BOWLS
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Expect plenty of rivalry when Illawarra's senior bowlers take on the Zone 16 stars for the Phil Bushby Shield at Albion Park Bowling Club on Sunday.
The annual clash was previously played under the North vs South format, but now gives our best over 60s bowlers a chance to show who is boss against the Illawarra Open representative team.
Both squads are using the match as a trial for upcoming rep games, with the Seniors taking on Zones 10, 11 and 13 in an inter-zone match-up at Engadine BC on April 13.
Illawarra chairman of selectors Charlie Cheetham said Sunday's match was a selection trial for the Open team ahead of their inter-zone clash in Newcastle in July.
Cheetham said several players, including reigning Illawarra singles champion Brett Pieper, Towradgi's Wes Falconer and Woonona's Warren Hamilton, who were were not picked for Sunday's match, were still in the mix for the rep team later in the year.
The Open side will be without Shane Garvey, who is skipping for NSW in the Australian All Sides Championships in Tasmania. Chris Green is unavailable and the highly-rated Matt McIntyre has left the region after accepting the role as bowls co-ordinator for Dubbo Railway BC.
The selectors have given a spot in the Open Illawarra team to teenage Wiseman Park recruit Dylan Skinner, on debut, and consistent Dapto Citizens lead Peter McCauley.
Former Engadine Premier League player and Zone 13 representative Anthony Moran makes his debut for Zone 16.
Warilla dominate the Open squad and have their own rink in Wayne Crane, Jesse Noronha, Aaron Teys and skip Jeremy Henry. Around 70 players were nominated for the Seniors squad, before a team of 16 was named.
Warilla's Geoff McGillivray, Albion Park's John Ferguson, Towradgi's Brian Harriott and Dapto Citizens' John Cahill will skip the Seniors team.
Sunday's 21-end match is from 1pm.