THE boys certainly have the bowls, and they’ll do their home town proud when Moree Services Club Magpies pennants team contests the BCiB State Fours Grade 4 Pennants Final at Wagga Wagga this weekend.

The competition is held over three days – Friday through to Sunday – and has drawn bowlers from across New South Wales.

Moree Magpies team, managed by Ray Rutledge and Annie Rutledge, includes Ray Dennison, Brett Smith, Chris Cox, Skip Wayne Tighe, Phil Hobday, Merv Tighe, Leo Adams, Skip Leslie Tighe, Mitchell Rutledge, Terrence Thorne, Rod Tighe, Skip Ray Shepherd and reserve Craig Rutledge.

Magpies Club president Wayne Tighe said the team was on-song to perform well.

“It’s been a big effort to get this far in such a tough competition. Everything has gone to plan, and the boys have played exceptionally well all season,” Tighe said.

Moree Services Club bowls co-ordinator, Phil Hobday, said the Magpies are fully focused on the competition ahead.

“We won our sections and made the final 16 to play at Wagga, and we’re pretty confident we’ll do all right” Hobday said.

Moree Magpies are one of 16 teams to play off for the Grade 4 championship, with the competition including teams from The Entrance, Beresfield, Maitland City, Warilla, Tuncurry, Manley Vale, Wentworthville, Taren Point, St Johns Park, North Haven, Manildra, Camden, Yamba, Henty and Merimbula.

The Moree boys launch their campaign on Friday against Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club, headed up by skips Garry Taylor, Rob Tynan and Peter Pearson.

Moree Magpies and supporters arrived at Wagga on Friday to play in the BCiB State Fours Grade 4 Pennants Final (Image supplied).

To put the finishing touches to their Wagga campaign, Moree Magpies recently hosted Broadbeach Bulls at Moree Service Club.

The match featured Aron Sherriff, currently ranked No.1 in the world and a six-times Australian singles champion.

Sherriff firmly believes Moree Magpies will be a presence at Wagga.

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

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

The NSW State Pennant Competition is the oldest event on the NSW calendar, with the first pennant finals played in the 1895-1896 season.

The competition is widely regarded as the ultimate club sides championship for all players in every grade.

More than 1100 teams competed in state pennants this season to vie for 16 spots in each of seven finals across New South Wales.

Bowls NSW president Dilys Kindleysides said the competition was a celebration of community spirit and competition.

“A special congratulations goes to the teams who triumphed in their regional competitions and now progress to contest the elusive and prestigious state finals,” she said.

Kindleysides warmly thanked host clubs Bomaderry, Cabramatta, Charlestown, Ettalong, Lake Cathie, Lambton, Mount Lewis, North Haven, Nowra, Wagga RSL, Wagga Rules and Yamba.

“Their hospitality, facilities, and dedication help make events like this a success, and allow players and spectators to enjoy a welcoming and professional environment,” she said.

In past years, Moree Magpies have finished second and third, and Phil Hobday is confident this year’s team can take it up a notch.

“We’ve been close a couple times, so I think it’s our turn this year,” he smiled.