The CRDBA State Open and President’s Reserve Singles Championships were decided on Sunday with the semi-finals and finals being played at Yamba. This year’s champions had to navigate their way through the strongest fields nominated in recent memory to claim their respective titles.

The President’s Reserve Singles Championship was intriguing from the first bowl with the question on everyone’s mind being: ‘Could ‘Sparra’ win four in a row?’ Steve ‘Sparra’ Colley from Brooms Head had captured the previous three titles in this category and was considered vulnerable in this talented field of challengers. Having made his way to the semi-finals, following several desperate wins in the preliminary rounds, Sparra was confronted by a determined Greg Taylor of GDSC in the semi-final. Greg made Sparra work hard and the scoreboard was level at 14 shots each after 21 ends of play. Ultimately Sparra drew upon his vast armoury of ability and experience to close out the match by 31-22.

In an all Maclean semi-final Ross Murphy controlled his encounter with Alastair Preston to book a place in the final with a strong 31-17 victory. Alastair played well but it appeared that Ross always had his measure and was determined to have another crack at Sparra following his narrow final’s loss in 2016.

The final was a tense affair with both bowlers feeling the pressure for different reasons. No one can take anything from Ross and he tried courageously against the ‘Wide Bowl Wizard’ but it was Steve who found his rhythm and responded to every challenge that Ross provided. On occasions when Ross looked in command, Steve through guile, ability and class found a way to successfully respond. The final score was 31-14 providing ‘Sparra’ with another opportunity to advance to the Zone play-offs and ultimately the State finals.

Also contested at Yamba on the weekend were the semi-finals and final of the CRDWBA State Mixed Pairs. Judy Parkes (Maclean) and Steve ‘Scruffy’ Jackson (Yamba) won their semi-final by two sets to nil against a determined duo of GDSC bowlers in Toni Shorten and Jason Ryan to advance to the final. Joan Scadden and Graham Meany of Yamba took the second final’s berth when they overcame Iluka’s Carol and Bruce Caldwell, also in straight sets.

The final was one for the ages with the four finalists all had their moments producing inspiring bowls and saving critical moments. The game could not have been closer with both sets being tied. The first appeared as if Joan and Graham were going to claim victory but through determination and skill, Judy and Steve, found a way to even the scorecard at five shots each. The second set was all Judy and Steve and with one end to play looked in control leading by six shots to three. But Joan and Graham had an alternate scenario in mind and somehow found the necessary three shots to force the draw. The sudden-death tie break was the crescendo that the game deserved and with Steve having the final shot he needed to dislodge Joan’s bowl resting near the jack to claim victory. The crowd held their collective breath as the bowl ventured closer and closer to the target, ultimately colliding with the shot in what appeared to be a match-winning delivery. However, a measure determined that Joan and Graham had prevailed by a margin of less than an inch.

Also contested at Yamba on the weekend were the semi-finals and final of the CRDWBA State Mixed Pairs. Judy Parkes (Maclean) and Steve ‘Scruffy’ Jackson (Yamba) won their semi-final by two sets to nil against a determined duo of GDSC bowlers in Toni Shorten and Jason Ryan to advance to the final. Joan Scadden and Graham Meany of Yamba took the second final’s berth when they overcame Iluka’s Carol and Bruce Caldwell, also in straight sets.

The final was one for the ages with the four finalists all had their moments producing inspiring bowls and saving critical moments. The game could not have been closer with both sets being tied. The first appeared as if Joan and Graham were going to claim victory but through determination and skill, Judy and Steve, found a way to even the scorecard at five shots each. The second set was all Judy and Steve and with one end to play looked in control leading by six shots to three. But Joan and Graham had an alternate scenario in mind and somehow found the necessary three shots to force the draw. The sudden-death tie break was the crescendo that the game deserved and with Steve having the final shot he needed to dislodge Joan’s bowl resting near the jack to claim victory. The crowd held their collective breath as the bowl ventured closer and closer to the target, ultimately colliding with the shot in what appeared to be a match-winning delivery. However, a measure determined that Joan and Graham had prevailed by a margin of less than an inch.