Traralgon ready to welcome Men’s Region Sides

by

After a successful Women’s Region Sides last weekend at Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, which saw the crowning of Northern Gateway as the 2019 champions, Bowls Victoria are on the road again this week to see who will claim the 2019 Men’s Region Sides title.

First played in 2011 after transitioning from Group Sides, the three-day competition showcases bowlers from Victoria’s 16 bowls regions. Sandbelt will be back to defend their title after defeating Eastern Rangers 58 to 30 at last year’s championship, but it’s anticipated that there will be strong competition from a number of talented players in the field this week representing their region.

Essendon’s Jordan Yates, Ben Simmons, Jay Bye-Norris and Jarryd Davies will roll up for Northern Gateway fresh from their Premier Division Grand Final victory a fortnight ago.

Victorian representative Bryce Young (Melbourne), Steller Victorian Open (2018) Men’s Pairs finalist Curtis Hanley (Melbourne) and Ash Rowan, who was part of Mentone’s winning Division 1 team, will take to the green for Sandbelt.

Lilydale’s Josh Sanders and former Melbourne bowler and state fours champion Simon Jeffery will form part of the Eastern Ranges team.
Victorian under-18 representative Tyson Cromie (Yarrawonga) will play for Ovens and Murray, while former state representative player Matthew Higgins (Sale) has been selected for Gippsland.

The Murray Mallee will play Wayne Gardner (Irymple), a semi-finalist in last year’s Over 60s Championships, and Rod Fletcher (Cohuna Golf) Victorian Arm Bowlers team member (2018).

Steller Victorian Open (2018 ) Mixed Pairs champion Dane McKinnon (Altona), who will head to the Australian Sides Championship with Victoria next week, will join Metro West’s squad alongside Deer Park’s Garry Ball, Chris Ball, Josh Barry and Brett Mahoney.

Multi Bowl Nationals (2017) representative Aaron Emonson (Ballarat) will play for Central Victoria, while last year’s Over 60s Pairs champion duo of Steve Sullivan and Craig Elliott (City of Geelong) have been selected for Geelong.

Kyabram’s David Cartwright will line up for Central Goulburn Murray, while the Yarra team will include Bundoora RSL’s Josh Corless and Nathan Murray who are both set to represent Victorian at next week’s Australian Sides Championship. The pair will be joined by Scott Mejean (MCC), who coached Yarra’s female team at last week’s Women’s Region Sides. Finally, playing for Bendigo Campaspe is Steller Victorian Open (2017) Men’s Triples and (2016) Men’s Pairs champion, Brad Marron (Bendigo East).

For all information related to the 2019 Men’s Region Sides, please click here. For regular updates, please check the Bowls Victoria Facebook page and website updates.

The 2019 Men’s Region Sides will be contested from April 5-7 and is proudly supported by Steller, the Latrobe City Council and Traralgon Bowls Club.