2014 CHAMPION of CLUB CHAMPIONS
The Champion of Club Champions was played over two days commencing at Halekulani on Monday 7th July and culminating at Wyong on Tuesday 8th. 14 Club Major Singles Winners entered. Some great bowls were witnessed over the 2 days however the semi-finals and final gave spectators some really great moments.
In the first Semi-final Tracy Osborne [Ettalong Memorial] played Alma Schofield [The Entrance]. Alma raced out of the blocks and was leading comfortably against Tracy but then Tracy gradually started to catch up and a 4 on the 19th end made it 20-19 in Alma's favour. They went neck to neck with the score being level 22 -22, then 24 -24 with Tracy finally winning 25-24.
The other Semi-final between Irene Croker [Avoca Beach] and Dianne Chalklin [Bateau Bay] was just as exciting. Irene went ahead and kept Dianne scoreless for several ends but once Dianne 'got her eyes open' she clawed her way back into the match. She got within 2 of Irene at 18-20 but that is where she stayed with Irene winning 25-18.
The final between Tracy and Irene was a real crowd pleaser. They went neck and neck for the first 10 ends then Tracy got ahead but Irene fought back with a 3 on the 23rd end and then a 3 and a 4 on the 25th and 26th ends to put her ahead 23-21. However Tracy then scored a 3 on the 27th end to make it 24-23 in her favour. The next end came down to a very close measure with both bowls being equal therefore no points were allotted and another end was played with Irene getting 1 shot to make it 24-24. On the 30th end Tracy scored 2 shots to give her the win 26-24. What great bowls were played in very good sportsmanship.
Congratulations to all these ladies. They certainly gave the spectators some great viewing and very exciting moments.
Article and photos: Lesley Swales Website Editor.