Finals Weekend 2024
Finals weekend 2024 was extended to three days due to the success of Chris Sherriff, who reached no fewer than six finals! The weather was excellent for the first day, which saw two finals completed.
Mike Caird Cup - Sheila Payne beat Chris Sherriff 6-4, 10-6
The opening ends were tightly contested, Chris generally playing shorter jacks than Sheila, and after six ends Sheila led 4-2. With Sheila holding in the seventh Chris killed the end but Sheila picked up a single in the replay. A pair for Chris in end eight left him 4-5 down and he was holding 3 or 4 shots in the last end until Sheila ran the jack to pick up a single and the first set.
The second set also started tightly, with the lead changing in each of the first six ends. A three for Sheila in end six saw her regain the lead 7-6 and extend that to 8-6 in end seven. Two good opening bowls in end eight put the pressure on Chris and when Sheila held on to those shots she guaranteed at least a draw in the second set and the match.
Pairs Shield - Mitzi & Alan Harvey beat Deb & Chris Sherriff 17-9
After a point apiece in the first two ends Mitzi & Alan won five consecutive ends to lead 8-1. Deb & Chris picked up a single but Mitzi & Alan responded with a three and a single to lead 12-2 after 10 ends. In the next end Deb found some excellent lead bowls, resulting an a four to bring the score to 12-6. Deb & Chris took singles in the next three ends (12-9), which could have been more but for a saving final bowl from Alan cutting down in the 14th end. Deb & Chris were again holding at the end of the 15th, but Alan trailed the jack with his last bowl to take a single having been four down. Good opening bowls from Mitzi in end 16 put on the pressure and when she and Alan finished with four Deb & Chris graciously conceded with two ends to play.
The weather on day two was worse, with 'mizzle' to start, but then drying up to be just dull and overcast. Three high quality games were completed.
Cyril Davies Cup - Chris Sherriff beat Ruth Lowe 21-10
Chris started well and was 6-0 up after four ends. After that, Ruth responded and shots were traded fairly equally until Chris stood 14-10 up after 17 ends. He then picked up a three and a single to lead 18-10 and on the next end put in three excellent draw bowls to give Ruth little chance and take the win 21-10.
QRS Cup - Dominic Simcoe beat Mark Hussell 21-20
Dominic started well and was 6-1 up but Mark pulled back to 12-12 after 15 ends. Further shots were traded in some very closely contested ends until on end 20, with Dominic 16-15 up, Mark secured a three to lead 18-16. Two further singles took Mark to 20-16 but Dominic then took a three and was holding two for game until Mark saved one with his final bowl to bring the scores level at 20-20 and force a single-end shoot out. Dominic drew a close shot and Mark was forced to fire with his last bowl, just missing taking out the shot bowl. A fantastic game from both players which drew warm applause from the watching crowd.
Tarmac Cup - Chris Sherriff (0) beat Mark Hussell (2) 21-19
A nail-biter from start to finish. Mark started with a positive handicap of 2 shots and increased it to 4 on the first end. With both players having played in different morning finals the jack was soon being peppered. The match remained incredibly close throughout with exceptional skill and determination from both players, producing shots that befitted a final of this calibre.
By the eighteenth end both players were still evenly matched, with Chris leading 16-15. Further even exchanges saw Chris 19-18 up by end 22, but a single shot to Mark levelled the scores at 19-19. End 24 was full of drama. With Mark holding one on another high quality end, and attempting to draw a second to hold game, he inadvertently pushed Chris's standing wood towards the jack with his last bowl. Needing two to win, Chris expertly drew in his last bowl to give him the two shots needed. The match was a testament to the high level of competition in the tournament and a fitting conclusion to a thrilling final.
Day three, and further deterioration in the weather.
Nuway Cup - Chris Sherriff beat Mark Hussell 21-12
Despite the poor weather and wet green the players produced many excellent ends. Mark started with a couple of singles, but then Chris pulled away and on the ninth end drew off Mark's toucher to take two shots and move to 10-3 up. Mark rallied with a single, followed by a three (which was only a tight measure off four). On the fourteenth end, with Chris 12-8 up he took out Mark's shot bowl to score three (15-8). After seventeen ends Chris was 18-9 up but Mark again rallied with three consecutive singles, the last when two down (18-12). However Chris had the game under control and a long jack three on the 21st end sealed the victory.
With the green very wet and further rain expected the decision was taken to postpone the remaining games to Friday 13th, which brought bright sunshine but a nip in the air.
Warburton Cup - Chris Sherriff beat Quentin Smith 21-10
A somewhat one-sided game with Quentin unable to match Chris's accurate line and length. Even when he did get a good shot in Chris was able to ease the bowl out or move the jack. The extent of Chris's dominance shown by Quentin's ten shots coming from just three ends.
Richards Cup - Theresa Hancock beat Liz Caird 21-7After an exchange of duples Theresa found the pace to long jacks and scored 11 unanswered shots in seven ends, bringing the score to 13-2. Liz picked up one shot but Theresa was back in again and after three more ends stood at 18-3. Liz then found several excellent bowls and won three consecutive ends (18-7) but Theresa closed the game out 21-7, with Liz unlucky to turn in Theresa's bowl for the win when holding shot. An excellent win for Theresa, and a new name on the trophy.
Captain Sheila drew the fourth (!) day of finals to a close by congratulating all the finalists and thanking Competition Secretary Alan Harvey for all his work during the season, and particularly over a somewhat challenging extended finals weekend.
