LAWN BOWLS –
The Zone Pennants finals in Grades Six and Seven were played on Sunday, May 23, with both wins going the way of Northern Central Coast clubs.
The Grade Six final was an incredibly close match wherein Halekulani defeated Umina Beach by one shot.
Meanwhile, the Bateau Bay Sting Rays claimed the Grade Seven Pennants Flag after defeating the Ettalong Red Eagles in another close final.
There were three sectional winners in Grade Six, calling for a three team round robin between Umina Beach, Halekulani and Ourimbah.
Umina beat Ourimbah 58 – 54 in the first game and Halekulani beat Ourimbah 78 – 61 in the second game, resulting in a Umina – Halekulani final.
Umina Beach had a good lead early and held it until late in the game.
Halekulani were never far from the lead and slowly they nibbled away at it until they were three shots up with one to go.
Umina was holding four shots with just the skip’s bowls to go.
Fortunately for Halekulani, skipper, Stuart Benjamin, kept a cool head and drew a close third shot.
Umina skipper, Terry Murphy, had an incredible game, but his final bowl just missed out on pushing Benjamin’s bowl out of the head, which gave Halekulani a one shot win after 63 nail biting ends.
In the Grade Seven final, Ettalong made an incredible charge late in the game, coming within one shot.
However, the Sting Rays were able to hold firm with their lead and in the end, they clinched the Flag. After winning in these close Central Coast finals, Halekulani and Bateau Bay have both qualified to play in the NSW State Finals in July and August.
Source:
Media Release, May 24
Peter Springett, Bowls Central Coast