Bowling On – 1^st Jan 2013

Special Bowls Report

In a performance any club could be justifiably proud of two Northern women turned on herculean efforts in the semi-finals of the National bowls singles at Paritutu yesterday.

Anna Davis lost 15-21 to Val McEldowney of that great Taranaki sporting family and it was a fraction of inexperience at the elite level that saw Davis concede a four to allow McEldowney to go out. Davis switched from the backhand she had played so well for the second and third bowls before reverting for last bowl but was unable to save the match.

In the other match Mere Freyer lost 14-21 to the highly ranked Reen Stratford from New Lynn and it was crucial bowl with the score at 14-11 to Freyer that turned the game. Freyer held four which would have seen her at 18-11 before Stratford drew right to the jack with her last. Stratford scored three on the next end when she again moved the jack and from then on Freyer was unable to beat her to shot.

Both games featured fabulous draw bowls throughout and the Northern pair had a huge gallery of vocal support from the other Manawatu bowlers at the tournament. Both can be immensely proud of their achievements to come away with the third equal placing.

On the adjoining green Pat Horgan and Graeme Cooley, the last of the Manawatu mens pairs alive at the tournament exited 16-12 to the highly regarded Wellington combination of Rob Ashton and Barclay Lee  in the round of sixteen. The Ashton team was in dynamic touch fresh from a win over New Zealand representative Shannon McIlroy and his lead Lance Pascoe. Lee was just too consistent up front and forced  to drive often, Horgan  got through more gaps than Tana Umaga at his best. Despite a late fightback Ashton's early lead was telling.

Tony Jensen

Thanks Tony.

Well done Anna and Mere. J