Northern Territory held off a spirited challenge from North Queensland, posting a combined Men’s and Women’s division score of 154 points, just two points ahead of the runner-up, with Tasmania third on 137.5 points.

Tasmania won the Men's division on 80.5 points, and Northern Territory topped the Women's division on 82 points, with North Queensland second in both divisions.

Heading into the final day’s play, the Territory teams looked unassailable with a 17.5 point lead, before North Queensland stormed home in a finish that went down to the line of the 18-game event and kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Coach of both the Men’s and Women’s Northern Territory teams, Kaye Talbot, was elated. “They put in a lot of effort – in previous years they have faded, but this time when they were down they lifted and followed it through. “They maintained the momentum and I’ve just never seen such terrific teamwork – I’m really proud of them” she said. “At previous Nationals we’ve won the Men’s and Women’s division, but never overall……we’ll take all three next time,” she said smiling broadly.

“The team included two bowlers from Alice Springs who have been training in Alice….also First Reserve Matthew Strangways came along and has been a huge support to the guys – the whole team just performed as a great single unit” she added.

Both the North Queensland Men’s and Women’s teams were captained by Cairns-based bowlers. Glen Kelb from Brinsmead Valley also captained the combined South/North Queensland Men’s team last year and was delighted with the outcome of the fledgling North Queensland team’s participation in this year’s event.

“We were looking for maybe a top five finish, but to finish second is absolutely brilliant – quite indescribable really” he said immediately after the result was announced.

“We came in at fourth at the beginning of the day and knew we had a long haul” said NQ Women’s captain Julie Garlan from Stratford. “We bowled well in every game – we knew we needed to!…the fighting spirit of the whole team was terrific” she said.

The teams celebrated at a packed Presentation Dinner Dance at the Mercure Inn in Townsville last night, with trophies and medallions awarded by Thuringowa City Councillor, Brian Hewett and Board members of Tenpin Bowling Australia, the sport’s national governing body.