URGENT UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club, the team of Michael Sargent, Kyle Roberts, Doug Hudson, and Don Roberts dominated the reigning champions in the opening round of the 2026 Championship Bowls competition on Sunday, defeating the defending titleholders 28-10.
This match mirrored last year’s final, where Sargent and his teammates finished as runners-up in 2025. They decisively extracted their revenge against Jay Egan, Paul Kershaw, Mark Fraser, and Alec Fraser, who were unable to recover after a strong start from their opponents.
The upset unfolded quickly, with the previous champions recognizing they were in trouble early in the game. Despite a late attempt to fight back, they could not close the gap. The match showcased not only the skills of Sargent’s team but also the fierce competitiveness of the tournament as the 2026 season officially kicked off.
In a contrasting performance, Egan, Fraser, and Fraser had a better day prior, winning their Triples match 24-8 against Glenn ‘Kiwi’ Ratcliffe, Peter ‘China’ Brien, and Shane Carter. This inconsistency highlights the unpredictable nature of the competition, setting the stage for thrilling matches in the coming weeks.
Three additional games were held on Sunday for Social Bowls. On Rink 10, Team Dunlop, featuring Jim Goonrey and Rory Dunlop, triumphed over John Goonrey and Peter ‘Skeet’ Goonrey with a score of 28-10. On Rink 12, Allan Knight’s team achieved a convincing 33-11 victory over Craig ‘Duck’ Grimmond’s side, showcasing their prowess in a practice match for upcoming Pennants.
In Rink 13, Russell Brosi’s team secured a win over Randall Hall’s team, concluding their match with a score of 21-12.
Looking forward, the Golfie’s Pennants bowlers are set to head to Condobolin this weekend for a crucial rematch. The Cobar players are eager to turn around the previous 2-1 loss they suffered against Condobolin a fortnight ago.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2026 Championship Bowls season unfolds, promising more excitement and fierce competition at the Cobar Bowling & Golf Club.
