Far North challenge looks to grow

by admin on March 3, 2016

The move is on to bring Atherton Tablelands into the Far North mixed pennants comp, traditionally played by coastal clubs. Pictured, South Johnstone boys winning Rowel’s Shield 2015.
The right to brag about being the best mixed pairs team in the far north is once again up for grabs as coastal clubs in the Cairns area prepare for their annual knockout challenge.
The inter-club competition traditionally sees six clubs from the northern end of the district and six from the southern end compete to find overall north and south winners. These then compete for the mixed pennants title.
 But this year, the competition could be expanded with an invitation to Atherton Tablelands bowls clubs to compete for the “bragging rights”.
Tropical Far North Queensland (TFNQ) mixed pennants organiser Gordon Goes said the competition had been held between the north-eastern seaboard clubs for the past 10 years.
But he hoped neighbouring Atherton Tablelands would enter the competition this year, making the finals a round robin competition between the TFNQ district’s three regions.
“The Tablelands clubs have technically been eligible to attend since their district and Far North Queensland amalgamated,” he said.
“But there have been no real moves to bring them into the competition. We hope some of their clubs might be interested in joining this year as our third region.”
He said there was no prize money involved in the competition, only small badges for each player and “the right to brag”.
The games will be played progressively in each region during March and April. The final is tentatively scheduled for April 24, but could be later if poor weather delayed regional rounds.
Last year South Johnstone from the southern end beat the north’s Marlin Coast.
Caption: South Johnstone participates enthusiastically in many FNQ events. Pictured here, the 2015 Rowel’s Shield team.