OPENING NIGHT OF CHAMPION PAIRS

On Friday night Lenswood Bowling Club hosted the opening rounds HBA Champ of Champ pairs.

Glorious weather, hot food, cold drinks, and music all helped to attract a large crowd of spectators to support the men’s and women’s pairs champions from each club.

The first round of the men’s draw saw Hahndorf’s Dave Grego and Rob Hutchinson account for Gumeracha’s Bob Hillier and Steve Knipe 15-8.  Only one shot separated Lobethal’s Neville Mansell and Joe Conte from Lenswood’s Terry Stephen and Andrew Mann at the half way mark, but a strong finish by Lobethal saw them run out comfortable winners 22-10. Uraidla’s Mike Guerin and Stuart Yorsten looked comfortable, leading Woodside’s Steve Tasker and Stephen Thomas 16-13 going into the final end, but a weighted final delivery drew a perfect outcome for Woodside, picking up five shots and the overall win.

The ladies draw had Mt. Barker champions Raelene Corner and Chris Nicholls pitted against Lenswood’s Di and Renee Green, with the latter using the home ground advantage to secure the win 13-10.  Reigning HBA champions Sue Maddern and Sue Hutchinson of Hahndorf accounted for Uraidla’s Kathleen Probert and Susan Carter 25-7.  However the match between Lobethal’s Annette Schubert and Robyn Walker and Oakbank’s Linda Carter and Wendy Sorrell turned out to be an absolute nailbiter.  All bowlers are relatively new to the sport, and must have felt some serious nerves playing in front of a large and attentive crowd. Oakbank led 11-5 with four ends remaining, but Lobethal closed out with six shots over the remaining ends – to force and extra end play off. Great bowls by both sides, but Lobethal clinched the shot and the match.

The pairs format takes quite a bit of time, so the second round of matches did not get underway until late – but this did nothing to dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

In their first up match, Paul Yeates and Terry Holding of Oakbank defeated the Hahndorf duo 17-6. After dropping four shots on the first end, Meadows’ Ken Klaebsch and Steven Bailey fought back to take a one shot lead over Mt. Barker, with two ends remaining.  However Mt. Barker picked up six shots in the closing ends to win 17-12.

Meadows’ ladies Leonie Silman and Sandra Hole never looked troubled in their 24-4 victory over Gumeracha’s Sandra Bleeze and Feli Sandercock.  Woodside’s Annette Forbes and Julia Gadsdon were edged out 11-9 by Lenswood.

Play returns to Lenswood next Friday night – with the men’s semi finals pitting Oakbank against Lobethal, and Mt. Barker against Woodside.  The ladies section will see Lenswood take on Hahndorf and Lobethal v Meadows.

Players should endeavour to start their matches by 5.15pm.

Once again hot food will be available from 5.00pm, with toasted Cuban sandwiches, specials at the bar, and music to buoy on the crowd.