First locals to win in nine years
Aron Sherriff, Danny McNeilly, Graham Maier and John Roberts of Ettalong Bowls Club have become the first local team to win the Ettalong Prestige Fours in the tournaments nine-year history.
The final against the star studded pre-tournament favourites John Roberts (Charlestown), Tony Laguzza (Umina), Sam Laguzza (Charlestown) and Shane Garvey (Merrylands), produced a thrilling finish with the scores locked at 20-all after 21 ends.
The Ettalong side made a habit of coming from behind being down 12-2 in their quarter final match against previous two time winner Geoff McGillivray (Warilla) before recovering for a 23-15 victory.
Then the Ettalong side accounted for Wayne Lambourne (Maitland City) 24-19 in the semi final.
Down 18-9 with six ends to play, the final seemed to have slipped from the Ettalong teams grasp but they made a minor recovery to be 20-15 down with two to play.
The turning point came on the 20th end when Maier played a brilliant trail shot for two when laying three down and Roberts added two more to put them one behind on the last end.
A single shot then forced the draw and a tense extra end where the locals again scored one for the game and the tournament, among jubilation from the parochial home supporters.
Central Coast Bowlers, August 1