Competitive lawn bowling mixed with a twist of life. A skilled exciting game hidden from the masses by its image. Often only takes one roll-up to leave you wondering why you waited.
My Ponder List
- "Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
WOBA 2008
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.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
SINGLES FILE AND RANK
From the start, there has not been much movement in the top selections, As is the usual case the bowlers less known drift to the bottom. The main purpose of the 'odds board' is that it identifys players and provides insights into their potential by their supporters. It is not an accurate predictor. I personally have watched 9 of the women in play but 7 have been out of my sight. Thus no visual memory comparison and totally unfair to my group of 7. But I will make sure to see all the 'new' players at Heritage at the Provincials.
I want to see Gloria Cheung because the Toronto folk and her opponents tell me she is a player.
If you get out of District 5, time to take a look at Julia Farrell. I know Freda Gersok a bowler who moved from Windsor to St.Thomas ( brought Ernie with her) and will surprise. Helen Kelley did well in the Provincial Pairs and Tilley Mannen from District 3 is consistently close to the jack.
I remember Susan Karlins from other clubs but it has been awhile. I will see for the first time Leone Braby, Kay Johns and Katherine Smith
1 Shirley Ko 2-1
2 Anna Panton 3-1
3 Erin Roth 4-1
4 Kelly McKerihen 5.5-1
4 Gloria Cheung 5.5-1
6 Pauline Hill 6.5-1
7 Elaine Stevenson 7.5-1
8 Helen Wright 9 to 1
9 Julia Farrell 10.5-1
9 Freda Gersok 10.5-1
11 Susan Karlins 11-1
12 Helen Kelley 12-1
12 Tilley Mannen 12-1
12 Leone Braby 12-1
15 Katherine Smith 12.5-1
16 Kay Johns 13
MEN
1 Kevin Jones 1.5 to 1
2 Alan Steffen 4.5
2 Mike Bester 4.5
4 Juergen Fessler 5
5 Herb Nesbitt 6.5
5 Dave Burrows 6.5
7 Mervyn Horn 7
8 Paul Davidson 8
9 Bob Bates 8.5
10 Steve Brancier 11
10 Steve Miller 11
12 Rob Rienzo 11.5
13 Vince Donohoe 12
14 Raj Rajalingam 12.5
15 Martin Henly 12.5
15 Eldon McFadyen 12.5
Monday, July 14, 2008
Singles File
Do you think you can rank the Provincial Singles players in order of actual finish.
Before the tournament is played that is.
It will be a cumulative final ranking based on ALL the submissions. No one will know that you didn't pick your best friend to win.
The rules:
You cannot select yourself if playing in the tournament.
You must pick a minimum of 8 players.
You may select from 9 to 16 as well.
You may pick only men or women or both.
No ranking ties.
The e-mail line is now open.
Have Ontario bowlers shown clairvoyance to date. Yes..................and no. In sync and out to lunch. But that is what makes our game an exciting challenge. The best are not invincible to the rest.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Hiatus
I saw a sign board on the way to St. George. "People who throw dirt lose ground. "
Speaking of St. George what a nice small town with friendly and hospitable people and a nifty green. The surface is small with no ditches but the playing surface is true and the pace ( about 11+ seconds ) is excellent. It certainly reduces ones excuses for losing.
I've been thinking of the blogger faithful and do have some future comments to make about the Provincial Pairs. There were some great performances by the unexpected and in some cases high expectations for the unsuccessful. BOB ( Bank of Bowls ) is again trying to stay solvent with the 'underdogs' playing havoc with the reserve funds.
But WOBA is just around the corner and organizational deadlines are shrinking. The longevity of this tournament is with good cause supported by both administrators and players to create a unique bowls happening that is a highlight of the summer playing season.
There is much to be done and we want to do it right. It is the priority.
But we mustn't forget we are already identifying the District winners for the last event in building our Ontario team to the Canadian Majors. Seven Singles Districts have reported and the others shouldn't be far behind.
Again you will have the opportunity to assess and evaluate, check the scouting reports, phone all the District reps for inside information, read the latest bowling stories in the Toronto Star or the Ottawa Citizen and make wild guesses who is most likely going to win the ' Only the Lonely' crown.
