WHEATBELT women were among the Western Australian team which competed at the Masters Games in Alice Springs from October 11 to 19.
The 22 women competing in netball, basketball and bowls included women from Merredin and Perth.
The basketball women had it tough as they had to compete against former Olympic basketballers that showed them how the game really is played but all enjoyed the experience.
The WA Jillaroos team consisted of Sally Trunfio, Dani Trunfio, Kylie Crees, Kathy Beilken, Donna Crook, Rosalie Anderson (all Merredin women), Monica De Barros (Darwin), Linda Branley (Perth), and Belinda Hayden (Ballarat, ex-Merredin).
Sue Crook (Merredin) and Sandi Twomey (Esperance) were the trusted scorers and managers and Judy Jefferys (Merredin) flitted between coaching and playing a couple of games.
Results were WA Jillaroos 13 lost to Women in Black 44, WA Jillaroos 16 lost to Shuins 40, Shot Masters 41 defeated WA Jillaroos 7.
In the first semi final WA Jillaroos 19 lost to Shuins 34.
In the play off for the bronze medal WA Jillaroos lost 16 to Shuins 31.
Netballers played some tough and came home with a bronze medal in the 35+ competitive competition.
Members of thist eam were Judy Jefferys (Merredin), Belinda Hayden (Ballarat, ex-Merredin), Jenny Jones, Debbie Smith, Leanne Hunt, Michelle O'Driscoll (Northam), Jo Dickson (Bridgetown), Vicky Weirnet (Albany), Denise Eiffler (Perth) with manager Sharon Ferguson (Toodyay) and the baby of the team Kristy Cooper (Merredin), the umpire who excelled during the games and got to umpire a grand final play off int he 40+ competition.
Results of these games were: Sunday WA Jillaroos 25 lost to Bulldogs 25, WA Jillaroos 35 beat East Keilor Jets 35 to 31; Monday WA Jillaroos 32 beat Centralian Masters Teddies 21, WA Jillaroos 34 beat WA Spectrum 27; Tuesday WA Jillaroos 50 beat Bits n Pieces 10; Wednesday WA Jillaroos 34 beat PBH 34 to 15 and won on a forfeit from Barefoot Senoritas; Thursday WA Jillaroos 39 beat Volcanic Crusaders 39 to 26 and then played them again in the final and lost 36 to 29.
This meant the women were in the play off for the bronze medal against East Keilor Jets on Friday night and they won this game in a thriller comings from behind to win 33 to 29.
Nessie Western from Merredin played in all the bowls competitions that she could find and played from Friday to Friday, when she was knocked out in the singles in a nail biter to just be pipped at the last end.
Western competed in the singles, doubles and mixed and made some great friends and will surely be back in two years.