Victoria has caused a major boil over at the Australian Sides Championships by accounting for reigning champions Queensland.
Attempting to claim the coveted Marj Morris Trophy for a sixth time in just eight years, the Maroons were outgunned on the Broadbeach greens in their fourth round rubber this afternoon, with the Big V claiming two of the rinks to register a 70-51 victory against the previously undefeated hometown heroes.
Sitting on top of the ladder with a match in the clear before their encounter, the Maroons received a reality check as Australia A squad member Carla Odgers guided her rink to a 24-15 win against Tracy Foster, while 2011 Australian Open singles winner Lisa Phillips eased her way past Sue McKenzie 31-13.
While Australian captain Lynsey Armitage salvaged a 23-15 result against former under-25 world champion Samantha Shannahan, and remains undefeated in her battles, it was not enough to prevent the upset.
Having dropped their one game cushion, there is now a log jam of four states stranded on a 3-1 record, with only half a rink separating traditional rivals Queensland and NSW.
The Blues continued their streak with a 93-38 annihilation of South Australia, rebounding from their opening round loss to Western Australia, with world number four Karen Murphy now sitting as the tournament’s top performed skip, after a 24-15 victory against Penny Landherr’s contingent.
The Sandgropers round out the top four after cruising to a 81-30, three rink win over the Northern Territory, while the ACT recorded their first win with 33 shots in the black against Tasmania, 75-42.
