HONG KONG—A record number of teams will begin their voyage for glory at the Premier League starting this Saturday, April 30.
This season three more teams joined the men’s competition to push the total participants to a record-breaking 88 teams. For the women, a sharp increase of six teams make up the number to 48 teams, the highest since the format changed in 2009.
For the mens competition, the talking point is still on Craigengower Cricket Club (CCC), who will have three time and reigning National Singles champion Stanley Lai switching from Kowloon Bowling Green Club (KBGC) to make the debut.
Over the years CCC has recruited a number of elite players in an effort to bring back the title they last won in 1994. Last season they had 2014 Bowler of the Year, Wong Chun Yat and some young bowlers as reinforcement but performance dropped off in the last few round and only finished third.
It is expected that Lai will make a positive impact for CCC as he has already helped the team to win their first ever Triples League in February.
Just like the weather lately, for the defending champion KBGC it never rains but it pours. In addition to losing Lai to their main rival, two of last year’s key players Heron Lau and Terence Lee also confirmed that they will put on Hong Kong Football Club’s jersey this weekend. And that will leave the KBGC champion team with James Cheng as their only skipper remaining from last year.
For the runners-up Kowloon Cricket Club, rumour was that their top player Ken Chan will not play this year due to work and other commitments. This may impact KCC’s quest for their 15th top flight title.
Joining Division 1 will be Division 2 champion Hong Kong Cricket Club, who has missed top tier league actions for more than 15 years. Hong Kong Youth Team will also join the elite division for the first time since it was established in 2000.
For the ladies, Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) will continue their record-setting journey with the 10th consecutive title in sight. Despite there will be no new faces in the team this year, they are still regarded as the hot favourite for the title as they have seven Hong Kong internationals in the team.
In the Triples League which finished in February this year, the HKFC team narrowly missed out for their fifth consecutive title so they are eager to continue their record in the Premier League.
Returning to the first division will be Club de Recreio, after missing the top division for two seasons, and City Lawn Bowls Club who will taste their first season in Division 1.
This week in Lawn Bowls
The 2016 Premier league commences this Saturday April 30 at all greens in Hong Kong (2:30pm). On Sunday May 1 there is an inter-schools competition at Ap Lei Chau Sports Complex (9am to 6pm) and the National fours Round 3 for women (10am) and Round 4 for men (3pm) take place at all greens in Hong Kong.
Claudius Lam is an officer of the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
