PENNANTS dominate the lawn bowling scene this weekend but Tamworth City Bowling Club will be the venue when that clubs rolls up its annual Easter Singles and Pairs Carnival next week to signal the continuation of the popular CNDBA Bowler of the Year Award (BOTYA).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Won by State representative Chris Herden last season, the BOTYA was a major success for the Central North District Bowling Association, helping swell numbers and interest in the various club carnivals throughout the CNDBA.
This weekend, pennants in the 1-7 grades will be played throughout Zone 3 where the popularity of the sport is again under stiff threat, with pennants 1-6 grades all going straight to zone playoffs without being decided at district level.
It’s a worrying sign although the BOTYA might help promote the game from next weekend when Tamworth City stages its annual Easter Carnival.
BOTYA organiser Phil Johnson said the City Easter Singles is a major event on the CNDBA calendar.
“The Tamworth City Easter singles is the next big Bowler of the Year Award event after this pennants weekend,” Johnson said.
“We’ve had all the State events, the singles, pairs, triples and fours, all except for the reserve singles final. And that will be played in a few weeks.
“Now we’re starting into the club events and the Tamworth City Singles is part of that.”
He said last weekend’s Kootingal Bowling Club Pre-Pennants Carnival was an admirable attempt to provide players of all ability some match practice at pennants.
While the Number 7 pennants began last week, the Kooty carnival previewed a weekend where the 1-6 grades all fired up.
So far, South Tamworth and Kootingal players dominate the BOTYA points table.
South Tamworth’s Nathan Wise leads the way with 230 points from Kootingal’s Kim Greentree (200), South Tamworth’s Nick Golledge (190) and Kooty’s Graeme Harriott (190).
Then comes Herden (170), the Tamworth City greenkeeper who plays for South.
South Tamworth’s Scott Thorning is next with 140 points while West Tamworth trio Ron Barnett, John Coulton and Dennis Silcock all have 120.
Tamworth City’s Ian Bannister and Kooty’s colourful golfing sportsman Jeff Myers round out the top 11 with 110 each.
State Fours were played at Willow Tree, State Triples at Manilla, State Pairs at North and West Tamworth and State Singles at Kootingal and Werris Creek.
