For several years one Warilla rink has dominated Women's Senior Fours in Illawarra and now they have the ultimate reward after claiming the State Over 60s Fours crown.
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Vicki Turner, Maureen Murphy, Shirley Lindsay and her sister Leone Barnett have won the past three Illawarra District Over 60s Fours titles and last week savoured their greatest moment by clinching the 2020 NSW Championship at Club Malua.
Barnett and partners won four games against the top rinks in NSW, but it was the remarkable semi-final and final victories which will be etched in State Championship history.
Warilla beat top Sydney side Wenty Leagues 20-19 on an extra end in a thrilling semi-final, then in the final against Bomaderry rallied from trailing throughout to claim a last end 15-14 win.
Warilla stormed home from 14-10 down with four ends to play to pick up four shots in three ends for 14-14 and then pick up a single on the last end for an emotion-charged triumph.
Turner and Barnett have won the past six District Senior Fours titles, with Murphy winning the last four years and Lindsay part of this rink's three-peat from 2019-21.
The new reigning State Champions are likely to be back to defend their crown in August at the 2021 State Championships after already winning the 2021 Illawarra District Senior Fours last month.
The Warilla victory at last week's State Championships capped an amazing run for Illawarra bowlers. Fairy Meadow junior Dawn Hayman won the State Singles, while Dapto Citizens made the Open Fours semi-finals.
In Senior Pairs and Open Pairs both Wiseman Park teams lost to the eventual finalist, while in Singles Kim Suckley (Dapto Citizens) bowed out to runner-up Natasha Van Eldik, and Figtree RSL (Mixed Pairs) were beaten in their section by eventual champions Cabramatta.
Illawarra District were competitive in all divisions and had it not been for some tough draws would have pressed for more state silverware.