Redhead Have Appetite For Super Hot Kurri Kurri

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 16, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

REDHEAD will attempt to stop the Kurri Kurri juggernaut tonight when they host the undefeated competition leaders in the Invitation Big Bowls Challenge.

Kurri Kurri (93 points) overcame a slow start to beat Ettalong Memorial 13-2 last week, and second-placed Redhead (78) were beaten 10-5 by Kahibah.

Coach and co-ordinator Nathan Dawson said the slow start sent shockwaves through the Kurri camp.

"Things looked pretty bleak after the first half hour when I was trailing 9-5 against Graham Maier in the singles while the triples were down 11-0 and our pairs were about six shots behind," Dawson said.

"Maybe it was a case early on of too much Christmas, but in the end it was a good effort to regroup and come away with 13 points."

Dawson won his singles in straight sets 11-9, 16-6, while John Green and Aaron Appleby, in the pairs, and Ian Mann, Terry Ross and Tony Harris, in the triples, won their rubbers in tie-breakers.

Matt Johnson returns from a leg injury tonight as lead in the triples, while Mann will move to lead in the pairs.

"I am really happy with how the team is going, and a win against Redhead this week would just about cement our place in the semi-finals," Dawson said.

Adam Gleeson and Shannon Rowe return to the Redhead line-up after missing the match against Kahibah.

Gleeson will be back as lead for John Gregory in the pairs, and Rowe will lead for Chris Heath and Steve Cox in the triples. Coach and co-ordinator John Roberts will again play singles.

"Our boys are shaping up really well for this match which could well have a vital impact on the make-up of the play-offs," Roberts said.

In another vital match tonight, fourth-placed Charlestown (70) are home to defending titleholders East Maitland (66.5), who are in fifth spot.

Charlestown last week accounted for bottom-placed Nelson Bay 10-5, while East Maitland were beaten 8.5-6.5 by Valentine in a rematch of last season's grand finalists.

Wallsend (65) and East Cessnock (50) will be anxious for a return to the winners list when they meet at Wallsend on Friday night.

The Bears remain on the cusp of the top five despite being beaten 9.5-5.5 by Alder Park last week, and East Cessnock's disappointing season continued when they went down to Halekulani 9-6. Another loss this week would just about end any play-off aspirations remaining for the Comets.

All other games on Friday night will be played on the Central Coast. Ettalong Memorial (70.5) are home to Alder Park (54.5), Halekulani (50) host Kahibah (55.5) and The Entrance (52) extend the welcome mat to Valentine (62).

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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