Wallsend Lose Johns For Crucial Encounter

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday November 19, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

FOURTH-placed Wallsend (58.5 points) will be without their super-cool skipper Ian Johns when they host competition leaders Alder Park (68) in the Invitation Big Bowls Challenge on Friday night.

Wallsend last week beat Kahibah 9-6 while Alder Park suffered only their second loss of the season when edged out 8-7 by Charlestown.

Johns is unavailable because of a family commitment. Martin Champion will skipper the triples. Phil Williams, who played lead in the pairs last week, is the new lead.

John Hedley moves to second.

Col Fraser returns after a dose of gout as lead for Mick Kiley in the pairs while marquee player Ian Lean will again fill the singles role.

"We played well against Kahibah but we really need to win this one, as it will consolidate our position as we settle down for the run towards the play-offs," Kiley said.

Alder Park have made two changes to their side.

Jamie Minter moves to lead in the pairs at the expense of Todd Hughes.

David Quigley will play skipper in the pairs, while Ross Ball will skip the triples in place of David Evans, who is unavailable because of work commitments.

Ettalong Memorial (46) are home to defending champions Kurri Kurri (61.5) in a replay of last season's grand final in the other match on Friday night.

Lindsay Adamson returns as second in the triples for Ettalong Memorial after missing the Eagles' past couple of matches because of commitments with the NSW seniors side and holidays.

Kurri Kurri will field the same six players who were successful in the grand final, except this time marquee player John Green is the skipper in the triples while Aaron Appleby skips the pairs.

Operations manager Matt Johnson, who will lead for Appleby, said the Cannons were happy with their spot on the table.

"This time last season we were in the same place on the ladder, except this time we have more matches at home in our run to the play-offs," Johnson said.

Swansea (45.5) are fresh from a resounding 12-3 victory over Redhead and head to East Cessnock tonight to tackle the Comets (58), who are still smarting from their 9-6 loss to Valentine.

Manager Paul Wesche said all the Swansea players performed really well but that Michael Abel produced the bowl of the match on the sixth end of the second set in his singles encounter with Adam Gleeson.

"Michael [Abel] was one set down with Gleeson using his power play and holding a full count of eight shots when Abel, with his final delivery, took the kitty into the ditch for one," Wesch said.

"It meant he led 8-3 instead of trailing 11-7."

In other matches which will also be played tonight, Kahibah (46) are home to Redhead (54) while Charlestown (54.5) host Nelson Bay (45).

Soldiers Point have the bye.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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