CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLES COMMENCE
The opening rounds of the HBA Champ of Champ singles were held at the Lobethal Bowling Club on Friday night.
In the men’s section, Oakbank’s Terry Holding survived a slow start against Gumeracha’s Tony Biocic – trailing 12-1 after just five ends. However Holding steadied the ship, picking up shots on twelve of the next fifteen ends, to win 22-18. The match between Geoff Deeble of Hahndorf and Graham Moyle of Mt. Barker was a tight affair, with the pair locked at 14 all after seventeen ends. However the Hahndorf champ picked up seven shots over the next three ends to run out a 21-14 winner – and secure a direct passage to next week’s semi finals.
The women’s section pitted reigning champion Sandra Hole of Meadows against Lenswood nemesis Renee Green. Scores were relatively even after nine ends – but Green came home with a tail breeze to secure the victory 21-10. Lobethal’s Sandra Weinert made full use of the home ground advantage, to overcome Mt. Barker’s Judy Thomas. Despite picking up shots in a string of ends at the mid way point, Thomas succumbed 21-9 – allowing Weinert to progress to the semis.
In the second round, Lobethal men’s champ Brian Scown opened his campaign with a solid 21-12 win over the weary Terry Holding. Meadow’s Nick Ingram continued his great run of form this year, downing former HBA singles champion David Gleason of Uraidla 22-18. Likewise, Steve Tasker of Woodside topped off a great season, in his meeting with Terry Stephen of Lenswood. Stephen came from 15-20 down to hold two close shots and the match -when Tasker produced a superb draw bowl to snatch a 21-19 win.
Oakbank’s Wendy Sorrell debuted in the women’s singles – but had the mammoth task of facing experienced Hahndorf champ Sue Maddern. At 11-1 down, the match was almost over for Sorrell, but she rallied to win five successive ends, and narrow the gap to 8-11 at the half way mark. However Maddern closed the match out strongly, winning 21-9. Last year’s runner up, Julie Ridge of Gumeracha, had her work cut out for her against Kathy Probert of Uraidla, with the scores balanced at 20-19 after twenty three ends. However Ridge held her nerve to take the shot on the final end, and the overall win 21-19. In the final match of the evening, Julie Rollond of Woodside got away to a strong start, leading Renee Green 7-1 after five ends. Green settled, picking up shots on all but two of the remaining ends to win 21-9.
The semis and grand finals will again be held at Lobethal next Friday night. Matches will begin at 5.30pm – with the host club providing hot food and full bar facilities. This is the final championship event of the year – and a great way to view some of the Association’s best bowlers in action.