2025 Nationals: Day 9 wrap
The conclusion of the 2025 Australian Senior Sides Championships saw the championship holders change across both genders with New South Wales and Queensland taking home the men’s and women’s respectively at the Devonport Country Club.
Men’s – John Dobbie AM Trophy
The title race would go down to the final round with New South Wales and Victoria locked into a winner take all tie to take the John Dobbie AM Trophy.
Going into the day one win ahead on the ladder, the Blues only had half a rink advantage over their southern counterparts leading into the blockbuster clash.
After jumping out of the blocks early, the 2019 champions maintained their advantage to stretch the Victorians out before a vigorous comeback saw the Big V take the lead with two ends to play in the tie.
Cue Warren Shipley and his rink to hold on for a famous win, with Shipley finally getting his hands on a national title after two previous heartbreakers as New South Wales clinched a famous 57-54 win, ending a six-year title drought.
Queensland would leapfrog Victoria into second place following their final round win over the Northern Territory, while defending champions South Australia ended fourth after a salutation against Tasmania who finished fifth.
Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT rounded out the table.
The best overall rink was awarded to New South Wales’ Will Ahoy, Michael Clarke, Brian Suckley and Robert Warren who went unblemished, sealing the win with a final victory against their fellow unbeaten team skipped by Chris Young.
Warren and Clarke were part of the victorious rink in 2024 to see them go back-to-back.
Women’s – Betty Collins OAM Trophy
Queensland only needed to secure one rink victory against the Northern Territory to wrench the title away from Victoria for the state’s first crown since 2018.
The maroons obliged early, racing away to a lead that would see them enjoy a relaxing final session to bring the title north and end a seven year run without the trophy.
Victoria would clinch second position with a win over New South Wales, keeping their run of top two positions intact as they look to build on their form ahead of next year’s event in Western Australia.
Tasmania would cap off an incredible week to finish in third place ahead of New South Wales, with South Australia in fifth on four wins.
The ACT, Western Australia and New South Wales
The overall rink went to Queensland’s Brenda Thompson, Debbie Logan, Wendy Clarke and Noelene Dutton following an unblemished campaign that saw the quartet jump into first place after the final match of the tournament.
Glyn Bosisto MBE Overall Trophy
The overall trophy would go to Queensland following six overall wins across both the men’s and women’s events respectively, marking the first time the state has won the Glyn Bosisto MBE Trophy since 2019.
View the full day four results HERE
Bowls Australia thank and acknowledge Devonport Country Club and Devonport City Council for their partnership in hosting these Nationals, made possible alongside the support of the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania.
The 2025 Nationals will run from November 10-28, 2025, with live streaming to take place on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel from the 10th.
