District Triples 2011

After four tough rounds just two teams remain in the 2011 MNC Triples championship, being hosted by Scotts Head Bowling Club.
Park Beach will provide both finalists, despite some spirited efforts from teams from Sawtell and Stuarts Point. With the field whittled down to the last eight sides for this morning's play, Park Beach still had two entrants remaining, Stuarts Point had the one and Sawtell appeared to be on track to have both finalists as they did in 2010, providing the remaining five quarter finalists.
P T Clarke and team were the first to advance to the semi finals, overcoming club mates skippered by J Franck 37-15 after leading 30-2. Junior Mitchell Clarke should be commended leading for Franck, directly against his father Peter. It won't be too long before Mitchell is on the happy side of the scoreboard against dad if this mornings match is any indication.
Park Beach's Don Wood and co battled all the way with Sawtell's Ian Weldon and managed to win a tight finish 24-21 to book a berth against P T Clarke in the semi. Stuarts Point's young guns skippered by Andy King broke clear with ten ends remaining against Sawtell Phil Hall and team, however had to hold off a late comeback to advance, winning 28/24. Finally, the 2011 open singles finalists met again, with a similar result, Park Beach's Cory Daley and side too consistent for Sawtell's Graham Green and team, claiming the clash 30-13.
In the first semi final, Wayne Rowbottom, Terry Kadwell and Don Wood established their dominance early against what had been the form team in the event, namely Peter Clarke, Ben Sutton and P T Clarke. It was  a lead they never surrendered earning a place in the final with a 24-11 victory. Terry Kadwell proved to be the difference, continually giving his team the advantage.
The second semi final by contrast saw the momentum shift on a couple of occasions. Park Beach's John Bain, Mark Menzies and Cory Daley opened an early buffer leading 10-3 against brothers Dale and Jake Jeffery, skipped by Andy King and looked to be well in control, however King showed why he is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the zone, continually converting heads to level the score, and with the Jeffery brothers also finding their range they moved to a 14-10 lead. A change from short to maximum length ends however saw the momentum shift again, the experience of the Park Beach side proving the difference as they raced away to an unassailable lead. King and Co restored some pride with a couple of multiple scores in the last two ends of the match, the final score 27-20 in Daleys favour.
The final will be postponed due to player involvement next weekend in the Australian indoor singles qualifying, and is expected to be played on Saturday 18/06.

Cheers,

Chippy