First on the agenda following the completion of regional pennant playoffs last week will be the annual City versus Country weekend showcase, organised by Bowls Victoria.
Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 will be the fifth running of the statewide event, where metropolitan and regional bodies name 16 men and 16 women a side to compete in three Tests.
There’s certainly more than a touch of pride to play for beyond the recognition of competing at a Bowls Victoria sanctioned event, though, with the ledger deadlocked at two series wins apiece from the first four runnings.
The men’s contingent will boast a couple of ever-reliable Goulburn Valley names, one each representing successful teams on either side of the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region.
Tallygaroopna stalwart and freshly delivered Goulburn Valley Playing Area midweek pennant champion David Daws again qualifies for the side and he’ll be joined there by Wunghnu prospect Josh Cartwright, himself coming off a Murray Playing Area weekend premiership in his first season at the club.
While the GVPA has been overlooked for the women’s Country outfit, a trio of familiar faces from over the border will make the trip to Bendigo East Bowls Club.
Moama’s Cassandra Millerick and Emma Simmonds, alongside teammate and recent Australian national pathway squad representative Olivia Cartwright, have received the nod.
It’s far from unfamiliar territory for the three to embark on together, having each played in the 2024 edition as well.
There is a notable lack of Goulburn Murray Bowls Region champion Shepparton Golf players among the ranks, though.
While the 2024 edition featured Anthony Flapper — on the City team representing Essendon — and Golf great Brad Orr in the Country line-up, neither one will appear in next month’s running despite successful campaigns on both sides of the fence in 2024-25.
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