The remaining four games in round two of the Consistency Singles have been completed despite the threat of rain! While not all of the four games where close, all of the players on the day acquitted themselves well.
In the only game to go the full distance, Doug Williams was able to hold off a strong finish from Bruce Magilton to move into the third round. This was a tight game from the start with very little separating the two players. Magilton held a small advantage for the first 10 ends leading 52 – 48. Williams had the better of the next section of play and by the 20th end he had moved to the lead by 106 to 94. He pressed on and looked the winner at 134 – 116. Magilton then fought back strongly and with one end to play he trailed by 148 – 142. It was anyone’s game! An unfortunate ‘wrong bias’ with his second last bowl was a costly error. Williams won this end 6 – 4 which gave him a 154 – 146 victory.
Jonathan Green and Marcel Kors also had a very tight tussle. After 10 ends Green led 54 – 46. Some good scores on the next three ends meant he was able to extend the lead to 76 – 54. Kors then grabbed the momentum and by the 19th end the scores were locked at 95 all. The scores remained close for the next period of play – 110 all and then 115 all – and with three ends to play only two points separated the two players with Green ahead 136 – 134. Green then played two strong ends to pick up 8 points then a further 9 to win the game 153 – 137.
2021 major Singles Champion, Peter Macdonald, once again showed his skills in this format of the game with a master class in consistent draw bowling. His consistency proved too much for John Fahey who, while putting in his share of good bowls, could not manage the big scores needed to win in this game. Macdonald led throughout and moved into the next round with a strong 150 – 90 win.
In the final game veteran Jim Macklan was also too consistent for his opponent Chris Codington. Macklan’s ability to draw has been the mainstay of his game and this format of play suits him well. Codington’s work commitments restricts the amount of time he can spend playing bowls but he finished well and showed the quality of bowls that he can play. Macklan won 151 – 99.
In the quarter-finals Peter Macdonald plays Jim Macklan; Doug Williams plays John Monks; Ivan Balentovic plays Jonathan Green and Col Fletcher plays Bill Burch.
Jonathan Green - a winner in the Consistency Singles
