Casey hammers home Qld win
Queensland’s Australians Sides campaign almost unravelled against competition minnows Northern Territory. Mark ‘Hammer’ Casey has carried Queensland to a 16-shot victory over Northern Territory, in what should have been a whitewash win over the Australian Sides minnows.
Hammer, who almost certainly has a point to prove at this year’s Sides after being overlooked for Australia’s Commonwealth Games team, demolished Lee Farrell’s four 38-8 at South Burnie Bowls Club.
Casey’s win saved Queensland from a humiliating defeat on day one of the Sides, with skips Nathan Rice and Kelvin Kerkow both suffering at the hands of their NT rivals.
Together with Brendon Egan, Alex Murtagh and Anthony Fantini, the Helensvale ace steered Queensland to a comfortable 71-55 victory.
Kerkow’s all-star side of Darren Mullens, Anthony Kiepe and Brett Wilkie was edged out by NT’s Ray Dienelt 17-19, while Rice’s outfit, (Mark Thatcher, Sean Baker and Robert Wild) was well-beaten by Graeme Kitto’s four, 16-28.
“It’s not ideal, but I’m not worried,” said state coach Bill Cornehls following Queensland lacklustre win over NT.
The Maroons take on competition leaders Victoria tomorrow morning and Cornehls is confident of a win.
“It wasn’t vintage bowls out there against Northern Territory, but we were well ahead on the scoreboard so it was probably a bit hard for the boys to get really fired up like they were when the game was close against Tassie this morning,” Cornehls said.
“You can only play what’s in front of you at the time. Tomorrow that will be Victoria and I’ve no doubt the boys will be fired up and ready to go.”
Queensland’s men currently third on the ladder, behind Victoria and South Australia on shot difference.
NSW is running fourth after bouncing back from this morning’s shock defeat by SA to beat ACT in Round 2, 75-46.SA, meanwhile, backed-up their impressive championships opener with an 82-45 flogging of West Australia.
And there was more bad news for the home side, with Victoria clocking up their second win of the day with a 68-52 victory over Tasmania.Australian Sides action continues at Tasmania’s South Burnie Bowls Club at 9am tomorrow.
