Sunday 16th May 2021 at Bowral Bowling Club saw play in the semi final and final of the Club Championship Singles. The semi finals started at 9 am on a clear but very chilly morning. Order of play was Jim Neely against David Coltman and Stephen Della against Ashley Lewis. In the first game David started the stronger winning the first three ends and holding a 7-4 lead after 8 ends. Trailing 9-6 Jim scored 4 shots on the 13th end and took the lead 10-9. Both bowlers winning their share of ends and at end 19 the score was still level at 14 shots each. After 28 ends still level at 21 shots each. David eased ahead to 27-23 before Jim pulled back to 27-26. Two ends later the score was in favour of David 28-27. Thirty seventh end and Jim was looking good holding 2 shots when David managed to trail the jack to his bowls at the back and pick up 3 match winning shots for a well earned 31-27 win. The second semi between Stephen and Ashley was not quite as close or as long. Ashley moved ahead in the early ends to hold a 10-6 lead after 10 ends. Three ends later Ashley was still ahead 14-10 and helped by 6 shots over the next 4 ends moved away to a 20-10 lead. At 23 ends Ashley still lead 21-16 and 4 shots next end helped his score along to 25-16. Maintaining his good form Ashley went on to a 31-22 win in 32 ends.
The afternoon final therefore had David Coltman playing Ashley Lewis. It appears that David had used most of his good shots up playing the tight match against Jim Neely and Ashley was never seriously challenged. Ashley lead 8-5 after 8 ends and cruised away to a 17-9 lead after 14 ends. From this end to the end of the match David did not score again and Ashley won the Championship with a score of 31-9. David should be pleased with his tournament as any time any bowler reaches the final of a major singles event it is a great achievement. For Ashley a satisfying moment, especially as he has played in seven previous finals without a win, so it is wonderful that he has won the 2021 Major Singles. As a proud father, Gordon Lewis wrote, ön the day in his semi final win over Stephen Della and then his win in the final I would say he was unbeatable on the day”. Many congratulations Ashley.
The other event taking place over the weekend was the first and second round of the Club Minor Pairs. Just one match on Saturday afternoon in cold and windy conditions. An excellent win for relatively new bowlers Andy Connor and Terry Butt over the seasoned pair of Peter Morales and Brian Porter. Final score was 25-19 to Andy and Terry. Sundays second round was in fact the quarter finals though only two matches were played with one of the others was a forfeit and the other to be played prior to the semi final. Andy and Terry were back on the green and up against Graham Hunt and Bob Edwards. Unable to find the good form of the previous day Andy and Terry lost this game to Graham and Bob by 31-11. Still a good effort from Andy and Terry and they were up against experienced opposition. Second match went down to the wire with an extra end required to decide the outcome. The match featured Kevin Jones and Peter Cornwell against Ted McPhee and Chris Forrester. On paper you might fancy this latter pair as they have both being playing grade 6 against the grade 7 of Kevin and Peter. However, we all know how dangerous Kevin can be on “his day” and I am sure Peter has benefited from the competition and experience of playing pennants. A very tight game was played with the score 17 all after 21 ends and the deciding end going to Ted and Chris with the final score 18-17. Schedule has the semi final for next Saturday 22nd May and the final next day on the Sunday.
