Friday, February 4, 2011

Weale aims Aussie gold

ROB Weale will be among the bowls stars captivating part in this month’s Australian Open in Melbourne. The Presteigne bowler returns to the nation for the first time since his singles silver medal in the Melbourne Common wealth Games of 2006.The medal proved to inspire the 47-year-old to greater glory in the 2010 games in Delhi, when he became the most decorated bowler in Commonwealth history by claiming singles gold. Big prize money will be up for grabs with Weale among the favourites to win the trophy and the $125,000 prize money when the contest begins at the Darebin International Sports Centre in Melbourne on Sunday, February 13.

Last time Weale was in Melbourne he tasted Commonwealth singles final defeat to Australian favourite Kelvin Kerkow, who marred the match by infamously ripping off his shirt in jubilation before being flooded on the green by his Australian teammates. While the pair quickly put the incident behind them, Weale returned to the Common wealth Games arena in October and earned the final salvation when he defeated NSW’s Leif Selby in the gold medal play-off, but harbours no ill feelings upon his return to the scene of the scandal.“For me it will bring back recollections of the Common wealth Games final against Kelvin,” Weale said upon accepting a wild card into the 2011 Australian Open.

“A competition anywhere I thinking I played single of the games but was now edged out in a tie-break all credit to Kelvin. “I also think that Melbourne is one of the best cities I've visited and I look ahead to returning.”Weale is connected in flying the Welsh flag by compatriot Jason Greenslade, who will associate Weale in the pairs and triples, the latter with Australian lead Mark Berghofer by their side. Carrying a six figure prize pool, the 2011 Australian Open is a multi-discipline contest which features singles, pairs and triples for both men and women, as well as a carnival of bowls.

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