Somerville Eyes Fourth Carnival Crown

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday December 31, 2008

By JOEL RITCHIE

THREE-TIME player-of-the-carnival Troy Somerville didn't break three years of self-imposed South Pacific Bowls Carnival exile to leave the tournament empty-handed.

Somerville is playing all three events of the South Pacific for the first time since 2005-06 and says this could be the year he takes his first fours title.

The Dapto Citizens bowler has been named player-of-the-carnival three times (1992, 1997 and 1998) - second only to four-time winner Shane Garvey - to go with his singles (1992) and pairs (1994, 1998) trophies. This year, he made a full-time return to the biggest bowls carnival in NSW to mark the tournament's 50th anniversary.

And the veteran is still alive in all three events. He will contest the pairs post-sectional play today before the singles play-offs on Friday.

Yesterday, Somerville and team-mates Zach Gabrielsen, Ian Bailey and John Hill won three matches to qualify for the fours semi-finals.

"I'd like to get back to that (player-of-the-carnival) level. I only went in it because it was the 50th anniversary. We had our 50th at our club this year as well and to win player-of-the-carnival in the 50th tournament would be special," Somerville said.

"We're not afraid of any other team in the fours and I'm playing with John Hill in the pairs and we go pretty good together so I just need to find someone to carry me in the singles."

Somerville is not worried that his busy schedule could derail his campaign to equal Garvey's record of four player-of-the-carnival awards.

"I just go home and have a swim and relax and take it easy," Somerville said. "I go to work first thing in the morning, make sure the tills and pokies are all balanced then come and play bowls.

"It is a long day - I'm up at 4.45am and by 10pm, I'm fast asleep."

Even if his dream of a fourth title doesn't come to fruition, Somerville is relishing his shot at a maiden fours crown.

"We've got a No 1 pennant fours team as good as any other in the Illawarra," Somerville said when asked if his outfit had what it took.

"The fours is the only South Pacific title I haven't won ... I don't play bowls much any more except for pennants and club tournaments ... this is my first big tournament in three years."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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