As soon as all the Districts have reported the voting poll will be open. Rules will be posted
NORTH AMERICAN CHALLENGE
Hosted by the BURLINGTON Lawn Bowling Club August 6 to 9th.
Canada vs. the USA in a team test match. Twenty bowlers from across Canada competing for North American bragging rights. Check the Bowls Canada website - events - to see the roster ( including 11 players from Ontario + 2 managers) representing our country. And be sure to take a drive at least one day to witness this international event.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Ontario Singles Starters 2008
D1 Erin Roth
Martin Henly
D2 Freda Gersok
Kevin Jones
D3 Tilly Mannen
Paul Davidson
D4 Kay Johns
Juergen Fessler
Juergen overcame a hot start to the day by Lee Ryan. " Lee was victorious in the first game over Larry McLellan after trailing 8-20. Lee beat Juergen 21-4 in the next game. Then the rains came down ( and so did the pace ). Previously unbeaten Lee then lost two straight to Juergen who persumably coped with the changed conditions better." [Colin McLuckie ]
D5 Julia Farrell
Dave Burrows
D6 Katherine Smith
Herb Nesbitt
Heavy rain in morning. Cleared at noon then hot and sunny. Lots of great bowling. [Chone Chatterton ]
D7 Susan Karlins
Steve Brancier
D8 Helen Kelley
Mike Bester
D9 Kelly McKerihen
Eldon McFadyen
D10 Shirley Ko
Shirley overcame an uncharacteristic 21-2 defeat to Cathy Haskins in the first game on Saturday to win 5 straight games, beating Jo Waites of Balmy Beach in the final. [BB ]
Bob Bates
Bob came from being down 14 -5 to defeat Joe Green 21 - 18 in the men's final.
D11 Helen Wright
Vince Donohoe
D12 Gloria Cheung
Mervyn Horn
D13 Elaine Stevenson
Raj Rajalingam
D14 Anna Panton
Alan Steffen
D15 Pauline Hill
Steve Miller
D16 Leone Braby
Rob Rienzo
Sunday, July 6, 2008
THE PAIRS PODIUM - ONTARIO 08
Friday, July 4, 2008
'THERE IS MAGIC IN KINGSTON TOWN' - PAIRS 08
GOLD CHAMPIONSHIP
JOAN FEDORCHUK AND EDITH PEDDEN 10
MARG LEPERE AND CHONE CHATTERTON 13
MEN Round 4 'A'
GOLD CHAMPIONSHIP
MARK SANDFORD AND JEFF HARDING 9
IAN JONES AND CHRIS BESTER 15
Women Round 6 'B'
SILVER CHAMPIONSHIP
Susan Smith / Laura Hawryszko 22Leanne Chinery / Andrea Weigand 5
Men Round 6 'B'
SILVER CHAMPIONSHIP
Alan Steffen / Rob Steffen 9
Mark Sandford / Jeff Harding 14
Women Round 5 'B'
Susan Smith / Laura Hawryszko 15
Laura Seed / Kelly McKerihen 10
Joan Fedorchuk / Edith Pedden 8
Leanne Chinery / Andrea Weigand 16
Men Round 5 'B'
Doug Hoskin / Ernie Gersok 10
Alan Steffen / Rob Steffen 21
Mark Sandford / Jeff Harding 16
Wayne Wright / Don Caswell 8
Women Round 4 'B'
Noreen Welsh /Karen Robinson 7
Susan Smith/Laura Hawryszko 19
Laura Seed/ Kelly McKerihen 16
Cathy Haskins/ Shirley Ko 10
Jane Hachey/Brenda Farthing 8
Leanne Chinery/Andrea Weigand 17
Men Round 4 'B'
Harold Danby/Greg Steele 2
Doug Hoskin/Ernie Gersok 20
Phil Thornton/Tony Farrell 7
Alan Steffen/Rob Steffen 21
Wayne Wright/Don Caswell 18
Dave Jefferies/Gerry Laporte 3
Women
Round 3 'A'
Jane Hachey/Brenda Farthing 13
Joan Fedorchuk/Edith Pedden 14
Marg Lepere/Chone Chatterton 17
Susan Smith/Laura Hawryszko 10
Women
Round 3 'B'
Doreen Newell/ Georgina Bellamy 7
Noreen Welsh/Karen Robinson 17
Verna Roth/Erin Roth 14
Laura Seed/Kelly McKerihen 14 win
Cathy Haskins/Shirley Ko 24
Doreen Semple/Brooke Reid 6
Leanne Chinery/Andrea Weigand 15
Helen Kelley/Velda Francis 13
Women
Round 2 'A'
Jane Hachey/Brenda Farthing (16)
Verna Roth/ Erin Roth (11)
Doreen Newell/Georgina Bellamy (8)
Joan Fedorchuk/Edith Pedden (22)
Marg Lepere/Chone Chatterton (17)
Leanne Chinery/Andrea Weigand (8)
Susan Smith/ Laura Hawryszko (12) win
Cathy Haskins/Shirley Ko (12)
Women
Round 2 'B'
Hazel Reid/Ellen Edwards (5)
Noreen Welsh/Karen Robinson (21)
Shirley Vidler/Julia Farrell (16)
Laura Seed/Kelly McKerihen (16) win
Doreen Semple/Brooke Reid (11)
Iris Sager/Norma Kearns (10)
Jackie Hogan/Joyce Kruss (16)
Helen Kelley/Velda Francis (23)
Round 1 The cumulative odds board favourites. Winners in red.
