The Yamba 2020 Minor Singles Championship was played over the weekend with a new Champion decided on Sunday afternoon.
The preliminary round and quarter-finals on Saturday produced a few very entertaining games, a couple of lucky escapes and some memorable performances. However, by the end of the day the four semi-finalists had been decided with Nev Hillyard drawn against Dave Atkinson and Don Freeman with Steve Cassidy.
Nev and Dave had a titanic battle with the scores level on eight occasions and at 19 shots each after 24 ends of play it was anyone’s game. Ten ends later the score was 28 all and still with no clear favourite. Dave Atkinson held his nerve and took the next two ends to win the battle by 31 shots to 28. The other semi-final between Don and Steve appeared to be heading for a similar climatic conclusion with the scores level at 18 shots each after 21 ends of play, but Steve Cassidy showed his class and desire to storm away with the game, securing victory and a place in the final with a 31 to 19 victory.
Word of the final spread quickly and as the crowd of spectators grew so did the level of expectation and excitement. The game progressed in typical Yamba final fashion, with neither bowler giving the other too many opportunities to break clear and after 21 ends of high-quality singles lawn bowls Dave and Steve were matched on the scoreboard at 18 shots each. This patterned continued until Steve etched a seven shot micro-break over the next ten ends to lead by 30 shots to 23 and within reach of the elusive title. Dave showed tremendous spirit and character to get the score back to 28 shots to 30 after 35 ends of play. However, it was Steve ‘Butch’ Cassidy who rode off into the sunset with the Championship taking victory on the next end 31 to 28. Both players are to be congratulated for an outstanding display of lawn bowls and sportsmanship.
Nominations for the Handicap Fours, Stan Brown Shield and Consistency Singles Championships are currently open, and all members are encouraged to get involved.
The Moree men’s travelling bowlers will visit the club on the weekend with games scheduled for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Members and visitors are encouraged to participate. Names are being taken at the Bowls Office and on social bowls afternoons.
Men’s social bowls will continue Wednesday (pairs) and Friday (triples) afternoons. All games commence at 1pm and nominations can be made by telephoning the bowls office on 6646 8669 prior to 11.30am on the intended day of play.
Wednesday September 23
Winners: Col Cohen and Peter Forrester; Runners Up: Bruce Blanch and Col Lindsay; Encouragement: Jim Stone and Bill Andrews.
Friday September 25
Winners: Maurie Houghton, Chris Muldoon and Dave Clark; Runners Up: Tom Barnsley and John Parkes (pairs game); Encouragement: Peter Julian, Bruce Blanch and Greg Johnson.
Don Freeman