Open Rep Side makes the Semi-Final

Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th September the Bowls Central Coast Representative Side competed with distinction in the State Open Iter Zone Sides championship at Port Macquarie. The weekend started badly with the news that joint Bowls NSW 2016 Bowler of the Year and State Team player Lee Trethowan was unable to play due to a death in his family. This meant that reserve Shane Gibbin was included in the side as 2nd in the team of Chayne Edwards (lead), Shane Gibbin, Rod Rewko (promoted to 3rd) and James Cook (Skip).
The first game on the Saturday morning was against Zone 1 (Far North Coast) was always close but eventually all our rinks won and we had a 10 nil win (the IZ Sides also uses the 10 point pennants scoring system). Playing at the Westport Club (owned by Mingara) the greens were wind swept and very fast. It was quite a challenge even for the most skilled bowlers.
In the afternoon of the Saturday the crunch game was played against our close friends but mortal enemies on the green, Zone 2 (Newcastle). We had defeated Newcastle twice in a row in trials leading up to this event. They are a very strong side with a number of international players. The prospect of having to beat them for a third time in a row was daunting. But, we did it 9 points to 1.
On Sunday morning we needed to defeat Zone 5 (Greater Western Sydney). This was achieved by 9 ½ points to ½ point thanks largely to a magnificent win by the rink of Chis Willingham, Paul Williams, Zach Robertson & Aron Sherriff 34-9 more than making up for their loss in the previous game against Newcastle. The size of their win guaranteed Bowls Central Coasts winning it’s section.
The semi-final was against Zone 13 (Sydney Central & South) with their litany of international players. The team of Mitch McDonnell, Tony Shoebridge, Pat Reynolds & Darren Morrison played brilliantly all weekend but suffered their first loss of the weekend against a team skipped by Australian International player David Ferguson. Aron Sherriff’s team was also defeated by a four skipped by Irish International David Axon. But, the team of Chayne Edwards, Shane Gibbin, Rod Rewko and James Cook with its substitute and promoted 2nd to 3rd had a draw in the semi-final giving them an undefeated record for the week end. Congratulations to Chayne, Shane, Rod and James what could have been a weakness became a strength of the team.
Chairman of selectors, David Cameron, Side Manager Richard Thornton and Captain Aron Sherriff led the side with distinction. The team BBQ held on the Friday night was an excellent bonding session which contributed to the teams success. Thanks to Chris Willingham who brought and cooked the steak, sausages and chicken which was very much enjoyed by the players.

The 2017 BCC Open IZ Sides Representative Team
Standing: Richard Thornton, Darren Morrison, Chris Willinghan, Aron Sherriff, Zach Robertson, Paul Williams, Shane Gibbin. Doug Rose, David Cameron.Seated: James Cook, Tony Shoebridge, Mitch McDonnell, Pat Reynolds, Rod Rewko, Chayne Edwards.