Western warriors on an Aus Open collision course
Bowls Australia’s premier event, the Australian Open, is a touch over weeks away, the Perth Sunday Times reports. With the draws released, there’s plenty of interest for the local WA contingent making their way to Darebin International Sports Complex, just outside Melbourne. A standout issue in the draw appears to be the number of WA players and teams that are meeting each other in the first round. While it is down to nothing more than the luck of the draw, it will disappoint some they have paid a tidy sum to enter, only to play someone from their own backyard. Matthew Ayres, recent winner of the WA State Pairs and runner -up in the Australian Open Singles event last year, faces tough NSW young gun Billy Johnson in the first round. With Shane Garvey, Michael Brown and Matthew Flapper all close to Ayres in the draw, another finals appearance would be a gigantic effort. Manning’s Matt Mitchell will play Mount Lawley’s Anthony Einfeld in one of the WA derbys, while Cambridge’s Brad Ball and Doubleview’s Dave Rankin will meet in the first round. Clive Adams meets ACT’s Jason Smith first up, while inform Rhett Butler will play Victoria’s Mark Ryan in a difficult match.
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