Pennants team claims historic state flag

Winners are grinners! The successful Lightning Ridge Bowling Club pennants team included Back: Heidi Monch, Phil Morris, Shannon Tighe, Sam Crook, Adam Webb, Jamie Willmott, Trent Jacobson, Sam Pryor, Phil Morris, David Webb; Front: Stacy Morris, Jay Morris, Darren Richards.. Photo: LR District Bowling Club

Lightning Ridge District Bowling Club

Story: Kristin Murdock – kmurdock@outbackradio.com.au

Lightning Ridge has claimed what player Trent Jacobson describes as the club’s biggest state flag, completing an undefeated run against some of NSW’s strongest bowling clubs to take out the State Open Pennant Grade Three title.

Representing the North West Region, Lightning Ridge was one of 16 regional champions from across NSW to contest the three-day state finals in Sydney, with competition played at Northmead and Dundas bowling clubs.

The Ridge side were on fire during the tournament, culminating in a convincing 25-shot victory over Newcastle powerhouse Charlestown in the grand final.

“We were undefeated over three days, and we won quite convincingly in every game,” Trent said.

Getting to the state championships was an achievement itself, with Lightning Ridge emerging as the leading club from a region stretching as far as Armidale.

“There’s around 30 clubs that we’re playing against before we get to that state level,” Trent said.

The Lightning Ridge team arrived in Sydney considered amongst the tournament favourites alongside Dubbo City and St Johns Park and quickly justified that confidence.

The team came up against Dubbo City during the sectional rounds, recording an emphatic 83-40 victory.

The Ridge team also defeated Nambucca and Henty during sectional play before progressing to the quarter-final, where it accounted for Sydney club Harbord.

“In the semi-final, we met one of the other gun sides, St Johns Park, where the game was called off early because there was no chance of them winning,” Trent said.

That win put Lightning Ridge into the grand final against Charlestown.

“We beat them convincingly in the final by 25 shots,” Trent said. […]

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