Marshall, McIlroy singles winners

Holly McIlroy (Gisborne East Coast)

VERN Marshall and Holly McIlroy won the men’s and women’s open singles bowls tournaments played at the Gisborne and Kahutia greens over the weekend.

Both were first-time winners of this event.

Holly McIlroy is a relative newcomer to bowls in the Gisborne-East Coast centre, but Vern Marshall has had to wait the best part of 30 years to achieve this success.

Both played splendidly and didn’t lose a game over the weekend.

A field of 26 men and 20 women entered, with Kahutia being the headquarters on Day 2.

Seven women qualified for post-section play, with Francie Adair having the bye in Round 1.

In Round 1, Glenys Whiteman defeated Mary Taingahue 21-10, Bobbie Beattie defeated Leoni Renata 21-16 and Holly McIlroy defeated Marie Wright 21-8.

In Round 2, Holly McIlroy and Adair had a great tussle, McIlroy finishing the better over the last few ends. Whiteman defeated Beattie 21-14 in their semifinal.

The final was an excellent match with both players performing extremely well.

The match lasted 22 ends and the scores were often level. They were level at 13-all after 16 ends and 17-all after 20.

McIlroy won the last two ends with a three and a one to win 21-17.

Congratulations go to a promising young player . . . the Brown Whanau Trophy is yours for the 2015/16 season.

Eight qualifiersThe men had eight qualifiers. Robin Jefferson defeated Adam McIlroy 21-18, Jamey Ferris defeated Duncan Macpherson 21-11, Vern Marshall defeated David File 21-16 and Steve Goldsbury defeated Bob McIlroy 21-17.

In the semifinals, Jefferson defeated Ferris 21-11 and Marshall defeated Goldsbury 21-19.

Marshall started the final well and was 4-0 up after two ends, but by the 10th end Jefferson had his nose in front, 8-6.

Marshall had a small advantage after 21 ends,17-16, and grabbed a three to go ahead 20-16.

Jefferson responded to take three on the next end and the scores were Marshall 20 Jefferson 19.

Jefferson promptly put Marshall under pressure. His first bowl was a toucher and he followed that up with another that backed up against his toucher.

The target was only one bowl wide. Marshall had a short bowl just over two feet away, and his next two bowls never threatened the action.

Should Jefferson put a block in or go to the back. He chose to go to the back.

Marshall pondered, then drove.

Jefferson’s two shot bowls disappeared, and the bowl just over two feet away was the winning shot.

Well done, Vern. The Martin Trophy is yours for 2015/16. You will do us proud at the New Zealand Finals next year.