Cassandra Millerick applauds a strong shot by her side against the Sydney Lions while opponent Brett Spurr looks on. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
For the sixth time, some of the best bowlers from across Australia and the UK are in Moama for the Bowls Premier League.
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BPL 21 kicked off on Monday, February 17, with 12 franchises, each featuring three players and a coach, taking to the greens at Moama Bowling Club to battle for the championship.
Sydney Lions’ Nathan Black lines up a shot against Moama.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
The competition has increased in size since its last visit to Moama, the Sydney Saints and Geelong Jets added to the competition since it was last contested locally in BPL 19.
Local franchise and three-time champion Moama Steamers are among the sides competing.
Six-time BPL MVP Aron Sherriff bowls for Moama.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
The side features two local participants; 2023 Australian Open singles champion Cassandra Millerick is part of the Steamers’ three-person squad, and fellow local Kevin Anderson has stepped back into the coach role after bowling for the Steamers in BPL 20 in Brisbane.
Millerick has been with Moama for the previous five editions of the tournament, beginning with BPL 16.
BPL debutant Kane Nelson rolls one down for the Steamers.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
The team is rounded out by a pair of Queenslanders. BPL journeyman and six-time competition MVP Aron Sherriff has been with the Steamers since BPL 15, while young gun Kane Nelson is making his competition debut with Moama this year.
Despite a stacked lineup of established and emerging talent, Moama found itself at the base of the table after the first cycle of round-robin competition, winning only two of 11 fixtures.
Melbourne Pulse’s Barrie Lester was locked in for his franchise.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
At the time of writing, the Steamers are 5-13 midway through Thursday’s play and are mathematically eliminated from featuring in the final five.
The fast-paced BPL features a condensed format, with bowlers beholden to a shot clock as they play off in two five-end sets, and a single-end tiebreaker if necessary.
Tweed Ospreys’ Chloe Stewart in action.
Photo by
Jordan Townrow
The short format allows the sides to play 22 games from Monday to Friday, seeing each opponent twice in round competition before a five-team finals series begins on Friday afternoon.
Designed to appeal to a wider audience, the night sessions of the competition are streamed on Fox Sports, Kayo and Sky Sport NZ from 4pm each day.
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