Tuross Head Bowls Report 23 April 2023

Both Tuross Head Open Pennant sides finished the season on a high with very convincing victories in their final matches of the sectional play of the state wide competition. The win by the Grade 5 side was particularly pleasing as it confirmed that they have qualified for the Zone play offs that will be played in Merimbula on May 6 and 7. The Grade 7 side finished with their best result of the year claiming a 10 – 0 win over Tomakin.

The Grade 5 side played a ‘winner take all’ match against Bodalla – the only side to record a victory against the locals. In three very competitive matches Tuross came out on top in all three. Geoff Lee, Col Fletcher, Sue Fahey and Denise Lidbury had the tightest game. Bodalla managed to hang onto a very narrow lead for most of the match and by the 18th end had a 16 – 12 advantage. The 19th end proved critical with Tuross managing to pick up 6 shots to grab the lead for the first time at 18 – 16. Bodalla struck straight back with 3 shots on the 20th end to take a 19 - 18 lead into the final end. Tuross won the game when they were able to score 2 shots on the last end to win 20 – 19.

Peter Macdonald, Rose Farrington, Marcel Kors and Bruce Lidbury started slowly in their game and did not score a shot until the 5th end. They then won the next 4 ends to open up a 9 -6 lead. In a very even game the sides shared ends so that by the 16th end Tuross had a slender 13 – 12 lead. Tuross then finished strongly winning 4 of the remaining 5 ends to record a 20 – 13 victory.

Doreen Monks, Noel Downie, Irene Macdonald and John Monks had control of their game from the outset but never looked like running away with the game. After 15 ends they lead by 13 – 9 but then dominated the last 6 ends to win 20 – 10.

With the three wins Tuross won overall 60 shots to 42 and picked up a 10 – 0 points win. This places them in an unbeatable position at the top of the table with 65. 5 points. Bodalla is next best with 40.50 points but they only have a possible 10 points available in the last round. Tuross has the bye.

The Grade 7 side claimed their first clean sweep of the season winning all 3 rinks by clear margins in racking up a 76 – 40 win over Tomakin. John Wagstaff, Dagmar Voges, John Fahey and Allan Etheredge came from behind to win. Down 12 – 3 after 9 ends they won all but one of the remaining 12 ends to record and excellent 21 – 13 win.

Bill Burch, Ray Brown, Di Challice and Lorraine Bird overcame their habit of letting a couple of bad ends cost them a win. They started on fire and recorded some big scores early to race to a 14 – 1 lead after just 5 ends. They went on to win 28 -18.

Ivan Balentovic, Carol Williams, Doug Williams and Ray Downey finished their strong year for the side with a dominating 27 – 9 win. They won 15 of the 21 ends with all 4 players contributing to the very good win.

Unfortunately, the season is over for this side as they endured three losses of 3 shots or less which cost them dearly in terms of their position on the competition table. However, they will be cheering on the Grade 5 team as it tries to make the State Finals!

Grade 5 Pennant 2022/23