Games team warms up

AUSTRALIA’S Commonwealth Games teams will take on Malaysia in a friendly series at Broadbeach Bowls Club today and tomorrow.

In what is an important part of our preparations for the Games, four games will be played today with times mirroring those of the actual Games – starting times at 9am, noon, 4pm and 7pm across the four Games disciplines of singles, pairs, triples and fours.

After losing a majority of their games to New Zealand last week, the Malaysians will be looking to improve this

week against the Jackaroos. Our Australian team had a great hitout last week in the NSW Club 5 a Side at the Warilla Bowling Club with both women’s and men’s teams performing well.

QUEENSLAND’S finest will join forces next Monday and Tuesday to take on NSW in our annual Test series. Both the women’s and men’s open teams will travel to Raymond Terrace, north of Newcastle.

The men’s team will be defending the series after winning last year at Kawana, while our women will be looking to follow on from their success at the Australian Sides Championships.

Fresh from her success at the recent state junior championships, Broadbeach’s Jessie Cottell will make her debut in the open women’s team.

Tweed Heads recruit Claire Turley will don the maroon for the first time after representing Victoria and New South Wales on numerous occasions. Turley is also a former Australian rep with a world fours title and Commonwealth Games silver medal to her name.

Turley recently started working for Goldoc as their lawn bowls service manager under that department’s head Mark Casey.

In a rare occurrence the whole women’s team and eight of the 12 men are from the Gold Coast.

Mathew Lucas (Helensvale), John Bain (South Tweed) and Robert Hammond (Roma) will make their debut in the men’s team.

This year features the reuniting of the under-25 series against NSW, together with the open series after being separate the last few years.

Tahlia Camilleri from Helensvale will make her debut in the women’s team.

Following this event, Queensland selectors will pick a team to travel to Darwin for the Australian Sides Championships from May 3-6.

New Helensvale recruit Aron Sherriff is expected to be available for selection in this series.

STATE championship entries are open for the 11 events that will be held on the Sunshine Coast from May 14-27.

Winners from both women’s and men’s singles, pairs, triples and fours will advance to the Australian championships in Merimbula NSW during November.