On Thursday January 28, the final of the Yamba Women’s Bowls Pairs Championship will be fought out between the two remaining combatants. Beryl Mills and Kerry Pedder will play Denise Burey and Joan Scadden in what should be a great exhibition of tactics and skill. Beryl and Kerry have had to overcome some quality opposition on the road to the final, and in the quarters took out Judy Abbott and Catherine Atchison in fine style. They got into their stride after 5 ends, when they led 5-4, and from there powered on relentlessly, shutting their opposition out for the next seven ends to lead 17-4. Despite a late fight back by Judy and Catherine, Beryl and Kerry took out the game, 19-14. Previously, their opponents in the semi-final were Judy Sinclair and Beryl McConnell. They had a tough quarter final against Ruthie Fletcher and Judy Button. It was a very even contest throughout until Judy and Beryl picked up 8 shots in five ends to lead 11-5 on 11 ends. From here on it was somewhat of an arm-wrestle, and despite a strong finish by Ruthie and Judy, Beryl and Judy prevailed 16-13. The semi-final, however, yielded a more convincing result, with Beryl Mills and Kerry Pedder combining beautifully to lead throughout from the second end. Judy Sinclair and Beryl McConnell tried every way they could to wrest control of the game back, but were unable to do so, with Beryl and Kerry running out winners 19-10. Their opponents in the final, Denise Burey and Joan Scadden had a tussle early in their quarter final against Wynne Bell and Kaye Mason, with both teams playing precision bowls and the score at 11 all on 12 ends. From this point though, Denise and Joan came up with some great bowls and stamped their authority on the remaining ends to win 18-13. In the subsequent round, they met Val Terry and Monica Conlan in the semi. Val and Monica had a topsy- turvey game in the quarters against Helen Atkinson and Chris Cole. Helen and Chris dominated the game through to the 13th end when they led 11-8. But Val and Monica determinedly hit back to get it to 11 all on 15, and then shut their opponents out of any further score in a game that went down to the final bowl by Monica when her opponents were in a position to force an extra end. The final score was 15-11. And the semi between Val/Monica and Denise/Joan was an equally close game. Denise and Joan got off to a good start, but a 6 on the 5th end took Val and Monica into the lead 7-4. From there, Denise and Joan scored consistently in 1’s and 2’s to lead 11-8, but another multiple to their opponents brought it to 11 all and anyone’s game on the 12th. Steadying, Val and Monica looked to have things under control when they picked up a 4 on the 16th to take a 2 shot lead. However, a strong finish saw Denise and Joan just one behind going into the last, and then snatch an 18-16 victory with a 3 on the last. So the scene is set for a terrific final between two well-balanced, fine teams. Also on Thursday 21, the first round of the Princess of the Green Minor Singles Challenge was played between Ruthie Fletcher and Raels McKibbin. Congratulations to Ruthie on a good win. More details on this will be published at a later date. Social bowls has continued throughout the championships, with good numbers. Taking out the Lucky Rink prize on Tuesday 19 was Beryl Neilsen, Maria Sakac and Wendy Ballantyne. Consolation winners were Glynis Hall, Sandy Owen and Gloria Davis. Wendy backed up again to be in the winners’ circle on Thursday 21 teaming up with Jill Miller to take out the Lucky Rink prize, with runners up going to Cheryl Deveney, Bev Shatte and Cathryn Atchison. Consolation winners on the day were Beryl Neilsen, Maria Sakac and Dot Gleeson. It’s a busy week coming up, with the quarterly general meeting at 11am on Monday, February 1, and the Major Singles Championship starting the next day, Tuesday 2. Wendy Ballantyne