#BPL09: Illawarra Gorillas clinch first Bowls Premier League trophy
The Illawarra Gorillas have secured the Bowls Premier League trophy for the very first time, after defeating the Brisbane Pirates in a tense tie-break finish.
In what was only the second ever final to go a decider (previous was BPL03), the Kay Moran, Jeremy Henry and Aaron Teys-lead Gorillas pipped the Pirates at the death.
It was the Pirates third successive after taking out BPL08 on their home turf in Club Pine Rivers last time around, and despite some MVP Alex Marshall magic, they couldn’t repeat their heroics.
The Pirates began their night with victory over local rivals the Gold Coast Hawks in the Elimination Final, while the Gorillas pipped the Roys in the Semi Final in what was their first of two tie-break victories for the night.
Unfortunately for the Roys, they would go out in straight sets to the Pirates, the same team who knocked them out at the Preliminary Final stage last time out.
Elimination Final –
Brisbane Pirates def. Gold Coast Hawks 6-3 2-8 1-0
Semi Final –
Illawarra Gorillas def. Melbourne Roys 5-4 7-9 0-1
Preliminary Final –
Brisbane Pirates def. Melbourne Roys 10-5 6-5
Final –
Illawarra Gorillas def. Brisbane Pirates 6-9 7-1 1-0
MVP – Alex Marshall (Brisbane Pirates)
Stay tuned to the Bowls Australia Facebook page for the Rinkside Live – live streaming of the 2019 #WarillaWorldCup semi finals and final, from March 12-13.
