News

Malaysia rolls Australia (Mar 21)
Malaysia has spoiled the Australian Women's Triples party by overpowering them in the final of the Women’s Triples Final in the Commonwealth Games Lawn Bowls Competition.
In a tough battle for gold, the Australian team fought desperately hard to force a tie in the first set 12-12 only to be outmanoeuvred in the second set 13-4.
The Malaysian women Azmi Nor Iryani, Azlina Arshad and skipper Ismail Nor Hashimah, silenced the home crowd with their brilliant play.
In the first set, both teams began slowly. Malaysia led 3-1 after scoring two on the third end before Australia picked up four and a five to lead 10-3 after 5 ends.
Australia allowed Malaysia back into the match when the visitors scored two sets of two and a five to lead 12-10 with one end to play.
The Australian team had an opportunity to win on the last end, but failed to add to the two shots that it held, leading to a 12-all draw.
The second set began the same way with both teams feeling their way through the ends. Malaysia led 3-2 after four ends but then scored a two on the fifth end and a four on the sixth to lead 9-2 and that was just about that.
Ismail Nor Hashimah said after the match that they were so grateful to their host city of Richmond.
“We have been away from Malaysia for two months and their hospitality was outstanding,” she said.
“We will go back to Richmond to show them our medals. We conquered Melbourne to achieve our goal.” __The pain and anguish of losing gold was clear on the faces of Australia's Ceriann Davies, Noi Tucker and Roma Dunn.
Davies expressed her disappointment after the match saying that silver was not good enough for her.
“Other countries might well be satisfied with gold, but for me, that is not the case, I have to come back and win gold,” said Davies.
Source: Commonwealth Games

15-year-old to bowl for Australia (Oct 13)
Sunshine Coast schoolgirl Kelsey Cottrell is set to become the youngest lawn bowler ever to represent Australia at next month's Asia Pacific Championship.
The 15-year-old prodigy was named in the national team today following an intensive training camp at the Darebin International Sports Centre- the home of bowls in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Cottrell caught selectors attention when she defeated 2002 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Karen Murphy and leading Australian player Maria Rigby in January this year.
She won a place in the Australian Bowls Squad in March and has continued to make headlines with strong performances and a victory at the Australian Junior Championship singles.
Lynsey Armitage previously laid claim to being the youngest bowler to represent Australia when she played in the 2003 Asia Pacific Bowls Championship at 19.
Now 21, Armitage has also been named in this team along with Karen Murphy, Maria Rigby, Roma Dunn and Katrina Wright.
The women's side averages 33 years of age with the youngest just 15 years and the eldest 62.
Cottrell will lead for world championship silver medallists Katrina Wright and Roma Dunn in the triples.
Armitage and Muphy will combine in the pairs while Rigby, the reigning Australian indoor singles champion, secured the coveted singles position.
Speaking last year on the ABC, Cottrell said the most important thing to her is to stay focussed.
“To be the best I can is always on the top of my mind. To play at the Commonwealth Games, that would be great” she said.
And if she keeps going the way she is, she might just make it.
With the Asia Pacific Championship being the last major tournament before the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Australia will be aiming to impress with a haul of medals.
“Australia has so many talented junior bowlers and Darren Morrison and Kelsey Cottrell have already shown that they have what it takes to mix it with best,” said Bowls Australia chief executive Mark Rendell.
“It is important to foster our country’s up-and-coming players and prepare them for elite competition so this will be an important step for both of them.
“I’m sure it will be a thrill for our national junior champions to compete against the sport’s top players.”
This year's championship will be held from November 7 to 17, and 17 countries will be participating.
By Lauren Hilbert

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Links
Commonwealth Games 2006 www.melbourne2006.com.au/?s=lawnbowls
Get on the Green program www.getonthegreen.com.au
International news www.worldbowlsltd.co.uk
Lawn bowls Australia www.bowl-aust.com.au
Women in lawn bowls www.bowlsvic.org.au/vlba.html
World's most comprehensive lawn bowls site www.lawnbowls.com.au