As reported last week the McGrath Senior Singles were left with unfinished matches from Saturday after rain caused cancellation of play.

These unfinished matches were completed on Wednesday 24th November.  For a change the weather was  sunny and warmish.  The three Senior  matches were played on the grass with most of social bowls back on the synthetic.  Glen Giese versus Mick Flynn started at 16-13 in Glen’s favour.  Fairly even play with the score 21-19 after six more ends.  Nothing much changed over the next seven ends except Mick edged a little closer now trailing by one shot at 25-24.  A late surge by Glen saw him win the next four ends and reach the winning 31 shots with Mick still on 24 shots. Graham Hunt lead Terry Norwood 14-13 when this game restarted.   Graham continued in the lead for a couple of ends and then dropped a “four”  to allow Terry to lead by one shot 17-16.  Terry maintained his advantage, just, and led 22-24 after 29 ends.  Next three ends to Terry and he looked home and hosed with a 28-22 lead.  Not to be, as 9 shots over the next four ends saw Graham capture the win 31-28 shots.  The final match to finish was Mike Holmewood and Eric Willacy.  Restart was with Mike leading 25-18 shots.  Mike increased that lead to 27-18 with Eric gaining 5 shots to pin back the lead to 27-23.  That was as close as he managed as Mike ran out the winner 31-24.

With all matches up to date we moved onto the weekend of 27/28th November.  Back to miserable weather!   Grey overcast and lots of drizzle for both days.  Saturday morning the remaining matches in round 2 were completed.  Glen Giese had an excellent win over Mike Holmewood only ever trailing in the first few ends.  Brian Porter advanced as Kevin Stafford forfeited with either the weather and/or the synthetic green not to his liking.  The final morning match was Graham Hunt and Gail Fraser.  Another excellent and close game.  All level at 18 shots after 24 ends.  Still level, 20 shots each at 28 ends.  Advantage Gail and she crept ahead 29-24 shots  before another valiant fight back by Graham to reach 28-29.  Gail scored 2 shots on the 40th end for the win.

Saturday afternoon saw four social bowlers braving the weather and deserve a mention for fortitude.  Peter Cornwall and Clive Neutze 23 shots defeated Keith Edwards and Barry Werfel 21 shots.  Meanwhile the Senior Singles quarter finals were played.  David Coltman reached the quarters without playing due to forfeits but then forfeited himself after a hernia operation giving Glen Giese  a spot in the semi final.  Brian Porter was up against Gail Fraser.  The pair traded shots until the 14th end with Brian leading 10-9 shots.  Gail then had the better of play an moved ahead 18-12.  Brian’s turn and he won the next eight end and moved back ahead 21-18.  Gail took back the ascendancy and won 6 of the next eight ends and won 31-23.  An early lead to Bob Edwards against Jim Neely, but then even, with the score 15 all after 17 ends.  From this point onwards Jim found his form and eased away winning 11 of the next 14 ends and a final score Jim 31 and Bob 20 shots.  The last quarter final saw Julie Hayden against Ashley Lewis.  A slow start by Ash and good play by Julie saw her establish an early lead of 11-2 shots after 5 ends.  Keeping the pressure on Ash, Julie continued to a 23 shots to 11 lead.  At this point in the game Ash gathered himself and began a fight back.  Eight ends later he had narrowed the gap to 4 shots with the score 26-22.  However, Julie held her nerve, continued to play great bowls, and ran out the winner  31-25 shots.  A great win over the current Club Champion.

Onwards to the Semi finals on Sunday afternoon.  Still grey overcast, cold but a little less drizzle.  Top half of the draw was Glen Giese versus Gail Fraser.  The battle of the bowling arms.  Gail started the stronger taking the first eight ends less a single three shots to Glen.  Score 12-3 Gail’s way.  Glen started to win a few ends but was matched by Gail.  After 21 ends Gail led by 23-12. Five shots to Glen on the next two ends closed the gap a little so that score was 24-18 after 25 ends. Next three ends to Gail and she was looking strong at  28 shots to 18 shots.  Glen fought hard for 4 more shots and a total of 22 but Gail picked up the 3 remaining shots she needed for the win.  A terrific event for Gail and also for Glen.  It is very hard to concentrate on your bowls when you have the added pressure of running the event so Glen has done especially well.  Other line up was Jim Neely versus another lady member, Julie Hayden fresh from her victory over Ashley Lewis.  Another win over another club singles champion was not to happen.  Maybe the vast change of speed from synthetic to heavy grass was a factor.  Jim scored 5 shots on the first two ends before Julie had a great run of winning ends.  Six ends in a row saw her take the lead 12-5 and maybe another upset.  Jim regrouped and stormed back winning 13 of the next 16 ends, including a maximum 4 on the last end to win comfortably by 31 shots to 16 shots.  Julie, like Glen, can be well proud of her tournament with great wins including the scalp of the Club Champion.

It is worth mentioning that Gail Fraser played 107 ends over the weekend.  This is meant to be a senior singles event! I understand that with the reduction of the age limit to sixty more relative youngsters are playing but spare a thought for those a little older.  The  change to sixty is apparently in line with the zone age limits.  However, a sixty year old ” over the hill”  zone player trying to win his last zone title is vastly  different from a club were the average age of bowlers is in the high seventies.

Since returning from Covid the weather has been to say the least, lousy.  Forecast is for La Nina to give us another three months of this weather.  The Grade 11 players appear to relish their new title of Bowral Bulls.  Less reaction from the lower teams.  Maybe with this rain they should become Bowral Gorillas in deference to our stretched arms.

Next Saturday, 3rd December the final of the Senior Singles will be played between Gail Fraser and Jim Neely.  Should be a great match with multiple Club ladies Champion and singles representative in the State play offs against former Bowral Club Singles Champion.  The Club Championship Fours will start on the next day , Sunday.