The future of district bowls looks bright after the 2024 Under-18 State Championships took place during the past week.
Youth standouts represented the Goulburn Murray region on multiple fronts as the state’s best metropolitan and regional prospects vied for glory in Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
Kyabram, as one would typically expect, was at the forefront with a burgeoning young crop that again got a chance to shine.
Kyabram’s Mackenzie Parsons and Moama’s Gracie Retallick formed an imposing duo with immediate effect in the under-18 girls’ pairs, dominating their round of 16 game at Sunbury 28-3.
In their quarter-final match-up, prevailing 11-8, it was a more challenging scenario, while Kyabram’s Kayla Jackson and Merrigum’s Emily Parsons were bundled out on nearby greens.
Parsons and Retallick regained their groove in Saturday afternoon’s semi-finals, coasting to the decider 18-4, while Stanhope representative Hayley Hancock fell seven shots short of joining them in her team’s semi.
Ultimately, Parsons and Retallick overcame Altona’s Mia O’Reilly and Club Sunbury’s Ashleigh Moffat — on her home rinks — to claim the state title.
Another set of young Bomber bowlers went their own ways in the under-18 boys’ singles as Cartwright brothers Josh and Jacob joined Boswood boys Charlie and Henry, each seeking a path to the top.
All four received automatic passage to the round of 16 after qualifying from their respective groups.
Three of the four boys met opponents from northern Victoria at that stage, with Jacob and Josh Cartwright and Henry Boswood earning spots in the final eight.
Jacob was the only district contender left standing in the semis on Wednesday after Henry was dumped out and Josh fell short by the barest of margins.
Jacob, 14, continued to fly the flag, surviving a closely-contested semi-final before falling at the last hurdle Sunday to a handy performance from Yarrawonga’s Koby Cromie, who had eliminated Charlie Boswood in the round of 16.
Squad coach David Cartwright lauded the efforts of all involved with the trip.
“As coach of the Devils squad, I must thank the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters who came along to support the juniors,” Cartwright said.
“Jacob was not 100 per cent well, but battled on and held his head high, running into a red-hot Koby who was playing for his third title that day.
“Jacob was disappointed with his game, but is already looking forward to next year. Second is no disgrace at this level of bowls.
“We would like to make special mention to Shepparton Park Bowls Club for the use of your facilities to train on and to the clubs who supported the squad financially along the way.”