Geelong has been crowned the state’s top regional bowling team after starring at the Victorian Country Tenpin Bowling Association’s Country Cup in Shepparton at the weekend.
Geelong finished first in the men’s competition and third in the women’s event, with those efforts combining to earn the team the coveted prize of overall champion.
Ten teams took part in the 43rd edition of the tournament with players representing Shepparton, Geelong, Wodonga, Bendigo, Latrobe Valley, Ballarat, Horsham, Colac, Warrnambool and Sunraysia competing at the three-day event on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Liss Thompson, who bowls for Shepparton and is the manager at Oz Tenpin Shepparton which hosted the event, said it was special to welcome the Country Cup back to town.
“It is huge, it is the best tournament on the calendar for country Victoria,” Thompson said.
“Ten centres from across regional Victoria come along and try their best and bowl their hardest.
“From year-to-year you come and you bowl and it’s different every year. Every centre hosts it every 10th year and it is very special for everybody.
“We are proud to host this event, the 43rd Country Cup. It is a pleasure that everyone came here and enjoyed themselves.”
Image 1 of 11
On a roll: Shepparton's Leanne Nastasi had an average of 178.1 at the Country Cup last weekend. Photo by Holly DanielImage 2 of 11
Taking aim: Denece Jones gets ready to take her shot. Photo by Holly DanielImage 3 of 11
Locked and loaded: Paul Kerr about to send his ball down the lane. Photo by Holly DanielImage 4 of 11
Country Cup: Luke Daniel in action for Shepparton. Photo by Holly DanielImage 5 of 11
Star performer: Kel Jones was named as one of the five female All Stars at the Country Cup. Photo by Holly DanielImage 6 of 11
Follow through: Tim Piastri takes his shot. Photo by Holly DanielImage 7 of 11
Special occasion: Liss Thompson competed at her 23rd Country Cup last weekend. Photo by Holly DanielImage 8 of 11
Bumper crowd: Spectators and players watch on as the Country Cup gets underway. Photo by Holly DanielImage 9 of 11
Shining bright: Jake Thurston was named as one of the men’s All Stars at the County Cup. Photo by Holly DanielImage 10 of 11
Fine form: Danni Jones in action for Shepparton. Photo by Holly DanielImage 11 of 11
Top score: Shepparton's Ben Bell had a high game of 255 at the Country Cup. Photo by Holly DanielHome town team Shepparton finished fifth overall, behind Geelong, Bendigo (second), Latrobe Valley (third) and Wodonga (fourth).
Shepparton finished fourth in the women’s event and eighth in the men’s division.
The two Shepparton teams knocked over a combined 33,512 pins across the weekend, the third highest total overall.
Kel Jones (197.1 average) and Jake Thurston (211.5 average) were stellar for Shepparton, placing second in their respective divisions for highest average – feats that had them both named in the men’s and women’s All Star teams.
It was a special occasion for Thompson, who bowled in her 26th Country Cup.
With almost three decades of experience in the sport, Thompson said it was the people and the atmosphere that kept her coming back each year.
“It is special because of the friendships you make,” she said.
“The passion and dedication and the people – you just cannot beat it, it’s the best.
“I remember my first game and I thought ‘oh my god, I am so bad’. But it’s great, you just get better and better.”
Thompson looks set to add some more Country Cups to her resume, with no plans to hang up her bowling shoes anytime soon.
“We have some bowlers that have been bowling and represented us at over 80 years old, I am going to keep going as long as I am upright,” she said.