THROUGHOUT Singleton Bowling Club's history I don't think there has been a more dramatic, thrilling and intense finish to a club triples championship than what unfolded last Sunday. The scheduling of the final was such a surprise that some of the players were not informed or even made aware until five mins prior to play commencing!
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Having won their semi-final clash the day previously, the defending title holders of brothers Terry and Kevin Dunn and Gary Smailles lined up against Bruce Taylor and brothers Nathan and Damien Allen.
After five ends, the scores were locked at 5-5, however Damien's team opened up a seven shot advantage through a count of five on the 9th end. This spurred Gary's men to lift and playing like they were possessed, they won the next six ends to take the lead 14-13.
Damien's men showed their mettle and responded to retake the lead before both Kevin and Gary played some scintillating shots on the 19th end to score a count of four and retake the lead 18-17.
As the remaining two ends commenced, the level of intensity increased and so did the quality of bowls as the drama began to unfold. The few spectators watching were treated to the finest of pressure bowls.
Heading into the final end, Damien's men were two shots behind but rallied strongly to hold a count of seven only to watch Gary drive the jack which pin-balled around and over the bowls before thudding into the ditch. Damien produced two cracking game saving draw shots to send the game into an extra end at 19-19.
Into the extra end and as Gary stood on the mat with his final bowl to play, his team were behind. With the championship on the line, Gary drove and killed the end. As the extra end had to be replayed and now running well into extra overtime, Gary stood on the mat, championship down and once again skilfully drove and killed the end!
As dusk was well and truly upon us and one of the players already late for work, both skippers in consultation with the remaining players all walked off the green with the game still a draw at 19-19. This showed tremendous sportsmanship, respect, common sense and etiquette for a game which truly deserved to see both teams as the winner.
For Gary's men to have reached the final they were up against Steve Noble, Ray Martin and Bill Wyborn on the Saturday. It was a fairly even contest just after the halfway stage at 13-9 in favour of Gary's team when the rain began to fall. Rather than halt proceedings, they battled it out against the elements, however Gary's men were able to handle the deteriorating conditions to win the game 24-13 and earn the place in the final.
In the minor singles, Tony Andrews had a rematch against Dave Garland from when they squared off from their major singles encounter earlier in the year. The scores were locked at 12-12 before Dave employed a change of tactics which helped his cause to go on and record a 31-18 win.
Bob Shepherd made a very good start against Ian Rose and opened up a strong lead. However Ian showed his fighting qualities but left his run a little too late, Bob winning 31-17.
The same could just about be said for the Gordon Oliver vs. Peter Bowden clash with Gordon putting himself in contention for the win with a solid opening. Peter showed his ability late in the game but Gordon hung on winning 31-17.
John Cann was unlucky to catch Phil Hall on one of those days where everything goes right with Phil winning 31-7.
As the jackpot climbs at Thursday afternoon's men's jackpot bowls it sparks more of an interest in proceedings. The winners for the day went to super lead Tom Vipond, Ian Rose and Gary Smailles with V.McGrath, T.Dunn and R.Young the runners-up.
In the minor singles we are down to the quarter finals with the four games as follows: V.McGrath vs. D.Garland (marker T.Andrews), P.Hall vs. Richard Scott (S.Noble), G.Oliver vs. B.Taylor (P.Bowden) and F.Sibley vs. B.Shepherd (I.Rose)
Sunday's Cock ó walk singles will see Rod Fuller take on Richard Scott (marker Ryan Scott).
As a reminder, nominations for mixed pairs close on August 31 and nominations for the consistency singles close on September 7.
The Masonic Charity Day is on again with it to be held on Sunday August 31, 2014. This is a fantastic day in which everyone has a great time. It doesn't matter if you have never played bowls before just come down and try this game out. The day commences at 12pm and goes right throughout the afternoon. Please contact the club for further information if interested.
This week in bowls: Saturday August 23- Men's minor singles 1:00pm, mixed mufti social bowls 1:00pm. Sunday August 24- Cock ó walk singles 10:00am. Thursday August 28 - Men's jackpot bowls 1:00pm
- Radar -
