Helensvale roll Merrylands to secure national title
BOWLS: Helensvale have emerged as undisputed kings of Australian bowls after taking out the National Premier League final played on their home greens.
Stacked with national and international stars, the Hawks took the series after a fifth and final-round draw with powerful Sydney club Merrylands on Sunday.
In that clash, Australian Open and indoor singles champion Mark Casey’s four won 23-17, Nathan Rice’s rink lost 17-21 and world No.6 singles player Brett Wilkie skipped his team to a 23-all draw to clinch the title.
That gave the Hawks a series total of seven points, with 10½ rink wins and a plus margin of 97.
Merrylands finished second on five points (level with Cambridge from Western Australia) but with more rink wins (7½-5½) and a far superior +58 margin compared to -22 by Cambridge.
Players then went into the $50,000 National Five-a-Side series, which winds up tomorrow with the semi-finals and final.
Meanwhile, Helensvale’s star duo Wilkie and Casey have taken up key development roles with Bowls Australia.
Both members of Australia’s world championships contingent, Wilkie and Casey have inked contrasting full-time contracts to actively nurture and promote the game in Queensland.
Wilkie is taking up up the mantle of National Training Centre coach for Queensland, following the initial appointment of four NTC coaches in October last year.
He will be charged with playing a key role in the preparation of identified squad members to achieve international success.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Casey will become the 16th community development officer and will service southeast Queensland in a program aimed at improving service delivery for clubs.