Zone 16 claim NSW title

Zone 16 proved its mettle against NSW's best by winning the Inter-Zone Championship last weekend.The Inter-Zone is the biggest event on the Royal NSW Bowling Association calendar outside of the State Pennants, and Zone 16 hadn't won the title since 1997. Since their last success, Zone 16 have finished as runner-up five times. After progressing through sectional play, Zone 16 sealed the championship with a stirring 85-67 win over Zone 13 in the final at Birrong. The rink skipped by Thirroul's Matt Sargeant - including Brendan Aquilina, Brett Pieper and John Green - defeated Shane Garvey's rink 26-16. Eric Johannes' rink of Chris McLay, Greg Thurling and Troy Somerville defeated Robbie Warren's rink 25-14. Tom Ellem's crew of Wilson Patuwai, Wayne Crane and Geoff McGillivray drew 15-15 with the Zone 13 rink skipped by Wayne Turley. Ian Stone's rink of Jesse Noronha, John Ritchie and Jamie Mitchell lost to Brendan Caeruleus' crew 19-22, but that result wasn't enough for Zone 13 to deny the Illawarra boys the title. Zone 16 needed extra ends to defeat Zone 6 79-78 in the semi-final after scores were tied after each of the four rinks had played 21 ends. Ellem's rink won 18-13 and Johannes' rink won 20-13 to offset losses by Sargeant (26-25) and Stone (26-16). Stone's rink was down by 18 shots at one stage before a mighty fightback allowed Illawarra to force extra ends. Zone 16 were also pushed to the limit in their first match of sectional play, an 80-78 win over Zone 3 in which the four rinks were shared evenly. Illawarra beat Zone 2 85-56 in game two before thumping Zone 14 97-37 in game three.Aquilina, Green, McGillivray, Ellem and Sargeant were picked in the NSW Country side to play City next month.