Skipper rapt with Classic victory

By MATT NICHOLLS

NEEDING just a draw to claim the overall prize in the Weipa Bauxite Classic, skipper Troy Somerville admitted there were some nervy moments for his side in their final round match on Sunday.

“We were down 13-4 and we managed to sort ourselves out and ended up winning 17-13,” he said of the Bowlers Barn foursome that featured two local bowlers.

Somerville made the trip from Maroochydore along with Hervey Bay’s Wayne Nairn.

They combined with Weipa’s Fraser Maguire and Mark “Osha” O’Shaughnessy to win the $10,000 prize for first place.

“This was my second year here but Osha has been bowling in the Weipa Classic for 24 years,” the skipper said.

“This is the first time he’s won it and he only came into the team last week after one of our players had pulled out.”

The Bowlers Barn was formed through a long-time friendship of former Kiwis Maguire and Nairn, who were bowling together many decades ago on the other side of the Tasman.

“Wayne took Fraser under his wing over in New Zealand. He was a former national player. I think they have kept in touch and Fraser invited him to Weipa for this event,” Somerville said.

“I was the best man at Wayne’s wedding 27 years ago.”

Bowlers Barn was the only side to go through the Bauxite Classic undefeated.

“We knew that we only had to draw to win, but we didn’t get off to the best start,” Somerville said.

“I thought we rallied well and made a couple of threes and one four. With one end to go, we were up by three so we were able to play pretty safe.”

The visiting skipper praised the hospitality of the Weipa Bowls Club and the lucrative prizemoney on offer.

The only downside was that the foursome was unable to buy themselves in the Calcutta, which landed the winners $18,500.

“The positive is we haven’t had to buy a drink all night,” the skip said on Sunday evening.

BAUXITE CLASSIC TOP 10

1. Bowlers Barn (Troy Somerville)

2. Beaver Whisperers (Trent Healey)

3. Kegs on Legs (Matt Norie)

4. Hookers (Robert Hammond)

5. Mud Crabs (Russell Hubbard)

6. The Mongrels (Kevin Deegan)

7. Lick My Bowls (Ben Moore)

8. Kitty Lickers (Darren Turner)

9. Kickarse Crew (Ronny Plunkett)

10. 3 C (Craig Campbell)