Ellems Keep It In The Family

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday January 2, 2007

By LUKE KEENAN

THE Ellems hope mixing business with pleasure pays dividends in today's post sectional fours play at the South Pacific Carnival at Towradgi Park Bowling Club.

Tom Ellem will lead his father Eric, little brother Daniel and uncle Stuart into battle.

At the last South Pacific, the Ellems - with another uncle, Peter, playing instead of Daniel - surprised themselves by reaching the fours semi-finals, where they lost to Shane Garvey's highly fancied Engadine crew.

This morning the family outfit takes on Wiseman Park-Wollongong City's Phil Thompson, Richard Paddon, Kim Mackie and skip Dave Kelly.

But the Ellems will take a relaxed approach into the contest.

"It's just about having a game together," Tom said. "Like my dad, he's lucky to play 10 games in a year, so it's just good to get him out and have a game with him.

"We're out there to win, but in saying that there's plenty of sledging and mucking around between us. We give each other a couple of remarks on the way past if someone's not pulling their weight.

"It's all fun for us and if we do any good then it's just a bonus. We're not win at all costs. But if we turn up on the day, especially Daniel and myself, then we'll give anybody a good run for their money.

"I've played a lot of bowls with Daniel, and to take nothing away from my uncle, Daniel obviously strengthened our team."

Towradgi Park's bowls co-ordinator, who is still in the running to win his first South Pacific singles title, is wary of today's opponents.

Should the Ellems make it through the Kelly and co tussle, an afternoon showdown awaits against the winner of the clash between John Green's composite side and Paul Wesley's Albion Park outfit.

"Dave Kelly, he's in a bit of form," Tom said.

"He's the current Illawarra pairs champion. He's a very good player. He's still in the pairs, actually, as well. And if we happen to get over that one, then we've got some good company again with Johnny Green or Paul Wesley."

Tom and Daniel teamed together in the pairs, but were beaten in sectional play.

Today's fours post sectional play

DAY 6

(All games at Towradgi Park)

ROUND 1

Ken Hunt, Steve Trivett, Erin Smith, Ray Parkes (Corrimal) versus Gary Davis, Walter Banyard, Keith Clarke, Brian Purdie (Towradgi)

Darren Forrester, Murray Chapman, Jason Heffernan, Ray Flack (Fairy Meadow) versus Noel Davis, Trevor Tougher, Scott Tougher, Brian Harriott (Towradgi).

Ray Jones, Chris Brownlie, Col Hayward, John Brownlie (Composite) versus James Wenzel, Gordon Young, Craig Roberts, Shaun Parnis (Wollongong RSL).

Tom Macauley, Dennis Cooper, Nathan Joannou, Peter Thelan (Dapto) versus David Roberts, Charlie Cheetham, Dave Macauley, Greg Dumbleton (Composite)

ROUND 2

Chris Green, Brodie Pitham, Matt Sargeant, John Green (Composite) versus Chris McLay, Ian Barrett, Mick Duprez, Paul Wesley (Albion Park).

Eric Ellem, Stuart Ellem, Daniel Ellem, Tom Ellem (Composite) versus Phil Thompson, Richard Paddon, Kim Mackie, David Kelly (WP-WC).

Alan Mooney, Mick Dallavechia, Michael Cousins, Dave Brazier (St Johns Park) versus Dave Waters, Rod Burke, John DeClouett, Jack Forbes (Halekulani).

Dave Byrnes, Bill Hill, Keith Davis, Trent McMillan (Towradgi) versus Rod Busst, Eddie Tolhurst, John Kay, Tony Naulty (Towradgi).

Pat Duke, Rod Loosemore, Dennis Skinner, Ryan Loosemore (Greenwell Point) versus Ken Reed, Peter Hodgson, Rhys Owen, Neil Webb (Composite).

Trevor Gillis, Oli Luke, Warren Hamilton, Paul Luke (Towradgi) versus Chris Green, Ken Smith, Ken Cooper, John Cahill (Dapto Citizens).

Round 2 winners to meet in afternoon round.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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