Last weekend the Men’s and Women’s handicap pairs were held.  The weather was good but windy, with heavy rain overnight on Saturday, but this did not prevent us playing on the grass.  Many thanks to Kyler who double-rolled Mayfair Green to allow us play on the Sunday.  This weekend the men played on Knightsbridge and the Women on Mayfair.

We had eight teams in the women’s event, they played three qualifying games with two winners and three winners to qualify.  Four teams qualified, the big surprise was both Elaine McClintock and Kerin Roberts and also Colleen Rice and Theresa Rogers who failed to qualify.

In the first semifinal Margaret O’Carroll and Rhonda Dredge with a large handicap played Jan Gledhill and Rosemary Nicol.  It took a while but Jan and Rosemary finally caught up and came out winners 32-23. There were some excellent bowls by Margaret and Rhonda over the weekend which was great to see.

In the other semifinal Judi Farkash and Jane Mackay played Sheryl Wellington and Julie Chhour.  This was a much closer game with Sheryl and Julie taking the win 24-20.

The final was not close, Jan and Rosemary taking the win 28-9. Both Jan and Rosemary continued their form from the Masters and constantly put Sheryl and Julie under pressure to take a deserved win.

The women did struggle with the speed of Mayfair green and the gusty wind.

The Men played on Knightsbridge which is playing a bit quicker and true. This is great news after the last two years.  Both greens will continue to quicken with more play on them, warmer weather and also being cut slightly lower.

The men had fourteen teams, two and three winners to qualify.

Eight teams qualified so it was quarter-finals on Sunday.

Roger Potter and Bill Lowe played Leon Wech and Ron Horne. Leon and Ron played superbly on the first day and their form continued in this game running out winners 28-8.

Peter Orgias and Gordon Jenkins played Bruce McClintock and Gerry Strydom. Both teams had no losses in qualifying but it was the Peter Orgias team that came out on top 21-8.

David Payne and Barry Baillie played Steve McGregor and Steve Bartley. The two Steve’s started well, they had a plus four start with the handicap and bowled very well, but David and Barry slowly clawed back the lead to win 26-20.

Wayne Glogoski and Alan Telford played Stuart Mackay and Graeme Storey. Stuart and Graeme had a plus three start and bowled very well, early rushing out to an 18-5 lead.  Back came Wayne and Alan but it was not enough, going down 26-16.

Semifinals.
Leon and Ron against Peter and Gordon in what was expected to be a close game. Leon and Ron led early and kept that lead. Peter and Gordon kept cutting back the lead but the Wech team kept winning back the next end. Leon and Ron winning 22-13.

David Payne and Barry Baillie played Stuart Mackay and Graeme Storey. Stuart and Graeme had a plus 3 start. Unfortunately for them David and Barry started well and raced to a 16-10 lead.  Not to be denied Stuart and Graeme won the next four ends to lead 20-16, upset on, David and Barry  were superb in the last four ends to pick up 11 shots to win 27-20.

Final.
Leon Wech and Ron Horne v David Payne and Barry Baillie. Plus 2 handicap advantage to the Payne team.  Leon and Ron were not in their earlier form, Barry was leading extremely well and David coming in with critical bowls, they raced to a 12-4 lead after eight ends.  The weather was starting to close in, more wind and definitely cooler with a few showers.  David and Barry continued to bowl well and Leon and Ron struggled, David and Barry taking a deserved win 19-7.

A big thank you for all those who helped with tea-making, setting up boards and mats, marking and putting all gear away, much appreciated.

Thank you to Elaine and Sheryl for running the women and Allan and Alan running the men.