The 2023/24 Triples Championship has been decided after the playing of the semi-finals and final. Chris Coddington, Col Fletcher and Marcel Kors are the new champions after they managed to hold on to take the final.
To make the final Kors’ side had a close win over Geoff Lee, Alan McLeod and Doug Williams in their semi-final clash. The early ends of the game were evenly contested with Williams just in front at 5 - 4 after 7 ends. Kors gradually pulled ahead to have a 15 – 8 lead after 15 ends. Williams then struck back and by the 19th end his side had moved to the front at 16 – 15.
Kors steadied and by the 23rd of 25 ends looked safe leading 23 – 17. Not to be denied Williams picked up 4 shots on the second last end to trail 23 -21. In a gripping final end Kors was able to seal the victory with a single shot to win 24 – 21.
Michael Challice, John Wagstaff and John Fahey played Noel Downie, Allan Etheredge and John Monks in the other semi-final. Monks started well and lead 6 – 3 after 6 ends. The next four ends proved crucial. Fahey picked up 12 shots in this period to move to a strong 15 – 6 advantage. Monks staged a mini comeback so that by the 12th end the score was 15 – 11.
The next period of play was very tight with 9 ends being decided by a single shot! Fahey was able to consolidate his lead as his side won 6 of these ends. Fahey’s side claimed a 26 -16 victory to book their position in the final.
The early part of the final between Kors and Fahey was made very difficult for the players as the wind picked up. All players struggled with the conditions resulting in low scoring. After 7 ends the scores were locked at 5 all. At this point Kors started to dominant the game and looked in control as his side gradually built a good lead. With just four ends to play they lead 21 – 12.
However, the final four ends provided a twist! Fahey won the 22nd and 23rd ends to reduce the margin to 21 – 14. The second last end was crucial. Fahey held one shot and also had several shots in the head. Sticking to his approach, that had proved successful throughout the game, Kors played a positive shot in an effort to win the end only to be slightly off target and remove his closest bowl. As a result Fahey picked up 4 shots and now had a real chance as his side trailed by just 3 at 21 – 18.
The last end was nerve wracking for the players as they strived for the win. With the skips to play their final bowls it was anyone’s game. Fahey scored two shots on the end to just fall shot of victory. Kors took out the championship 21 – 20 after a hell of a fright!
Chris Coddington lead particularly well for the winners and set a good platform for his team. Congratulations to the winners on their victory and to the runners up for their never say die attitude!
Above: 2023:4 Triples Champions - Col Fletcher, Chris Coddington and Marcel Kors
