Australia dominate Trans-Tasman

by admin on March 20, 2014

After 126 matches played, 12 tests matches completed by 74 competitors over three action-packed days, Australia have once again dominated the annual Trans-Tasman test series against arch-rival New Zealand that concluded today at the Traralgon Bowls Club in Victoria. New Zealand arrived in Australia this week hoping to wipe the bitter memories of the one-sided encounter they had to endure twelve months ago on their home deck in Auckland but now leave Australia on this occasion with a similar memories after a superb dominant performance by the Australians. The Trans-Tasman event, staged in the largest city in the Gippsland region, showcased the best lawn bowls has to offer with both countries fielding 37 elite players each in open, development, under-18 and para-sport teams and despite displaying great touch and precision at various times throughout the week and winning individual matches, New Zealand continually battled to finish off the Aussies collectively on so many occasions unable to secure more overall test results. Just like it did at the Howick Bowling Club in Auckland last year, Australia collected all but one of the ten single discipline and overall trophies on offer which includes an additional one with the introduction of the para-sport category for the first-time. The para-sport category is a new addition to the Trans-Tasman landscape in preparation for the Commonwealth Games where the para-sport, consisting of a Vision Impaired Mixed Pairs and Bowlers with a Disability triple will compete for medals on the overall medal tally for the first time. With 12 tests completed over the three-days, Australia won nine tests with New Zealand’s three test successes coming courtesy of the development team on day one, and the para-sport and open team on the final day. Australia and New Zealand, led by national coaches Steve Glasson and Dave Edwards, used the Trans-Tasman series as an important preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow commencing July 23. “I’m very a very proud coach today with such a strong performance in all team across all disciplines,” Glasson said. “All of our dedicated coaches oversee a committed bunch of quality young bowlers who perform with great passion and enthusiasm when the green and gold is worn and that makes our job very enjoyable.” “Both countries are great combatants on the green which always augers well for entertaining bowls and hopefully we provided that this week to a great crowd at Traralgon. “Congratulations to Dave Edwards and the New Zealand team on their performances throughout the series and we look forward to resuming the rivalry in Glasgow at the Games,” Glasson said. The Traralgon Bowls Club welcomed over 1200 patrons throughout the week to witness the international bowls series. Click here for a full summary of results