The continuing wet weather has hampered the start of the new bowls season with two days needed to complete the first games in the Consistency Singles. With the current season to run until June 2023 it has been decided to rejig the local program with significant changes to the order of events. The first event is one that social bowlers can join registered bowlers.
Five games were scheduled for Saturday – the only round 1 game and four round 2 games – to fit in with the green space available. At this stage only one green – 7 rinks – is available for play. Two of the games were completed on Saturday but players in the other three games had to come back on Tuesday to complete their games.
It was one of the uncompleted games that turned out to be the highlight. John Monks (above) and Mick Challice needed the full 30 ends to come up with a result. In this event the aim is to have your bowls as close to the jack as possible. Points are then awarded for the four closest bowls from four for the closest to one for the fourth closest. Ten points are awarded each end with the first player to 150 points the winner.
Challice started the better in his game with Monks and maintained the lead for the first 14 ends at which point he had a 75 – 65 advantage. Monks grabbed the lead on the 17th end moving to the front 87 – 83. The remainder of the game was a real battle and on 3 occasions the players were level pegging – 100 all, 120 all and 130 all! Monks collected all 10 points on the 27th end to give him the upper hand at 140 – 130. Challice fought back and with an end to play Monks had a slender 146 – 144 lead. In a very tight end the players split the spoils giving Monks the closest of victories at 151 – 149!
In the only Round one match Peter Macdonald finished far too strongly for Noel Downie. Downie – the defending Champion - competed well for the first ten ends and lead 47 – 43. But from this point Macdonald dominated play to win the majority of the ends to triumph 150 – 90. Col Fletcher demonstrated how much his game has developed when he totally outplayed Stuart Graham. Fletcher was never headed in winning 153 to 107.
Newish bowler, Bill Burch, started slowly against Alan Skelton but once he settled in he more than held his own. He was able to record an excellent 152 – 118 victory to move into the third round! In the final game Ivan Balentovic was able to finish too strongly for Lou Kozlik. After 12 ends the players were level at 60 all. From this point Balentovic had the better of play to record a 158 – 112 victory.
Round two matches will be completed on Saturday February 5 – weather permitting!
