Lawn Bowls
23 August, 2025
Barry impresses in domestic test series
Warracknabeal’s Josh Barry took out player of the series as he helped lead Victoria to victory in the para bowls test series against New South Wales.
At Dandenong North on August 5-6, Barry and teammates Luca Protopapas and Josh Thornton won all three of their rounds to clean-sweep the series.
Each round incorporated a singles, a pairs and a triples match.
Mr Barry won five out of his six matches across the various formats and was deemed the best player for his efforts.
The Warracknabeal local was happy with his individual accomplishment and for the bragging rights over his NSW counterparts.
“I felt good – I thought I played well over two days,” he said.
“It feels good to beat them because that was the second time it's ever been done for the para team."
The successful series caps off a busy few months for Mr Barry, who has competed in both domestic and international tournaments, including the third edition of the Merlion Cup in Singapore last month which incorporated seven teams.
“I didn’t get picked for the Australian team for that but I was invited by Gold Coast-Tweed District to compete with them,” he said.
“We played pairs and fours. We didn’t do well in the pairs but came equal-third in the fours.
“I was on the Gold Coast in June for the Australian Open where I was runner-up in the pairs.”
Josh is now preparing for the Victorian season, which starts next month, as well as another tournament towards the end of September.
“I’ll be playing for Warracknabeal but I also play on permit for Clayton in Melbourne,” he said.
“I play most games in Melbourne as there’s higher competition there, but I’ll come back here and play some games as well.
“At the end of September, an international fours competition in Dubbo takes place with $150,000 prizemoney where I’ve been asked by MRH Disability Services to play with three of their NSW para players.”