NSW wins Maccabi Lawn Bowls nationals

NEARLY 70 men and women from five states competed in the 2018 Maccabi national lawn bowls carnival from August 19-24 at Mermaid Beach Bowling Club in the Gold Coast, with the 36-member NSW team winning the men’s and women’s shields with a total of four golds.

NSW got off to a good start with Iris Kampel and Rene Saidman beating WA in the ladies’ pairs section 1 final, while NSW’s defending ladies’ pairs section 2 champions Sandy Desiatnik and Maxine Brem won for the second year in a row, by 18-8 in their final against Victoria.

Desiatnik also teamed up with Dafna Orbach (skip) and Shoshana Werner to win the ladies’ triples over runners-up WA – with super sub Barbara Shotland filling in for Orbach in the opening match – while NSW’s Sam Abrahams, Paul Baker and Garry Benveniste were men’s triples champions, beating another NSW combo.

WA earned two golds, winning the men’s pairs section 1 final over NSW, and the men’s pairs section 2 decider against Victoria.

The Victorians came third overall with two silver medals.

NSW bowler Glen Silver received the Ruben Steinberg award for most promising bowler.

Gale force winds made playing conditions difficult at times.

“You had to sort of partner with the wind, and communicate well with your teammates to get good results here,” Desiatnik said.

“There was a good atmosphere all week, and Maccabi Western Australia did a great job of co-ordinating the event this year in the Gold Coast.”

AJN STAFF