Rob bows out in tight games

Rob Grady of Helensvale follows his bowl during sectional play in the Summerland Singles at the Ballina Bowling Club. Grady lost two tight games and was eliminated.

FORMER Ballina and Lennox Head bowler Rob Grady was bundled out of the Summerland Singles after two one-point losses in sectional play at the Ballina Bowling Club yesterday.

He lost 21-20 to Musgrave Hill bowler Des Duller and went down by the same margin to Evans Head veteran John Lang.

The 28-year was hoping to make it past post-sectional play in what would have been a busy weekend for the Helensvale bowler.

"It's the first round in Queensland premier league this weekend and I wanted to come back here to play on Sunday too," Grady said.

"It was tricky with the wind and disappointing not to win."

Grady returned to the sport three years ago after a seven-year hiatus when he left for the Gold Coast.

"I moved away and enjoyed the party scene and bowls came back into my life after that," he said.

"My parents are still in Ballina and I try to play here whenever I can."

Former world No 1 and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow is through to the quarter-finals.

Kerkow hasn't played for six months and usually misses the Summerland Singles because of playing commitments in England.

"This is my first singles tournament in six months, so I'm still finding my feet," he said.

"I've been tied up with business and haven't played here in 10 years.

"It's a prestigious tournament, but I'm not too worried whether I win or lose."

Ballina greenkeeper Michael Anderson lost his first game yesterday and failed to get through.

Sectional play continues today with finals tomorrow.

Post-sectional results:

Neil Burgess (Lennox Head) 21 d Kris Lehfeldt (Ballina) 15

Kelvin Kerkow (South Tweed) 21 d Bruce McNeish (Musgrave Hill) 6

Greg Kelly (Tweed Heads) 21 d John Lang (Evans Head) 20

Glen Bailey (Musgrave Hill) 21 d Richard Latta (Evans Head) 20