The depth and experience of bowlers in both the Men’s and Women’s teams proved too strong for South Queensland which finished on 159 points, 23.5 points behind the winning New South Wales combined teams total. Victoria finished third on 147, Western Australia fourth on 130 and host region North Queensland a creditable fifth overall on 124 in its debut appearance in the event.

Matching the action on the lanes, a talented team of IT specialists lead by Melbourne’s Ian Nicholls developed a unique, almost instantaneous web-based program that enabled participants and spectators at Kirwan Bowl to view scores from each game before the first ball was bowled in the following game. The action was also avidly followed via the sport’s official website which posted record hit rates throughout the three-day event as supporters across the country and around the world shared the excitement of this now-famous event that has a history of more than 40 years.

The placings in the Women’s division mirrored the combined teams result, with New South Wales first on 99.5, South Queensland second on 85.5 and Victoria third on 81.5. In the Men’s division, the New South Wales team again top-scored, finishing on 83 points, 9.5 points ahead of South Queensland. There was a thrilling finish in this division, with the final match, game 18, determining the team that would stand in third place on the podium. Northern Territory prevailed, overcoming Victoria to finish on 67.5 points, with Victoria and South Australia a tie for fourth, just two points behind on 65.5. .

Amongst many outstanding performances by individual bowlers, the highlights were a perfect 300 game by New Zealand bowler Craig Nevatt and an impressive high game of 280 by South Queensland bowler Rebecca Simpson from Brisbane.

Andrew McArthur from Alice Springs took top average honours with a stunning 225.39 event average, 25.4 over his entering average, while Illawarra bowler Sue Cassell showed the form that has won her international acclaim since she first represented Australia at the age of 14. Cassell bowled a 216.88 average, 13.9 over her entering average, while North Queensland bowler, Leigh Harris from Mackay outclassed her entering average of 191 by posting a 210.33 average across the three days of the tournament.

The teams, officials and their supporters will attend a formal presentation function at Townsville’s Mercure Inn tonight that will acknowledge the achievements of the winning teams and individual bowlers in this finale event to the sport’s annual National Championships.

Full scores and photographs from the Walter Rachuig Trophy and all of the 2003 Nationals events can be viewed on TBA’s official website -www.tenpin.org.au.