Nelson Bay Pick Rex For Big Bowls Play-off

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday January 7, 2009

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

NELSON Bay have gone with the experienced Rex Johnston as their marquee player for the Invitation Big Bowls Challenge elimination semi-final against Kurri Kurri at Kurri tomorrow night.

The Marlins had the choice of Johnston and Simon Mitchell, who will make his debut for NSW against ACT next month.

Nelson Bay bowls co-ordinator Terry Antram, who is also in the NSW side, said it was a tough decision.

"We qualified both Rex and Simon, but in the end we went for Rex," Antram said.

"Even though he has retired from international and interstate competition, he is still playing very well and is a skipper in the Zone Six side.

"He has played more than 400 games for Australia, and we are hoping that his vast experience will prove invaluable to the team in what is going to be a very tough match."

Johnston will fill the singles role.

Brian Bateman and Antram will join forces in the pairs, while Craig Hinds, Ray Asquith and Graham Lewis will form the triples combination for the Marlins.

"We are coming into the play-offs with momentum on our side with wins in our final four games before Christmas," Antram said.

"I feel we have got the team balance and attitude right and the players believe in themselves and trust each other.

"We may not be as strong on paper as the other four teams in the play-offs, but games are not won on paper, and at this stage of the season I feel we have as much chance of winning as everyone else."

Kurri, who are the defending titleholders, will field a similar line-up to the one that won the grand final in March.

Nathan Dawson will play singles, Matt Johnson will lead for marquee player and NSW debutant John Green in the pairs, and Terry Ross, Tony Harris and Aaron Appleby will join forces in the triples.

Kurri secretary manager Vic Dobing said he was proud of the Cannons team for making it through to the play-offs after winning last year.

"The boys have had a real big battle this year, and they have done a very good job," Dobing said.

"Last year we may have caught a couple of teams on the hop, but this year as defending champions that was never going to happen.

"The competition has also been much closer this year.

"The boys have had to really maintain their concentration right through because everyone wants to knock over the defending champions.

"And it is not going to get any easier. We have a lot of respect for Nelson Bay, who are strong right across the paddock."

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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