BPL by the numbers
The Bowls Premier League (BPL) has encapsulated the hearts and minds of the bowling fraternity across the nation since its inception in 2013.
Over the course of its short history, eleven events have been staged with a plethora of numbers and statistics emerging from the respective tournaments.
Take a closer look at the competition’s success stories and some of the unwanted numbers below:
Most titles won – Sydney Lions – 3
The honour of most championships goes to the Lions after their historic three-peat from BPL04-06. Led by Karen Murphy and Aron Sherriff through the trio of triumphs, the Lions were virtually unbeatable when it came to finals, hanging tough when they needed and etching the franchise’s name into BPL folklore early in its history.
Only the Brisbane Pirates and Murray Steamers can join the Lions with the honour of multiple victories with two apiece, both sharing the chance to tie the record when BPL12 begins in Moama.
Most times runner up – Adelaide Endurance – 3
The Lions had their three-peat, and the Endurance have one of their own, but not one that the former franchise or its players would like to boast.
From APL01-APL03 the South Australian team fell just short of lifting the trophy, bested in the final on all three occasions. None closer than the tiebreak of the APL03 decider when an Ali Forsyth drive sent the bare jack and his bowl into the ditch with the final roll of the tournament giving the New Zealand Blackjacks the title.
Most grand finals played – Sydney Lions, Brisbane Pirates & Murray Steamers – 4
It is a three-way tie for the honour of most grand finals reached, and coincidentally it is all three franchises that boast multiple championships.
The Lions took their aforementioned three-peat, with another run to the final in BPL10 before falling to the Ospreys on debut.
The Pirates claimed the first ever event as the Gold, before venturing to the decider in three successive tournaments from BPL07-09.
Moama based Murray Steamers saluted on debut in APL02, before a loss to the Lions in BPL04 and defeat to the Pirates in BPL08. The franchise would taste victory again in the most recent edition in BPL11.
Grand Finals decided by tie-break – 3
Tie-breaks provide the utmost of intensity in the BPL, one end takes all. Only three finals have needed them to be decided, but all three have been gripping.
APL03 saw the first with the Blackjacks accounting for the Endurance, before another in BPL09 where the Illawarra Gorillas prevailed over the Pirates.
The third and most recent occurred in BPL11, where the Murray Steamers overcame a strong Melbourne Roys position, thanks to a superb Michael Walker drive.
Most finals series played – Murray Steamers – 4
Half the battle in the BPL is finishing in the top four to acquire a chance at glory, and the Murray Steamers have proven to be clinical when it comes to reaching the play-off stages.
After entering the competition in APL02, the Steamers have only missed the final four on three occasions, making them one of the most consistent and formidable teams in the BPL.
Player with most MVP awards – Aron Sherriff – 3
There has been no more prolific player than Queenslander Aron Sherriff, who has saluted three times as the MVP of the BPL.
Twice has he hoisted the award for the Sydney Lions in BPL06 and BPL11, while also claiming the award for the Gold Coast Hawks in BPL07.
Sherriff is the only player to win back-to-back awards, with only Alex Marshall and Ryan Bester claiming multiple MVP awards.
BPL12 runs from February 23-26, with Rinkside Live live-streaming available on Facebook and broadcast action nightly from 5-10pm AEDT on Fox Sports and Kayo.
