The finalists in the 2022 Tuross Head Major Singles Championships have been decided but not before plenty of drama! The completion of the quarter finals and the playing of the semi-finals were interrupted by COVID and further issues with the wet weather! The fourth quarter final between Peter Macdonald and Bruce Lidbury was delayed due to Lidbury being struck down with COVID and was played at the same time as one of the semi-finals on Saturday. Both of these games were then interrupted by rain before being completed on Tuesday!
When play started in the Macdonald/Lidbury quarter final Lidbury had a dream beginning. After 7 ends he had raced to a 14 – 0 lead making things very tough for the defending Champion. However, Macdonald was able to remain calm and it was his turn to dominate the scoring so that by the 15th end the scores were locked at 16 all!! Lidbury won the next end before the rain arrived and led 17 – 16.
On resumption of the game the players virtually went shot for shot in an exciting tussle. Macdonald nudged ahead but Lidbury caught him at 24 all. Macdonald was able to score the crucial shot he needed on the next end to win a great game 25 – 24!
The semi-final started on Saturday featured the 2020 Champion Joel Hilliard and the remarkable 89 year old Lou Kozlik. On Saturday Hilliard was in fine touch while Kozlik could not repeat his form from the previous two rounds. When they were forced off the green Hilliard was well on the way to victory leading 17 – 3.
When the players resumed play on Tuesday fortunes changed! Kozlik made a game of it winning 6 of the first 8 ends they played to cut Hilliard’s lead to 20 – 16. The next seven ends were very tight and after 25 ends Hilliard was in front 22 – 20! Hilliard was able to win the next three tightly fought ends by a single shot to record a hard earned 25 – 20 victory!
Macdonald was required to return to the green to play his semi-final against the ever improving Bruce Magilton after a short break. On the one hand, he had the advantage of playing 12 ends prior to this game but on the other hand, he had the disadvantage of coping with the physical and emotional tiredness that he undoubtedly felt following his tussle with Lidbury.
After a very even start, Macdonald went from 4 all on the 4th end to a decisive lead of 15 – 4 after 9 ends. Magilton fought back and after 14 ends he trailed by 10 – 16. However, Macdonald showed his class to close out the game 25 – 13.
We now look forward to a great final between Macdonald and Hilliard that pits the Club Champions from the last two years against one another!
Above: Peter Macdonald - 2022 Major Singles Finalist
