Later, 48 members and friends sat down to a festive meal organised by Norma Miller and other members to conclude a successful day.
The club’s open pairs championships attracted six teams in each of the men’s and women’s sections on Saturday and Sunday.
All the Saturday matches were restricted to 15 ends or 90 minutes to allow for four rounds in the day using the two-life system.
Both sections developed in similar fashion — a team with two lives played a one-lifer in a potential final with no time limit on Sunday.
The men’s winners were Lex Kennedy and Barrie Denham, who both displayed exceptional drawing skills to defeat Larry Kaloucava and Luke Sanders.
Although young future champion Sanders played very creditable lead bowls, he was constantly beaten by the more accurate drawing of the experienced Denham.
Seasoned campaigner Kaloucava played more attacking bowls designed to disturb the cluster of Denham’s shots around the jack. However, Kennedy cleverly put several well-placed shots behind the head which acted as catchers for any movement of the jack and reaped the reward. The result was a game that was entertaining to watch.
The women’s final was won by Ora Peipi and Val McGreevy, who were undefeated.
They had beaten the other finalists, Diane Christie and Marion Jones, in Round 3 in a closely fought battle and received a bye to the potential final.
They awaited the result of the Round 4 contest between Christie/Jones and Jan Powell and Kathy Carroll.
On Sunday, McGreevy’s superior drawing lead bowls frequently gave Peipi the upper hand, enabling her to consolidate the shots and dominate the game.
COMING UP
January 2: Mixed graded fours for the Graham Shield — open to other clubs’ members.
January 3: Twilight club evenings start, 5.30pm.
January 5 and 6: Club junior singles championships.
