Sunday 7th December was a busy morning on Bowral Bowling Club’s greens. The final of the mixed Pairs was completed along with the annual John Crowe and Bill Brenning Memorial Challenge between Bowral and Robertson Bowling Clubs. While it was mentioned that it was lucky the Pairs Final was delayed a week as the wind was howling last Sunday, the players did not get off scott free as there was still a significant wind this weekend making playing conditions difficult. However the sun was shining and it was a pleasant temperature.
Finalist for the match were Gail Fraser and Jim Neely against Elaine Jones and Bob Edwards. While Gail and Jim might be considered favourites the result was by no means certain as Elaine and Bob had had some great wins on the way to the final, including a win over the defending Champions Sylvia Handley and Kevin Stafford. A close match it certainly was as the final result left the teams just one shot apart. Gail and Jim won the first end but Elaine and Bob won the next with four shots. Gail also scored four shots next end and lead 6-4 followed by the third end of four shots, this time to Elaine and they lead 8-6. Gail replied by winning the next three ends and retaking the lead 11-9. Very even play for the next few ends so that at end 15 Gail and Jim lead 18-13. Five shots to Elaine and Bob saw them level the game on end 17 at 18 all. The next end was probably the match breaker, as Gail scored a hefty 5 shots and went ahead 23-18. Heading towards the finish with three ends to go Elaine and Bob scored 5 shots but in the other end Gail and Jim scored one shot and this was enough to give them victory by that one shot 24-23. An excellent tight final with congratulations to Elaine and Bob for a their great results and to Gail and Jim for securing the Mixed Pairs Championship. I hope after all their splendid play they were treated to one of those free lunches floating around on Sunday.
The other event on Sunday was the John Crowe and Bill Brenning Memorial Challenge. I understand that John and Bill in past years contributed greatly to the running of Bowls in the Southern Highlands and the Challenge is to commemorate their achievements. The annual format is the the Club Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours winners from Bowral and Robertson clubs play each other for the trophy. As usually players are winners in more than one event a little shuffling is required.
This year Bowral were the winners by three games to one. In the singles Stephen Della, Bowral, was a winner against Ken Oliver by 31-6. Robertsons turn in the Pairs with Mick Frost and Graham Tutt 21 beating Tom DeGreenlaw and Kevin Stafford 19. Bowral again in the triples, Eric Willacy, Paul Leverett and Josh Woodcock against Eric Pull, Bill Creer and Noel Acton with the score 23-14. Finally a strong Bowral team of fours featuring Russell Fahey, David Coltman, Mick Spong and Mick Armstrong were able to win against the Robertson team of Christine Wortley, Guido Fredrico, Brian Robinson and skip Steve Bruce with the score 33-11. So the trophy will be proudly displayed in the Bowral cabinet for the next year.
Next weekend the Final of the other late season event the Eric Plain/Southern Highland Cup take place at Bundanoon. The three preliminary rounds have been completed with Bundanoon, Robertson and Bowral playing each other over three Saturdays. The three games were very even, with all three Clubs winning three sets each so that they all go into the final even on points. The format now changes and teams field two pairs teams and two triples teams. The Bowral selection is shown below. By no means the strongest possible team but great to see some new faces being exposed to different greens and different competition. Best of luck to the teams.
