Ultimate Bowls Championship set to roll into Moama

Twenty-six teams from six countries will descend on Moama for the six-day tournament, with the best bowlers from around the world competing for the top prize.

“It is the world’s richest bowls event,” UBC chief executive Mark Casey said.

“We have players coming in from all over the world. Two of the best players in the world are here from Scotland — Alex Marshall and Paul Foster.

“We have players from Hong Kong, China, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, so it truly is a global event.”

An opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 10.

Moama will have two teams in the tournament, Moama Green and Moama Black, with three players on each.

Kevin Anderson will suit up for Moama Green alongside Ryan Bester and Wayne Turley.

Alex Marshall will lead the way for Moama Black with teammates Ryan Burnett and Cass Millerick.

Anderson, who plays pennant bowls for Moama with Marshall and Millerick, said the tournament was going to be a huge event.

“It is going to be brilliant,” Anderson said.

“It is quite phenomenal that a town the size of Moama can attract all these names. Literally the best players in the world over the last 10 to 15 years are all coming to Moama.

“Every team has gun players in it, there are no easy games. The field is unbelievable. It is going to be a huge week, for sure. It is going to be full-on for the six days.”

Moama pennant bowlers Olivia Cartwright and Cameron Keenan have also been named as part of the UBC Challengers team

It will be an action-packed week on the greens, with games galore.

The UBC is made up of three separate events back-to-back-to-back, with each one going for two days, including finals.

More than 100 games will be played on Sunday alone, the opening day of the competition.

However, the games will be short and sharp, with each one consisting of just five ends and a 30-second shot clock in place.

The UBC also boasts a distinctive scoring format that differs to standard bowls, one that makes sure each bowl is meaningful.

“UBC is unique. The scoring system is different, every bowl counts,” Anderson said.

The first shot earns 10 points, while the second and third shots earn five and three points, respectively.

The lead’s shot is also worth three points, as is any bowl that touches the jack.

The plethora of points available means that final scores often more closely resemble those seen in basketball or football, rather than bowls.

There will be music playing throughout the games, with the colours of each of the 26 teams on full display.

Teams will also play with only orange or blue bowls, making it easy for spectators to tell which ones belong to what team.

As well as playing, Anderson also works at Moama Bowling Club. He and Stuart Whyte have been working hard to organise the bumper event.

“Moama is a bowling club at the end of the day, so it is really good that the club supports events like this,” Anderson said.

“The club puts so much back into bowls, which is brilliant for our members. They get the chance to see the best of the best.

“The prizemoney is huge, it’s $500,000 across the week. It is going to be a huge week at Moama. The eyes of the world will be on Moama once again.

“We are looking forward to the event and we are looking forward to getting everyone here and on the green.”

Whyte said hosting an event like the UBC was fantastic for the club’s reputation.

“We are the only club to host the Bowls Premier League and the UBC, two of the biggest televised and global events in bowls,” Whyte said.

“It creates that aura and reputation for the club as the premium venue.

“It will be a great spectacle for Moama-Echuca.”

Play starts at 10am each day, with games continuing throughout the day and into the evening.

Entry is free for spectators.

A match of the round will be broadcast live on the UBC’s Facebook page, with the finals also shown live on Kayo Sport.

For more information on the UBC, including a full schedule of play, visit www.ultimatebowlschampionship.com.au/events/