What a way to close the season – Finals Night at Ilford Indoor Bowls Club did not disappoint! We had three cracking matches on the go: the Consolation Pairs, the Men’s Singles, and the Ladies’ Singles. The atmosphere was buzzing, and the standard of bowling was top-notch. Let’s dive into each match and relive the action…
Consolation Pairs – Rink 1
Colin Green & Steve Klein vs Brian Yershon & Keith Coe
What a match this turned out to be! Keith and Brian came out flying, racing into an 8-0 lead after just four ends. Steve and Colin looked a bit unsettled early on, but they got on the board with a single on end 5, which seemed to steady the ship.
By end 8, they’d clawed it back to 9-5 down, and from there it was nip and tuck all the way. With just three ends to play, Keith and Brian were still ahead at 15-11. But then – drama! A dropped 5 swung the game, and suddenly they were trailing 16-15.
Keith, who had bowled brilliantly all evening, produced another gem in the 17th end. With his side three down, he dragged the jack into the ditch and held 1 – a real pressure bowl! Steve couldn’t respond, and we were level at 16-16 going into the final end.
The tension was palpable. Colin set it up, holding 1. Brian came close but couldn’t quite draw in. Then Steve delivered a beauty with his penultimate bowl, nailing the jack. Keith had one bowl left… the crowd held its breath… but it just missed.
Victory to Colin and Steve – 17-16, but what a superb game. Huge credit to all four players!
Karl Bunyan vs Bob Smith
A cracking singles match followed, with Karl taking an early advantage. But Bob – ever the fighter – wasn’t going to go quietly. From 19-14 down, he rallied to close the gap to 19-16. Karl edged closer with a single, but Bob replied in kind to make it 20-17.
In the end, Karl held his nerve and clinched the win with a 21-17 finish. A well-earned victory – well done, Karl!
But let’s hear it for Bob Smith, too – a tremendous effort, making it to five finals, and 3 victories. That’s an outstanding achievement. Hats off to you, Bob.
Ladies’ Singles Final – Rink 3
Jackie Stephens vs Julie Watkins
An all-Buckhurst Hill showdown, and what a game we witnessed! Two of our top lady bowlers – Jackie and Julie – went head-to-head in a thrilling contest that had the crowd gripped from the start.
Early exchanges were tight, and the scores were locked at 11-11. Jackie then picked up a 2 to move ahead 13-11, and followed that with another 2 to lead 15-11. But Julie wasn’t done – she stormed back with some excellent bowls to regain the lead at 19-18.
With everything on the line, Jackie stepped up. Her first bowl landed within 3 feet of the jack. Julie couldn’t respond, and Jackie pounced. Her second bowl kissed the jack and she was holding two shots. By the time her third and fourth bowls had come to rest, she was holding all three she needed.
Julie stood on the mat with her final bowl – needing something special. She gave it her all, but it just overran, slipping through a narrow gap. The applause erupted – Jackie Stephens had taken the win in a brilliant match played in great spirit by two fantastic players.
That wraps up our Finals Night report. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists – the skill, sportsmanship, and drama on display made for a truly memorable evening.
Until next season –