Moree Community Mutual branch manager Bronte Egan said the competition that sparked between a brother and sister fan rivalry on the Moree  and District Services Club bowls committee had surged into an all-out, annual competition for a cause, chalking up close to 10 years of fundraising.

“We usually play in conjunction with when the NRL game is played, but unfortunately we couldn’t do it this year,” Bronte said.

“It’s very passionate. A few of the bowls committee are my family. It’s brother and sister – one is Rabbits and one is Dragons so it gets a bit competitive.”

Bowling Rabbits supporters will be defending their hold on the perpetual trophy after taking out the competition over a number of years, but Bronte said the Dragons would be looking to make a comeback.

She said this year, the local branch would be introducing a signed Dragons jersey to be auction towards the cause.

“It is a bit of a much of a muchness,” Bronte said. 

“The Rabbitohs over the last few years have taken it home, so we have decided this year to have the Dragons jersey to auction off. We thought, if we can’t take the trophy...”

Bronte said the community had been a great supporter of the annual competition that raises funds for the treatment and care of Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers.

“All of our fundraising money goes to Fairview and the Alzheimer’s and dementia unit,” she said.

“We’ll have teams of four and there are 18 rinks, so there is eight players on each rink. Generally our numbers are up around the June long weekend bowling carnival. It is a bit of a thing for us to think that we are up at that level.” Contenders have been encouraged to turn up in team colours on Saturday as the fan grudge match rolls up from 2pm at the services club.