AFTER disappointing returns in the triples and singles, Taree Leagues bowler Gilbert Hicks was determined for a better showing in the pairs at the Australian Multi Disability Championships held at Southport.
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Hicks was back in the NSW team for the first time in a couple of years. He led with Geoff Seton from Sydney for the pairs and they completed the five game round robin undefeated to take out the title. This was Hicks's first Australian championship, bettering the silver medal he won with fellow Leagues bowler Henry Ryan in Adelaide in 2011.
Both Hicks and Seton are in wheelchairs. They play in the B5-B6 category. This was the first time they teamed together.
"There are two categories, B5-B6 and B7-B8,'' Hicks explained.
B7-B8 have greater mobility.
"Some of them only have a sore toe,'' he said.
Hicks and Seton won all their games comfortably and Hicks said he was happy with his form in the pairs.
"I didn't play all that badly in the triples and singles, but I thought I bowled pretty well in the pairs,'' he said.
Matches were played on two tiff dwarf greens, one running at 15 to 16 seconds, the other 18 to 19.
Hicks believes he's been more consistent on the green this year.
"I'm probably playing a bit more and that makes a difference,'' he said.
"I'm just feeling a bit keener this year
There's not a lot on the bowling calendar now until the end of the year. Hicks will start to work towards the start of pennants and club championships with Leagues in early 2016. The State Multi Disability Championships will be at Batau Bay after Easter. Hicks hopes to secure a place again and so be able to defend his title.
This will be at the same venue next year at Southport.
"Everything is up there now - they're getting ready for the Commonwealth Games,'' he explained.
