Last weekend February 19 – 20, saw the staging of the district ‘Champion of Champions Singles’, held at the Iluka Bowling Club.
Seven of our district’s current singles champions contested this prestigious event, with the Grafton Services Mens Bowling Club represented by our Major Singles Champion Mark Walsh.
In Mark’s first match, he crossed swords with Laurie Preston from Sth Grafton Services and finished a comfortable winner to the tune of 31 – 10. This win earned Mark a birth in the semi-finals the following day in which his opponent was the local boy, Iluka Singles Champion Greg Donsworth…a difficult task for sure given that Greg would be right at home on his home green.
Mark began well and quickly opened a six-shot lead in the early stages and from then on was able to maintain this advantage right through the game and in fact increased his lead to cross the line a winner by 9 shots.
Final score: Mark Walsh 31 d Greg Donsworth 22.
On to the final of the District Champion of Champions Singles for 2022 where Mark Walsh, would meet the Wooli Singles Champion, Ron Forder who defeated Michael Charters representing the Brooms Head Bowling Club in his semi final.
The final saw Mark have the better of the start to lead 4 shots to 1 before Ron found his range, winning four consecutive ends and taking the lead 6 shots to 4.
Mark, however, was about to find his ever-reliable draw shot game, that had served him well all weekend, as he proceeded to win six of the following nine ends to open a seven-shot lead, 16 shots to 9.
Mark was now gaining momentum and was able to continue his consistent draw game over the following stages as he pulled away to lead 24 shots to 10, and although Ron fought on right to the end, winning three of the remaining six ends, it was Mark who was too good on the day to finish victorious by sixteen shots.
Final score: Mark Walsh 31 d Ron Forder 15.
Congratulations to Mark on being crowned our district ‘Champion of Champions’ Singles winner, and well done and congratulations to Ron Forder of Wooli for qualifying for the final.
Mark will now progress to contest the Zone 1 Champion of Champions Singles later in the year.
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