Yesterday was an important day for our Division 2 Men’s team playing at the Waikanae Bowling Club.
We were aware that after the last rounds, we were leading the competition with 36 points, our closest rival, Paraparaumu Beach, only one point behind at 35.
Raumati South Club’s two teams were our opposition on the day and our games got started at 9.30am on the smaller of the two artificial greens.
The biggest problem for all teams yesterday was coping with the weather; a lot of light rain showers and strong gusty wind, both making it difficult to play consistently with one’s bowls.
Having two trial ends before the start of the morning game quickly showed that skill was needed to keep the Jack on the green, mainly because it and ones bowls were easily ending up in the ditch. It certainly took skill in keeping ones bowls on the green, let alone getting them close to the Jack. The wind gusts also often decided where a bowl would end up.
The team I was in had a good lead throughout the first game, that is until only three ends were left, but then things changed quite dramatically. Fred decided a drive was needed and sent off his bowl, but it didn’t do exactly what he had planned. Two bowls were hit, but unfortunately, they were ours , and they went flying … and we went down by six shots. Suddenly our opponents were only three points behind us on the scoreboard. No matter. We responded on the next end and got 7 shots back in reply. Big smiles again.
Our other club team, skipped by Rob, also had a good win in their morning game. We all joined in during the lunch break with lots of helpful smiling comments for any driving players!!
The afternoon games were the reversal of the morning competitors and things again were going well, even with the variable weather conditions. Our closets rival in the Pennants competition, Paraparaumu, had also won their two morning games but in the afternoon, Central Levin, their opponents, took the wins.
As yet, I haven’t seen the final published results of the B Section Competition but am pretty sure we made it as the overall winner. When available, I will add it to the Website.