WE'RE finally back.
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Competitive bowls has returned with the playing of the Zone 11 pairs championship in the open, senior and president's reserve divisions. The finals were held at Forster Bowling Club in what began as a slight drizzle, but finally fined up to be a pleasant day.
OPEN PAIRS: This final was played between Tony Hinton and Dominic Riley (Club West,) and Kris Murtagh and Jason Aurisch (Tuncurry Beach).
The Tuncurry team, scored on the first two ends to lead 3-0. Tony and Dominic then got into stride and won the next six ends to establish a very handy 10-3 lead. The status quo remained over the next five ends with both teams scoring 4 shots, and the lead was now 14-7. Kris and Jason then cancelled out the deficit, scoring 3, 2, 2 and the scores were tied at 14-14, with five ends to play. Tony and Dominic then really nailed down this championship, winning all of those last five ends, scoring 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, to run out 22-14 winners.
SENIOR PAIRS: Here we had last year's champs, Noel James and Rex Johnston (Tuncurry Beach) attempting to defend their title against Robert Austin and Bob Hagan (Taree Leagues). This was quite a close affair, and anyone could have won it with four ends to go. Early on no one could break away. Rex led 3-1, then Bob led 4-3. Scores were then locked up at 4-4, then 5-5. Rex then scored a couple of 2s to Bob's 1, and the score was 9-6 to Rex.
It was here on the 11th end that what could be considered the defining moment of the match. Bob was holding 4 shots, and drawing for 5 with the last bowl. He was very unfortunate to just touch the edge of the jack, moving it to an opposition bowl to go 1 down. This gave Rex a 10-6 lead, which was extended to 12-6 over the next two ends. Robert and Bob then clawed a couple back, and they only trailed 10-13 with just four ends to play. Noel and Rex then scored 2, 3, 2 to close out the game at 20-10.
PRESIDENT'S RESERVE: The competitors here were Robert Reeves and Greg Stanford (Taree Railway), up against Dave Debono and Steve Holohan (Tuncurry Beach). WOW, what a seesawing final these guys gave us. Steve had an early 3-1 lead, but Greg soon tied that up at 3-3. Steve then led 6-3, and extended this to 9-4. Greg came back like a bulldog and tied things up at 9-9, and then scored a 2 to lead for the first time at 11-9. Steve then rebounded right back at him and scored 6 shots to 1 over the next five ends to lead 15-12. Greg was not finished yet and tied the score once again at 15-15, with just the two ends to go. This was the end that won the game. Down at the head, Dave Debono trailed the jack back to make 3 shots and Steve added 2 more for a match winning 5. Dave and Steve then scored a 1 on the last, and ran out 21-15 winners.
It is unknown at this stage if the State finals will proceed this year due to COVID-19. Never the less congratulation are extended to all of our zone champions for 2020.
