A Squad Qualifying – Eighteen men and six ladies checked into the early squad at Village Bowl, South Australia. Queensland’s Mel Warmington dominated the scoring in the Ladies Division recording an average of 209 over her 12 games leaving daylight between her and the rest of the ladies in this squad. Warmington’s scores included games of 227 & 264 (491) block in games 7 & 8.
The Men’s division saw a flying start to another Queenslander in Brendan Meads. Meads started with games of 222, 222, 212 and 204 to be +60 after the first 2 blocks. Brendan’s middle 3 games were sub-200 games recovering to come home with games of 250, 252, 214, 227 and 225. Topping A Squad Meads averaged 212, +146, followed by Shane Tunnah, +68, Alex Klass, +46 and Robert Elliott at +23.
B Squad Qualifying – comprising 25 men and 14 ladies formed this squad starting at the prescribed time. Fresh back from his medal winning trip to the 2006 World Youth Championship, Victorian Glen Loader recorded scores of 240, 235, 267 & 204 to set the pace ahead of Adam Pringle (Qld), +112, Andrew Tonkin (Vic), +64, David Porto (Vic), +29, Michael Craig (ACT) and Matt Simpson (Qld) both at +27. Joel Lovegrove (Vic) improved on his position in game 7 by recording a perfect 300 game hitting the lead after game 8. Dion Alexander (SA) surprised with his consistent high scores on the road home and jumped the field to be the top qualifier with a 217 average, followed by Loader, +187, Lovegrove and Meads both on +146 .
The Men’s Top 12 Qualifiers and their average
1, ALEXANDER Dion, 217.67
2, LOADER Glen, 215.58
3, LOVEGROVE Joel, 212.17
4, MEADS Brendan, 212.17
5, COUPLAND Ben, 207.58
6, TUNNAH Shane, 205.67
7, KANAFA Matt, 205.58
8, KILPATRICK Lindsay, 205.58
9, TONKIN Andrew, 205.50
10, PRINGLE Adam, 205.33
11, SIMPSON Matt, 204.42
12, KLASS Alex, 203.83
Queensland’s Jacinta Gilliland was the B Squad bowler to chase in the ladies division, starting with a credible 218 average for her first 4 games. Hot on “Jazzy’s” heals were Michelle Halprin (NT), +34, Cassie Staundinger (Vic), +24 and Jessica Ryan at +1. Meanwhile Tracey Madden (Vic) and Cassie Staudinger remained consistent and improved to finish second and fourth respectively behind Warmington in first and Gilliland in third.
The Women’s Top 12 Qualifiers and their average
1, WARMINGTON Mel, 209.67
2, MADDEN Tracey, 205.08
3, GILLILAND Jacinta, 201.67
4, STAUDINGER Cassie, 201.33
5, RYAN Jessica, 200.58
6, HALPRIN Michelle, 197.75
7, FLANAGAN Jayde, 197.50
8, INGOE Louise, 192.08
9, JOHNSTON Clair, 191.75
10, KLOP Kerry-Ann, 191.17
11, KING Krystal, 186.42
12, DUNN Melissa, 185.50
The SA Seniors and U23 Classic Events are organised by an independent committee of volunteers who conduct fundraising nights to supplement the prize funds in order to make these tournaments more affordable for all competitors. Extremely well done to this committee, I say, and I’m sure all the bowlers will want me to wish you all a huge thank you on their behalf.
