The final of the 2022/23 Open Fours Championship has been played with the formidable team of Rita Downie, Doreen Monks, Noel Downie and John Monks surviving a late scare to claim the title from Ben Hewison, Dennis Gallacher, Jonathan Green and Doug Williams.
The early ends of the match were very competitive with all players contributing to a tight, low scoring affair. After 9 ends team Williams had a narrow 8 – 6 advantage. At this stage Monks’ side gradually took control. They won the next 6 ends to set up a very commanding lead of 18 – 8.
A couple of outstanding bowls from Jonathan Green created a very close finish. On the 16th end he trailed the jack to grab 5 shots for his side. He repeated the dose on the 18th end to give his side another two shots and a realistic chance to win the match. Monks still held the lead but the margin had been halved to just 5 shots at 20 – 15.
The tension was obvious in the next two ends with both sides searching for the crucial bowl. Monks’ team managed to win the 19th and 20th ends by single shots in very tight heads. This gave them a 7 shots lead, 22 – 15, going into the last end. It was a very tall order for Williams and his side to win from this position. They did manage to win the last end but they could only register one shot giving Monks the game 22 – 16.
Congratulation to both sides for the standard of bowls they played throughout the Championship that enabled them to reach the final. Monks’ side, in particular, drew on all of their experience to be deserved winners of the Championship. They had excellent victories in their preliminary matches and proved too consistent in the final. They complemented one another very well throughout the game.
Williams should be congratulated for encouraging some of our newer bowlers to take part in the Championship.
This is the second season that the Fours Championship has been contested as an open gender event following the amalgamation of the NSW Women and Men’s Bowling Associations. For a small club like ours, it means that more sides can participate in the event.
Open Fours 2022:23 Champions - Noel Downie, Rita Downie, Doreen Monks and John Monks.
