Sports

2019 CRDBA Senior Singles Champion, Graham Meany (Yamba), with CRDBA president, Bob MacNeil, and runner-up Des Johnson (Maclean). Image: contributed

Yamba Graham Meany takes 2019 CRDBA Senior Singles Championship

The semi-finals and final of the 2019 Clarence River District Bowling Association (CRDBA) Senior Singles Championship was hosted at the Yamba Bowling and Recreation Club on Wednesday. The semi-finalists had fought their way through a large field of talented and determined bowlers, but it was Derek Wood (GDSC), Des Johnson (Maclean), Graham Meany (Yamba) and Jim Shannon (Maclean) who found themselves two wins from glory.

The semi-final between Derek and Des was a close and interesting affair, but it always appeared that Des had the upper hand. This proved the case as took the match by 31 shots to 20.

The other semi-final was a bowling blitzkrieg with Graham racing to an unassailable 19 shots to one advantage after 12 ends of play. Jim displayed true character and endeavoured to stop the flow of scores on Graham’s side of the scoreboard. The final score saw Graham grab a spot in the final with a 31 shots to 10 victory.

The final was an epic battle with scores level on at least five occasions. After 20 ends of play Graham held a slight but significant 19 shots to 14 advantage stretching to 24 shots to 18 after 27 ends. However, this is where Des mounted a fight-back and after six more ends Des had wrestled the lead from Graham to secure a two-shot advantage (27 to 25) and with a win in sight.  In true championship fashion aided by an ounce of good fortune, Graham managed to control the mat for the next three ends en route to an exasperating 31 shots to 27 victory.

2019 CRDBA Senior Singles Champion, Graham Meany (Yamba), with CRDBA president, Bob MacNeil, and runner-up Des Johnson (Maclean). Image: contributed

Pennants continue on Saturday April 27 and with catch-up Round 2 games scheduled for Sunday April 28. Please check the Pennant board for details.

Men’s social bowls continues 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.

Don Freeman