| A North Queensland
bowler again stood on the victory dais at Kirwan Bowl when
Sam Nucifora from Burdekin finished in third place in the
Men’s division of the prestigious TBA Australian Masters today.
The Open Masters is bowled using a double elimination format
from a field of the top 32 bowlers in both Men’s and Women’s
divisions. Each match is played over three games with a point
awarded for each game won, and players eliminated after losing
two matches.
The champion’s trophy, medallion and prizemoney was won
by left-hander Andrew Lloyd from Carlton in Sydney who had
remained undefeated until the final round after posting
a sizzling 222.88 average. 22 year-old Jamie Kyriacou from
Mt. Warrigal on the NSW Illawarra coast took Lloyd to a
thrilling finish after a repechage in today’s Men’s division
Final. The young bowler admitted to being “a bit fatigued”
after bowling a marathon 26 games in the Masters Final.
“Jamie came home like a storm in the last two games – if
he had struck out he would have beaten me by one pin,” said
Lloyd smiling after the prizegiving ceremony. “There were
some very high games today, but I matched my opponents –
it was a really fulfilling win – I’m buzzing,” continued
Lloyd. ““New South Wales first and second….it’s a great
start to the next few days – hope we can keep it up” he
added.
The Women’s division was won by Narelle Baker from East
Doncaster in Melbourne. With an impressive 216.36 average,
Baker cruised undefeated in 14 games to take the title ahead
of 24 year-old Jeska Goldie from Canberra. Former WTBA World
Masters champion, Ann-Maree Putney from Newcastle finished
third, while High Game honours in the Women’s division went
to fellow Newcastle bowler, Amanda Bradley who shot a 268
game during today’s Final and finished fifth overall.
31 year-old Baker has previously won the Masters title
on three occasions in the popular East Coast Challenge but
described today’s win as a career highlight. Asked if she
was excited by the win, she replied “You bet!…..I’m still
on Cloud Nine, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet. “I’m really
looking forward to the start of Rachuig tomorrow” she added.
The Walter Rachuig (pronounced “Rockway”) Interstate Teams
Trophy is a feature event at the annual TBA National Championships,
bringing together the cream of Australian bowling talent
from every State and Territory. This year, for the first
time, a Team from New Zealand has been included and separate
teams will represent both South and North Queensland. Ayr’s
Sam Nucifora will captain the North Queensland Men’s team
in its debut Rachuig appearance.
The tournament will be officially opened by the Member
for Townsville and Minister Assisting the Premier in North
Queensland, the Hon. Mike Reynolds, AM, MP at 9am tomorrow
morning at Kirwan Bowl.
Full scores and photographs from the Australian Open Masters
can be viewed on TBA’s official website -www.tenpin.org.au.
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