Russell Hughes is the new State Singles Champion for 2005 winning 25/12 against Gary Caffell.

Today at the Morley Bowling club, we saw a terrific Russell.Hughes
{pictured with President Trevor Barron}
fight against the odds, firstly just to get to the final, and then to win it in such a comprehensive fashion.

Hows this for starters, against Peter Harris {my pick to win the tournament} 8/14 down and going nowhere, Pete simply too good, Russell gets up and wins 21/18. Peter Harris is a class player,and it illustrates that it was no easy victory.

Against Kyle.McIlroy, he is 8/16 down and looking down the barrel, Kyle is way to good and a finals appearance looks a formality for Kyle, But hang on, Russell had other ideas and went on to win 25/19. What a performance Russell!!!. I am sure that Kyle was a little shellshocked, but being the sportsman he is, gave full credit to the great comeback by Russell to win the game.

O. K That said, The final was a good game and it was played in very windy conditions, two things were most noticable to me, Russell played mainly longer ends when he had the mat and Gary played medium length, Gary was so good against John Rainoldi at this length.{ same length for Gary in the final of the State Pairs also}.

This was Russell's game for sheer consistentcy, it always seemed that Russell had control at any length, always playing the narrow hand, while Gary had more adventure to his game by playing the hand that demanded the call. However he often missed so very narrowly at what he might attempt to do, on any hand, {against JR he was getting all the shots he went for}..
As the game wore on it had the stamp of a Russell Hughes victory,
scores were 6/6 --14/8--and finally bolting away to win 25/12. The morning magic had evaporated for Gary. Overall Gary would be pretty happy to be r/u.

Russell was elated at his finest moment in lawn bowls, dedicated the win to his father and bro, and the win confirmed something we already knew---He is a champion.

Well done Russell Hughes, a most deserving winner.

HOME BUILDING SOCIETY STATE SINGLES 24th January 2005 DAY 3
Held at Morley Bowling Club

Semi-finals
Gary Caffell b John Rainoldi 25/16
Russell Hughes b Kyle McIlroy 25/19


Gary Caffell and John Rainoldi {pictured} here after a great game in the semi-final

John Rainoldi must be scratching his head wondering what he might have to do to win the State Singles, he had the shot on many many occassions only to see it taken away with a brilliant bowl from Gary..don't think Gary could play any better than he did.... he was awsome.
Well done John, you played a great game.

Peter Harris had the game in hand, looking a winner in the quarter-final but faltered at the last hurdle, just couldn't find the correct line and paid the price, still a great effort from him none the less to get this far.

P.S an interesting one for the book.. Gary Caffell is down 9/17 in the first knockout game against Steve Withers who finished in the last eight of last years singles.
well he got up and won 21/17... it just goes to show, that it ain't over till its over.
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Quarter-finals
G.Caffell b W.Neilson 21-17, J.Rainoldi b Z.Norac 21-17, R.Hughes b P.Harris 21-18
K.McIlroy b M.Krajancic 21-11