Ball Aiming To Extend 15-year Grip On Dawson

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday October 15, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

ALDER Park bowls co-ordinator Martin Ball will put his unbeaten singles record against Nathan Dawson to the test at Kurri Kurri tomorrow night.

Ball, the reigning Newcastle District Bowler of the Year, and Dawson will go head-to-head when Alder Park tackle defending champions Kurri in the third round of the Invitation Big Bowls Challenge.

"It goes back 15 years, when Martin beat me in the final of the Newcastle district junior championship in 1993," Dawson said.

"Since then he has beaten me in a semi-final of the Charlestown major singles title and for the past two years in the Big Bowls Challenge."

Kurri beat NSW No.1 grade pennant champions East Cessnock in the first round last Wednesday night, and will have John Green (Corrimal) as their marquee player in the only change to the side beaten 9-6 by Newcastle district No.1 grade pennant champions Soldiers Point on Friday night.

Green, who is playing his third season as the guest player for the Cannons, will play skipper in the pairs. Aaron Appleby moves to skipper in the triples and Tony Harris drops back to play in the middle in place of Andrew Rees.

"I am happy with our start to the season," Dawson said.

"We played very well against East Cessnock and there was nothing in our game with Soldiers Point when we were beaten on an extra end in a tie break."

Ball was equally happy with Alder Park, who accounted for Kahibah 9-6 on Friday night after having an opening-round bye.

David Quigley moves to skipper in place of the unavailable Ross Ball in the triples and David Evans comes in to play in the middle in the only change to the Alder Park line-up.

Sam Laguzza will turn out as the marquee player for both Valentine and Wallsend in matches this week.

He will be the marquee for Valentine and play singles against former world No.1 David Holt, who will be the guest player for Charlestown when the sides clash at Charlestown tonight.

Both sides will be looking for their first win of the season. Valentine, beaten 14-1 by Wallsend in the opening round, were downed 9-6 on an extra end in a tie-breaker against Redhead on Friday night. Charlestown, defeated 11-4 by Kahibah in the first round, are coming off the bye.

On Friday night Laguzza will play singles for Wallsend against former Australian junior champion Darren Morrison when the Bears travel to Ettalong Memorial to tackle last year's beaten grand finalists.

East Maitland will be looking to capitalise on their unbeaten start to the season when they head to Kahibah tonight. Nelson Bay host Soldiers Point on Saturday night.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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