The 2018 competition season began on Saturday with the start of the Zone 11 triples championship.
This event began at two venues, Forster and Tuncurry Sporties, with all winners to continue the battle at Forster on Sunday.
The early favourites would probably have been last year’s winners in Dave Richardson, Steve Harris and 2017 bowler of the year Matt Sargeant.
They showed good early form to record wins in their first two games and make the quarter finals on Sunday afternoon.
The other quarter finalists were teams skipped by Stewart Bills, Kevin Robinson, John Andrews, GeorgeMcCartney, Bill Brett, Rex Johnston and Phil Lindfield.
This can be a funny game, and this is when some underdogs came to the fore. In what can be considered an upset, Stewart Bills overcame his more fancied Tuncurry Beach club-mate, Kevin Robinson to start the ball rolling.
In a dogged contest George McCartney (Sporties) overcame the stubborn John Andrews (Gloucester). Bill Brett (Leagues) led most of the way to defeat ex Australian representative Rex Johnston (Tuncurry Beach).
In the last game Phil Lindfield (Leagues) and Matt Sargeant (Tuncurry Beach) had a titanic struggle that culminated with the scores being tied and an extra end being played.
Phil converted with his first bowl and Matt was unable to change the situation, and the win went to Phil.
So, in the semifinals Stewart Bills will play George McCartney, and the two teams from Leagues, Bill Brett and Phil Lindfield will play each other. These games will begin next Saturday, February 10 at 9 a.m at Forster Bowling Club with the final in the afternoon.
