All conquering Jets finish runners-up in Platinum Pennant Bowls Championship

RAYMOND Terrace Jets are soaring high after record-breaking feats in the prestigious Bowls NSW Platinum Pennant championship series.

But their dreams of an undefeated maiden title have been shattered after a heartbreaking grand final loss to the Warilla Gorillas on home turf.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Gorillas after back-to-back grand final losses to Cabramatta and the Merrylands Magic.

The Platinum Pennants series brings together 12 teams in a “best of the best” format and features some of the world’s greatest lawn bowlers.

Boasting a formidable line-up, the Raymond Terrace team were crowned minor premiers after finishing the regular season undefeated with a record 10 victories.

Skippered by three decorated Australian champions in Lee Schraner, Jay Bye-Norris and club leader Matt Baus, and boasting six NSW representatives, the Raymond Terrace squad were title favourites.

Schraner, 44, is a dual World Singles Champion of Champions gold medallist and the only player in history to have won the Australian Champion of Champions gold medal four times.

Bye-Norris, a former national champion and three-time Victoria men’s singles title winner, was recruited by the Jets this season from the Deer Park Club in Melbourne.

The Australian representative has achieved success on the greens with both Victoria and the NSW Blues and recently captured the NSW Champion of Champion Singles title with a 25 shots to 13 victory over Corrimal’s Anthony Moran.

Other Jets’ squad members included the club’s highly regarded Chief Executive Officer Jason Stokes, Brendan Stokes, Tim Twining, Lachlan Freeman, Josh Bell, Peter Taylor and Shannon Gittoes.

They were joined in the series’ top five by the second-ranked Warilla Gorillas, St Johns Park Saints, Cabramatta Bull Ants and Wenty Leagues Magpies.

In a blockbuster major semi-final at the Hangar, the Jets advanced to the championship decider after sinking the Gorillas by 65 shots to 51 in front of a vocal home crowd.

In a cruel twist, the Gorillas backed up the next day to sink the Cabramatta Bullants 56-47 in the preliminary final before gaining sweet revenge over the Jets in the championship grand final.

By Chris KARAS