There was no Bowls News for last week as the weather continued it’s dismal display and produced lots of rain and grey skies. Play was cancelled on Wednesday 6th April without a bowl delivered. Saturday 10th April was little better though some bowlers turned up in hope. In fact, the five social bowlers got as far as proceeding out to start to play when the heavens opened and bowlers gave up the unequal task. Two Handicap Singles games were scheduled to be played on this day. These bowlers were made of sterner stuff and hung about for a break in the weather. That break eventually happened and Handicap Singles play started. Glen Giese played David Coltman and they lasted six ends before more showers made them give up. Glen had a 4 shot advantage and lost just one of these shots during the six ends with the score resting at 9-6 to Glen. Alistair McGhee and Terry Norwood were even more determined to finish, coming off the rink four times and even playing through standing water. Just a one handicap shot difference here with Alistair on 12 and Terry on 13 handicap. They lasted 17 ends before the weather won and at this stage the score was Alistair 14 shots and Terry 15 shots. Very close.
Wednesday 13th April and most of the cloud had cleared and an uninterrupted session of bowls took place. One game of Handicap Singles took place as the players were not available over Easter Saturday. Josh Woodcock on 5 and Owen Williams on 14 handicap gave Owen a 9 shot start. Josh made short work of his deficit by scoring 11 unanswered shots and a 2-0 lead. Owen responded by taking a 5-2 lead and still lead 13-12 after 19 ends. While Owen continued to put down some good bowls Josh was now far more steady and while Owen scored ones, Josh scored multiples and went on to win 31-17. Social bowls saw 26 bowlers present and enjoying the better weather. Play was naturally on the synthetic after all the rain.
Easter Saturday and the competition bowlers agreed to play allowing the Mixed Pairs to reach a conclusion and three Handicap Singles to be completed or finished. Add 13 social bowlers who joined the two incomplete Singles games on the synthetic and it was quite a good turnout for an Easter Saturday. Leaving the Mixed Pairs final to last, play continued with Terry Norwood 15 and Alistair McGhee 14 shots. Alistair had to fight hard but emerged winner 31-25 having had the better of the final few ends. A strong performance from Terry who has had some good results of late. Glen Giese versus David Coltman restarted at 9-6 in Glen’s favour. An excellent game by Glen saw him win 18 ends to David’s 15 and win the match by 31-22. Amazing how Glen can have all the hassle of dealing with game selection, those who turn up without putting their names down, those who do not turn up at all and still go out on the green, and compose himself enough to play the super bowls that he is playing at the present. Bravo. Down the bottom half of the Handicap Singles is not the preferred spot to be with all the “heavies” gathered in this area. Hence a quarter final between Club Champions Stephen Della and Ashley Lewis. First half of the match was fairly even and it was only in the latter part of the game that by winning 9 ends to 3 ends Stephen was able to move ahead to a 31-20 victory. He won 17 ends to Ashley’s 13 ends so a comfortable win in the end. Stephen has Zone Pairs coming up so his match against Josh Woodcock in the semi final will be sometime in the future. The other semi is Alistair McGhee against Glen Giese, which should be a very tight and interesting game.
Leaving the best to last, the final of the Mixed pairs featured Jim Neely and Gail Fraser against Julie Hayden and Kevin Stafford. The match was moved over onto the Springetts green, causing pleasure for some and annoyance for others. The green being super narrow after all the rain meant there were very close ends. A close start but Jim and Gail gradually built a lead over Julie and Kevin and by the 20th end were ahead 24-13 with no need to play the 21st end. Congratulations to the winning pair and this is the fourth time that this combination have won this trophy. Well done Jim and Gail.
Do not forget that next Saturday the new green will be opened and that there is a three games of eight ends competition to celebrate. Entries close 5 pm Wednesday 20th April. We need a few more male entries so we can match the excellent number of entries from the Ladies Club.