Sport
8 October, 2026
Seton and Wright Claim Bogan River Pairs Title
Nyngan Bowling Club’s Annual Bogan River Pairs Tournament
By Abigail McLaughlin
Nyngan Bowling Club’s annual Bogan River Pairs tournament has once again delivered three days of high-quality bowls, strong competition and plenty of camaraderie, with Ab Seton and Greg Wright emerging as the 2026 champions.
The October long weekend tournament attracted 30 teams from across NSW and further afield, with players converging on Nyngan for one of the Bowling Club’s major events of the year.
After three days of sectional and knockout competition, it was Ab Seton (Warren) and Greg Wright (Nyngan) who held their nerve when it mattered most to take out the prestigious Bogan River Pairs title.
The pair were crowned winners following a highly competitive final against Ron Coyte and Sean Gosper, who finished runners-up after an impressive campaign.
Seton and Wright claimed the major prize of $7000 and the Bogan River Pairs trophy, while Coyte and Gosper collected $3600 for second place.
The tournament featured a substantial $20,000 prize pool, helping attract a strong field of experienced bowlers to Nyngan.
Competition began with sectional play, with teams required to contest five games of 15 ends. The five section winners, along with the three best runners-up from each section, progressed through to the quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
From there, the competition intensified, with the semi-finals and final played over 21 ends on Monday, ensuring the eventual champions had to produce consistent bowls across the entire long weekend.
The tournament was played in four-bowl pairs, with the format of 2-2-2-2, and featured a number of visiting combinations alongside strong local representation.
The weekend also included breakfast each morning, lunches throughout the tournament and a Saturday night dinner, adding to the social atmosphere that has become an important part of the Bogan River Pairs.
The event also featured a Calcutta auction on Friday night, while a Monday repechage gave teams that missed out on the main knockout stages another opportunity to compete.
For Nyngan Bowling Club, the tournament was another successful showcase of the club’s ability to attract quality competition from well beyond the local area.
With $20,000 in prize money, a strong field of 30 teams and three days of competitive bowls, the Bogan River Pairs once again proved a major drawcard for the town over the October Long Weekend. 'Happy Bowler' and 'Bonty' also live streamed the events on Youtube all weekend.
Congratulations to Ab Seton and Greg Wright on their Bogan River Pairs victory, and commiserations to runners-up Ron Coyte and Sean Gosper after a strong tournament.
Bogna River Pairs Results
First: Ab Seton and Greg Wright.
Second: Ron Coyte and Sean Gosper.
Third: Josh Walker-Davis and Warren Towney.
Fourth: Ring Adams and John Adams.
Quarter-finalists: Mark Fitzalan and Baldy Frame.
Quarter-finalists and section winners: Tony Hinton and Wayne Turner; Jason Preston and Keedon McGuire; and Cooper and David McMullen.
Round Winners
One: Shaun Harper and Michael Williams Jnr.
Second: Adam Webb and Glenn Smith.
Third: Nathan Collis and Allen Tighe Jnr.
Fourth: Alby and Maree Gibbs.
Fifth: Jedd Scott and Kevin Kershaw.
Calcutta Winners
First and Second: Adam Webb and Glenn Smith.
Third: Jason Preston.
Repechage event Monday morning, (18 teams participated)
First: Nathan Collis and Allen Tighe Jnr.
Second: Tony Hinton and Wayne Turner.
Third: Alby and Maree Gibbs.
Fourth: Adam Webb and Austin Taylor.