Lawn Bowls
2 April, 2025
Powell prevails in 100 Up final
This 100-up handicap event commenced in September, and with such a busy season scheduled, it was hard to find the time to complete it.
With a handicap of three, Michelle Powell was the hot pick for taking out this event at WBC.
After four months of earnest bowling practice and many challenging games, Michelle couldn’t have better prepared for this consistency-based game.
Two matches were left to play with Dale Stronach meeting Bill Kerr (one shot difference in their handicap), and Michelle playing Gary McLean (Gary needing to score 28 more shots than Michelle).
Dale was slow to start and after six ends was 20 shots in arrears to Bill.
He never really got going but managed not to slip further behind, thus allowing Bill to claim the game.
The other semi-final was hard-fought, with Gary always in the lead.
By game's end, he needed eight shots when Michelle carded her 100 up!
The final between Bill and Michelle saw five shots each scored on the first end.
This happened four times during the game, illustrating how evenly matched these two bowlers are presently.
Bill managed a 10 on end six then dropped a 10 on end 11, which put Michelle in the lead for the first time.
Four ends later their scores were level on 75.
Another three ends and they were both on 90.
Michelle shifted up a gear, scoring a seven and an eight for the game.
Congratulations Michelle you have had another win!
A field of 23 players lined up to contest the 21 Up competition at WBC. This was destined to cause an upset for the usual high achievers in the club because of the low handicaps allotted to some very talented new bowlers.
Thank you, Gary and Julie McLean, who sponsored the event by providing a very tasty BBQ at lunchtime on the day, appreciated by all!
Gary met Peter Anderson in the first game and carded seven before Peter found his line and length to turn the tables and reach 11 before Gary scored again. Both being on the same handicap it depended on who had the momentum to complete the task. It was Peters’ day for a win and he moved on to the next round against Fred Ackland who had survived a marathon against Ken Goodwin.
Peter needed an extra 14 shots to beat Fred and managed it after 30 ends. He was now in the quarter final against Jing Robertson.
Noreen Belot defeated Shane Langman in the first round after a tight first half to meet Jing in the second round. Bill Kerr was beaten by Jing in the first round and Jing's bowl-grouping seemed to be the difference in her scoring against Norz, for her to progress to the game against Peter.
A closely fought contest ensued with Peter, on the last end needing two shots, and Jing needing three, to win. It was Jing's turn for a win! Down to the last four and she meets Rodney Sinclair in the semi-final, tomorrow.
In the second half of the draw Mick Hall met Norm McLean. Both new bowlers, but Mick has a season of bowls under his belt. Mick managed to win so he met Graham Walder next. Graham had just accounted for Josh Barry who found Grahams’ consistency too much to handle on the day.
Graham met his match for consistency against Mick and very tight scoring saw Mick reach 21 with Graham yet to work off his handicap. Mick took a little while to settle in his game against Nev Keam but after 12 ends, with the score at 15 shots to four, he began to find his line and length and showed us how it’s done over the next 12 ends scoring 17 shots to Nev’s seven. Unfortunately, Mick was unable to compete the following day so forfeited to his next opponent so that the event could be finalised.
The last first round match, between Isobel Davison and Robyn McLachlan, saw Isobel reach 37 shots before Robyn scored 21; Robyn gaining plenty of experience along the way.
Isobel played Nev next and found that handicaps are just that, handicaps, she was beaten by the extra shots that she had needed to beat him.
Second round matches not mentioned yet were played by players that had a bye in the first round. Edna Anderson who has been playing well lately, accounted for Robyn Goodwin and was keen to meet the winner of Rod Sinclair and Shane Powell.
Rod, odds on favourite for the event, was drawn to play Shane, new promising talent in his first year. They played 36 ends and when Shane needed five shots to finish, Rod needed 10. Shane didn’t score again. Rodney was on track to meet Edna in the next game.
Even with Rod giving Edna a lead of eight shots, she was able to limit her scoring and reached 29 shots while she languished on 17. Rod had reached the semi-final.
Other second round matches, Dale Stronach played Ian Hewitt (on equal handicaps with Ian reaching 21 first); and Michelle Powell against Graeme Shalders. Graeme had to give Michelle a lead of 19 shots and with her form of late he was fortunate to only be beaten by nine shots.
A competitive game was witnessed between Ian and Michelle with only three shots the difference at the end; Michelle victorious. Because of her walkover in the semi-final, she progressed into the final.
Rodney started well against Jing but she slowly and surely pegged back his lead to hit the front when she needed two to win and he needed three. Jing got her two shots next end and qualified for the final. The first time there has been two ladies contesting the final in this event.
Michelle had a 14-shot advantage over Jing but Jing has many more years of experience to call on. Michelle settled to the task early and was not headed getting to 21. Another impressive win for Michelle, whose handicap will not be “three” next year!