This weekend saw the playing of the Men’s Championship Singles event, qualifying taking place on Saturday and today, post section games to find this year’s Champion.
Both greens were in use yesterday and at the end of play, 12 post-section players had been found.
The draw was made and play started at 9.00am with 2 games being played – Paul Gardner winning his game against Joe Wnek and Shoota Ballinger winning his against Keith Galloway.
The next round saw wins as follows: Martin Howse (win) v’s Rob Cotter, Ian Wenham (w) v’s Jim Bagnall, J Adams (w) v’s Alan Glynn, Shoota (w) v’s Paul Gardner.
The game between Jim and me was of special interest. The last end between us showed the board reading 20 points for Jim and mine, at 19. We played our bowls and on reaching the head saw that I had the shot, but close by, we had a bowl each. Before we could take a measurre, Jim’s bowl fell over. The tape was then used and I had a 2nd shot which gave me the win. A really close finish.
Semi final games then got started and Shoota was again in action, winning his against John Adams. I heard that Shoota had said that his game against John was hard fought and had made him work really hard to get the win.
Martin and I had a close battle for most of the game but with the score at 15-14 to Martin, I managed to drop four points on the next end and in no time at all the game was over, the win going to Martin.
There was some discussion as to whether the final would be played today but Shoota was happy to play his fourth game of the day so the match got started with interested club members watching.
Things seemed to be still working for Shoota and he ended the championship, taking out the match. Congratulations, Shoota. This win gave him him his first Club Singles Championship.
Singles Finalists 2013-14
Shoota Ballinger, Champion, Martin Howse, Runner-Up.
(Don’t be fooled by Shoota’s height in this photo. He stood on the bank beside the green so that it gave us the impression that he was the taller of the 2 players. Not so, Shoota!)