Orange dominates at NSW Country Championship for tenpin bowling

It was a strong performance all-around from the host city, as Monique Slaczka finished second in the women's open event, while Will Mastronardi and Hugo Belmonte placed first and second respectively in the handicap event.

Aldo and Marrisa Belmonte are the owners of Orange Tenpin Bowl where the event was held and he said it was a record few days.

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"Quantity wise we didn't get as many people as last year." Mr Belmonte.

"But we had 320 entries when last year we only had 212, so this was the most number of entries we've ever had in 30 years."

Bowlers could compete in three categories - singles, doubles and a four-person team event - with each one counting as its own entry.

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Mr Belmonte said after a Covid-impacted 2020, people were keen to bowl once more.

"I think the people that came this year, because they hadn't bowled many tournaments in 2020, that they were hungry to keep bowling in some sort of event," he said.

"So those that did come, which was less in total persons than last year, they just continually wanted to bowl and bowl and bowl and they might've had two attempts at singles and two attempts at doubles.

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"It was a fantastic and friendly atmosphere and everyone knows that we are walking fine lines now with Covid, so it was great to see that people still want to participate."

The success of Mastronardi in particular came as no surprise to Mrs Belmonte.

She said he had been working hard in the lead-up to the event.

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"Will came through pretty much everyday during the last six weeks of holidays," she said.

"He got a few tips from Jason (Belmonte) and took everything in his stride, so it's great to see so many locals do well."