The final Club Championship event, the Mixed Pairs was held on the weekend.
It was another beautiful weekend, clear skies and little wind and it got very hot both afternoons. We had a great turnout of 14 entries. This event is now a 2x4x2 event, which started last year with the event going on to Champ of Champs and then onto a national event. The inaugural event winners last year Ian and Sandra Coombe were away and unable to defend their title. The event was played over 12 ends or two and a quarter hours with the final played over 14 ends and no time limit. Two and three winners qualified for finals day on Sunday.
Those that did not qualify were: Wayne Glogoski and Muy Chhour, Larry Cain and Jodie Cottier, John Gledhill and Lorna Donald, Gordon Jenkins and Joy Watkinson, Rachel Long and Ralph Cullen, Barry Baillie and Annie McGrath, and Michael Thomas and Jan Gledhill.
Seven teams qualified: Murray Radojkovich and Colleen Rice, Gerry Strydom and Judi Farkash, Kevin Cameron and Geraldine Wight, Allan Langley and Sheryl Wellington, Bruce McClintock and Glenda Rountree, David Payne and Julie Chhour and Phil Chisholm and Jo Baxter.
Sunday we had an unfortunate start with some of our bowlers arriving at the top car park to find scattered broken glass right along most of the car park. Thanks to Allan Langley, David Payne, Jo Baxter, Alan Daniels, Gerry Strydom, Bruce McClintock for cleaning up. Hope I have not missed anyone.
We had a bye in the quarterfinal round, that going to Murray and Colleen. Gerry and Judi played David and Julie. This was a close game, 6 all after 5 ends, 8 all after 7 ends, 10-9 to David/Julie after 10 ends, a three to David/Julie in the 11th gave them a 13-9 lead, Gerry/Judi picked up a 1 in the final end to go down 10-13.
The next quarterfinal, Phil and Jo played Bruce and Glenda. It was close early on, 4 all after 4 ends, after 8 ends Bruce/Glenda had jumped to a 11-5 lead, Phil/Jo picked up a three in each of the next two ends, 11 all after 10. On the 11th end Bruce/Glenda got a 1, and then a 2 on the final end to win 14-11.
Next quarterfinal, Kevin and Geraldine played Allan and Sheryl. Kevin/Geraldine made a great start leading 5-0 after 3 ends. Allan/Sheryl won the next 6 ends to lead 10-5 after 9 ends. Both teams shared the next two ends 11-6 with one end to go. Kevin/Geraldine played a great last end needing a 5 to tie and play an extra end they got a 4, so close, 11-10 to Allan and Sheryl.
Semi-finals. All these teams had bowled really well and deserved their place in the semi-finals.
Murray and Colleen played David and Julie. After 4 ends David/Julie led 4-3. Next 3 ends Murray/Colleen grabbed a 5, then a 4 and then a 1, 13-4 after 7 ends. David and Julie then won the next 3 ends with a 2, then a 1 and another 1 – 13-8, 2 ends to go. Murray/Colleen got a 3 on the 11th, they shook hands, Murray and Colleen taking the win 16-8.
Bruce and Glenda played Allan and Sheryl. Bruce/Glenda started well and lead 5-2 after 6 ends, Allan/Sheryl grabbed a 3 then a 4 in the next two ends, after 8 end they led 9-5. With one end to go Allan/Sheryl led 12-8, they also won the last end for a good win 15-8.
Final.
Murray and Coleen played Allan and Sheryl, both teams deservedly in the final, but the final was over 14 ends. Allan and Sheryl started well and led 7-2 after 5 ends, but Murray/Colleen then won the next three ends to take the lead 10-7 after eight ends. Some top bowls by Murray/Glenda gave them a 14-8 lead after 11 ends. Allan/Sheryl did not give up, picking up a 3 on the 12th to lose the gap, 11-14. Murray/Colleen took a 1 in the penultimate end to lead 15-11. Allan/Sheryl needed 4 to draw and five for the win. Murray/Colleens bowls were close but had run past the jack, Allan and Sheryl looked like having four, Sheryl asked Allan change his hand and Double responded by drawing the shot to take 5 and the win16-15. A great game, excellent bowls by both teams, but Allan and Sheryl won the trophy and now go onto Champ of Champs.
Thanks to all the people who helped set up on both days. Thanks to Gerd on kitchen duty , thanks to Gerd and Sherryl for doing the draw and to Gerd and Alan for running the tournament. Also thanks to the spectators that attended on both days.
That is end of our club champs for this season, all the winners of those events will now compete in Champ of Champs starting 26/27thApril.
