City victorious in City vs Country 2024
Country bowlers took on the might of the City on Saturday, 6th and Sunday, 7th April 2024 at Bendigo East Bowling Club in Bendigo in City vs Country 2024.
In what has become a tradition at the annual City vs Country event, play commenced under grey skies following 3mm of early morning rain.
But the Bendigo East greens presented in conditions worthy of the talent taking to them.
The presentation of caps to new players was the first order of proceedings, with 18 inductees this year.
Sam Atkinson, after representing Country in previous years, received a City cap alongside Mum, Sheryl.
BHBR’s Brenton Coad also made his first appearance for Country, 10 years after playing his last State game.
Webbcona’s Sarah Braybrook and Ben McArthur also received caps for the country team.
Caps were presented to:
WOMEN
Samantha Atkinson (City)
Sheryl Atkinson (City)
Akasha Fortune (City)
Hayley O’Reilly (City)
Nicholle Wendt (City)
Sarah Braybrook (Country)
Leonie Flynn (Country)
Joelone Laukens (Country)
Petria McGrath (Country)
Jane McMenamen (Country)
Kirsty Van den Hoff (Country)
MEN
Larry Donohue (City)
Bradley Gibson (City)
Todd Trewarne (City)
Brenton Coad (Country)
Liam Crapper (Country)
Ben McArthur (Country)
Vinnie Mcllwain (Country)
Once play got underway, it was the City Women who took the advantage into lunch winning the first game 81-55.
While the City Men also took a one-nil lead into the lunchbreak, winning 91-70.
After enjoying the renowned catering of ‘Grassy’ and his prizewinning brisket, players resumed for the second game of the three-game series.
Once again, it was City taking the cake, with both the Women, 81-68, and Men, 87-62, securing the Trophy.
This year Bowls Victoria went totally paperless, with both live scoring of all rinks, plus electronic data collection and analysis for all player stats.
Day 2 produced more promising skies, and with the Series already wrapped up on Saturday for both the Men and Women, play resumed with considerable vigour.
Both Squads with something to play for; City hunting a clean sweep and Country looking for some redemption.
In control, while close across a couple of rinks, the City Women clinched the final game leaving the weekend scoreline 86-71 and a clean sweep.
The Men had a see-saw battle, with scores drawn at times, but it was Country taking home the chocolates on Sunday morning, 66-61, leaving the Series scoreline 2-1 to City and some level of pride restored.
City vs Country 2024 Results
WOMEN
Round 1: City 81-55 Country
Round 2: City 81-68 Country
Round 3: City 86-71 Country
MEN
Round 1: City 91-70 Country
Round 2: City 87-62 Country
Round 3: City 61-66 Country
View City vs Country 2024 results here.
Bowls Victoria would like to thank Rob Clough and the all the volunteers at Bendigo East, Marc ‘Grassy’ Smith for his quality catering, Max Rowley who gave up his weekend to umpire, the family, friends, and bowls fans who made their way to support, and the volunteer Bowls Victoria personnel who gave their time.
Article courtesy of Bowls Victoria.