BROADBEACH Bulls won the lawn bowls, but Moree won the weekend.

Moree Magpies played Broadbeach Bulls at Moree Service Club on Saturday afternoon, and while the Bulls won narrowly, the big winner was Moree.

Playing for Broadbeach was Aron Sherriff, currently ranked No.1 in the world and a six-times Australian singles champion.

Sherriff and the Broadbeach tourists, including Peter Hobday who shares his time between Moree and the Gold Coast, were in town for a long weekend of lawn bowls, pig-shooting, fishing and rugby league.

Sherriff hosted a coaching clinic on Friday and played Saturday.

“Friday was awesome. I think we had about 40 people – a great crowd – and I think everyone got something out of it. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching the players and had a great afternoon,” Sherriff said.

On Saturday, Moree Magpies played Sherriff’s Broadbeach Bulls, with the bulls winning narrowly.

“It was a great contest, and the Moree boys put on a great show. My rink got a touch-up, but our other two rinks got there,” Sherriff said.

“Of course, it couldn’t have been scripted better, with Peter Hobday coming back to his home town and getting the glory for the Bulls – it was a perfect finish to a great day,” Sherriff smiled.

Sherriff expects the Magpies to do well at the NSW State Open Pennant Finals in Wagga Wagga next month after finishing so close on Saturday.

“If they keep playing like that, stick together as a group and back one another up, I can see them going pretty deep in that comp,” Sherriff said.

“They were great on Saturday. They played awesome, and even some of their reserve guys who filled in for us were outstanding.

“There’s a lot of talent in the club, and I hope they go well,” he said.

Sherriff and the Broadbeach Bulls were given the full Moree experience during their three-day visit to the black-soil plains.

“We hadn’t been pigging before, and went Saturday morning before we played bowls, and went fishing Sunday morning,” Sherriff said.

“One of the other players, Nathan Rice, and myself brought our sons, and they’ve had a great time riding quad bikes and running amok. It’s been an unreal weekend.

“The Moree club has been a fantastic host and the whole town has been brilliant – I’m pretty sure I’ll be back here pretty soon,” he said.

Moree Magpies club president Wayne Tighe said the weekend was incredible.

“It was amazing to have Aron here – the number-one bowler in the world,” Tighe said.

“It means a lot to the club and means a lot to all our new and up-and-coming bowlers to get the support and coaching from Aron.

“To play against Aron is a highlight for any bowler, and we enjoyed every minute of it on Saturday.

“The game was great. It was quite close and the visitors only beat us by about five overall, which is really good.

“I thought we might’ve got a flogging but it was a good, close game,” Tighe said.

People came from across the region to watch a world champion in action.

“We had visitors come to town to watch Aron, including people from Narrabri and Bingara who came and played, and a lot of people came and watched, which is good for the town,” Tighe said.

Moree Services Club bowls co-ordinator, Phil Hobday, said the Magpies will host the Bulls again, possibly next year.

“It was a great weekend and we appreciate the boys travelling so far to be here,” Hobday said.

“Friday afternoon was a great session, and Saturday was even better – a great game – and Moree was only beaten four of five shots in the end, which is pretty good.”

Hobday said the Broadbeach Bulls thoroughly enjoyed their long weekend in Moree.

“The boys went pigging and fishing, and watched the Boars win on Sunday afternoon,” Hobday said.

“They had a bit of a taste of country life, and they loved it – and they’ll definitely be back next year.”

Hobday said the Moree Magpies are now fully focused on the NSW State Open Pennant Finals in Wagga Wagga on June 27-28-29.

“We won our sections and made the final 16 to play at Wagga,” Hobday said.

“After playing Broadbeach, the boys are pretty confident we’ll do all right. We’ve been this far a couple times and finished third and second, so I think it’s our turn this year.”