State Pairs final 2004/5
Today we saw a brilliant combination win the State Pairs in tricky and windy conditions and on display were the terrific skills of John Goddard, Osborne Park{skipper}, and Gary Caffell, Tammin. They defeated Lance Strahan {skipper} Bedford and Mark Illich Yokine. 31/14.
PICTURED: Gary Caffell left/ John
Goddard right.
They showed how it is done with a very good display of draw shot bowling
and an arrray of different weighted shots on a hard and tricky green
caused by the
wind. Must say at times it was hard to believe there was any wind at all,
the standard
was that good.
The game started out with Lance getting away to lead 8 / 2 and bowling with
magnificent touch,as was Mark, it would be fair to say they were looking
the goods, getting
them close,close!! It was the first time we had seen J.Goddard under the
pump scorewise. The crowd had a buzz and maybe an upset on the cards but
it was
shortlived as
he soon caught up to level 8 / 8 on the 5th end by picking up a six..
At the 9th end the score was 14 / 11 in favour of J.G, there were plenty
of great bowls played by both sides. it was around this time of the game
that
we saw cracks
appearing in Lance and Marks armour and slowly but surely no matter what
the situation J.G and G.C answered every challenge by outdrawing the opposition
or using a weighted
shot.
The game ground on with J. Goddard picking up several ones and it was apparent
to all they had the measure of Lance and Mark. The score had reached 21 /14
and it was in this period that we saw the very best of John and Gary. They
scooted
away with sheer brilliance to record a win that reflected the difference
in the skills of both teams on the day..
Congratulations to you both and displaying the bowling skills that make the
great game of Lawn Bowls well worth watching.
Lance and Mark can be proud of their mighty effort to be R /U today.
The Semi-Finals
The Semi-finals
L.Strahan, Chilli Illich V A.
Tucker, Ted Alden
This game was close for a while up to the half way mark when Lance and Chilli
got away from the opposition with some very good draw shot bowling, especially
by Lance. Andy and Ted had a red hot go but things didn't go their way today
losing 17/8.
J. Goddard, G. Caffell V Ian
Payne, Ron Kuzeila
This was a great game and turned out to be quite a tussle, J.Goddard ran out
to
an early lead 10/1.
Ian and Ron had some very good bowls around the jack but were never able to hold
them, however they were undeterred as fought tooth and nail to get back into
the game, with some of the best bowls you would see anywhere and most of these
were
under great pressure.
They managed to get the scoreline up to be 11/14 down and the match was really
in the balance. We saw the skippers at their very best matching one and other
blow for blow with some sensational bowls.
Ron Kuzeila put in a great game today and held his own against Gary Caffell.
Final score J.Goddard winning 16/13
Third division and under State Pairs
Final
I.Woods b N.Keir 27-15
The standard for this game was surprisingly good and if we weren't aware of what
division they represented we would have asked who is that playing, Well done
to
both teams for a very good showing.
The Quarter-finals
What a great days play in the State Pairs at
Sorrento today. We saw Lance Strahan and Mark Illich win their way through
to the
semi-final. Firstly with a nail biting win over Stu Bainbridge and Tom Norac
who had been in brilliant touch up till this game 14/12.
Then winning over W. Rodgers where lance was outstanding in this game. Well
done Lance and all the best for tomorrow. Third division and underThe morning
game saw Don Manning and Syd Hearn defeat Mike Browning 16 / 9.
Don and Syd were in great form right from the jump and handled the conditions
better and never looked like they would lose, Bishop had problems with his
bowls in the windy conditions but tried hard as he could.
Don and Syd lost their semi-final after having the better of the game leading
13 / 11, from that point on they didn't play as well as they had been finally
losing 19 / 13...Well done and congratulations to you both for a mighty effort
and the club is proud of you both, also well done Bishop and Mike for your
effort.Game of the day
The game of the day
was between John Goddard, Gary Caffell versus Milan Jokic and Frank Carbone.
This game was just about one of the best you would see for pinpoint draw shot
bowling and deadly accurate up shots, hard to believe that anyone can play
like this in such windy conditions. What a great advertisement for the game
of lawn bowls. The score was not a true reflection of the game
John Goddard winning 17-8
John Goddard was brilliant on either hand or any length. One yard away from
the jack was a bad bowl for John and there weren't too many of those from him
in both games today. And guess who was watching this game? YEP you guessed
it, national selector Steve Srhoy and I am sure Steve would have been impressed.
Gary Caffell was also in brilliant touch and he couln't play better if he wanted
to. I guess all that saw him in action today could see why he was selected
in the State team, me included.
The game was fiercely contested and a nip and tuck affair up till the eleventh
end when Milan dropped a six but he would deserve credit for the way he lost
them. Very very unlucky Milan, who played so well, as did Frank Carbone, who
gave it everything in a game to remember.
If John and Gary can keep this form they will win the title for sure.
