2023 Nationals: Day four recap
The third event of the 2023 Nationals came to a close on day four of competition on Monday, with another high-quality Para Nationals coming to a close at Warwick.
Meanwhile over at Joondalup, the Senior Sides Championships heated up.
Para Nationals
Queensland’s dominance of the Para Nationals continued at Warwick, as they recorded back-to-back overall titles.
Victorious on home greens last year, the Maroons were just as strong in the west, winning three gold and a silver, and finishing on 91 points, well clear of second-placed Victoria on 44 in the overall standings.
Serena Bonnell (QLD) took out the overall best bowler honours, finishing with two gold medals, while Victoria’s Annette Ruffle was awarded the Clover/Lester Encouragement Award, recognising future talent.
Women’s open singles – Serena Bonnell (QLD) def Louise Hoskins (QLD) 16-15
Teammates became finals foes in the women’s open singles final as Queenslanders Serena Bonnell and Louise Hoskins went head-to-head.
Teaming up to win pairs gold the previous day, one of the duo would walk away from the event with two gold.
There wasn’t much to split both players throughout the game, with the match eventually coming down to the final end.
With the score tied at 15-15, Bonnell collected the final shot before the horn sounded to indicate the time limit had been reached, giving the Right at Home Jackaroo her second gold of the
Gold: Serena Bonnell (QLD)
Silver: Louise Hoskins (QLD)
Men’s 14-point pairs – Mike Emberton & Andrew Reed (SA) def Lucas Protopapas & Josh Barry (VIC) 17-16
It was a final end thriller to find a winner of the men’s 14-point pairs event on Monday.
South Australia pair Mike Emberton and Andrew Reed were dominant from the outset of the contest, leading 12-2 and winning six of the first seven ends.
They would go on to drop a five on the eighth end, with Victoria just keeping touch.
SA bounced back, winning 9 of 11 ends to lead 16-7 before the Vics made their move.
Protopapas and Barry were clinical as the picked up scores of three, two and four to draw level at 16-16 heading into the final end.
That was as far as the comeback would go, with SA collecting shot to secure a memorable win.
Gold: Mike Emberton & Andrew Reed (SA)
Silver: Lucas Protopapas & Josh Barry (VIC)
Men’s open pairs – Barrie/Parkinson (NSW/ACT) def Bowkett/Sheerin-Wall (TAS) 13-12
A third final of the day was also decided by one-shot, with the men’s open pairs also decided on the final end.
NSW and ACT combo Vicki Parkinson and Matthew Barrie took on Tasmania’s Kevin Bowkett and Josh Sheerin-Wall in the decider.
Not much could split the teams, with four shots the largest lead of the day. Scores were level on the final end, with the NSW/ACT duo taking out the end and the title.
Gold: Vicki Parkinson & Matthew Barrie (NSW/ACT)
Silver: Kevin Bowkett & Josh Sheerin-Wall (TAS)
Men’s B5/6 singles – Tony Bonnell (QLD) def Greg Toy (VIC) 21-15
There was even more gold for the Bonnell household, with Tony Bonnell getting in on the action in the men’s B5/6 singles.
Bonnell held off Victoria’s Greg Toy by six shots, completing back-to-back title in the discipline after victory in 2022.
Gold: Tony Bonnell (QLD)
Silver: Greg Toy (VIC)
Men’s B7/8 singles – Chris Flavel (SA) def Josh Thornton (VIC) 21-16
A dominant back-end performance helped Chris Flavel (SA) to victory over Josh Thornton (VIC) in the men’s B7/8 singles final.
Flavel trailed 12-14 before collecting nine of the next 11 shots to race to 21 before his opponent for a hard-earned gold medal.
Gold: Chris Flavel (SA)
Silver: Josh Thornton (VIC)
Senior Sides Championships
Men’s
Queensland’s grasp on the men’s senior sides loosened slightly on Monday, after the home state gave them a run for their money.
Western Australia drew with Queensland overall to keep the competition wide open. A win over Victoria earlier in the day could prove crucial for the Maroons however, who sit one point clear of SA and Victoria after four rounds.
WA and the ACT recorded their first wins of the event. ACT’s win over SA could also loom large in the title fight.
Women’s
Another unbeaten day has put NSW atop the women’s ladder, but far from clear of teams in pursuit.
NSW defeated ACT and Tasmania, but are just half a point clear of Victoria. The Big V have not dropped a rink since their first round loss to New South Wales, putting themselves in the mix for the title.
SA and WA are also right in the hunt with three rounds to play.
The 2023 Nationals will run from October 6-20, 2023, with live streaming to take place on Bowls Australia’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Please note, there will be no live streaming from Tue, Oct 10 – Thur, Oct 12.
The 2023 Nationals in Perth, Western Australia is proudly supported by Tourism Western Australia, City of Joondalup, and the State government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest in Western Australia. Sport and recreation creates vibrant, inclusive and connected WA communities.
