Local Cassandra Millerick is representing the Moama Steamers as the franchise looks to defend its Bowls Premier League championship on home greens. Photos: Christian Marchetti.
The Bowls Premier League is back for its 23rd edition, the competition again returning to Moama Bowling Club this week.
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The local defending champion Moama Steamers are well positioned about two thirds of the way through the round-robin portion, boasting a record of 8-6 and fourth place as of Wednesday afternoon.
The fast-paced bowls format sees shot clocks, power plays and other dynamic elements added to the regular game, with teams of three battling in 22 rounds plus finals from Monday through to Friday evening.
Matches include two sets of five ends, with a sudden death tiebreaker end if scores are one set all.
Moama has taken an unchanged lineup after winning the title in Brisbane in October, hometown coach Kevin Anderson masterminding a playing group featuring local Cassandra Millerick alongside Aron Sherriff and Matthew Baus.
The final round match, which will have seen each franchise take on the other 11 twice, will begin at 12.15pm on Friday, with a five-team finals series to follow.
Ben Twist fires one down for the Sydney Saints against the Steamers.
Photo by
Christian Marchetti
Melbourne Pulse leads the way with an 11-3 record, Moama’s 8-6 in a three-way tie with Geelong Jets and Moreton Bay Pirates for positions three to five.
Moama is a four-time winner of the competition, and can tie Tweed Ospreys for the record should it secure victory this week.
The week will also feature the third edition of the Junior BPL Challenge with a host of local names taking part.
The under-18 competition is being held on Thursday and Friday and will see the 12 franchises split into two pools of six.
The Moama Steamers team is a pure local trio, with Jacob Brighton, under-18 girls state champion Gracie Retallick and Mackenzie Parsons to don the green and black.
Kyabram-based Australian under-18 fours champions Charlie Boswood and Jacob Cartwright will suit up for Melbourne Pulse and Geelong Jets respectively.
BPL matches are streaming throughout the week on Fox Sports and Kayo as well as the Bowls Australia YouTube channel.
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