World cup bowls to roll into Warilla

WARILLA Bowls Club is gearing up to host the Bowls World Cup, which will start on Tuesday.

The Warilla rinks have become the event’s home after hosting the same tournament for the past two years.

Section play will start on Tuesday with the semi-finals and finals scheduled for April 17 and 18.

Defending champions Judy Nardella and Kelvin Kerkow will be back to defend their titles, while Shell Cove’s Karen Murphy will also be gunning for a win.

Another local competing at the event is Warilla Bowls Club local Metta Jennison, who will be representing Thailand.

Metta bowled for Thailand at last year’s World Cup at Warilla and is excited about doing so again this week.

“Last time I was very excited and this time I am very confident,” Ms Jettinson said.

“I would love to beat Judy Nardella this year as she is the defending champion.”

Wollongong RSL Bowling Club coordinator Shaun Parnis will be representing Malta.

Melanie Macaulay and Aron Sherriff will represent Australia in the junior event.

Strong competition in the Men’s section is expected between Kelvin Kerkow, Ian Merrien of Guernsey and New Zealand’s Ali Forsyth, who won the 2004 event.

In the women’s Nardella, Murphy, Ali Merrien (Guernsey) 2007 World Cup runner-up Lorna Trigwell (South Africa) and New Zealand’s Val Smith.

Australia will be represented throughout the tournament by Judy Nardella, Melanie Macaulay, Kelvin Kerkow and Aron Sherriff and will be among the favourites to take out the event.

Entry to the event is free and members and guests are all welcome to attend.