BOWLS NEWS WEEKEND JULY 8th & 9th (Terry Norwood reporting)
Saturday saw the beginning of the RSL Shield competition. Not having been run for a couple of years due to COVID, it was great to have this competition back on the agenda. With the two sets of pairs listed, one set of lead and second and the other of third and skip, the draw was made to finalise the six teams of four bowlers. The first round match draw was then made so that the first round of fours games could get underway.
The scoring in the RSL Shield is based on shots scored over the five events of fours, singles, triples and two games of pairs. It’s important, therefore, for teams to keep plugging away even if behind because it’s their shots scored that gets entered on the results sheet.
The first round games were played on the grass of the Wilson Green. With an icy gale blowing out of the west, the conditions were tricky to say the least.
On rink 3, Team 1 consisting of Terry Butt, Scott Kennon, Dave Coltman and skipper Kev Stafford took on Team six of Ian Duncan, Brian Bailey, Andy Connor and Alastair McGhee. In a red hot opening to this twenty-one end match Kevin’s team netted five shots and were on their way. Team McGhee got themselves on the scorecard on the second end, but by the seventh end found themselves down 4 – 12. They took single shots on the next three ends to steady the ship. However, team Stafford grabbed control of the game at that point winning the next five ends and racing to a lead of 22 – 7. And, although they dropped four of the last six ends, Kevin’s team coasted home to take a handsome haul of 27 points. Team McGhee finished with 13 points.
Terry Butt and Kevin Stafford kept their team on track!
On rink 4, Team 5 consisting of Graham Hunt, Ian Crow, Stephen Della and skipper Dugald Braithwaite were up against Team 2 of Mick Flynn, Robin Staples, Ted McPhee and Bob Edwards. Dugald’s team dropped a shot on the first end but then stunned their opposition winning the next six ends to take a very commanding lead of 12 – 1. With Graham Hunt leading well and the whole team out-bowling their opponents, team Braithwaite continued to dominate the match. Bob’s team did score a couple of doubles, but after sixteen ends they still trailed by thirteen shots. Over the remaining ends, team Braithwaite added another nine shots to finish with a tally of 29 points, while team McGhee ended with 9 points.
Graham Hunt and Dugald Braithwaite were in great form!
In the final match on rink 5, Team 4 of Bob Crowley, Terry Norwood, Peter Cornwell and skipper Tony Oakes battled for points against Richard Denman, Arnold Lenczuk, Ash Lewis and Greg Lewis. Greg’s team made the better of the conditions at the start scoring five shots on the first three ends. Team Oakes then got themselves on the scorecard and by the seventh end the scores were locked at 7 all. Tony’s team then hit the lead momentarily but, in conceding a six on the twelfth end, they dropped behind 9 – 16. Despite giving up four shots on the next end Greg’s team stormed away to take a mouth-watering 35 points from the game. In fading badly over the last eight ends, team Oakes netted 14 points.
Richard Denman and Ash Lewis led the way for their team!
So, after the first round matches of the RSL Shield, Team Lewis leads on 35 points, followed by Team Braithwaite 29, Team Stafford 27, Team Oakes 14, Team McGhee 13 and Team Edwards 9.
The second round where the leads play singles and the others play triples will be played in two weeks time on July 22nd. The draw to determine which teams will face off in this round will be made on the morning of the games.