Defence bag bowls’ triples crown

 By LARRY ANDREW
PORT Moresby’s Defence has claimed this year’s national men’s triple lawn bowls top honours after stiff challenge from Goroka.
The two-day championship hosted by Lae Bowling Club attracted 31 teams.
Defence, Goroka and Mt Hagen sent six teams each to the event, while Bulolo had two and hosts Lae 11.
In the third place playoff, Mt Hagen, under Lucas Roika, drew 11-11 with Goroka 1 at the final 15 end.
However, the mountainmen had the upper hand to win the match in golden-point time by one shot.
In the grand final, Defence, under the helm of skipper Gabriel Tika, raced away winners over Goroka 5-0 at the second end.
However, with the experience of Anthony Yogio, the Goroka team picked up three vital shots at the third end to trail 3-5.
The next two ends were all Defence, with young Gariga Babona at the lead, Justin Piru (second) and Tika taking another three points to increase their score to 8-5.
Vocal support from fans on the sideline saw the match picking up momentum as Yogio and tea-mates Lasi Akeke (second) and Max Unua (lead) started to collect points at the 6th, 9th, 11th, 12th and the 14th ends to bring their tally to 14-15.
One shot up, the boys from the big city regrouped at the final 15th end to collect four shots to win the men’s triple challenge by five shots up 19-14.