In spite of the weather not being the best today, Shanghai Singles was played at the club.
For many, it is not a form of Singles that many bowlers have played or observed, but those involved today, all indicated how much they enjoyed the game.
It is basically for three players, each with three bowls, to play against each other with the aim of being first to reach 31.
Basically straight forward, but it does have a few extras that need to be understood and in particular, how to score on each end. Get the shot and you get three points, second nearest to the Jack, 2 points and third closest, 1 point. Sounds simple but if you have the closest three shots on an end, your score will be 6. Perhaps you have the two nearest shots – you have 4 shots. Pretty basic understanding required and one soon picks it up. As an extra, each bowler has a Joker to play. Make the decision only once before playing on any end you choose and you will double your score. Simple!! That’s OK if you play your Joker on an end when you have the closest three bowls, you will score 12 point. But not so good if your bowls don’t do basic scoring on that end. In that case, it simply means that playing the Joker was of no value to you at all!!
There were a few other guide lines but play got underway after an early rain shower and, with the help of markers on each end, players soon showed their skill in playing..and scoring.. in this form of the game.
The Scoreboard showing the scores on a particular end for Jimmy 17, Keith 23 and Omeka 23 and on the card where the scores were recorded for the full game. can be seen.
The board is showing what is recorded at the time on End 10 while on the card, a star beside the score indicates when a player took his Joker; must have worked for Keith on end 10. He’s gone from 17 to 23. You should be able to see how the scoring worked twice on the card. (Why didn’t Omeka bother to use his Joker I wonder??)
At the end of play the winner was O Feaunati and C Courtney from Waitarere Beach Club won the Plate section.
Certainly an interesting game and hopefully more will take part when it is next played.win
Ken with winner, Omeka
Clem congratulated for his Plate win.
A Message from Ken:
Hi folks
After a dicey start with cancellation a strong possibility at 8 am and
some anxiety relating to no-shows of players, the Shanghai singles
proved to be another day of good bowls fellowship, keen competition and
plenty of fun.
Fortunately the rain stayed somewhere off to the west of Weraroa Road
for all except the last end of one game. For those who were not there at
the end of the day the results were as follows:
Main Event: 1st Omeka Feaunati (Levin)
2nd Rob Cotter (Levin)
3rd Sam Kwok (Raumati South)
The Plate: 1st Clem Courtney (Waitarere Beach)
2nd Neil Bovey (Central)
3rd Ken Hayward (Levin)
A big thank you to all of our efficient markers who seemed to enjoy
the contests as much as the players – Julie Stichbury,
Lana Mahupuku, Joan Hayward, Bronwyn McMahon, Michael Norris and Vern
Murphy.
Thanks to to Neville and Murray for helping with the marking out, the
equipment and organization, and Jimmy Adams for agreeing to play at the
last minute.
A special thank you to Jan for all the work in the kitchen and the
baking and sandwich making before hand and to Dianne whose help at
cleaning up time was very timely and greatly appreciated, and Paul for
the work behind the bar, and to those who came to watch.
Ken