MENS MAJOR SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS
Given the dramatic weather forecast for later in the day, many bowlers were not at all hopeful that any bowls would be possible. However, to his great credit, organiser Glenn Giese got going early and called on players and markers to be at the club as early as possible. The plan was to start games as early as possible and try to beat the rain which had been predicted for early afternoon. And, with the help of the weather gods, the plan worked!
Prior to the quarter finals, there was one remaining match from the second round to be played: Terry Butt Vs Alistair McGhee. Both bowlers were on hand early and were ready to begin at 10am with Andy Connor as marker. With his bright red bowls gliding smoothly that elegant leftie Terry won the first two ends, only for Alistair to win the next two and square the scores. After six ends Terry held the lead by a couple of shots, but it was then that Alistair really began to crowd the jack. He won five of the next six ends to take a very solid lead of 15 – 6. Terry then steadied to reduce the lead to four, but a costly three, and a few ends later an agonising four, had him down 24 – 13. Alistair then quickly finished off the game and went to lunch a comfortable winner 25 – 14. Alistair could then relax while awaiting his afternoon quarter final clash with Bob Edwards.
QUARTER FINALS
The first of the quarter finals to get under way was the clash between the defending champion Ash Lewis and a former champion Steve Della. And what a cracker of a game this turned out to be! From the start both bowlers were drawing to the jack beautifully. The first four ends were shared two apiece, with Steve leading 4 – 2. The defending champ then really applied the pressure and took the next four ends to lead 9 – 4. The fighting qualities of Steve then came to the fore and by the fifteenth ends he had regained the lead by a shot. However, a four shot haul amongst some other successful ends, saw Ash back in the lead by six. Sending down some excellent bowls under pressure Steve then managed to reduce Ash’s lead to two shots at 19 – 17. However, Ash then steadied, and bowling superbly, won the next four ends and closed out the match 25 – 17. This was an excellent match of a high standard of bowls.
The Ash Lewis delivery! A focussed Steve Della!
On rink 11, two of the evergreen oldies Noel Fraser and Gordon Lewis went head to head. Noel hit his straps immediately and, with fine draw shots, stunned Gordon by scoring four on the first end. Although taking a shot on the second end, Gordon was struggling to find his rhythm and found himself down 8 – 1 after four ends. True to his calm nature though, Gordon then found his length and edged his way into the match. However, a four shot haul by Noel, followed two ends later by a three, had him firmly in the lead 19 – 8. Not to be denied, the irrepressible Gordon then won five ends on the trot, reduced Noel’s lead to three and had his opponent under more than a little pressure. However, true to the fine bowler he is, Noel regained his touch and put a shot on the jack on the next end. He followed this with four really fine bowls on the next end to take an all-but lead of 24 – 16. The match was over on the next end with this excellent tussle going to Noel 25 – 16.
Gordon, a study in concentration! Beautifully away Noel!
The next quarter final was between two of the top ranked bowlers Dugald Braithwaite and Mick Anderson. And what a monumental match this turned out to be! Both these bowlers had represented Bowral in the recent first division pennants competition, so were accustomed to pressure matches against highly ranked opposition. Despite the drizzly rain and the damp surface, both bowlers seemed in fine touch from the outset. Mick trailed 4 – 2 after the first three ends, but then took the next five ends to set up a lead of 9 – 4. The quality bowler that he is, Dugald then fired in some excellent shots over the next few ends and the match was square at 11 all after twelve ends. The scores remained level until Dugald won three ends consecutively and took the lead by five shots. Mick fought back to get within one, only for Dugald to slip away again and lead 21 – 17. With Dugald really applying the pressure, and Mick struggling to respond, Dugald took out victory 25 – 21. This was an excellent match between two talented, determined competitors.
Dugald at his best! Mick Anderson riding one home!
The final game of the quarter finals was between that crafty leftie Bob Edwards and Alistair McGhee who was backing up after his round two victory in the morning. And what a high scoring opening there was to this match – fifteen shots were scored in the first four ends, three fours and a three! Given that the ends were shared, the overall score was 8 – 7 in favour of Bob. With both bowlers then getting more shots in the head, the scoring tightened. It was Alistair however who edged ahead on the scorecard by leading of 13 – 10 after ten ends. It was then that Alistair took a grip on the game, slowly increasing his lead and his control of the game. Down 19 – 11 Bob scored three shots on the seventeenth, only for Alistair to score a pair of threes on the next two ends and close out the match 25 – 14. This was a hard fought match in which Alistair really kept pressure on Bob with some fine draw bowling.
Bob Edwards sends one on its way! Alistair’s delivery!
SEMI-FINALS & FINAL
The semi-finals and final will be played next Saturday. The semi-finals are set down for 10.30 in the morning, and the two games will be:
Ashley Lewis Vs Noel Fraser
Dugald Braithwaite Vs Alistair McGhee
At the conclusion of these games, there will be a one hour lunch break before the two victors meet in the final in the early afternoon.
These should be absolutely wonderful exhibitions of bowling, and everyone is encouraged to make the trek to the club to watch things unfold.
MENS CHAMPIONSHIP FOURS
In other news, the Mens Championship Fours is set to begin on Saturday October 22nd. With prize money of $1000 for the winners and $200 for the runners-up, the committee is hopeful of a good field of teams for this event. Members interested in entering this competition will need to get their team listed on the entry sheet by Sunday 16th.