Week two and it’s the quarter finals. The six winners from last week were joined by those two teams that got a bye in the first round.
On mat one the Greenwood 1 team of Barry, Val and Darren played the Northiam 1 team of Mike, Jan and Martin. Set one started with Northiam holding a single. Greenwood hit back, they started with a triple and followed that with a double and a single for a 6 – 1 lead after four ends. Northiam pulled right back by taking a triple on end five. Greenwood pushed harder, they took a four and finishing with a single they had won the first ser 11 – 4. The second set followed on and Greenwood started well with a five, Northiam came straight back and held a double on the second end. With the following two ends going for a single apiece Greenwood had a 6 – 3 lead with three ends to play. Greenwood held a second single then Northiam pulled closer taking a double to be just two shots down going into the last end. Greenwood dug in and took the last end for a third single to win the second set 8 – 5, winning both sets they were through to the Semi-finals.
Mat two and Shillington 2’s Paul, Tony and Julia were playing Northiam 2’s Jeff, Margaret and Dennis. Shillington got started with a single, Northiam replied by taking a double. Shillington matched Northiam’s double and followed that with a single for a 4 – 2 lead after four ends. Northiam then levelled the set with a double and took the lead with a further double. The last end saw Northiam take a single and the first set 7 – 4. Set two started with Shillington holding two singles. Northiam then held two singles and it was level at two all after four ends. Shillington pulled in front with a single on end five but Northiam matched this and it was 3 all going into the last end. Shillington pushed and took a single on the last end to narrowly win the second set 4 – 3. With one set apiece a tie break end had to be played. Shillington’s bowls surrounded the jack and took the tie breaker for a place in the Semi-finals.
Mat three saw Greenwood 2’s Audrey, Brian and Mark play St Margaret’s 1’s Tony, Stephen and Jeanette. Greenwood started with a single and followed that with a set winning hotshot six. Taking end three for a triple they had a 10 – 0 lead after three ends. St Margaret’s held end four for a single which Greenwood matched on end five. Following on with a four Greenwood had taken the first set after six ends with a score of 15 – 1. The second end started well for St Margaret’s with them taking a single followed by a double. Greenwood’s reply was to take another hotshot six on end three, they followed this with a single and a five. End six and Greenwood held a further single and were again declared the set winners after six ends with a score of 13 – 3 taking them to the Semi-finals.
Mat four and Greenwood 3’s Penny, Angie and Sue were playing Shillington 1’s Trevor, Michelle and Neil. Greenwood got started with a single and followed this with two more. Shillington got on the scorecard with a double on end four. Greenwood hit straight back and took a further single and a double for a 6 – 2 lead with one end to play. Greenwood stormed the last end, taking a hotshot six they had won the first set 12 – 2. Shillington got straight back on the mat for the second set and started with a single, Greenwood matched this on end two. Shillington pulled in front with a second single on end three. Greenwood came back, taking the lead at 3 – 2 with a double on end four. Shillington took the lead again by holding a triple the following end, continuing with a single on end six they had a 6 – 3 lead with one end to play. Greenwood held on for a single on the last end but Shillington had won the second set 6 – 4. Our second tie break of the evening had to be played. Shillington held on to win the tie break and in a complete turn around they were through to the Semi-finals.
Well our four quarter finals had some exciting moments. We now have our four Semi-finalists. Next week (15th April) will see Shillington 1 play Greenwood 1 and Shillington 2 play Greenwood 2. This will also be the first week of the Summer Aussie Pairs competition so why not come along and get your first game under your belt. If you haven’t entered yet then don’t worry, just turn up and Margaret will have the entry forms ready for you to get started. There is no additional cost just the normal £4.00 playing fee per team member. See you all next week when we will know who has made it through to the Gayler Cup Final.