The 2019 Yamba Minor Singles Championship was finalised on the weekend with a feast of bowls being served up by the competitors.
In Saturday’s quarter-finals, Steve Cassidy succumbed to the consistency of Ron Smidt going down by 31-19; Don Freeman and Erik Pedder had an entertaining tussle before Don got the upper hand to win by 31-22; John Luchetti was always in command in his 31-8 victory over Max Snowden; while Graeme Brown produced the goods against Richard Skippings winning by 31-19.
The Sunday morning semi-finals promised to produce some outstanding bowls, however in the first match Graeme Brown was outstanding but the same could not be said about his opposition. While Don Freeman was spraying bowls, Graeme ‘The Greenkeeper’ was busy raking in the points. Graeme had thirteen points on the scoreboard before Don bothered the marker. Graeme showed no mercy giving Don what is known in lawn bowls technical language as, ‘a good old-fashioned flogging’, taking the game by 31-13. The other semi-final between John Luchetti and Ron Smidt more closely followed the pattern of a lawn bowls singles semi-final with both players displaying great skill with the lead on the scoreboard changing hands on several occasions. After 34 ends of play it was Ron who took the match by 31-25.
Club pundits had trouble choosing a favourite during the lunch break with most tipping a close encounter having witnessed Graeme ‘The Greenkeeper’ Brown roll all opponents and Ron ‘The Butcher’ Smidt carving his way through the opposition on their respective paths to the final. After 13 ends of play, it appeared that the local experts were correct with Ron holding a slender three shot lead, 11 shots to eight. However, from this point the complexion of the game changed completely. Ron began a scoring surge and it appeared, that like most good greenkeepers, Graeme had done his best work in the morning. ‘The Butcher’ continued to go off like a pork chop left in the hot sun claiming 11 of the next 13 ends to take the match by 31-11. Ron captured the 2019 Yamba Club Minor Singles Championship in great style making mincemeat of the opposition. Thankfully for the offcuts, we will not have to face Ron in next year’s championship.
The draw for the 2019 Consistency Singles Championship and the nomination sheet for the 2019 Major-Minor Pairs are located on the bowl’s noticeboard. Please pay the nomination fee prior to the close of nominations to avoid disappointment.
Men’s social bowls will continue with pairs on Wednesday and triples on Friday. All games commence at 1pm and names need to be on the nomination sheets by 11.30am on the respective day of play. All nominations are guaranteed a game and visitors are most welcomed.
Wednesday September 25
Winners: Wayne Curtis and Trevor Bardsley; Runners up: Rod O’Brien and Adrian Bender; Encouragement: Len Grimes and Bill McDonald.
Friday September 27
Winners: Jim Stone, Bill Williams and Ivan Bell; Runners up: Doug Howat, Matt Fester and Alan Reed; Encouragement: John Parkes, Tom Cross and Bill Andrews.
Don Freeman