WOBA 2008

We have returned home and I am both looking back at WOBA and ahead to the Provincial Singles. More results follow.

BOWLERS OF THE WEEK

JEAN RONEY, Regina Saskatchewan
KEVIN JONES, London Ontario

FOURS

Championship - Defending champs repeat. Brian McCartney, Ron Wood, Gord Terwilleger, Jim Copeland ( Sun City Arizona ) 13 over Steve McKerihen, David Anderson, John Devonshire, Fred Wallbank -10. McCartney proved is weight for the gold with a big shots preventing big ends by the opposition. In the 13th end down 4 in the head he wrested a bowl with his last shot to again swing the count his team's way. That was the pattern to bring home the big prize.

'A' Wayne Wright, Doug Hoskin, Dave Ball, Don Caswell 18 defeat Kevin Jones, Ernie Meid (Regina, Sask.), Jeff Mason, Bert Mason 6

'B' James McLellan, Chris Johnson, Larry McLellan, Juergen Fessler pull it out in last end with a 3 count - final 11-10 over Malcolm Whyte, Trevor Whyte, Greg Wilson, Dylan Jacobs

'C' Tom Roth, Michelle Roth, Laurie Roth, Erin Roth 16-15 over Dan Milligan, Chris Scullion, George Boxwell, Dave Wicks.
The Roth family led all the way but the Milligan crew made it close with a 5 in the last end.
With Ryan Bester playing in Australia, mom ( Laurie) and dad (Tom) with their two daughters must now be the first family of bowls edging ahead of the Bester clan. Of course you add Wray and Verna the parents of Tom plus son Jim and his wife Sue and they could field two fours team and play for the championship.

'D' John Devlin, Mike Doskas, Andy Wepruk, Norm Elkin ( Quebec )15-5 over John Wilson, Jim Roth, Sue Roth, Ria Wilson

PAIRS
Championship Flight - Leanne Chinery/Kelly McKerihen 14-12 over Debbie Rauter and Sandy McKenzie. After 9 ends the score was 14-2. The Rauter-McKenzie team turned the head pink for the next 4 ends and were lying 4 in the second last end with a Chinery last bowl to be played. Leanne came off a side bowl to cut the count to two down then prevented a tie in the 14th end with a deft wresting shot that settled 1 down in the head. In fact Debbie puts the jack in the ditch with her last bowl the 4 counters to be had would have reversed the silver/gold finish.
The game of 'oh so close ' held true - 2 inches wider and .........

Championship Flight Ralph Ross/ Ricco Silvestero ( 1st year,Ottawa ) defeated Kevin Jones/Ron Jones
Another fast out of the blocks by the eventual winners. The score was at 17-2 because of some fine lead bowls by Ricco and a magical performance by Ralph. But no lead seems big enough against the Jones clan. Ron's delivery with the bowling arm returned to covering the jack and Kevin was quick to bring the count to 9-17. The 12th end looked like a possible Jones big score until Ross made another exacting shot slipping into the back end of the Canadian geese flight pattern to nab the white 'bird' and lead his team to the podium.

3rd/4th Championship Game
Jean Roney ( Regina )/Lorraine Hitchcock (Sun City, AZ ) 14-6 over Maureen O'Brien/ Rosalie Parsons-Brown (Quebec, 1st WOBA ).

3rd/4th Championship Game
Eldon McFadyen/Alex Graham Extra End over Alan Steffen/ Frank Zazzara.
One of the beauty of bowls in action. Alex is 86 and Eldon qualifies for senior advantages. I saw Alex walking toward me under the trees and I thought a question was next. No, just getting the kinks out. That he did and his book of success just added a page. Perhaps Eldon and Alan will go head to head in the weekend Provincial Singles.

Other Women's results
'A' Erin Roth/Laurie Roth defeated Noreen Welsh/Karen Robinson
'B' Maureen Thompson/Joanne Bugler won over Rea Wilson/Sue Roth
'C' Hazel Reid/Bev Hitchman victors over Dorothy Forbes/Marion Payne
'D' Helen Culley/Joyce Kruss over Laura Seed/Heather Comba

Men
'A' John Wilson/Gerry Jones 17-12 Dave Jefferies/Gerry Laporte
'B' Pete Mutter/Brian Fowler 12-10 Steve McKerihen/Doug Hoskin
'C' Keith Roney/Len Hitchcock ( Regina/Sun City) 18-3 Brian McCartney/Jim Copeland
'D' John Devlin/Norm Elkin 26-5 Paul Davidson/Bob Forbes

MIXED PAIRS
1. Lorraine and Len Hitchcock
2. Jean and Keith Roney
3. Ria and John Wilson
4. Elaine and Dave Houtby

This contingent of married couples swept the event.