11th July, Melbourne: Three days of fierce competition in junior tenpin bowling came to a thrilling climax in Melbourne this afternoon with Victoria emerging as victors in the 2003 President's Shield. The Victorian Boys and Girls teams finished with a combined total of 163 points, ahead of NSW Central on 155.5 and South Queensland on 147.5.

Part of the TBA Junior National Championships - Australia's premier tenpin tournament for 18 year-olds and under - the Shield is junior bowling's equivalent to the State of Origin, and is contested by ten Zone teams from every State and Territory in Australia.

Girls' Team winners, Victoria was buoyed by the staunch support of local spectators throughout the three-day event. Reflecting the emotions of her team, Victorian Girls' Captain, Carly Allen graciously thanked organisers, officials and AMF Forest Hill Bowl management and staff for staging a highly successful and enjoyable event.

"Our Coach and Sport Psych. were just awesome... and all the parents supported us so well too - it makes it worth every little bit of effort we have put into it over the last six months" she said.

"Last year I made the All Stars team but this year I had the best of both worlds…the whole team gets to share the excitement. And it was definitely a team of seven, not five - everyone won crucial points," she added.

"They united really well," said Coach Mike Griffith following the on-lane trophy presentation. "Almost right from the start the Girls set that as their goal (to win the Shield) and here we are…we've achieved it!" he exclaimed.

In the Boys' division, the ACT/Southern NSW team dominated. Lead by dual Australian representative Chris Slattery from Unanderra, the ACT/Southern NSW Boys team kept the Victorians at bay, aided by an outstanding 214.41 match average by Stephen Cowland.

The Blackbutt teenager's performance in the prestigious President's Shield event earned Cowland #1 position in the Boys' All Star Team announced at tonight's gala Awards Presentation dinner.

Tracey Madden from Diamond Creek posted a tournament average of 205.61 propelling the Victorian Girls into second place in the female division of the Shield, and #1 position in the Girls' All Star team.

Spokesman for the combined Victorian teams, David Porto from Werribee summed up the spirit of the event by congratulating his fellow competitors. "You are all champions... making the State team is a great achievement," he stated, to the acclaim of fellow bowlers and spectators alike.

The pin-flying action resumes tomorrow at 8.00am with the final qualifying squads of Singles and Doubles in the National Championships. The first round of the TBA Junior Masters commences at 3pm for the Girls division, with the Boys checking in at 5.30 for a 6pm start.

Scores can be viewed on the website of the sport's national governing body, Tenpin Bowling Australia at www.tenpin.org.au.

For further information, please contact contact Media Director, Lynne Clay on Mobile 0419 444 280 or email lynne.clay@tenpin.org.au.

Press released by Lynne Clay, Media Director/TBA. Photos courtesy of Mr Barry Davies and Mr Ian Nicholls.