Thurling's Brave Title Defence

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday February 6, 2008

Paul Zalunardo

GREG Thurling will be looking to add another chapter to his courageous bowls career when he skips a side in the final of the Wollongong RSL Fours.

Thurling, who has battled leukaemia, will team with Neil Cropp, Harry Johnston and Bob Wilson to defend the title they won last year.

The bravery Thurling has shown both on and off the green in recent years means there won't be many people cheering against him.

Shaun Parnis, who represented Malta in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, will skip Thurling's opposition.

He will have Mal Hawke, Bruce Piper and Dave May setting things up for him.

Thurling's men reached the final with a 23-14 win over Bill Fisk while Parnis advanced to the decider with a 19-14 victory over John Francis.

The final was originally set down for Saturday but had to be postponed to a later date.

In other clubs fours news, a top-level semi-final was played at Wiseman Park-Wollongong City last weekend.

Manu Tunga, Mark Larsen, Brian Constable and Carl Stone scored a 24-16 win over Mick Japundza, Garry Griffith, Kim Mackie and David Kelly.

Stone led by just two shots heading into the final end.

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