Norma Roberts, Beth Dall and Louise Cruse pulled off a miraculous last-minute win at the Weipa Championship Triples. Photo: Supplied.
The final weekend of May served up picture-perfect weather and a full dose of bowls theatre as Weipa’s Championship Triples were contested across two gripping days.
The Ladies’ Final opened with early fireworks. The combination of Louise Cruse, Norma Roberts and Beth Dall struck first, punching out a solid three on the opening end, but any sense of momentum was short-lived.
Lynn Hill, Karen Phillips and Angie Ibrahim responded with ruthless consistency, piling on 15 shots across the next six ends. At the halfway mark of the 16-end decider, Hill’s trio looked unstoppable, leading 15–4 and cruising at 18–6 with just four ends remaining.
Scott McDowall, Fraser Maguire and Russell Wellby claimed first prize in the men’s section. Photo: Supplied.
Then came one of the great late surges. The Cruse outfit dug in, found their rhythm, and produced a stunning 15-shot comeback, storming home to pinch the title 21–18. It was bowls at its most dramatic — a reminder that no lead is ever truly safe.
On the men’s side, five hard-fought rounds sorted the field. Rising to the top were Fraser Maguire, Russell Wellby and Scott McDowall, claiming first place with steady hands and sharp draw play. The runners-up — Dwayne Brooks, Carl Schapel and Daylen Maunsell — pushed all weekend but couldn’t quite reel in the leaders.
A cracking weekend of bowls, full of grit, swings of momentum and the kind of finishes that keep the sport alive in the Far North.
Angie Ibrahim, Lynn Hill and Karen Phillips looked to be unstoppable for a majority of the game, but took second place after a dramatic turn of events. Photo: Supplied.