Hazel Reid/Ellen Edwards (11)
Jane Hachey/Brenda Farthing (13)
Verna Roth/Erin Roth (13)
Noreen Welsh/Karen Robinson (11)
Shirley Vidler/Julia Farrell (10)
Doreen Newell/Georgina Bellamy (13)
Joan Fedorchuk/Edith Pedden (13)
Laura Seed/ Kelly McKerihen (11)
Marg Lepere/Chone Chatterton (20)
Doreen Semple/Brooke Reid (9)
Leanne Chinery/Andrea Weigand (14)
Iris Sager/Norma Kearns (13)
Jackie Hogan/Joyce Kruss (7)
Susan Smith/ Laura Hawryszko (18)
Helen Kelley/Velda Francis (11)
Cathy Haskins/Shirley Ko (14)
Men
Round 3 'A'
Mark Sandford/Jeff Harding 14
Wayne Wright/Don Caswell 5
Doug Hoskin/Ernie Gersok 5
Ian Jones/Chris Bester 17
Men
Round 3 'B'
Harold Danby/Greg Steele 13
Al Ferguson/Bill Stevenson 12
John Whyte/Lorne Reid 9
Phil Thornton/Tony Farrell 15
Hugh Branston/Bill Falconer 9Alan Steffen/Rob Steffen 17
Tom Roth/ Frank Duransky 13
Dave Jefferies/Gerry Laporte 16
Men
Round 2 'A'
Mark Sandford/Jeff Harding (15)
John Whyte/Lorne Reid (13)
Wayne Wright/Don Caswell (14)
Harold Danby/Greg Steele (11)
Doug Hoskin/Ernie Gersok (15)
Tom Roth/Frank Duransky (12)
Ian Jones/ Chris Bester (17)
Hugh Branston/Bill Falconer (6)
Men 'B'
Ron Geniole / Ken Taylor (12)
Al Ferguson/ Bill Stevenson (14)
Phil Thornton/ Tony Farrell (18)
Malcolm Whyte/ Greg Wilson (7)
Alan Steffen/Rob Steffen (21)
Chris Johnson/Rob Truax (8)
Peter Wong/Brian Luther (13)
Dave Jefferies/Gerry Laporte (16)
Round 1
Mark Sandford/Jeff Harding (16)
Ron Geniole/Ken Taylor (15)
Al Ferguson/Bill Stevenson (6)
John Whyte/Lorne Reid (16)
Phil Thornton/Tony Farrell (12)
Wayne Wright/Don Caswell (16)
Malcolm Whyte/Greg Wilson (12)
Harold Danby /Greg Steele (14)
Doug Hoskin/Ernie Gersok (16)
Alan Steffen/Rob Steffen (15)
Chris Johnson/ Rob Truax (4)
Tom Roth/Frank Duransky (13)
Ian Jones/ Chris Bester (14)
Peter Wong/Brian Luther (8)
Hugh Branston/Bill Falconer (13)
Dave Jefferies/Gerry Laporte (10)