Bruce Lidbury has taken out the Major Singles Championship at Tuross Head Bowling Club to become the new Club Champion. It also means he has become the inaugural recipient of the Stan Peck Memorial Trophy. The Club made the decision to establish the award in the memory of long time member Stan Peck who passed away late last year.
Lidbury staged a fighting comeback to win the title in the final against Marcel Kors. Both players moved into the final with strong performances in the semi-finals. Lidbury was in great form when he was able to lead all the way against John Monks. This game was of a high standard with both players putting in some excellent bowls. The final result did not reflect the closeness of the game.
The thing that stood out was Lidbury’s consistency. He drew beautifully to always have bowls in the head. Monks was required to play some great bowls just to stay in the game. Lidbury held a narrow 8 – 6 lead after 8 ends before he gradually pulled away. By 18 ends he had moved to a commanding 22 – 10 lead. Monks won the next 2 ends to give him some hope at 22 – 15 but Lidbury closed the game out over the next 3 ends to win 25 – 15.
After his customary slow start, Kors dominated his game with Doug Williams. Williams won the first 3 ends to lead 4 – 0 before Kors took control. He won all but three of the next 16 ends to win 25 – 7.
The final was played on Saturday June 3 in less than ideal conditions after overnight rain. The cool humid conditions affected the green before the sun finally returned to help the players. Both players started cautiously as they adjusted to the conditions. After 10 ends they were all even at 9 all. Kors made the first move when he won the next four ends to set up a 15 – 9 lead.
At this stage Lidbury started to turn things around. His very consistent, excellent draw bowls started to hit their target. He won 5 very closely contested ends to hit the front at 16 – 15. He continued to dominate the game and stretched his lead to 24 – 15 after 23 ends. Kors fought hard in this period but could not break the hold Lidbury had over the game. He managed to stall the inevitable when he played an excellent bowl to win the next end but Lidbury closed the game out 25 – 16 on the 25th end.
It is the second time Lidbury has won this title and comes after he played a big part in steering the Grade 5 Pennant Team to the Zone play offs. Congratulations to both players on their efforts throughout the Championship!
Marcel Koprs
Bruce Lidbury.
