The concept was aimed to giving promising bowlers from both associations the opportunity to face off in a competitive environment. 

Zone 16 players had a secondary incentive with Illawarra selectors naming a 16-man 2018 development squad, plus an under 25 rep team following last Sunday’s clash with South Coast.

The visitors started the stronger winning three of the four morning matches. South Coast skip Peter Delamont had a last bowl 16-15 win over Dapto Citizens’ Trevor Suckley, while Dave Caldwell beat Steve Wills (Kiama) and partners 19-11. 

South Coast had a third rink win with Jamie Thelander too good for Towradgi’s Guy Vozza and partners 25-9. Ben Ford (Wiseman Park) had Illawarra’s only win of the morning round, edging out Nick King 15-14.

But after lunch it was a different Zone 16 who won all four afternoon matches in an impressive display.

 Ben Ford and his partners Trent McMillan (Corrimal), James Jones (Towradgi) and Jarrod Beckford (Corrimal) made it two wins on the day with an 18-11 victory over Dave Caldwell. Guy Vozza’s rink bounced back strongly with a 14-11 win over Peter Delamont. 

Steve Wills squared the ledger for the day with a 14-11 win over Jamie Thelander and Trevor Suckley was involved in his second one-shot result, this time beating Nick King 10-9.

“It was a terrific day of bowls. I was really   happy with every player in our squad,’’ Zone 16 chairman of selectors Terry Seton said.

“All our players contributed  and it was beneficial to monitor players who are looking to play at the next level in the future.’’

Ben Ford skipped two rink wins and was a standout along with Rod Busst, Dave Roberts and the Suckley cousins, Brian and Trevor.

Aside from the Development matches, South Coast and   Warilla lower grade teams also met last Sunday, with Warilla winning five games, with one match drawn 9-9.

Zone 16 selectors then named its 2018 development squad plus an under 25 rep team to play against zones 5, 12 and 13 at Taren Point in January.

In the under 25s series, Jarrod Beckford and Aaron Teys will partner in the Pairs, with Tim Love (Warilla), Corey Thompson (Albion Park) and Harley McDonald (Warilla) to play the Triples. 

The Fours team is Tom Hull (Wiseman Park), Danyon Christie (Fairy Meadow), Jordan Taylor (Wiseman Park) and Dylan Skinner (Dapto Citizens).

The Zone 16 2018 Development squad: Ben Ford (Wiseman Pk), Troy Ford (Dapto Citizens), Trevor Suckley (Citos), Guy Vozza (Towradgi), Steve Wills (Kiama), Brad Whitford (Dapto), Ricky Thompson (Albion Park), Adam Walker (Citos), Jayden Gebbie (Warilla), Anthony Jones (Woonona), James Berriman (Woonona), David Tyrrell (Windang), Toby Peters (Warilla), Tim Cavanough (Corrimal), Tom Hull (Wiseman Pk), Trent McMillan (Corrimal).