ZONE 11 bowls has concluded the senior singles, with open and president's reserve events down to the semi-finals and final respectively.
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Usually these events would all conclude at the same time, but due to weather disruptions a slight anomaly has occurred this year.
In the first semi, last year's champion, Noel James (Tuncurry Beach) was up against Steve Pell from Forster. Both of these players were playing at a high level, but one of them was just a little bit better.
Shots were traded back and forth, but in the end, it was Steve who was at the higher level, and was a deserved 31-24 winner.
The second semi had the wily veteran, George McCartney (Sporties), playing Grant McKirdy from Tuncurry Beach.
George snuck out to a slender 6-5 lead, but Grant got away to lead 14-8 before George came back to level the scores at 17. Scores were again level at 19 before Grant slowly crept away to a 31-24 win.
This set up the finale between Steve and Grant.
The first end of the final had Steve scoring the maximum four shots , and he kept the pressure on to establish a 10-3 lead. What a great start to a final.
Grant knew that if he wanted to win he had to stop the rot, and he responded, winning five of the next six ends to tie everything up at 11-11.
Steve then came back again and scored 7 shots to 1, and had established a very handy six shot lead. Now, if he could just stop Grant from making another comeback, the prize could be his for the taking.
Shots were traded, but try as he might, Grant could not seem to close the gap, and Steve now led 25-20.
He could almost see the finish line, and scored a three to edge even closer. Grant came back with a two, but Steve scored a two of his own and now led 30-22.
Grant could now not afford even one mistake. He held on doggedly with a couple of 1's, but Steve was not to be denied and ran out a 31-24 winner.
