The weekend of 19/20th July saw the Bowral Club Championship Pairs competition take a large step forward with the round of sixteen and the quarter finals completed.  Probably the best performance of the weekend came from Eric Willacy and Paul Leverett.  On Saturday the defeated the hot favourites Micks’ Armstrong and Spong and followed up on Sunday with a good win over Noel Fraser and Jim Neely.  The photograph below is from February of this year with Paul bowling and Brian Porter watching.

A quick resume of the results.  Two matches were played Friday 18th July 2020.  Ashley Lewis and Josh Woodcock had a 29-11 win over Alistair McGhee and Dennis Beatty.  I thought this game might be a little closer in score but with Ashley playing extremely well and Josh’s drive having great results (judging by the cries of anguish coming from the rink) the margin was comfortable.  However, the game was of a very high standard with some great “heads”.  On the other rink Mike Holmewood and Robin Staples won against Glen Geise and Clive Neutze by 27-9. Five matches were played Saturday with the sixth between Brian Payne and Gordon Lewis in Gordons favour as Owen Williams and Keith Edwards forfeited.  Carl Spilker and Nathan Boyers won 29-11 against Harold Wall (substituting for John Edmonds) and Brian Porter.  Stephen Della and Kevin Stafford  scored 26 shots to Ted McPhee and Chris Forrester on 4.  Last years finalist Dan Ticehurst and Don Chapman failed to find last years form and lost 27-8 to Noel Fraser and Jim Neely.  Tom De Greenlaw and David Coltman were 13-13 after 14 ends against Peter Lesuer and Bob Crowley but then never lost another end to run out winners 29-14.  Finally the match of the day pitted the Two Mick’s against Eric Willacy and Paul Leverett.  The match was close thoughout with Paul leading 13-9 after 14 ends.  Mick clawed his way back to even the score with four shots on end 18.  At end 20 the score was level at 20-20.  With Mick holding four shots it came down to the last bowl which Paul used to draw gently into the head and wick off a Mick bowl to take the shot and the game.

So on to Sunday’s quarter finals.  Biggest margin was to Ashley Lewis and Josh Woodcock who continued to play very well and defeated Brian Payne and Gordon Lewis 28-13.  Stephen Della and Kevin Stafford played Carl Spilker and Nathan Boyers.  Kevin took the lead on end 4 and never lost this lead until the finish.  Nathan was close at 14-11 on end 16 but Kevin pulled away to win 21-12.   Mike Holmewood and Robin Staples lead Tom DeGreenlaw and David Coltman by 13-9 at end 14.  Then David and Tom, as they did the day before got it all together and scored 11 unanswered shots to lead 20-13.  Mike and Robin won the last three ends but this was not enough and Tom and David won 20-17.  Finally Eric Willacy and Paul Leverett continued their excellent run and defeated Noel Fraser and Jim Neely22-13.  Paul took the lead on end 3 and was never headed to win comfortably.  The semi final and final will be played next Saturday 25th July.  The semi finals will match Stehen Della and Kevin Stafford against Eric Willacy and Paul Leverett while the other semi will be Ashley Lewis and Josh Woodcock against Tom DeGreenlaw and David Coltman.