Newcastle Roll To Inter Zone Challenge Supremacy

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday November 5, 2008

John Gilmour ON THE KITTY

NEWCASTLE regained the Inter Zone Challenge Shield at Towradgi Park on Sunday.

They last won the title in 2006 and at the weekend could not be denied as they won all three games.

They defeated Zone 16 No.2 150-130 then downed defending titleholders Zone 16 No.1 133-98 on Saturday before overcoming Zone 9 (Sydney Northern Suburbs and Upper North Shore) 127-111 on Sunday.

The Illawarra District fielded two sides after Zone 4 (Western Districts) withdrew because a number of their players were unable to take the time away from running their farms to make the trip.

Raymond Terrace skipper Jason Stokes and his quartet of Ross Gardner (Raymond Terrace), David Quigley (Merewether) and Bruce Jewell (Raymond Terrace) were the only Newcastle rink to win their three matches.

Terry Antram (Nelson Bay) and his team of Col Linton (Toronto Workers), Andrew Smith (Lambton) and Martin Ball scored convincing wins in both their matches against the Illawarra sides but were beaten in their match against Zone 9.

Sam Laguzza (Toronto Workers) and his side of Owen Jefferson (Kahibah), David Evans (Alder Park) and John Collins (Soldiers Point) maintained their good form over the past two seasons by also recording two wins.

Newcastle also broke Illawarra's five-year domination of the Steel City Challenge when they beat the No.1 side, who are also the current NSW Inter Zone champions, on Saturday afternoon.

? Raymond Terrace No.1 claimed the Newcastle District No.2 grade three-threes title when they beat Redhead 60-43 last Wednesday.

Bar Beach No.2 kept their No.3-grade hopes alive when they defeated Carrington 62-49.

They host the unbeaten Redhead No.1 this afternoon, who they now must beat twice to claim the crown.

? Defending titleholders Lambton and inaugural champions Mayfield West have emerged as the two teams to battle out the third annual Four Way Challenge.

The competition this season is being contested by the Lambton, Mayfield West, Kotara and Hamilton clubs.

Lambton are unbeaten on 15 points, two ahead of Mayfield West, who they will host tonight. But the two sides will also need to play their rain-deferred game at Mayfield West on November 19.

That game will probably not only decide the minor premiership, but also which club will host the final.

? Mayfield West coach and coordinator Mick Brown will be chasing his third successive mixed pairs title at the club on Sunday morning.

Brown, who for the past two years has been successful with Sharon Copper, this year has partnered Jo Connell and they meet Nancy Avery and Neville Fruend in the decider.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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