Bester steams to crown
BROADBEACH’S Ryan Bester has won the 11th instalment of the Bowls Premier League with the Murray Steamers in front of their home crowd at Moama Bowling Club.
The Steamers took down Melbourne Roys in a final for the ages, with shifting momentum, lucky results and clutch moments throughout.
Bester and New Zealand international Jo Edwards showed class in the first set of the decider, helping the home franchise to a 6-1 first-set win.
The Steamers continued their momentum into the second set but a piece of luck for the Roys’ Aaron Wilson drastically shifted it.
Murray were holding two shots on the third end of the second set, edging closer towards a second title when a drive from Wilson ricocheted the jack forward off the shot bowl to give the Roys four shots, putting them in prime position to win the set. They went on to do so 11-3. The teams battled it out in an epic tie-break, with hometown hero Michael Walker driving the jack into the ditch with his second bowl.
Matthew Flapper was able to draw the shot for the Roys, sitting just short of the ditch.
Edwards was then able to drive Flapper’s bowl out to hold game and Wilson was unable to draw any closer than Walker’s toucher in the ditch, giving the Steamers their second BPL title.
Wilson and Helensvale’s Aron Sherriff (Sydney Lions) shared the Most Valuable Player award.
■ A DOUBLE header this weekend will decide the top five teams to advance to the Queensland Premier League finals. Helensvale, Broadbeach, Enoggera and Tweed Heads are equal on seven wins with Pine Rivers on six.
Broadbeach’s clashes with Tweed and Helensvale could have a big bearing on who gets the double chance via a top-three finish. Helensvale play Belmont while Tweed take on North Toowoomba.
Finals will be at Club Helensvale on March 14-15.
■ WENDY Wilson, Gail Crompton, Karen Figura and Di Cunnington have won the Gold Coast Tweed Ladies District fours at Southport. The Tweed four beat Serena Mathews, Joanne Cooper, Cheryl Heap and Lyn Cuthbertson (Broadbeach) in the final.