The Cannons will return to the same six-man line-up that took out the premiership last year for their all important game against Alder Park at Kurri Kurri Bowling club tonight.

The Cannons are defending Invitational Big Bowls Champions and it is largely thanks to the inclusion of marquee player and NSW State reserve John Green over the past three competitions. Green will make his first 2008 Big Bowls appearance for the Cannons tonight’s round three match, when he leads Matt Johnston in the pairs.

Johnston said he looked forward to fielding last year’s championship team. “It should be good having the same six blokes who won last year,” he said. “We only get John when he is available and he is a very handy bloke to have around. We have had him for the last two competitions and he has helped us a great deal.”

The Cannons will be looking to turn the tide on this season after going down to Soldier’s Point in their round -wo match last Friday. Nathan Dawson tried to use his winning form to put to bed a lasting hoodoo when he takes on Alder Park bowls co-ordinator Martin Ball. Dawson has never beaten the reigning Newcastle District Bowler of the year since the two went head to head for the first time in 1993.

Aaron Appleby will skipper the triples tonight for Terry Ross and Tony Harris. The Cannons are struggling to find the same form that won them last year’s title, sitting eighth on the competition ladder at the end of round two, while local rivals East Maitland were sitting fourth ahead of their round three match-up against Kahibah last night.