THE Warrnambool Bowls Club is celebrating outstanding performances at state level by two of its members.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hannah Mitchell and Kellie Bowles have returned from a week of representing Victoria in Test matches against South Australia in Adelaide.
Mitchell was a member of the Victorian under 18s team which defeated South Australia 2-1 in their three Test series.
And Bowles also had cause for celebration as a member of the Victorian senior women’s team, which was too good for South Australia, winning its five Test series 4-1.
It was the first time 17-year-old Mitchell has represented Victoria.
She was a key player for the team, showing her versatility playing in the pairs, triples and fours over the course of the week.
The young star, who plays division 2 in the pennant for Warrnambool, said the intensity of state level competition made it a memorable week.
“I really enjoyed it, there was a lot more pressure and it took me a while to get used to that,” Mitchell said.
“Playing at that level has made me want to keep trying to improve and get another chance to step up when the opportunity comes.”
Her Warrnambool clubmate Bowles has been a regular state player and was again a key team member, helping the Victorian team come back after losing the first Test.
“We started really slowly, I think we took a bit longer to adjust to the greens but we were able to turn it around quickly and get back into winning form,” Bowles said.
“My own form was a bit like the teams, I was scratchy in that first game but I was happy with my form for the week after that and it was good to be able to contribute.
“South Australia are always tough to play against and when you play at state level you have to have a high level of concentration and be ready for very aggressive bowls.”
Bowles said it was nice to have her young Warrnambool teammate in Mitchell also playing in the Test series.
She said the emergence of Mitchell was a credit to the Warrnambool club and its junior program.
“It was great to be able to tell people we came from the same club. It is a big thing for a country club to be able to be have our players selected when you consider all the bowlers across the state.”
abrady@fairfaxmedia.com.au