South Pacific Teams Events Promise Plenty Of Action

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday December 27, 2008

By JOEL RITCHIE

ALTHOUGH the player of the carnival and singles championship are the South Pacific Bowls tournament's blue-ribbon prizes, the teams events promise to throw up some interesting stories as well.

The 50th edition of the tournament starts today with fours sectional play at seven clubs around the Illawarra, including first-time venue Scarborough-Wombarra.

Defending champions the Ellem crew - brothers Daniel and Tom, their father Eric and uncle Peter - will start their campaign in section 17 at Wiseman Park - Wollongong City.

Runner-up Geoff McGillivray will skip a young combination that includes Warilla juniors Michael Bayo, Aaron Spears and Kyle Johannes. Their campaign will start in section 8 at Dapto Citizens.

Meantime, defending player of the carnival Matt Sargeant will team with John Ritchie, Brett Pieper and John Green to contest section 10 at Kiama.

That heavyweight team won't have sectional play all their own way; a fearsome Warilla foursome, including Wayne Crane, Jesse Noronha, Rocky Stone and Eric Johannes, has been drawn in the same section.

Other contenders include combinations skipped by Dapto Citizens' Troy Somerville and Engadine's Shane Garvey.

Post-sectional play in the fours will start on Tuesday.

Meantime, Matt Sargeant and John Green hope fourth time is a charm when they start their pairs title defence tomorrow.

The duo, from Thirroul and Corrimal Bowling Club respectively, has won the past three South Pacific Pairs championships.

They will contest section 11 at Bellambi.

Father-and-son pairs Eric Johannes and Kyle Johannes (Warilla, section 12 at Bellambi) and Steve Glasson and Ben Glasson (St John's Park, section 23 at Fairy Meadow) also will be keen to show their wares.

Warilla combinations Geoff McGillivray and Rocky Stone (section 29), Brian Harriott and Brett Pieper (section 49 at Wiseman Park - Wollongong City) and Wollongong RSL's Harry Johnston and Greg Thurling (section 10 at Bellambi) can also count themselves among the local hopes.

Post-sectional pairs play will start on New Year's Eve.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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