THE allure of the annual Bathurst City ANZAC Triples tournament still continues to draw in competitors from across the region with another bumper field lined up for this weekend’s tournament.
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At this stage 114 players are lined up to compete in 38 teams of three for the prestigious title which is now in its 49th year.
The current format sees each team playing three matches, two on Saturday and another on Sunday morning, with a matter of points and margins generally required to decide a winner.
Last year five teams went through their three matches undefeated, with the visiting trio of Bernie Diduszko, Mick Wright and Glen Miller taking the spoils.
Diduszko and Miller were representing the Molong club, while Wright came from Orange’s Newstead greens.
Tournament organiser Neville Townsend is delighted with the response and is confident of continuing a tradition that has seen 14 different winners since the current format was adopted.
“This is the 49th edition but the 14th under this format and in that time no one has been able to get more than one win,” he said.
“Last year’s winning side will be back again to try and defend their title and if they could do it, they’d make a little bit of history going by what’s happened in recent years.
“We are restricted a little bit because we only have three greens, but they are all in excellent condition and the quality should be very high.”
In addition to the likes of Molong and Orange, clubs from Blayney, Millthorpe and Manildra will also be represented at the tournament.
Two years ago there was a local flavour in the event’s conclusion with Bathurst City pair Graham Waddell and Geoff O’Dell joining forces with Kandos’ Terry McDonald to take the coveted ‘tin hat’ trophy.
According to Townsend, there will still be a handful of local players and teams in with a realistic shot at victory.
“The teams captained by Peter Naylor, Phil Grey and Kenny Waddell are all looking like being contenders if they play the way they are capable of,” Townsend said. “Each game is played over 18 ends with one point up for grabs in each end. The scores are collated and the margins play a big role in deciding who wins overall.
“We’re expecting some very strong teams from Blayney and Orange in particular as well who will put it to the locals.
“One of the big thrills for us is the annual dinner hosted by the RSL Club that is put on for all bowlers and any guests they wish to bring, and we normally get at least 100 to that. It is always a real highlight of the tournament.”