Geoff Whyatt Turns Back the Clock
Men’s Countryweek Eaton’s Geoff Whyatt is turning back the clock and taking the 2016 Men’s Countryweek by storm with outstanding performances in all three disciplines. A veteran of 71 Men’s State games and a past member of the Men’s Over 60’s State team, Whyatt showed that he still has the touch and nerve to play with the best of them.
With players falling down around him Whyatt is one of four remaining competitors who have the opportunity to claim two titles in this years Men’s Countryweek. Whyatt last won a Countryweek title twenty years ago back in 1996 when he claimed the coveted singles title. This added to the 1991 Countryweek Fours and 1991 Countryweek Pairs titles he already had in the trophy cabinet.
To get through to the last sixteen in the singles Whyatt had to overcome a determined Hayden Smith (York) in a marathon 21-20 epic. Down 7-15 and then 9-17 Whyatt had to use all his experience to slowly reel Smith in. Winning three ends in a row was the start of the comeback before dropping a single and then continuing the run by taking the next four ends including a three on the 27th end.
When Whyatt drew level at 18-18 and then grabbed a two to be within one of victory it looked like he had overcome the resistance but Smith would not be denied. A single to Smith on the 31st end and then a bit of luck to get the jack to the ditch to take another single set the game up for a grand finale on the 33rd end of a marathon match.
When Smith left Whyatt with less than a foot to draw shot it was edge on the seat stuff as the players and spectators around the green awaited the outcome. As he has done his entire career Whyatt stepped up when it counted and coolly drew a front toucher to leave Smith with a single bowl to change the head. As that bowl sailed wide, a game, fitting of a final had come to an end and Whyatt continued his quest for a second Countryweek Singles Title.
Whyatt will also continue tomorrow in the fours quarter finals with teammates Mark Mills, Shaun Heasman and Gordon Twist. With Mills in the skip position they will take on the Brookton team of Barry Coote, Wayne Rayner, David Cliff and Peter Meecham in an afternoon matchup.
Rayner and Cliff are also two players who are still in line for two titles when apart from the fours they come together again in the pairs in a quarter final matchup with Wonthella’s Henry Slawinski and Bill Johnson. Both Rayner and Slawinski had to endure heart stopping wins when they beat Gary Biglin and Bruce Browning (Kondinin) 13-12 and Neville Woods and Richard Howlett (Eaton) 17-16 respectively.
The final player still searching for multiple titles is evergreen Henry Slawinski (Wonthella). Apart from the pairs, Slawinski layed claim to the singles title when he moved into the quarter finals by downing the 2015 Champion Matthew France (Merredin) 21-18. Down for much of the game, Slawinski piled on the pressure late to over run France 21-18.
Play continues in all three disciplines at Osborne Park on Thursday with the semi finals and finals scheduled for Friday also at Osborne Park.
All the knockout scores and sectional scores can be found on the Bowls Connect Competition Portal. All scores are being updated on a regular basis throughout each days knockout play.
