Country All-Stars v State Squad Challenge
The Men’s State Team continued to build on their preparations for the National Sides Championships as they, together with the wider playing squad, defeated a wealth of talent that formed the Country All Stars in the annual pre-cursor to Crown Perth Country Week at Osborne Park Bowling Club last night.
Gary Caffell’s rink of John Goddard, Daniel Patterson and Stuart Bainbridge will line up in Tasmania as is and they certainly proved to be a dominant four, winning 33-15 over Stephen Fewster (Gingin). NTC squad member Lewis Grigg lead for Matthew Ellul, Kyle McIlroy and Matthew Ayres in the absence of Australian A representative Clive Adams in a closer contest, seeing off Craig Greenhalgh (Mandurah) 21-19.
The State Squad didn’t have it all their own way with John Slavich’s rink comprising Thomas Mitchell, Scott Walker and Mark Simpson going down 17-22 to Arthur Crabbe (Gnowangerup). Chris Lander lost to Neville Woods (Eaton) 18-23 and an in-form David Rankin couldn’t keep pace with the impressive Glen ‘T-Bone’ Jones (Dalwallinu) and his outstanding rink that included last year’s Crown Perth Country Singles Championship winner Bradley King (Geraldton), former WA Under 18 State Player Matthew France (Merredin) and lead Raymond Griffiths (Kellerberrin); 15-23 the margin.
However, Bill Brandsma’s comfortable 25-10 over Jim Robertson (Dunsborough) helped ensure a solid 129-104 aggregate win that augurs well for the Men’s campaign to win back the Alley Shield.
On the ‘B’ Green, the Metropolitan Over 60 Side were too strong for their Country rivals, winning all six rinks and triumphing 110-74. Please click on the link for all the scores.
