Upsets prevail in wet
DEFENDING champions Broadbeach crashed to a shock home loss on a weekend of huge upsets in the Premier League Queensland bowls series.
Coast rivals Helensvale scraped in for a draw against border rivals South Tweed while the Hamilton Power were beaten by bottom side Belmont Blaze and former leaders Enoggera lost away to Pine Rivers.
The stunning loss by Broadbeach, by 72-47 on overall shots and two rinks to one, was the weekend talking point.
The Bulls’ Canadian international Ryan Bester, who had not lost a rink in five rounds, was beaten again on Saturday, by a surprising 27-8 by Richard Strawbridge.
Scot Kevin Anderson also lost heavily, by 27-11 to Troy Sommerville.
South Tweed’s 2006 Commonwealth Games singles gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow said constant rain made things difficult but the results showed just how even this year’s competition is.
“The greens were just a bit slower in the rain but the ones at Helensvale are probably ON THE GREENS WITH BRETT WILKIE the best we’ve played on this year,” Kerkow said after yet another close call for the South Tweed Sharks.
The Sharks and the Hawks shared the points on 58-58 and with one and a half rink wins each.
Aron Sherriff’s team drew 18-18 with Wayne Wilson, Nathan Rice beat Kerkow 19-18 and previously unbeaten Brett Wilkie lost 21-22 to Australian coach Steve Glasson. It all went down to Wilkie’s final bowl, the last of the clash.
Wilkie’s four were two shots down and South Tweed had victory in sight before the star Hawk took one shot that levelled overall scores.
After the crazy weekend, Hamilton lead the ladder on 10 points, but are level with Enoggera, Broadbeach and Pine Rivers with seven-time PLQ champions Helensvale fifth on nine points.