The Men’s Handicap Singles post section games were played today, and as well, the final of the Ladies event.
It was an 8.30 am start for Shoota and Ken who had missed out in getting a bye.
Ken got his scoring under way on the first end with a single but it wasn’t until the 7th end before he scored again.
I didn’t see the early part of this game but I have heard that Shoota was managing to drive off any of Ken’s bowls that might have got his score moving. By the 13th end, Shoota had reached 18 and Ken was on 7 but then a change came over the game as Ken found his line and length and by the 19th end, the score read 19-17 to Shoota.
This was the end of Ken’s chase with Shoota scoring the maximum 4 on what proved to be the last end. An interesting game, not only because the two players were very capable bowlers, but the wind also added to the problems of gaining a steady game of line and length.
It was now time for those with the bye to test their skills, the games resulting in Steve Felgitscher winning his game against Joe Wnek 21-13, Omeka winning against Selwyn Riwaka, 22-18. (this game was close with new player Selwyn leading 18-17 but then Omeka went on and won the game.) Shoota 21-Rob Cotter 15, a game I didn’t see as I had gone home for lunch …. but when I returned, one game was still going , Paul Gardner, handicap +2 v Brian Paquin, handicap +4 . And the score moved slowly,12-6, 14-12, 16-12, 16-16, 17-16, and then it was 20-16 to Paul. The pressure was now on (I’m sure it had been on all through the game). Four ends followed with Brian gaining a one on each end …. and the score read 20-21 to Brian. On the last end Paul played a magnificent bowl to get the shot, only to see Brian do the same back to him to win the game. A great effort from both players.
Four players were now left – Steve going down 21-11 to Brian and Shoota going down 12 – 21 to Omeka setting up the final.
Brian Paquin
Omeka Feaunati
Some really good bowls were seen during the Final’s match with just the occasional stray, and by the 10th end, Omeka was trailing 8 to 10. But bit by bit, Brian pulled away, finally winning the Men’s Handicap Singles 21-14.
Dianne Short and Ann Malone
Finalists – Women’s Handicap Singles
The Women’s games had reached the final last week so their games commenced at 1.00 pm, with Ann Malone playing Dianne Short. This turned out to be another close game, with one player seeming to get away with a good lead (16-8 to Dianne by the 14th end.) The next 5 ends went Ann’s way and by the 21st end, she was leading 20-18, only one more shot to win the match. But as often happens, this was the hardest point to get, Dianne scoring a 1, 1, and then a 2 to win the match 22-20.
This, like so many of today’s games, kept the interested supporters watching, never being sure which player would be the one to reach 21 points first.
Even though the weather wasn’t the best, it was a most interesting day of bowls.