MURRAY Playing Area, STATE GAMES

Murray Men’s State Pairs Decided

Numurkah’s Don Staggard combined with Roger Carter of Tocumwal Golf to take out the Murray Bowls Playing Area state pairs title on Sunday.

Playing on the excellent Wunghnu greens, Don and Roger proved too good for another hybrid pair, Chris Philpot of Barooga Sports and Roger’s clubmate, Rod Brown.

The final produced some excellent bowls, as Roger had the better of Rod as lead, and Don pulled off some great saves and conversions in the 14-12 final scoreline. Despite the closeness of the result, it was made a little more respectable by the runners-up picking up three shots on the last end. In fact they only won four of the 15 ends played, including a six.

Earlier Chris and Rod eliminated Peter Revell of Wunghnu and Rick Anderson of Katandra West, while Don and Roger downed the fast-finishing sole one-club pair in the semis, Warren Snow and Greg Barr, also from Katandra West.

It was the first win for Don in this event, while Roger added the title to his Murray Bowls pairs (Gordon Grinter Shield) win in 1995/96 with Jim Milgate.