The Mairangi Bay Bowls Club men’s  1-5 singles competition was held over the weekend 3rd and 4th February 2024.

We had a field of 7 players with the withdrawal of Steve Barclay, after his brother passed away during the week. Deep condolences to Steve, Helen and family on their loss.

The weather on Saturday was atrocious with heavy showers and strong gusty winds.

There was a delayed start due to the green being covered in water but we got underway at 10 am. Two rounds were played before a very heavy squall came in and made the green unplayable. The wind made bowling extremely difficult and the markers were kept busy retrieving bowls from the ditch or the adjacent rinks.

Sunday was a more pleasant day with less wind and more sunshine.  After the final qualifying round we had five qualifiers with two wins.  Glyn Taylor and Graeme Storey were the two who did not qualify.

Bill Lowe, Roger Potter and Barry Baillie all had a bye into the semi-final with Graeme McGregor playing Jim Center for a place in the semi-final.  Unfortunately for Jim,  Graeme bought his ‘A’ game and was in total control in the nice prevailing conditions, winning 23-4.

Bill Lowe played Roger Potter in one semi-final. Bill started well but Roger then found his rhythm and played some great draw bowls running out the winner 23-11.

In the other semi-final Graeme McGregor played Barry Baillie. This one was a close game, with Graeme starting well but Barry staying close. The bell went as they started another end so this was now the final end.   Graeme was ahead 19-17. Barry was holding one, Graeme bowled his last two bowls slightly wide and they hung out. Barry’s last  two bowls were slightly narrow and a metre past.  A great chance for Barry to grab the win or to draw the game. Graeme won 19-18.

An excellent game to watch.

THE FINAL- Graeme McGregor v Roger Potter. Roger beat Graeme in the last round of qualifying by a narrow margin.  After four ends Graeme was leading 5-0 with Roger saving nine shots over those ends to keep himself in the game.  After eight ends 10-2 to Graeme, after 12 ends 16-5 and after 14 ends 18-6 with Graeme going on to win 21-6.

Roger did not bowl badly but Graeme was in supreme form, he consistently had bowls close to the jack and was scoring with multiples on many ends.  He was a deserved winner on the day and has now won this title back to back to back, yes three in a row.

A very impressive record.

Many thanks to Ian Coombe for running the tournament and to the markers, Leon Wech, John Gledhill, Kevin Cameron, Allan Langley, Stuart Jamieson and Alan Daniels, all of whom toughed it out in the trying conditions.

Graeme will now go on to represent Mairangi Bay in the Champ of Champ 1-5 singles.

Alan Daniels
1-5 Convenor.