It went right down to the wire on Wednesday November 13 at Bowral Bowling Club.
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Kevin Jones defeated Mike Holmwood 31-30 in the semi-final of the senior singles.
Holmwood went into the match as the red hot favourite having been in great form over the last three months. But on this occasion the man with the stick and the colour bowls that you would not want to play against if you had a night out.
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Kevin Jones had the result of the year winning his semifinal by one shot coming from behind.
The first eight ends Holmwood appeared to be cruising leading 12-2. Both bowlers really got in to the match with Jones clawing his way back to only trail 13-12 after 15 ends.
Holmwood then took complete control with good shot selections and went to a 24-13 lead after 21 ends.
Then Jones started embarking on a recovery, but still trailed 26-18 after 26 ends.
Holmwood still looked the winner leading 27-20 after 28 ends, but Jones found a new lease of life and started to find himself in with a chance with only two shots the difference 28-26.
After 32 ends Holmwood held a 30-26 lead, although the game close Holmwood only needed one shot to win and was still favoured to win. Jones the underdog won the next two ends to level the score 30-30
The very next end Jones gets one shot to put him in the final. This was certainly the turn up of the year.
Kevin Jones after the match said "What's all the fuss about? I just kept plugging away."
The other semifinal was also a close match with Robin Staples defeating Eric Willacy 31-27.
This match included very good shots from both players. At the half way mark Staples had a 18-12 lead then Willacy had a few ends that he took control of and went to the lead 21-20 after 26 ends.
Staples then showed his class winning seven ends of the last nine to run out the winner by four shots to move into the final.
The final will be played next Wednesday at 1pm. Robin Staples will go into the final as a warm favourite and has been very consistent with all his wins in the early rounds.
The underdog Kevin Jones has his secret weapon in the colour of his bowls. It is the only set bowls in the club. Like it not, only he knows how to use them.
In the first round match of the handicap singles, Viv Gear defeated Rick Reynolds 31-14. As the score board shows it was a match that Gear was always in control.
Social results:
- Bruce Hall, Bill Pope, John Cummins defeated Les Hubert, Kel Limbrick, Keith Edwards 19-14.
- Glen Giese, Clive Neutze defeated Ted McPhee, Chris Forrester 16-14.
- Tony Oakes, Colin Winton defeated Richard Denman, Owen Williams 25-20.
- Paul Rubie, David Bateup defeated Paul Mcinerney, Graham Hunt 22-9.
- Steve Day, David Riddell defeated Joe O'Donnell, Don Chapman 21-16.