — contest the Senior Pairs. The sun was shining and the greens were fast, and Billie and Michelle relished these conditions. Their opponents, Trish Eckford and Jo Freeman from Seaforth, put up a valiant effort but were no match for the consistent bowling of the Belrose pair who came away with a decisive win in the Open Pairs to take them through to the State Championships in September. In the Senior Pairs, Harbord came out winners in a close-fought match. The scores were even after 14 ends; however Harbord scored a 5 on the 15th end to draw away. Patricia and Benita fought their way back to be only two behind going into the final end, but Harbord held on to win by only one shot. What a thriller! Congratulations to Barb and Susan and well done to Benita and Patricia, it was a great game.

On the final day, the Belrose team of Margaret Murphy, Daphne Menzies and Billie Maas took out the Triples title in a decisive win over Pittwater.  At the same time, the Regional Play-Off for the Singles was being played, with Patricia Tan of Belrose up against Virginia Longfellow of Harbord. Virginia defeated Patricia 25-12 to progress to the State Finals.  Patricia had played on all three days of the play-offs, skipping the winning Senior Fours team, losing the Regional Senior Pairs by just one shot, and outing up a fine effort in the Singles.

The Belrose supporters were out in force in the blue-and-gold, and did a great job over the three days at Mona Vale, cheering three of their teams to victory! They are now gearing up for the State Championships. Well done Belrose!