Brian Currie has taken out the 2020 Barry Sloane Memorial Lightning Singles Championship following a full day of exciting bowling. Twenty four players competed for the sought after trophy played in the ‘sets format’. The event is played over two sets each of five ends with a ‘one end’ tie break if needed. The preliminary rounds were a round robin with the players in eight groups of three. The 8 players with the best scores then moved into a three round knock-out.
Peter Macdonald started his quarter-final against Peter Davies very well but stumbled on the last end of the first set to go down 5 – 4. Davies then dominated the next set to claim victory. Ben Hewison proved too strong for the defending champion – Noel Downie – and had a strong 2 set to nil win. Brian Currie had a great battle with Lorraine Wake. He grabbed 2 shots on the last end of the first set to claim a draw. He then fought back to claim the second set 6 -3 to move into the semi-finals. Mick Challice continued his impressive form to account for Lou Kozlik.
Challice played very well in his semi-final in an outstanding game with Hewison. Most of the heads in this game were very tight with little between the two players. Great draw bowling from Challice allowed him to apply pressure every end. He won both sets to progress to the final.
Currie had a great match with Peter Davies. In a low scoring first set, Davies played an outstanding ‘on-shot’ with his last bowl to share the set 3 all. Currie started well in the second set and led 3 – 1 after 3 ends. On the fourth end, Davies looked to have the advantage before Currie moved the jack to enable him to pick up two shots and a 5 – 1 advantage. Davies needed a miracle on the last end but his chance evaporated when he put his first bowl in the ditch. He conceded with Currie excited to make the final.
The final between Currie and Challice, two of our newer bowlers, was very exciting with both players in fine form. Challice drew first blood when he came from behind to grab the first set 5 – 4. He scored 3 shots on the last end to achieve this. He then rammed home the advantage when he picked up all 4 shots on the first end of the second set. Currie then showed his fighting qualities. He recovered from the two bad ends to take the next four to win the second set 8 – 4 and force the final into a tie breaker. This end was very close but Currie was able to get the shot and win the trophy.
Barry Sloane Memorial Lightning Singles 2020 Champions Brian Currie
Well done to both players who survived a long day of bowling action – they had each played five intense matches – and were still bowling at their best after 50 plus ends. This is a first championship victory for Currie and he found it hard to hide his excitement!!
Lightning Singles Runner Up Michael Challice
