Queensland take early lead for Alley
Defending champions Queensland and NSW are shaping up as likely contenders at this year’s Australian Sides Championships after extending their unbeaten run to three in the fight for the coveted Alley Shield.
The Big V stormed to the top of the leader board after the conclusion of the Australian Sides Championships’ opening day, but were left ruing after a third round loss to the Maroons, despite claiming two of the three rinks, relegating them to third position at the midway point.
Helensvale’s Nathan Rice dropped his rubber to Wayne Roberts 13-16, after sitting on equal pegging with two ends remaining, and while the home state heroes picked up their second rink courtesy of Matthew Flapper’s 29-25 victory over Kelvin Kerkow OAM, the margin wasn’t enough to clinch the win, with Clayton’s Scottish international Graeme Archer suffering a 14-22 defeat to Queensland’s Alex Murtagh proving the catalyst for the Maroon’s 60-59 win.
The result may have been Victoria’s first loss, but the contingent still remains ripe to mount a fresh attack after last hoisting the Shield aloft over a decade ago, with three rink wins more their closest opponent, top of the ladder Queensland.
While Queensland have established themselves as the early front runners, NSW are also well in the mix to hunt down their sixth Alley Shield in a decade after finding themselves in a similar situation to the Maroons.
South Australia’s Wayne Ruediger overcame recently crowned International Bowler of the Year Aron Sherriff 21-19, and former Australian A squad member Max Kleinig pipped Shane Garvey 26-13, but the Blues secured the overall honour, 59-58, after Mark Casey’s team accounted for Scot Thulborn’s 27-11.
Click here for more information on the 2013 Australian Sides Championships at Bendigo Bowls Club.
