As with the triples, this is the first year that this event has been played with this format, and again there was an increase in total entries, but spread over the three divisions enabled the event to be completed over just the one weekend.

In the first open semi-final Mick Pole (Forster) played Phil Lindfield (Leagues). The Forster team began well and established a 10-5 lead early in the game. Scores were then tied at 10-10 before Forster then led 13-10.  Alas, that was all the scoring from Forster with the Leagues team winning the last seven ends to run out 23-13 winners. The second semi had another Forster team skipped by Jason Morse take on Ashley Hinton’s team from Taree West. This proved to be a better result for Forster where they jumped to an early lead and were never headed to record a 24-11 win.  In the final we had Dave Trudgett, Malachy McTaggart, Dave Ireland and Jason Morse against Robert Austin, Fred Martin, Warren Cocksedge and Phil Lindfield. This began as a very close contest with the scores tied at 3-3, 4-4, 7-7 and 9-9. 

The Leagues team then established a small break to lead 16-12.  The most telling end of the match was then played where a massive sis was scored by the Leagues guys to break the game open and lead 22-12.

Forster hit back immediately, scoring a 4, but the gap was too big and Phil’s team held out for a 26-18 win.

Seniors:  In the first semi Peter Schroeder played hi Forster club mate Geoff Robbinson.  Geoff led 7-6 after seven ends, but from the on it was all one-way traffic, with Peter’s team winning 30-8.

The second semi had another Forster team skipped by Rob Northam up against Kevin Robinson’s team from Tuncurry Beach.  Kevin’s team began well and soon had an 8-2 lead. Rob’s team managed to hang in there to reduce the lead to 10-8 after 10  ends.  Kevin’s team then scored a 4,1,3 on successive ends to gain an 18-9 lead, and eventually run out 23-11 winners. 

In the final Graeme Akers, Barry Dixon, Steve Pell and Peter Schroeder from Forster played Jeff Lewis, Wayne Wright, Rex Johnston and Kevin Robinson from Tuncurry Beach.  Unfortunately, this was a bit of an anti-climax. Kevin scored a 4 on the first and Peter responded with a 3.  This was as close as it got, with Kevin’s team scoring on the next seven ends to establish a 20-3 lead.  Peter’s team were only outscored 7-5 over the closing ends, but this horse had well and truly bolted, with the final score being 27-8.

President’s reserve:  The first semi had Bob Worth (Taree West) played Steve Holohan (Tuncurry Beach).  The West guys started well and led 6-3 after 6 ends. That’s when the Tuncurry team stepped on the gas, and they ran away for a 20-8 win.  In the second semi D Hammond (Wingham) played M Boyd from Bulahdelah. This match was quite close early before Wingham got out to a 10-5 lead.  Bulahdelah then clawed their way back, and hit the lead 13-12 with just three ends remaining.  Wingham then finished too strong with a 5 on the second last end settling the issue.  Final score being 19-13.

 The final had Greg Bartlett, Benny Wolters, Jamie Carr and Dallas Hammond (Wingham) against Mick Gluyas, Rob Hunter, Frank Edwards and Steve Holohan (Tuncurry Beach).   WOW, these guys were not giving an inch.  Scores were locked at 3-3, 4-4, 10-10, 11-11, 13-13. This was a real scrap.  There were now six ends to play, and the Tuncurry guys lifted to score on five of them, and eventually win 20-14.

The race is now on for the coveted “Bowler of the Year” title. With Mick Gluyas, Frank Edwards and Steve Holohan also in the winning the presidents reserve triples team and Rex Johnston also scoring the double in the senior events, these guys are the early leaders.  But, there are lot of bowls to be played yet, so they had better be looking over their shoulders because the chasers will be coming