Thrilling finish to 50th Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament
The 2012 Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament produced one of the closest and most thrilling finishes in its 50-year history. Three days of fierce but friendly competition came to a noisy climax today with Western Australia emerging overall victors in this year’s Rachuig tournament.
Buoyed by a comfortable overnight lead going into the final day’s play, the Western Australia bowlers clinched the prestigious Teams event at AMF Rooty Hill RSL centre in Sydney’s west by a single point, to edge out Queensland and New South Wales.
At the half-way mark of today’s final six games, Western Australia held on to its overnight lead in the combined points tally, just half a point ahead of New South Wales, with Queensland also vying for a top placing. Tasmania’s Men’s team maintained its lead while Queensland closed the gap on overnight leaders New South Wales in the Women’s division.
As the crescendo of barracking increased, the teams responded with an intensity always associated with inter-State sport rivalry, while defending champions New Zealand were unable to match the form that allowed them to take the Trophy last year.
The Queensland Women’s team stormed home with a decisive victory in their division ahead of Victoria and New South Wales while the Western Australian Men’s team had a knife-edge decider to finish just one point ahead of South Australia, with Tasmania third. “It was a disappointing first day, but we finished well and it was an amazing win ... Victoria were favourites, but we played as a team with tremendous support,” said Queensland women’s team captain, Bianca Flanagan.
“This was the first Rachuig win for Western Australia in either division, or overall, so they were ecstatic that this happened in the historic 50th anniversary event,” said Tenpin Bowling Australia CEO, Cara Honeychurch.
TBA National Coach, Chris Batson was also on hand to witness the exciting finale. “I was very, very pleased that some of the younger ones from the State-based Training squads bowling so well. “While that’s no criticism of the more experienced bowlers, it’s good to see they have really developed … it’s good for the sport to have this emerging talent,” he added.
On Friday, the stage will be set for the cream of Australia’s bowling talent to take on some of the world’s best when the final rounds of the 2012 AMF AUSTRALIAN MASTERS get underway.
Full scores, photos and further details of the Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament and the complete program of Nationals events can be found at www.tenpinevents.org.au/2012_Adult_Nationals.
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