Report by Alex Smith:
With spirits high following Saturday pennants President’s Drinks, Club Singles commenced on 18 October for Men’s Sections 1–4 and 7, and Women’s Section 2.
In the three-person sections, each player would compete twice and mark their opposition in 21-up games, with the section winner progressing.
Women’s Singles – Section 2
Terry Morgan, Janine Skurray and Libby Vella kicked off the women’s event, with Terry Morgan pulling back-to-back duty in Games 1 and 2.
An epic, nearly three-hour 21–17 victory over Janine, followed by a 21–5 scoreline against Libby, was enough for Terry to get the nod and progress to the knockout stages.
Men’s Singles – Section 1
Section 1 combatants included Paul Clohesy, Stew Allen and Bob Rutten.
Game 1 saw a 21–11 victory for Stew over Bobby, putting him in pole position in the section.
Truck battled gamely in Game 2 but fell short, 15–21, to Paul Clohesy.
The winner-take-all Game 3 was a see-sawing affair, with Allen jumping out to an 8–0 lead before Clo pulled it back to ultimately triumph 21–14 and take the sectional chocolates.
Men’s Singles – Section 2
El Presidente David McVicar, Brett Lymn and Director of Bowls Richard Weeks came together to form the silver section.
An unfortunate Game 1 withdrawal due to illness after 10 ends for Richo meant the section hinged on the result between David and Brett.
A 21–15 victory to Mr McVicar ensured qualification to the knockout rounds.
Men’s Singles – Section 3
Life Member Peter Welsh, Alan Catterall and Gerry Dillon made up Section 3.
A 21–16 battle in Game 1 went the way of Welshy despite Cat’s best efforts.
Catterall ensured he remained in contention by closing out with a 21–12 win over Gerry in Game 2.
But it was the multiple Club Champion Welsh who backed up with a 17–6 win over former Chair of Selectors Dillon to ensure progression — a bit of creative accounting at play there!
Men’s Singles – Section 4
There was a real mix of experience in Section 4 with Nathan Bassett, Rod Ettridge and Phil Scardigno.
In what sources tell me was Phil’s first-ever singles match-up, he fought valiantly, going down 7–21 to a rampant Fred before rebounding to take down The Rocket 21–12 in Game 3.
Section winner Ettridge moved on by a single shot, courtesy of a 21–9 victory over Bass in Game 1. Tight stuff.
Men’s Singles – Section 7
The Tournament Committee may have been attempting to avoid a ‘6, 7’ situation by moving this section ahead of schedule, but nonetheless Alan Speck, Henk Pelgrim and Thomas ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan went head-to-head-to-head.
Game 1 was a case of who let the dog out, with a 21–4 victory for Morgan over Speck, who then held on in back-to-back duty, 21–19, over Mr Consistent Pelgrim.
Game 3 ended 8–5 to Morgan after Henk’s injury withdrawal, with Mad Dog through to the knockout stages.
Coming up!
Super Sunday on 25 October sees Men’s Singles Sections 5, 6 and 8, and Women’s Singles Sections 3, 4 and 5.
Please check BowlsLink to confirm your section and dates of play.
Go Sturt!