The one advantage from the overnight rain closing the cotula green, was that the Junior Singles Championships had to be played on the artificial green which meant that club members had a great view of the games.
The first day of their championships had been washed out so the first games played yesterday saw the completion of the first round. The players had two challenges now, their opponent and a very strong gusting wind which made it extremely difficult; a bowl would be sent on its way on what looked a good line and then a gust would disrupt both the line and weight. What was impressive was the way the Juniors handled the conditions and with some very tight heads. The scoring in most games had both players close and it was not easy to tell who would be the eventual winners.
First year player, Selwyn Riwaka had a close game with Brian Paquin, coming back from 11-17 down on the 20th end to be only one behind by the 24th, 16-17, but Brian went on from their to win the game 21-16.
Another close game in the first round was between Murray Griffin and Noel McCutcheon. Things were looking good for Murray with his score at 18-10, but there he remained with Noel scoring a 2,3,4,2 on the next four ends to take the match.
In the next round, Murray played Brian Paquin and after 15 ends the scores were level at 10 all but by only scoring one further point he went down 21-11.
Steve Felgitscher, who was in the lead on the first day against Barnaby Hamid,won the game yesterday by default. He then had to face Selwyn who needed the win after losing his first game. I was having a roll-up further across the green but I kept my eye on the scoreboard and saw Selwyn go ahead by 10-1, then it was 16 – 5 and it looked all over for Steve. But he is a real fighter, doesn’t give up and the board changed slowly as bit by bit he closed the gap; from 16-5 to 16-11, then 18-15. But that was it (we though) as Selwyn reached 20 and needed just one more for the win. Then a 4 and a 2 from Steve, and the game was all over, with Steve the winner 21-20, a result that looked quite impossible earlier. A great game.
Post Section games now, with three qualifiers, Noel McCutcheon (his second game was a win by a default), Brian Paquin and Steve Felgitscher.
The draw was made and Noel, who had sat around after his first game, was once again a spectator as he got the bye into the final.
As already mentioned, Steve won his previous game in a dramatic comeback and now he faced Brian to see who would be the other finalist.
What a game eventuated, with a large crowd in the clubrooms able to follow the play.
Note the scores taken from the scorecard, with Steve’s points first:
5-5, 10-6, 11-9, 14-13, 15-15, (have you picked the winner yet?), 17-17, 17-19, 17-20, 20-20 ……..
and with a single on the next end, Brian Paquin went into the final, to be played at a later date.
All who took part should be very proud of their play, showing real skill in trying conditions. A Day to remember.