Day two for the Mixed Singles started with a match between Ra Walker and Ken Hayward. The scorecard showed that it was a very tight game. It reached 20 all and then a 2 on the next end saw Ra the winner.
Dave now had to play against his wife and this ended with Ra in front 21-14. The other semi-final was between Neville Turnbull and Shoota Ballinger and this saw Shoota come out the winner.
So to the final, and perhaps appropriately, between a male and female bowler, which seems to fit the title of the competition, ‘Mixed Singles’.
Shoota started with a 4 on the first end and generally was able to handle the conditions and came out the winner 21 – 9.
Ra Walker and the winner, Shoota.
The problem for all players today was the strong westerly wind. The games were played north and south so there was either a very wide or very narrow hand to play. Watching a narrow bowl on its way to the jack showed how difficult it was to be accurate; play too narrow, and if the wind stopped for moment, the bowl ended up across the head. More often, a strong gust would take a bowl further out. Quite frustrating for the players. Watchers were impressed with how the players dealt with the situation, wind and frustration.
In the distance we could see over the roof of Horowhenua College, a Norfolk Pine that was moving with the wind. Not the best photo in the world, but you can see how the tree is being blown by the wind.
Norfolk Pine showing ‘Pain’