The Zone One 2018 Johnston/Dignan Shield and Schipp Cup competitions between the best players from Tweed/Byron, Northern Rivers (east and west) and Clarence River Districts were held at the Yamba Bowling and Recreation Club on Sunday. Five of the nine district clubs were represented in the CRDBA Johnston/Dignan Shield side and all the players coalesced well to create a formidable combination. The first game against Northern Rivers – West was a close affair with both sides never establishing ascendancy. The result of a collective draw across the three rinks was a fitting result. In game two the CRDBA representatives hit their straps and dominated their contest against Northern Rivers – East winning all three rinks. One more win against Tweed/Byron District would secure the Johnston/Dignan Shield. However, Tweed/Byron with a win and a loss in their lead-up matches also wanted a second win to add to their account. The game was a thriller with never more than five or six shots separating the teams on the master scoreboard. Unfortunately, at the completion of the final end, Tweed/Byron held superiority by a slender margin of four shots. Tweed/Byron captured the shield after Northern Rivers – East defeated their eastern compatriots to provide the winning avenue to Tweed/Byron. The story in the Schipp Cup followed a single strong theme with the CRDBA side dominating all opponents to steamroll to victory for the second consecutive year. The Maclean side of John Hupfield, Al Preston, Gary Scott and Garry Montgomery showed true character; the Yamba side of Steve Cassidy, Bill Andrews, Bruce Angel and Gerry Ray showed why the Yamba Grade 5 pennant side is off to the State Play-offs; and the composite side of Ron Forder (Wooli), Barry Lancaster (Iluka), Ken Ainsworth (South Ex-Services) and Frank Mayoh (Iluka) combined seamlessly to collectively rule the greens from start to finish. The Johnston/Dignan Shield competition also served as a selection trial to determine the Zone One Representative Team to contest the 2018 NSW State Finals to be held in Wagga Wagga in September. Although unlucky not to secure more representation, two CRDBA bowlers did manage to gain selection with Adam Hart from Yamba and Cliffe Vagg of Maclean leaving the selectors no option but to pick them following their outstanding performances over the three games of competition. Congratulations to both Adam and Cliffe. Finally, good luck to the South Grafton Ex-services Grade 4 and Yamba Grade 5 Pennant sides when they contest the State finals next week. Don Freeman