District Singles - Sunday Results

Reserve Singles
Congratulations go to Hans Katala from C-Ex Woolgoolga club who has proven himself to be a cut above in this years Presidents singles event. Hans did it the hard way, defeating two locals in the semi and final to take out the crown. Lee Allen pushed Hans all the way in the semi final, Hans eventually running out the victor 31-25. His opponent in the decider was Mark Jenkins who had earlier accounted for Jeff Thorn from Nambucca Heads. Hans proved to be a touch too consistent in the decider taking the match 31-20, and will now compete for the zone title in June at Park Beach.

Open Singles
It was a day of contrast at Sawtell during the penultimate rounds of the open singles event. All four quarter finals proved to be intense, with two of the four matches going right down to the wire, however in the afternoon both semi finals turned out to be remarkably one sided.
Graham Green from the host club was the first to book himself a place in the semi finals, grinding out a deserved win against West Coffs stalwart Tony Wills. Reigning champ Cory Daley soon joined Green, finishing strongly to get the chocolates against Bellingen's Chris Habgood. David Miles looked to have done enough to be the second Sawtell bowler through, holding match at 30-30 against West Coffs Rod Hiscock, before Hiscock played a decisive "on" shot to wrest the shot bowl and claim a semi berth. In the last of the quarters Paul Ward lead all the way against young gun Andy King, and seemed to have the match in his keeping when he lead 26-20. However the Stuarts Point talent found another gear, driving and drawing his way out of trouble to run down the Macksville star 31-27 to reach his first open singles semi final.
If the quarters were anything to go by the crowd would have been expecting two classic clashes in the semi's with Green drawn to play Hiscock, and King versus Daley.
However the intensity of the earlier matches appeared to have taken their toll on King and Hiscock, with both falling well behind early. King was still producing his trademark draw shots, however was being continually beaten to the jack by the more experienced Daley, the 2010 champion cruising to a 31-6 victory.
Hiscock rallied however never looked like closing the gap, Green taking the match 31-13.
The final should be a cracker with Green searching for his first district title in the MNCDBA and will have no shortage of supporters playing at his home club whilst Daley will be looking to take out his third singles crown in four years. The final will be played this Saturday at Sawtell @ 1pm.

Senior Singles
Due to catch up match required to be played, the seniors event is only out to the semi finals with four of Park Beach's best sixty and over's making the finals held at Woolgoolga, however it isn't a case of the usual suspects in this years event.
The quarter's proved to be all Park Beach after Wayne Rowbottom joined his clubmates, defeating T Kelly in the catch up match.
2008 champion Phil Toy would have been one of two favourites in the quarters, and managed to advance to the semi finals, but not before being pushed to breaking point by Phil Brown, Toy getting of gaol 31-30.
Wayne Rowbottom will battle Toy for a spot in the semi after winning an arm wrestle with Dennis Brown, both competitors getting on to the springboard before Rowbottom closed it out 31-27.
Vic Watkins made it two impressive wins from two when he downed Neil Williams by just three shots in their match. Currently playing third grade pennants for his club, Vic upstaged second grader Williams after knocking out first grade player Bob Bain in the round of sixteen. Watkins will now play Barry Garner for a place in the decider, another bowler who appeared on paper to be punching above his weight in the quarter final. Garner outclassed the highly rated Laurie Morris by seven shots to reach the final four.
All four bowlers are playing well enough to claim the trophy, however it will be Toy who should feel the weight of expectation, having been there and done it before. Rowbottom has been so close before and will fancy his chances, however Garner and Watkins will feel like they have nothing to lose and are clearly playing well enough to emerge victorious.
The semi finals are scheduled for 1pm this Saturday at Woolgoolga.

Zone Pennant preview to follow later this week.

Til Next Time...