THERE simply aren’t enough superlatives to describe the remarkable feats of Jenny Garnaut and Judy Calleia after the talented duo recorded their fifth consecutive North Broken Hill Bowling Club women’s pairs title and seventh overall recently.
Only the exploits of the irrepressible Barry Hooker, who clinched his 13th North men’s singles title, could possibly put them for the championships’ best performance.
Women’s pairs final: Garnaut/Calleia v Butler/Balman
BUTLER and Balman dominated the first five ends, which created a 5-3 lead. However, Garnaut and Calleia scored five shots on the sixth end, followed by a two to be up by five shots.
Butler and Balman regained the initiative, with four shots over the next three ends, to trail 9-10 after 10 ends.
The see-saw continued with Garnaut and Calleia doing the same to restore their five shots advantage (14-9).
Butler and Balman scored a single on the 14th end but then Garnaut and Calleia took control, scoring five shots, followed by a triple and then a single to seize a commanding 23-10 lead with four ends to go.
Butler and Balman then really clicked into gear scoring a total of eight shots over the next three ends to trail 18-23 with one end to go. Garnaut and Calleia kept calm, scoring a single to win 24-18.
Full credit to Butler and Balman for fighting all the way.
Men’s singles final: Hooker v Ryan Atkinson
ATKINSON scored two singles on the first two ends before Barry Hooker replied with one on the third end.
Atkinson then scored a two before Hooker scored three shots over the next two ends to make it four-all after six ends.
Atkinson again scored two singles and Hooker one, before a further two to Ryan kept him in the lead 8-5 after 10 ends.
Hooker scored one before Atkinson’s two opened up a four-shot advantage (10-6). However, Hooker changed the match completely when he kept Atkinson scoreless while scoring a total of 10 shots over the next five ends. Hooker now led 16-10.
Atkinson then halved the margin with a three on the 18th end. One shot each saw Hooker ahead 17-14.
Hooker then dominated the three next ends, which included a four on the 23rd end which gave Hooker a formidable 24-14 lead.
Atkinson couldn’t afford any more lost ends. He scored three shots over the next two ends to cut the difference to 24-17.
Hooker then scored the winning single on the 26th end, winning the men’s singles title 25-17.
Atkinson put in a tremendous effort in his first North singles final.
Hooker has now won 13 singles titles, which includes a run of eight in a row from 2004 to 2011.
Women’s singles final: Calleia v Balman
BALMAN scored a single on the first end but Calleia quickly replied with three on the second.
Balman also scored three on the third and backed this up with four shots over the next three ends to lead 8-3 after six ends.
Calleia scored one on the seventh end, before both bowlers scored three shots each for Balman to retain her lead 11-7.
Two singles to Balman, followed by a couple of shots to Calleia saw the margin maintained at 13-9 after 12 ends.
Balman’s advantage now became more significant with a triple, followed by a single to leave the score 17-9.
Calleia replied with a single but that was the end of the road for the defending champion as Balman then won the next five ends, scoring a total of eight shots to win 25-10.
This was Balman’s second North women singles title, having previously won during the 2022-23 season.
Barefoot bowls Wednesday, December 4
NUMBERS continue to grow with 18 participants, all playing two games of triples.
Unbeaten for the evening were the teams skippered by Trevor Walsh and Ryan Atkinson. The No.1 on the wheel was top news for Trevor’s team, which included lead Steve Bishop and second Kay Burns.
Upcoming event
AUSTRALIA Day weekend fours: This will be played over Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25. There will be three games of 21 ends (one on Saturday and two on Sunday). The cost per team will be $100, with total prizemoney about $1200.
