Media Release: Friday, February 23, 2007

WOMEN'S TITLE HEADS TO ST JOHNS

A polished performance from the dominant New South Wales outfit of Karin Wilkinson, Margaret Smith and Beth Quinlan secured the trio this year’s ABN AMRO Australian Open women’s triples trophy.

All members of the St Johns Park Bowls Club in Sydney, the trio defeated Western Australia’s Rinske Butcher, Kerry Andersen and Noelene Abe 13-1, 8-3 at the Darebin International Sports Centre in Melbourne today (23/2).

“We were definitely on top in the first set,” Quinlan said.

“We won by playing long ends throughout this event and that seemed to work again today.

“They played pretty good bowls at the beginning of the second set, but we knew we still had something left and could go again.”

The NSW side dropped just one end in the first set and four for the match in a stylish display.

“It really was a full team effort – my teammates both had their moments of absolute brilliance. Karin drew superbly in the first set and Margaret was solid throughout.”

Quinlan was also in great form throughout the match, playing some stunning conversion shots whenever her team was in trouble.

Abe said her side went into the match with a plan to play long ends, but it proved to be a mistake.

“We played long all week, but it back-fired in the final because they certainly played the long ends better that we did. They outplayed us completely,” Abe said.

A farmer from the Western Australian wheat belt town of Corrigin, Abe praised the performance of her opposing skip.

“To be honest I haven’t seen many people play well as she did today,” Abe said.

"Their whole team played well, but every time we had a shot Beth took it off us.”