Cannons Ready To Fire In Local Grudge Match

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday October 8, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

DEFENDING titleholders Kurri Kurri will be keen to continue their Invitation Big Bowls Challenge domination over East Cessnock when they host the state No.1 pennant champions tonight.

The Cannons have beaten the Comets in the traditional opening-round local derby in each of the past two competitions.

The match will feature a replay of the Hunter district major singles championship when winner Brody Pitham (East Cessnock) goes head-to-head with reigning Hunter district champion of club champions singles titleholder Nathan Dawson.

World singles championship runner-up Aron Sherriff is the marquee player for East Cessnock and will play skipper for Eric Ryan in the pairs against Matt Johnson and Aaron Appleby.

Terry Ross, Andrew Rees and Tony Harris (Kurri Kurri) do battle with John Wilson, Steven Fairfull and Mick Cronin in the triples.

"Last year most of our guys had only just come to the club and Brody had only been there a couple of days," Cronin said.

Kurri Kurri are very confident of winning, according to Johnson, who is also operations manager of the club.

"We will have a pretty good idea of where we are at after a tough season opener against East Cessnock, Soldiers Point and Alder Park in the first three rounds," Johnson said.

Soldiers Point will have former bowls manager Jason Stokes as their marquee player when they host 2007 titleholders East Maitland in their competition debut. He will play singles against Mark Shipman.

Swansea are also making their debut but they face a tough baptism against last season's beaten grand finalists, Ettalong Memorial, at Swansea.

The Skiffs, who were happy with their form despite being beaten in a trial against Alder Park, will be fielding probably the youngest combination in the competition with an average age of just 26 years.

Michael Abel will play the singles, Stephen McPhillips and Matthew Baus will combine in the pairs, while Anthony Ellercamp, Gary Copping and Scott Baus join forces in the triples.

Former Australian junior singles champion Darren Morrison will fill the singles role for Ettalong Memorial. Zone 15 champion of club pairs champions titleholders Graham Maier and John Roberts will play pairs.

Newcastle district singles champion Glenn Dow (Redhead) and Newcastle district champion of club singles champions winner Terry Antram (Nelson Bay) will do battle in the singles when the Sharks host the Marlins at Redhead.

In other matches, Wallsend are at home to Valentine, while Kahibah host Charlestown tomorrow night.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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