Downie, Ross Join Elite State Company
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday December 3, 2008
NEWCASTLE legends Darby Ross and the late Dave Downie were inducted into the NSW Lawn Bowls Hall of Fame last Wednesday night.
Ross represented Australia between 1981 and 1987, winning gold and bronze medals at the 1987 Pacific Games and Hong Kong International Pairs in 1981.He won the Australian Champion of Champions Singles in 1983, from which he then represented Australia in the World Singles at Worthing, England in 1984.Ross played 157 Tests for NSW, was the NSW State Champion of Club Champions Singles titleholder in 1976 and winner of the state singles in 1981.He also played 191 times for Newcastle and won a host of district and zone titles.The Kahibah stalwart won 12 Newcastle district No.1 grade pennant titles he almost made it 13 this year when he played in the side who were beaten by one shot in the final three state No.1 grade flags, 12 major singles championships at the club and was also secretary manager for 21 years.Downie started his career at Lithgow City before moving to the Newcastle district, where he played with Boolaroo, Toronto, Newcastle City, National Park and Newcastle South.He represented Australia against South Africa in 1964 and played 31 Tests for NSW.Downie won an Australian singles and four state titles, six Newcastle district major singles and two Newcastle District Champion of Club Singles Champions titles.He was also the runner-up in two Australian singles titles and was beaten in an Australian Fours Championship final.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
