Illawarra bowler Sam Cooley took out the Riverina Open with a pin-fall of 4011 over 20 games averaging a score of 203.55 per game.

Wagga’s best Mark Morton came tenth, and relished the opportunity to play against elite bowlers locally.

Morton was one of five Wagga locals bowling at the Riverina Open.

“All five of us made it to the top 24,” he said.

The multi-patterned event provided a challenge for even the most experienced like Morton, who has been bowling for 25 years.

“The pattern they put down was really tough,” he said.

Morton averaged 187 over 20 games and will return in 2016 eager to make the top six.

“I would like to win it, but anything better than this year would be good.”

Until then he’ll have plenty of time to hone his skills in the district league. Wagga’s placed three from five teams, two games before the finals rounds in November. 

Morton’s debut on the NSW bowling circuit was a career highlight, along with bowling a perfect 300 in 2014.

His competitors came from as far as Port Macquarie, Wollongong and Canberra to take part in the inaugural event.