25 September 2023

The Regional Play-Offs for the State Women’s Pairs and Senior Women’s Pairs were held yesterday at Belrose. In the State Pairs, the North Shore champions Di McBryde and Vicki Bartrop (St Ives) were up against last year’s Regional winners, Chris Gordon and Virginia Longfellow (Harbord). Harbord appeared to have the edge over their opponents for the first half of the match, out to an 8-0 lead after 4 ends and stretching their lead to 14-4 after 12 ends. However, a 4 to St Ives on the 13th end sparked some momentum for Di and Vicki, who followed up with 3 on the 14th then 2 on the 15th, to be only one shot behind 14-13! After 17 ends, there were still only two shots in it, with Harbord up 16-14. Chris and Virginia then stepped up a notch, securing multiples on the 18th, 19th and 20th ends to claim victory 24-14.

In the Senior Pairs, the North Shore champions Carol Huttary and Joan Wilson (Asquith) took on Manly-Warringah’s Dale Griffith and Elizabeth Butler (Newport). Carol and Joan made the better start, and were never behind on the scoreboard, athough the Newport pair finished strongly to see the final score 15-12 in Asquith’s favour.

The winners progress to the State Championship finals in Dubbo, 20-22 March 2024.