New England Bowls By RICHIE CLUTTERBUCK
THREE clubs shared the honours in the district pairs played over the weekend. Father-and-son combination of Phil and Chris Kliendienst from Guyra will represent in the state open division after they defeated Greg Harrison and Dave McCann in the final at Uralla. I do not have the final score but it was 18-7 on the 18th end. Both Phil and Chris are playing well and this argues well for the pennant season ahead. In the reserve pairs at Ex-Services defending champions Brian Lockyer and Matt Hamel will not be defending the title at zone level after they lost their semi-final match to club mates John Andrews and Mick White. In the final, John and Mick defeated another Walcha pair Noel and Brian Goodwin in convincing style. Dave Kliendienst really turned it on in the seniors when he teamed with Graeme Smith to defeat myself and Reg 26-10. We scored four on the first end and that is when Dave took over. If he retains this form then I would have to make him favourite for the senior singles at City this weekend.
Open singles clash
THE last of the district events will take place this weekend with the open singles at Uralla the reserve singles at the Services and the seniors at City. Todd Fuller will be all-out to win the open as he has not featured in the three other event finals. This is most unlike Todd who is the current state champion of champion’s winner. He has drawn the inform Braden Sole first-up. Other chances appear to be former winner Dennis Williams, Peter Doyle, Justin Bullen while Paul Bullen has to play Lindsay McIntyre. These matches are set down for Uralla with first round matches to start at 9am. The reserve singles has 13 players taking to the carpet and some interesting match-ups appear to be Jack Whitton playing Noel Goodwin, Ken Cameron against Ian Pringle and Brian Goodwin against John Waters. The seniors take their games to City with Dave Kliendienst and John Andrews likely to clash in a semi as Dave has a forfeit from Brian Battersby. In the bottom half of the draw Graeme Smith plays Jim Williams. All players are asked to be at their venues for a 9am roll-up and it is the duty of the losers to mark the afternoon matches.
Squad selection
DISTRICT selectors should soon name the two teams of four to contest the senior round robin at Inverell East on 22-23 March. New England are the current zone champions and it’s hoped we can retain our position this year. Players will be vying for selection in the zone 3 trams for the state finals.
