The Bowral Club Senior Singles competition commenced on Saturday 24th October 2020.  Despite a  pretty crummy day weather wise, all four matches were completed as well as four intrepid social bowlers (lovely to see a lady member among them) playing a pairs game.  All three matches in round one were played plus one match from the second round which was played to help spread the marker duties.  Match one and if there were betting on bowls I guess the odds would be even.  Clive Neutze versus Brian Porter.  Statistics wise they played 33 ends.  Brian Porter shot out of the blocks to a 9-0 lead.  Clive fought back but was mostly restricted to single shot winning ends so that at end 19 Brian had maintained his margin and lead 19-9.  Clive then took the initiative outscoring Brian over the remaining ends to finish winner 31-23.  While being very busy on the next door rink, aurally it appeared that during the final stages Clive was drawing bowls close to the jack and Brian was driving to dislodge the offending bowls.  That is not to say Clive is adverse to a drive himself but it would seem that on this occasion Clive’s drawing won the day.  Second match was Robin Staples against Viv Gear. Playing excellent bowls Viv made the early running and took a 8-0 lead.  At end 11 Viv had a good lead 11-4 but was pegged back when Robin scored 7 shots on the next two ends to level the score at 11 all.  Still playing well Viv eased out to 15-11 only to be pegged back to an even 15 all.  Having to fight all the way Robin moved ahead slightly 22-19.  Viv scored two more shots but Robin managed to win 31-21 with four shots on the final end, when Viv narrowly missed with two”on” shots making the margin seem bigger than it actually was.

Next match was the experience of Gordon Lewis playing a newcomer in Peter Cornwell.  Experience won out with the final score in Gordon’s favour 31-10.  I am sure that Peter benefit from the  competition and will make rapid steps forward in the next few months.  Peter did claim four shots on the tenth end but by then Gordon was already 18-1 ahead and continued winning most ends to that final 31-10 win.  Final match was a round two game and another match which was likely to be very close.  Bob Edwards pitted against Dave Riddell.  Close it was, with the score 10 all at end ten.  End 20 and still a very small gap with Bob leading 21-20.  Dave leveled the score next end and moved ahead briefly before Bob again drew even, 24 all on the 24th end.  Four ends later Bob again lead by one shot before taking the last three ends for a tight 31-26 win.  Eric Willacy won by forfeit over Chris Brangwin and will meet Bob in the Quarter final.  The remaining round two matches will be played next Saturday  31st October.