NSW is fuming after finishing runners-up despite being the only team to go unbeaten at the recent Australian Bowling Arm Championships at East Maitland.
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The title was handed to Victoria, who NSW beat in the round-robin series, under the archaic tournament rules which awards the title to the team with the most rink wins rather than matches won.
NSW won all five matches winning 81 rinks, while Victoria won four matches but had wins in 85 rinks.
NSW team member Clay Parker said it was a totally unfair outcome and called for an overhaul of the system for next year’s title.
Parker said every other national title was based on which state team won the most matches and the number of rinks won only came into play if there was a tie.
“We’re pretty disappointed as we were the only state to win all their matches, yet we finished runners-up,” he said.
“It’s a ridiculous system, but the situation had never arisen before and no one had considered it.
“It needs to change for next year though, because how can a team which is unbeaten finish second to a team they beat.
“I suppose it’s even more annoying because its Victoria and we finally beat them after they have dominated the competition for fours years after we won the inaugural title.”
Parker, the bowls co-ordinator at East Maitland Bowls Club, said apart from the anomaly in the result, the championships featuring teams from all six states had been a tremendous success.
“I took my holidays to play and the team at the club did a magnificent job. Everyone involved was impressed by the organisation and the facilities and it was a real feather in the cap for the club and our great staff,” he said.
“Many of the bowlers play at top levels in open competition and had moved across to using a bowling arm because disabilities had threatened to end their participation in the sport. It has literally given them a second chance at playing.”
East Maitland was also represented by Warren Allomes, Ron Herbert and Herb McLeay in the 17-member NSW team. Charlie Glass was manager.