Bowlers from across the state battled it out for glory on the greens at Yamba over the weekend in the Bowls NSW Grade 3 Open Pennant Final Series.
Yamba Bowling Club Bowls Director Jayson Pinnock said the club played host to 240 male and female bowlers and their teams from the state’s top 16 Grade 3 clubs.
Mr Pinnock said each of the 16 regions in the state, run qualifiers, and the region winners compete in the state finals.
Teams came from clubs from all over the state including Wagga Wagga, Berry, Gulgong, and Asquith.
While there are Grade 1 and 2 Pennant Finals, Mr Pinnock said for a lot of clubs, especially regional clubs, Grade 3 are their top players, so the level of skill on display all weekend was exceptional.
“The 16 teams were put into 4 separate sections of 4 teams, and they played off in sectional play, 3 matches each,” he said.
“From there the top 2 teams in each section were then put through into a knockout phase of quarterfinals, semi, then the final.
“There were quite a few females that were involved, and some of them are in the state over 40’s side and also knocking on the door of Open state selection.
“The standard and level of the bowling was sensational.
“In the semi finals it was Club Maitland City, Gulgong, Wagga Wagga, and Park Beach, 4 regional clubs outside of the big metro areas.
“Gulgong Bowling Club took on Club Maitland City in the final and Gulgong were victorious.”
Mr Pinnock said Yamba Bowling Club didn’t field a side in Grade 3 this year, they have teams in Grades 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
“The representative for our local area here was South Tweed Sports from our region, and they actually won their section and made the quarter finals but were knocked out by Gulgong in a very tight game by 2 shots,” he said.
Mr Pinnock said the Grade 3 Open Pennant Final Series was another great success for Yamba Bowling Club and there is more planned.
“We are one of only two clubs in NSW now that can actually host 16 sides, most of the time these events get split across 2 clubs,” he said.
“We are able to host all 16 teams and bowl-ers because of the facilities we have and the 3 and a half greens.
“Next year we are hosting the Grade 1 Open Pennant Finals… that will be all the big guns, all of the state players, and those knocking on the door of Australian selection will be here.”
This article appeared in Clarence Valley Independent, 2 July 2025.
