Sport

A cool, calm and relaxed mindset was the catalyst behind The Hills’ men’s Seniors Fours triumph at last month’s State Championships in Dubbo.

Playing together for the first time, Dale Maitland’s team of Andrew McPherson, Peter Newman and Brian Patton claimed the state title with an 18-14 victory over Ric Southam’s Sawtell in the final.

The Hills’ path to the title was almost flawless, with their only blemish a narrow 22-21 loss to Rick Roper’s Waverley during sectional play.

Competing in his first State Championships in The Hills colours since a successful stint with Wentworthville Leagues’ Platinum Pennant team, Maitland said the foursome deliberately kept their expectations in check.

“When the four of us went away, we just said, ‘Let’s treat this like a Thursday night social bowls,'” The Hills skip said.

“Don’t put pressure on ourselves just because we’re playing for a state title. Let’s just relax, enjoy each other’s company and play our game. I think that was half the battle.

“‘State Seniors Fours champions’ — that’s got a nice ring to it.”

After building a commanding 17-8 lead after 14 ends, the Metro North-West Seniors Fours champions remained in control before Sawtell fought back, winning six of the final seven ends.

Holding a five-shot advantage heading into the last end, Maitland’s rink survived two desperate killed ends from Sawtell before conceding a single shot on the third replay to seal an 18-14 victory.

Maitland credited his front end, led by the consistent Andrew McPherson, for laying the foundation for the win.

“Andrew, our lead, played very well and a lead in a game of fours sets the whole game up,” he said.

“He was really on fire when we got that early lead, and the rest of us just matched Sawtell’s bowls so we wouldn’t drop any numbers.”

Back at The Hills, where he first began bowling in 1989, Maitland is now passing on his wealth of experience as both a coach and mentor.

Later this month, the 74-year-old will again wear the NSW colours when the Seniors men’s side takes on Victoria in a three-Test series on the carpet at Deer Park.

Lining up at third for Castle Hill’s Steve Vanderveer, Maitland returns to the NSW Seniors team for the first time since helping the Blues win the Australian title in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hills star said returning to the state side had been a goal from the start of the year.

“I’m thrilled to be back in the state side. It’s been an ambition of mine since the beginning of the year to force my way back in,” he said.

“I thought my age would be against me. It’s 60 and over, and I’m well on the other side of 70.

“I turn 75 at the end of the year, but to me age is only a number.

“Age has got nothing to do with it if you put the runs on the board, as they say. You’ve just got to put your name up in lights.”

Merrylands’ Jan Anlezark will skip one of three NSW Seniors women’s rinks against Victoria at the same venue.

***********

Missed opportunities and relentless front-end pressure proved the undoing of Merrylands’ Michael Clarke, whose State Senior Singles campaign ended one step short of the title.

Competing in just his third State Senior Singles event, the Merrylands Magic Platinum Pennant lead went down 25-9 to Maitland City’s Clayton Parker in the final. The 63-year-old was left to reflect on several missed opportunities during the 20-end decider.

“I didn’t play that badly. I had chances to get back into it, but he played a couple of big shots,” Clarke said.

“Overall, I’m happy to make the final, but I like to win things. Nobody remembers the runner-up.”

Clarke will join Vanderveer and Maitland in the NSW Seniors team at Deer Park, where he will play second for Dapto’s Robbie Warren.

The interstate series against Victoria will be played on August 17-18.

Got a story? Email Torin Chen at: ws_seniors_bowls@outlook.com