Last week saw the completion of the early rounds of our Hadicap Singles Championship for 2021.

In the final second round match, on Wednesday October 27, we saw Greg (Squizzy) Taylor (-9 h/cap) come up against Matty Shorten (-3 h/cap). This meant that Matty started with a six-shot advantage over his more experienced opponent. However, it was ‘Squizzy’ (after what turned out to be a very close hardfought battle), who won seven of the last eight ends, after trailing 22 – 24, to advance to the fourth and last quarter final. Well done, Squizzy and commiserations to Matty after putting up a great fight from the first bowl to the last.

Final score 31 – 25.

The fourth quarter final played on Saturday October 30, saw Greg Taylor matched against Garry Harrison. Garry has a handicap of – 13 as opposed to Squizzy on – 9, therefore it was ‘Squizzy’ who started with a 4-shot advantage.

Given both players recent form, this promised to be a great tussle, however it was Squizzy who quickly gained the advantage and proved too strong on the day for Garry, to win by 31 shots to 15.

This left us with the final four to play the semi-finals. Semi-final No 1 will see Tony Lickiss (h/cap -10) up against Brian Napper (h/cap -2), while semi-final No 2 puts Greg ‘Squizzy’ Taylor (-9) to take on Neville Henwood (-4).

In the first semi final, Tony quickly closed his eight-shot deficit to gain all the momentum and went on to prove too good on the day for Brian Napper 31 shots to 6.

The second semi-final saw Neville Henwood start with a 5-shot advantage over Greg Taylor.

After a fairly even start, it was ‘Squizzy’ who broke away to a nine-shot lead of 19 – 10, but Neville was far from finished, and came back strongly, winning five of the next eight ends, including two ‘4’s, to take the lead 23 – 22. It was at this point, that the heavens opened, and play was abandoned for the day.

Play resumed the following morning (Sunday October 31) and the battle continued with both players not giving an inch, so much so that the scores reached 28 all, however it was Greg who finished op top, scoring the required three shots for victory.     

Final score 31 – 28.

Our finalists were therefore decided. Tony Lickiss playing off -10 handicap would do battle with Greg Taylor playing off -9 handicap. Squizzy will therefore start with a 1-shot advantage.

The final began shortly after the completion of the above match, with Squizzy starting far the better, to open up an early nine shot lead, 10 shots to 1. Tony, however, was about to find some form, and hit back strongly winning the next seven ends, to take the lead 12 – 10.

Tony continued to gain momentum, winning five of the next seven ends, to lead 22 – 15, however Squizzy would not lie down, and picked up four shots over the next four ends to trail 19 – 23 and another four singles over the following five ends to trail 23 – 24.

Still, anybody’s game, however it was Tony who ‘produced the goods’ over the closing stages, winning the final five ends and claiming the Handicap Singles title for 2021.

Final score Tony Lickiss 31, Greg Taylor 23.

Congratulations to our Champion for 2021, Tony Lickiss and well done to our r/up Greg Taylor for his part in what was a very entertaining final.

On Tuesday night October 26 our popular TNT bowls continued, with the winners on the night going to ‘MKR’, who won on a toss. Runners-up went to ‘The Handymen’ who also won on a toss and our Lucky Losers were the ‘Humble Pye’s’. 

The leaders after five weeks are ‘Misfits’ on 23 points, followed closely by ‘Scrubbers’, MKR, and McKimm’s Real Estate on 20 points. 

Resting touchers went to Toni Shorten and Michael Sear.

There was no play on Tuesday night November 2 due to the renovations at the GDSC.

A big thanks to our sponsors, GDSC, Clarence Valley Wholesalers, McKimm’s Real Estate and Abbey Motor Inn.

Our Wednesday men’s triples, October 27 saw 36 players on the greens with the winners Ray Cavanagh, Peter Gillespie and Ray Grant; runners-up went to Greg Taylor and Gregg Maxted, and our ‘Lucky Losers’ went to Mitch Cook, Paul Sutton & Jamie Pye.  The resting toucher prize was won by Rob Power.

Unfortunately, our Friday men’s pairs October 29 were cancelled due to inclement weather.

See you on the greens at the GDSC.

Wrong Bias