The best and brightest from the district bowls traps have received their nods to represent the region in an interleague challenge next month.
Following the recent Rowlands-Sutcliffe meeting between the Goulburn Valley and Murray playing areas, the two halves of the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region now shake hands and unite ahead of a showdown with Ovens and Murray Bowls Region.
From the two representative sides which duked it out two weekends ago for supremacy, the top men and women have each been named in squads of 16 for the O&M contest, with plenty of Allan Matheson Shield regulars set to feature.
The action takes place on Sunday, December 1 at Wunghnu Bowls Club, with four players a chance of featuring in the men’s hit-out on home greens — three of those being members of the ever-prominent Cartwright family.
It’s a well-balanced line-up between the two playing areas and GMBR secretary Stephen McGregor believes it’s every chance of being a successful one.
“The O&M are no easybeats as they’re another big association. It’s usually a tight contest,” McGregor said.
“There’s a fair mould between Goulburn Valley and Murray players in the sides, which is good to see.
“We have a fairly youthful side with people like Jacob Cartwright (emergency) and Charlie Boswood.
“The ladies’ side is a bit younger than it has been in the past and, overall, it’ll be excellent bowls with a very tight challenge.
“We’re really confident that we’re fielding two good sides and we’re hopeful we can retain the trophy.”
From each group of 16 heading into the interleague challenge, 12 will be selected to take the next step of the representative pathway — representing the region at Bowls Victoria’s Region Sides Championships.
Those titles get rolling in the Ballarat region in an earlier January timeslot, set for January 10-12, 2025.
GMBR women
Rink 1: Effie Eaton (Club Tocumwal), Ruth Barnett (Barooga Sports), Nan Smith (Finley), Lidija Patching (Numurkah Golf)
Rink 2: Kate Bush (Shepparton Park), Leigh Hansen (Club Tocumwal), Mary Greco (Kyabram), Di Hands (Shepparton Park)
Rink 3: Katrina Glover (Numurkah Golf), Jenny Warfe (Cobram), Loris Houlihan (Numurkah Golf), Kris Wright (Shepparton Golf)
Rink 4: Bree Warren (Mooroopna), Di Downie (Tatura-Hill Top), Jenny O’Connor (Numurkah), Carla Miles (Shepparton Golf)
GMBR men
Rink 1: Scott Adams (Tatura- Hill Top), Josh Cartwright (Wunghnu), Martin Fong (Mooroopna), David Daws (Tallygaroopna)
Rink 2: Charlie Boswood (Kyabram), John McKenzie (Wunghnu), Kris Ferguson (Shepparton Golf), Mark Ryan (Tallygaroopna)
Rink 3: Nick Boyd (Tatura-Hill Top), Hamish Beecroft (Numurkah Golf), Guy Madigan (Tallygaroopna), David Cartwright (Wunghnu)
Rink 4: Josh Warren (Mooroopna), Dane Gade (Numurkah Golf), Rob George (Kyabram), Ken Sutcliffe (Euroa)