HBA TRIPLES OPENING ROUNDS

The opening rounds of the HBA Championship triples were held at Uraidla Bowling Club on Friday 13th January 2023.

A preliminary knockout round was held the previous evening – with the Oakbank team victorious in a surprise upset over the home side from Uraidla.

The main draw on Friday night was held in ideal conditions.  Whilst some players continue to criticize the twilight format – the reality is that the 36 C temperatures that we experienced on Friday would have made day play almost impossible – as opposed to matches being held in mild evening conditions.

Woodside’s Shane Harris, skippered Steve Tasker and Stephen Thomas to a solid 19-12 win over the experienced Lobethal side of Darren, Robyn, and Peter Stanbury – perhaps the first time we’ve had mother/father/son competing in the one team. Oakbank’s Anthony Heppner continued his good form, aiding Raelene and Adrian Harnas to a 17-10 win over Nick Ingram, John Edmonds, and Greg Edmonds of Meadows.

The other half of the draw saw Gumeracha too strong for Hahndorf  – with Bernie Mullins, Carol Prior, and Serena Mik defeating Geoff Deeble, Cheryl Thompson, and Dave Grego 21-12.

The final match of the quartet looked like being an easy win for previous winners Mt. Barker. After only five ends, John Corner, Tony Wetherall, and Christine Nicholls led 10-0.  However Lenswood fought back, with Terry Stephen, Dora Fuda, and Andrew Mann of Lenswood securing ten of the next thirteen ends, to take a one shot lead into the final end.  However a close measure saw Mt. Barker pick up two shots, and the overall win 16-15.

Unfortunately, both semi finals were somewhat one sided.

Woodside brought Oakbank’s dream run to an end, winning 20-5, while Mt. Barker bounced back from the earlier scare to over run Gumeracha 18-6.

Many thanks to Uraidla President Craig Higginson, Secretary Cindy Falco, caterer Graham Wasley, barman Ashley Jarrett, and all of the crew who helped present the Uraidla Club for this event.

Woodside will now meet Mt. Barker in the final – to be played at Hahndorf Bowling Club on Friday 27th January 2023.

Next week the fours will be held at Gumeracha – with a knockout match between Lobethal and Woodside on Thursday evening, the main draw commencing on the Friday night at 5.30pm.