The finalists for the 2017 Major Pairs Championship have been determined with play over the last week.
In a mid week match to complete the quarter finals, Peter Davies put on a master class in playing the difficult ‘drive’ shot when he teamed with Michael Atkinson to get the better of Ray Downey and Peter Macdonald.
Davies showed his intentions from the very first end when he converted a three shot deficit to a one shot win with his first drive of the day. This became the pattern of play as all four bowlers were in fine touch. Davies’ ability to convert with well directed drives proved to be the difference.
The scores were very close throughout but Downey and Macdonald were not able to counter Davies and the final score of 20 – 13 did not reflect the closeness of the game.
The two semi finals were played on Saturday with both matches following a very similar pattern. The eventual winners of both games started well, had to hold off strong fight backs before prevailing over the final few ends.
Ivan Balentovic and Michael Kennedy had three very big ends over the first 8 ends to race to a 16 – 8 lead over Allan Etheredge and Ron Cox. Etheredge and Cox then won eight of the next nine ends to level the scores at 17 all.
Balentovic and Kennedy finished the stronger winning three of the last four ends to record a very good 25 – 19 win. Balentovic was particularly impressive in this game with his excellent lead bowls.
In the second semi Peter Bird and John Fahey had a dream start picking up four shots on the first end and setting up a 10 – 2 lead after 6 ends over Michael Atkinson and Peter Davies. Atkinson and Davies chipped away at the lead and by the 16th end drew level at 13 all in a very closely fought match.
The next end proved critical as Fahey played the bowl of the match with his last bowl to trail the jack and pick up four shots – after being two shots down!! Bird and Fahey consolidated the advantage in winning the next two ends to move to 20 – 13 in front.
Atkinson and Davies narrowed the gap to 20 -16 with one end to play but Fahey and Bird won the last end to take the very good match 22 – 16.
The final will be played next Saturday, June 24, between Balentovic and Kennedy and Bird and Fahey. At the same time the final of the District President Reserve Singles will be played.
Members are reminded that entries are now open for the Minor Singles Championship and there are still places for teams in the Lakeside Triples to be played on July 12 and 13.
Peter Macdonald
Peter Davies in action
Peter Bird and Michael Atkinson
Ivan Balentovic
