Moama Steamers has narrowly missed out on the finals of BPL19, played this week at the Moama Bowling Club.
As reported on Friday, Steamers, featuring Moama local and Australian Open champion Cassandra Millerick, looked to be in a good position through 13 rounds, with a record of 8-5.
Unfortunately, the home team faded through the final five rounds, losing matches to Tweed Heads, Perth Suns, Sydney Lions and Melbourne Pulse, while only defeating Melbourne Extreme to finish the round-robin portion of the tournament at 9-9.
It was almost enough for Moama to sneak into the finals, with Adelaide Pioneers and Tweed Heads both level with the host on 27 points.
However, it was the Pioneers’ superior set points differential of four that saw them into the coveted fifth place, ahead of Moama (-1) and Tweed Heads (-6).
The grand final of BPL19 saw the Melbourne Pulse trio of Gary Kelly, Barrie Lester and Ellen Fife defeat Moreton Bay Pirates in the tie-breaking third set, 1-10, 7-4, 1-0.
The BPL is the Twenty20 equivalent in bowls, sporting a faster, more exciting format designed for spectators and broadcasters.
The event is held biannually, in Queensland’s Club Pine Rivers in November and in Moama each February.
Last year, at BPL17, the Moama trio of Millerick, Aron Sherriff and Ryan Bester took out the title, bringing Moama to three titles overall.
This is the Steamers’ worst result in BPL since Millerick joined the franchise in BPL16.