The weekend of November 13/14th 2021 was busy with the semi finals of the Minor Fours on Saturday and the finals of both the Minor Fours and Triples on Sunday. The weather was nor terrific with strong winds on both days adding a considerable wind chill factor. The week prior had seen considerable rain, enough to cancel social bowls on Wednesday, and making the greens very heavy. On the Tuesday the Ladies Club had a District event which surprisingly went ahead on the grass. I understand that Gail Fraser won the District Singles and will play in the State Singles. Congratulations to Gail for this great effort. Saturday there were three rinks of social play. Barry Werfel, Graham and Richard Denman had to play cut throat as they lost their fourth to a no-show in the fours. Rick Reynolds and Clive Neutze put up a great fight against the only top grade players present, and these were visitors from Albion Park Bowling Club.
Match one of the Minor Fours was Graham Hunt, Owen Williams, Bob Crowley and Bob Edwards against Tony Oates, Peter Cornwell, Brian Porter and Glynn Phillips. Four shots to Bob’s team on the first two ends were offset by six shots to Glynn. Bob pulled one shot back on end five but the better scoring was from Glynn and they lead 15-6 by end eleven. Next five ends were won by team Bob but only one shot each end so they had reduced the margin to 11-15 by end sixteen. From here onwards the game favoured team Glynn and they won 20-14 shots. Second semi final was Alex Lamb. Andy Connor, Terry Butt and Gordon Lewis against Keith Edwards, Terry Norwood, Glen Giese and Peter Morales. Early lead to team Morales but countered by team Lewis who lead 7-3 on end five and 8-4 on end seven. The very next end Peter picked up five shots to take over the lead. The match continued evenly being 14 all on end fourteen. Gordon won the next end but the Morales team then won the next five ends to run out winners 20-16 shots.
The teams were back Sunday morning for the final. Tony Oates, Peter Cornwall, Brian Porter and Glynn Phillips against Keith Edwards, Terry Norwood, Glen Giese and Peter Morales. Watching the warm up ends both Peter, clutching his back after a delivery, and Glynn massaging his leg, showed signs of their hard games on Saturday. On the first end of the match Tony lead off with two bowls close to the jack before Peter Morales thundered into the head, wicked off a bowl and took the jack back for three shots. A nice start, and team Morales built up an early 7-1 lead. A steady fight back by team Phillips had them level the score 14 all. The game then swung back to team Morales who built a lead, lost the last end but won 22-15. Congratulations to Peter Morales, Kieth Edwards, Terry Norwood and Glen Giese, Minor Fours winners.
The Minor Triples was abandoned the previous week after eight ends with Lyn Boshier, Andy Connor and Terry Butt 7-3 ahead of Alex Lamb, Gordon Lewis and Glynn Phillips. Glynn had to play twice on Sunday as he played in the Fours final, at least he was one of the younger players. With play resuming the next six ends favoured team Terry slightly by six shots to five and they continued to lead 13-8 shots. A very slight swing towards Glynn allowed them to claw back one shot over the next four ends so that they trailed 16-12 after eighteen ends. Continuing their advantage team Phillips scored three shots on the next two ends and the score going into the final end was Terry 16 and Glynn 15 shots. Two shots on the final was enough to give the Minor Triples Title to Alex Lamb, Gordon Lewis and Glen Phillips. A very close game and a great effort also by runners up Lyn Boshier, Andy Connor and Terry Butt.
Saturday 20th November the start of the Senior Singles is scheduled for 1 pm with eight matches to be played. A very strong field, especially as the age limit has been lowered to sixty, should make for a very close competition.
