50 Shades of Age have vowed to defend their title in Weipa next year. Picture: ALEX RETHUS
A KNOCKABOUT team of mates from Townsville have swept the competition at the Weipa Bauxite Classic, producing some crackerjack bowls to claim their maiden win at the weekend.
The rag-tag quartet of Nathaniel Cuzner, Greg Delaney, Glenn Shimeld and Ash Clinnick won all six of their matches in the fours event to claim the event’s $10,000 prizemoney on Sunday afternoon.
Playing for the first time together under the name 50 Shades of Age, Cuzner said the team surprised itself with such a strong first showing.
“There were state players and ex-Australian players that we knocked off,” the landscaper said.
“They come from far and wide. You virtually have to wait for blokes to die to get a look in here.
“Greg Delaney reckons he’s been waiting 28 years to finally play here.”
Cuzner, who regularly rolls at Jubilee Bowls Club in Mundingburra, said 50 Shades of Age would return next year to defend their title.
“It’s our first time up here and we had a blast. The camaraderie of the group was great and the way we gelled was good but the competition was fantastic. It was a really well-run tournament.”
Celebrations ran late into Sunday evening, Cuzner said.
“We had a few quiet drinks, a little dance and a party with some music blasting,” he said.
“We’d been drinking all day from about 8am but we paced ourselves well.
“We’ll be back, that’s for damn sure.”
The Bauxite Classic is held on the first two weekends in August with the ladies competing first, followed by the men’s competition.
The event started in 2001 and has been held every year since, except for 2020 due to COVID-19.
