FORMER Mildura bowler Emma Simmonds is a national champion.
The 23-year-old, who is now with Moama Bowling Club, played a vital role in Victoria winning the Australian Women’s Sides Championship on Monday at Sorrento Bowls Club in Western Australia.
One of Sunraysia’s brightest young stars in recent years, Simmonds played second in the rink of Jodie Fruend (lead), Tris Doolan (third) and Samantha Atkinson (skip) who went 5-2 in their seven matches.
The Victorian side lost one match overall to take top spot on the ladder and win the Marj Morris Trophy, one win ahead of New South Wales and Queensland.
Simmonds, who broke into the Victorian side in 2021, was a member of the ‘Big V’ team that came fourth in the Sides Championships last year.
Victoria’s campaign was off to a solid start with a 58-55 shot win over South Australia, with Simmonds’ rink getting the biggest result in a 24-17 win.
Up next was an 11-shot win during the three-rink 68-47 shot victory over ACT before a two-rinks-to-one 66-49 defeat at the hands of Queensland.
A three-rink win and being up 52 shots to 48 against defending champions NSW in round 4, however, proved a huge result, Simmonds, Fruend, Tris Doolan and Samantha Atkinson claiming an important one-shot win over the team of Sarah Boddington, Kate Walker, Kay Moran and Dawn Hayman.
Simmonds’ side’s 21-15 shot win proved crucial against home side Western Australia in round five, securing the victory 2-1 on rinks and 56-55 on shots, before a monster win over Northern Territory two-rinks-to-one and 71 to 41 on shots.
One match remained on the final day and Victoria required victory over Tasmania to claim the title.
While Simmonds’ rink lost 17-16, a 20-11 win for Olivia Cartwright, Anita Jenkins, Kylie Whitehead and Cass Millerick and a 23-20 result in favour of Blaine Edwards, Sophie Kurzman, Jess Wallace and Lisa Phillips secured the trophy for the Vics.
Simmonds was unable to be reached for comment.
