HBA CHAMPION PAIRS CROWNED

The HBA Pairs Championships concluded on Friday night, with Lenswood Bowling Club hosting both the men’s and women’s semi finals and grand finals.

In the men’s semis, Oakbank started strongly, with Terry Holding and Paul Yeates leading Lobethal’s Joe Conte and Neville Mansell 10-6 after ten ends.  However Lobethal picked up a count of six shots on the eleventh end, which was enough of a buffer for them to hang on and win 14-13.  The other men’s semi final was also close, with reigning triples champs Steve Tasker and Stephen Thomas ousting former pairs champions Tony Wetherall and John Corner of Mt. Barker 16-12.

In the ladies draw, Lenswood’s Renee Green and Di Green extracted some revenge against Hahndorf’s champions Sue Maddern and Sue Hutchinson, winning through to another finals appearance 15-13.  Lobethal ladies Robyn Walker and Annette Schubert again kept their cool to take out Meadows’ Leonie Silman and Sandra Hole 12-11.

The grand final matches were played in glorious conditions under lights – with a large crowd providing a great atmosphere for the event.

Conte and Mansell started strongly, and were never really troubled in their 24-10 win over Tasker and Thomas – giving the Lobethal duo their second pairs championship in three years.

However the ladies’ final was again a nail biter. The home pair of Renee and Di Green seemed to have the upper hand, leading Walker and Schubert 10-1 after six ends.  However as the cooler conditions set in and the speed of the green changed, Lobethal charged back, winning seven of the next eight ends, to take a two shot lead into the final end. Lenswood scored a single shot, but not enough to deny Lobethal the prize.  It was a brilliant effort by Lobethal considering that they won every match throughout the tournament by a solitary shot.

Congratulations to the winners, thank you to the host club Lenswood, and hats off to all of the loyal and enthusiastic spectators.

The final championship event, men’s and ladies’ singles will commence next Friday evening at the Lobethal Bowling Club.