The quarter and semi-finals of the club’s Minor Singles Championships were played on Sunday in blustery conditions, but this didn’t prevent the players from putting on a masterly display of lawn bowls.
Dave Beaumont and Richard Skippings had an enthralling quarter-final clash with Dave apparently in complete control with the score at 23 – 14 after 24 ends of play. However, the lion-hearted Richard remained calm and persevered in the conditions to eventually catch and pass his foe to take the game 31 – 28.
Tony Reynolds had no such drama against Keith Hall and after a close first third of the match, steadily increased his tempo and margin on the scoreboard to take the victory by 31 – 15.
Jake McHutchison followed a similar script in his game against Keith Smith by never allowing Keith to gain any great momentum in the match. The final score was 31 shots to Jake and 16 to Keith.
Dave Atkinson and Col Lindsay staged their own personal battle on the remaining rink. Col looked as though he may advance when leading by 17 shots to eight, but Dave managed to secure control of the mat for eight consecutive ends to acquire the ascendency by 18 shots to 17 after 21 ends of play. The next 13 ends of play left the gathering throng of spectators mesmerised. Eventually, Dave took the game by 31 – 25.
The semi-finals featured Dave Atkinson against Richard Skippings and Tony Reynolds against Jake McHutchison. Both Dave and Richard were hoping for an easier contest given their marathon, mentally draining morning matches in their respective quarter-finals. However, this was not to be and after 20 ends of play the scores were level at 16 shots each. Richard then established a mini break to lead by 20 to 18, but this is where Dave showed true championship calibre to dominate the final stanza of the game and advance to the final by 31 – 21.
Tony and Jake were engaged in their own tussle on the turf and after 23 ends of play Jake led by a single shot, 19 to 18. Jake, showing greatly improved maturity and control, steadied himself and controlled the match from this point to grasp the remaining position in the final by 31 – 22 over an indomitable Tony Reynolds.
The final, which promises to be a great spectacle, will be held on Sunday July 18 commencing at 1pm.
Men’s social bowls continues on Wednesday and Friday. All games commence at 1pm and nominations can be made by telephoning the bowls office on 6646 8669 or by recording participation details on the nomination sheet adjacent the bowls office prior to 11.30am on the intended day of play.
Wednesday July 7
Winners: Dave Beaumont and Peter Forrester; runners up: Richard Archer and Bruce Angel; Encouragement: Tom Barnsley and Paul Christie.
Friday July 2
Winners: Max Penfold, Don Freeman and Ken Cooper; runners up: Ken Catlin and Dave Atkinson; Encouragement: Brian Kay, Jim Stone and John Telfer.
Don Freeman