Bushrangers take on Australia’s best
LAWN BOWLS: The North Toowoomba Bushrangers have proven the region can match Australia’s top bowlers.
Competing in the finals of the Bowlers Premier League Cup the Bushrangers finished as runners-up.
Nearly 650 teams from across Australia attempted to qualify for the finals, but few were more surprised than the Bushrangers themselves.
“We were definitely a surprise packet,” Barrie Hawken said.
“No one expected us to be there least of all us.
“We’re a bit disappointed to have lost the final, the other team were just too good on the day, but it puts Toowoomba on the map.
“I think a lot of country bowlers, not just here in Toowoomba, don’t get the recognition they really deserve.”
Hawken said the Bushrangers entered the competition to give young bowler Jake Rhynne more big-match experience before recording a wave of support into the final.
“There were a lot of state and Australian level players among the teams,” Hawken said.
“We entered to give Jake another taste of competing against top players because he’s a very promising young player, a real talent.
“During qualifying we played some great bowls and we took that form into the competition.
“Every-time we won a game we felt a little stronger and more people got behind us locally and at Pine Rivers Bowls Club.
“We rode that wave of support all the way to the final.
“The atmosphere at Pine Rivers was amazing, the crowds watching every day were huge.
“It was a great feeling to be part of something so special.”
North Toowoomba won through to the final after beating Northern Territory in the semis.
In the final they lost in straight sets to an inform Narrabri squad.