2023/24 GRADED PAIRS

26 teams filled the greens at Merrylands today to compete in this year’s Graded Pairs filling both the grass and synthetic greens. A shower surprised most early in the morning and even the greenskeepers were not expecting any rain had to change up their plans. Fortunately for all involved the rain had stopped before the start and everybody was was able to get out to play. Well almost everybody, one bowler thought it was a 10:30am start. Luckily Peter Reece was on standby and filled in for the first game.

5 rounds of 8 ends each of tournament play awaited the teams, plus the semi-final and final for the teams good enough to progress.

At lunch time, following the completion of the first 3 rounds, an unprecedented 6 teams had won all three games. Sophie Payne and Scott Foster came unstuck with a 1 shot loss in round 4, as did Keith Bullivant and Jeremy Roach who lost the last end to lose their game.

This left four 4 game winners going into the last round. Lewis Welch and Cam McClure, Peter Toffolon and Adam Troth, Una Bell and Jenny Clark, and Peter Bungate and Katie Astley. Lewis and Cam got through unscathed as did Peter and Adam. Peter and Katie dropped a four on their last end to hang on to win by 1 and qualify. Una and Jenny had a close loss, but their big wins in the first games was enough for them to hang onto fourth spot ahead of further 4 game winners Frances and Gerry Miechels.

The first semifinal saw the table topping Lewis and Cam against Una and Jenny. Nothing separated the teams over the first 6 ends.The second last end saw some brilliant shots from both skippers. Cam drew the shot before Jenny took it out and made a handful. Cam held his nerve to draw a shot. Lewis played some great bowls on the last end to set the head up. Down game, with the last bowl of the match, Jenny had a run shot. Jenny connected with the head and bowls went everywhere. In the end it was Lewis and Cam who held shot and claimed the victory to go into the final.

The Second semifinal saw the other two 5 game winners Peter & Adam against Peter and Katie.Peter Toffolon and Adam Troth got off to a good start leading 4-0 after 2 ends. Peter Bungate and Katie Astley steadied and scored consecutive singles on the next 2 ends. The next three ends saw Adams’ team score another 5 shots to take the match.

This left the teams top 2 qualified sides from the round robin in the final. Lewis Welch and Cam McClure kicked off the first end against Peter Toffolon and Adam Troth. The first end saw Cam’s last bowl come down as a running shot. When the dust settled it was Peter and Adam holding 4 and getting off to a flyer in the final.Lewis and Cam hit back on the second end with 1 bowl each in the count and scoring 2. The margin was cut in half again on the 3rd end with Lewis scoring 1 and now trailing 3-4. Lewis and Cam, playing short ends, scored another 2 on the 4th end and lead at the halfway mark. On the 5th end, Adam’s second bowl was perfect, trailing the jack out for 2. Cam’s last bowl of the end drew the shot. Adam with his last bowl was slightly tight, but luck would be with him as came off a short bowl and moved the jack for 2 to regain the lead 6-5. Lewis would retake the lead at the completion of the 6th end scoring another 2. The 7th end saw Lewis and Cam change up the game plan and throw a long end. Lewis opening 2 bowls were fantastic as he was within a foot of the jack with both bowls. Adam’s second bowl was a beauty as he drew within millimeters of the jack. Cam’s last bowl of the end was up through the head. His bowl moved almost every bowl, including the shot bowl. Adam’s last bowl took out Cam’s closest bowl and Adam scored a 1 to level it at 7 all going into the final end. On the final end Lewis once again was right on the jack leaving it up to Adam to convert and win the game. Adam’s last bowl went agonizingly close but it wasnt to be. Lewis Welch and Cam McClure held on to win the 2023/24 Open Graded Pairs 9-7.