Vic-torious: Cass Millerick (back, third from right) and Olivia Cartwright (back, second from right) helped Victoria to a drought-breaking Marj Morris Trophy win at the Australian Sides Championship at the bowls nationals in Perth. Photo: Bowls Australia.
Moama Bowling Club’s Cassandra Millerick and Olivia Cartwright have played a part in Bowls Victoria history, helping the team secure the 2023 Women’s Australian Sides Championship at the nationals in Perth.
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With victory in their matchup against Tasmania, the duo helped Victoria to the Marj Morris Trophy for the first time in 19 years on a drama filled final day.
Playing as skip, Australian Open single’s champion Millerick was in fine touch as she led her rink to a 20-11 win over Tassie, with Cartwright - a Kyabram product - playing a big role also as the lead.
Teammate Lisa Phillips also led her rink to a 23-20 win, handing the Big V a 12-shot lead, which Tasmania failed to overturn despite prevailing 17-16 in the final rink.
Fine touch: Cass Millerick was in great form in the must-win final game against Tasmania, leading her rink to a 20-11 win. Photo: Bowls Australia.
The overall 59-48 win was the Vic’s sixth in the competition, shooting them to the top of the ladder, although they were left waiting on the result between Queensland and New South Wales, with the Maroons able to clinch the title with a win in their final game.
It was a rollercoaster battle, with the Queenslanders seemingly losing grip of the title after going down 31-8 in the first rink, before roaring right back into contention with a 35-13 triumph in rink two.
It all came down to the final rink, with the Maroons needing to win it by two to clinch the title, while any other result would seal the deal for Victoria.
The tussle went down to the wire, and despite the best efforts of the Queensland quartet, NSW prevailed 22-21, sparking jubilant scenes in the Victorian camp.
Millerick and Cartwright, playing together throughout the competition, were 3-4 across the seven rounds, recording 131 shots both for and against to finish with a shot percentage of 100.
