IT was a first for the Workmens Club Men’s Bowling Club when they staged three finals on the same day, spectators being treated to an array of first class bowling.
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With no player involved in more than one final the match committee was able to organise a special day.
A big and appreciative crowd watched some of the club’s top players battle it out to determine the winners of the major and minor singles and the major pairs titles.
In the major singles title it was Ken ‘Yogi’ Wallace up against Gwynn Walding; the minor singles match up was between Col Phelan and John Goodwin while the pairs title was fought out between last year’s champions Trevor Mills and Ken Poppett and Mick McCann and Ron Field.
The finals did not let down the good crowd of spectators on hand to support the finalists.
Major singles title to ‘Yogi’ Wallace
THE major singles is the jewel in the crown for Workies bowlers and one of the most prestigious events of the year.
The combatants for the coveted title were Ken ‘Yogi’ Wallace and Gwynn Walding.
The match up promised to be a top encounter with both players in great form.
The match was always going to be a tough and close encounter.
Walding was the more aggressive player with several top scalps under his belt from the recent State Cup and the win against title favourite Stephen Lesslie in the semis.
Wallace is one of the best draw bowlers in the club and his semi final win was over last year’s finalist Don Milligan.
The game went point for point for the first half of the game with neither player able to jump ahead.
Wallace would draw the shot and Walding would take it out, a pattern that continued until the scores were level at 25-all.
Wallace kept the pressure on and continued to draw to the jack.
A missed on shot by Walding that went within millimetres gave Wallace a 30-26 lead and he took full advantage of the small avenue to win the next end and walk away with a well deserved five shot win.
Phelan wins in a thriller
THE minor singles is traditionally one of the most hotly contested of all titles.
Finalist John Goodwin was appearing in his fourth final against Col Phelan.
Both players are excellent draw bowlers and had knocked out some very good bowlers along the road to the final.
As with the major final there was very little between either player with neither giving an inch in one of the best minor singles finals played at the Workies.
With the score evenly balanced at 30-29 in favour of Goodwin the finalists lined up for what was to be the last end.
Goodwin held shot and looked to have that elusive title in his hand, but with just two bowls left Phelan played two perfect draw bowls to grab two shots and a one point victory.
