Top bowlers raid Bendigo greens
Australia’s best lawn bowlers converge on Bendigo this week for the 2013 Australian Sides Championship, as the Bendigo Advertiser reports.
The top 12 men and women from each state and territory will compete in the premier teams event in Australian bowls.
Former Bendigo-based bowlers Aaron Wilson and Peter Loe will be two of the key bowlers for a Victorian men’s side, which includes internationals Matthew Flapper and Barrie Lester.
Commonwealth Games gold medalist Kelvin Kerkow will lead the Queensland men’s side, while Australian squad member Wayne Ruediger is the player to watch in the South Australian squad.
New South Wales is the likely favourite in the men’s event, with Australian representatives Mark Casey and Aron Sherriff to skipper two of the Blues’ three rinks.
The women’s event has also attracted Australia’s elite bowlers.
Kyneton’s Carla Odgers, an Australian squad member, will skipper one of Victoria’s three rinks.
New South Wales will start hot favourite in the women’s tournament, with Australian stars Karen Murphy, Kelsey Cottrell and Natasha Van Eldik to skipper the Blues’ three rinks.
Tasmania’s Rebecca Quail, Victoria’s Lisa Phillips and NSW’s Claire Turley are other Australian squad members to play in Bendigo.
The Sides Championship runs from April 29 to May 2, while the big guns will also take part in the Super 6 event from this Friday.
The Super 6 tournament comprises of six men and six women representing their state in singles, pair and triples.
Aaron Wilson will be Victoria’s representative in the men’s singles.
The Super 6 will be played across two pools, with each team or singles representive playing three matches on Friday.
Finals are on Saturday at the Barnard Street-based Bendigo Bowls Club.
Click here for more information on the 2013 Australian Sides Championships and Super 6.
Caption: Bendigo Bowls Club greenskeeper Andrew Brown at the Barnard Street club. Picture: Jim Aldersey
