Francis Drake Bowls Club

01-Sep-2024

2024 Finals Weekend

Saturday 31 August 2024

Gardiners Cup
Semi 1 Cakey v Les

 

A semi worthy of a final. First end to Les, next end to Cakey, then Les, then Cakey again. Six Four on the fourth end. Cakey then makes four on the next two ends, Les hits back with five on the next two ends, ten nine on end eight. It’s a ding dong battle, and they each seem to win every other end, but Cakey does it with two points and Les with one point. 19 – 13 on the eighteenth end and Cakey makes two for the win. Well done Cakey, into Sundays Final, commiserations Les, a tough, well played match.

Semi 2 Joe v Keith

Keith got off to a flying start scoring one on the first end. Expert analysis had observed Keith adopting the “I’ll let Joe wear himself out” strategy, by allowing Joe to play at least two matches every week while he only played two all season. This worked a treat, unfortunately in Joe’s favour as his worn out experience delivered another wood straight to the jack. Keith’s experience increased with every wood he bowled and on end eleven, having tired Joe out and got his eye in, he drew a magnificent three to add to his first end one, however, Joe had amassed nineteen points already and the two he got on the next end sealed his place in Sunday’s Gardiners Final. Well done Joe, commiserations Keith.

Mens three woods, Eighteen ends
Dave H. v Mark G.

 

A false dawn. Mark was not getting carried away with his six points on the first two end. Rightly so, Dave won the next three ends, (4-6, end 5). A tricky unforgiving green led to some toing and froing of points. At end fifteen it was twelve a piece. All equal with three ends to play, peace was not these competitors state of mind. One to Mark, One to Mark. Dave needs two to draw, three to win. He manages a single and Mark takes victory 13-14 on the final end. Congratulation Mark, commiserations Dave.

Ladies Championship.
Sue v Jill

 

I do believe these two have met before. Great friends, team mates and club members. Either Jill was feeling generous or Sue was on fire because on end six it was seven nil to Sue. That’s a generous head start by any standard. Jill began her comeback (7-2, end 7), then had second thoughts, by end thirteen they had both doubled their scores (14-4). Second thoughts and doubling of scores! Jill now doubled her effort, I went for a cup of tea and Jill went for a run, a run of points, end twenty (17-15). Sue grabbed her nerve and held it secure, four points in the next three ends giving her victory (21-16). Congratulations Sue, Ladies Champion 2024, commiserations Jill.



Pairs.
Rob & Fricks v Cakey & Dave H.

 

 

This was the most ungentlemanly gentlemanly game. One to me, no one to me, no one to me. Do you mind if I put my wood on the jack, I do actually, do you mind if I nudge you off? End seven and its four all. Then Fricks and Rob have a little jolly for four ends and it’s now (4-9, end 10). Being gentleman Cakey and Dave H. return the favour, (9-10, end 14). The play is still all round the jack, nip and tuck, close quarter tactics but somehow the next three ends go in Fricks and Robs favour and on end seventeen Dave H. shakes Robs hand at (9-18). Well done Rob and Frick, pairs champions 2024, commiserations Dave H. and Cakey.

Sunday 1 September usually follows Saturday 31 August, let's hope it does so soon with text and photos of the day.