Lawn bowls aiming high

 Lawn bowls head coach William Stevens is expecting no less than gold for his team at the 2015 Pacific Games.

“We are going for gold and nothing less — not silver and not a bronze,” Stevens said.

“We are going for gold.”

Stevens, who is the secretary of the Papua New Guinea Bowls, reckons that they have an overwhelming number of talent in their ranks to beat the other countries competing in the event at the Pacific Games, which include Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Norfolk Islands, Niue and Cook islands.

“I’m not beating my chest but from what I have seen during the Commonwealth Games in Scotland, I have no doubt that we are going to get the gold in all the four categories — singles, pairs, triples and team event — for the men’s and women’s,” he said.

Stevens has extensive experience since 1985, playing in all major lawn bowls events at the Pacific Games, Arafura Games, Pacific Mini Games, Commonwealth Games and World Bowls tournament. 

He now has his highest bets on the team that are now on the training list.

“We currently have 24 players in training.  This will be cut down to seven per gender after we confirm the results from the women’s trials held last weekend in Bulolo.” Stevens said.  Men’s train-on; Lucas Roika, Eno Timo (Mt Hagen), Peter Juni, Tony Yogio (Goroka), Polin Pomaleu, Matu Bazo (Lae), Gariga Babona, Judas Kavoi (Defence), Pomat Topal, Henry Kabug (Madang) and Soling Tiba, Harry Doutara (Bulolo). Women: Cesley Simbinali, Angela Simbinali, Lynna Boino (Lae), Catherine Wimp, Daisy Akis, Docas Timo (MT Hgn), Grace Walsh, Espina McNai (Defence), Ju Carlo (Bulolo), Nina Wewah (Gka) and Kim Evi (Madang).