Ian Bannister slides this one down the Willow Tree green during the State Fours last weekend. The State Triples take lawn bowling centre stage at Werris Creek today. 020213BSA20
STATE Triples takes centre stage for the Central North District Bowling Association at Werris Creek Bowling Club this weekend.
20 teams have entered the State Triples, an increase of almost 50 per cent on last year’s figures.
Part of that increase might be attributable to the resurrection of the CNDBA’s Bowler of the Year Award.
That award runs on all the major CNDBA events plus a selected event from each of the nine-member CNDBA clubs.
Phil Johnson and Gordon Cheney are co-ordinating that award and are delighted with the response to the first selected event at Willow Tree Bowling Club last weekend.
That State Fours enticed 16 teams south to the tiny club which will host its own award later this month with its Open Fours.
Johnson said 14 teams turned out for last year’s CNDBA State Triples.
“20 teams have nominated for the State Triples at Werris Creek this weekend,” Johnson said.
“We had 14 last year.
“That’s a big increase.
“It mightn’t be due to the Bowler of the Year but we think it’s playing a part.”
Johnson had petitioned the CNDBA last year to bring back the award to try to help clubs fill numbers for major events after noticing a major fall-off in participation at his South Tamworth club’s events.
South, which is also trying to foster young players through its junior program with NIAS, will hold its own Bowler of The Year event.
South also had four teams at Willow Tree last weekend, with the Nathan Wise-skipped side winning a gripping final 23-20 after an extra end.
That earned the team of Wise, Paul Whitton, Dylan Eather and Scott Thorning a berth in the Zone State Fours at Inverell in August.
It also earned the quartet the early lead in the Bowler of the Year award.
Winners receive 50 points, runners-up 30 and third and fourth-placed bowlers 10 points apiece.
Players also receive 20 points for taking part.
Bowler of the Year award standings:
70: Dylan Eather, Scott Thorning, Paul Whitton, Nathan Wise (South Tamworth).
50: Chris Cameron, Peter Kachel, Luke Russell, Richard Russell (North).
30: Terry Cummings, Nick Golledge, Chris Herden, Neville White (South), Graeme Cameron, John Flynn, Phillip O’Reilly, Harry Wicks (North Tamworth).
