Champion of Champions Singles and Novice Champion of Champions Singles
MENS
Dave Rankin (Kardinya) has completed a rare feat in sports by going back to back in the rescheduled 2019-20 WA Men’s Henselite Champion of Champion Singles by defeating Scott O’Brien (Manning) in the final played at the Yokine Bowling Club.
Rankin started the tournament with two narrow wins in his sectional games before building momentum throughout the knockout games, including a win against proven performer Cody Packer (Osborne Park) in the quarter finals.
O’Brien also built momentum through the tournament with solid wins in the sectional rounds leading onto impressive wins over two State squad members in Cameron Harris (Cambridge) and Beau Manton (Bassendean).
The two semifinals were a contrast between players, with O’Brien dominating from the start and leading Manton 11-2 after 6 ends and then keeping his opponent in hand for the rest of the game to record a 25-9 victory.
In Dave Rankin’s semifinal, Andy Rankine (Bullsbrook) started strongly to lead 10-6 after 10 ends before Rankin started to fight back. At 16-17 to Rankine it was anybody’s game when Rankin scored a two, four and a three to close it out 25-18. Dave Rankin’s ability to score in multiples was the difference in the match, picking up three two’s, three three’s and a four during the game.
The final was played in glorious conditions at the Yokine Bowling club, with the green running at a nice pace for players to show the small crowd their full range of shots. It was score for score throughout the first 12 ends with the players totals locked up at 11-11. O’Brien then won four consecutive ends to build a 17-12 lead only to see Rankin hit back and reel off six consecutive ends of his own to lead 17-21.
Another fight back saw Scott O’Brien lock the scores back up at 21-21 but it was the experienced Dave Rankin who went on to score a two and consecutive singles to take the 2019-20 WA Champion of Champion Singles title for the second successive season, albeit delayed.
WOMENS
Therese Hastings representing Guilderton has taken her second WA Women’s Henselite Champion of Champion Singles title by defeating Sharyn Mercer (Morley) in the final at the Yokine Bowling Club.
Hastings made short work of her opponents during her sectional games played at the Bayswater Bowling Club before finding it a little harder in her early knockout games but still prevailing in style.
Mercer had to rely on some help from her opponent when she lost her first game in the sectional rounds. A strong second game, gave Mercer plenty of shots up and when the third round fell her way, she prevailed in the countback to decide the section winner. A big-time knockout win over Helen Morss in the quarter final would have given Mercer plenty of confidence going into the semifinal and subsequent final.
In the semifinal, Hastings had to work hard early against Karen Miller (Mt Barker Golf) at 3-3 after five ends but then started to edge away as the game progressed. Six consecutive ends, including a four, put the lead out to 12-3. Although Miller hit back to get to 12-7, Hastings was always able to answer by usually getting two’s rather than singles. Five doubles over the remaining eleven ends of the game, made it very difficult for Miller to close the get before Hastings finally prevailed 25-13.
Sharyn Miller’s semifinal saw her up against the very talented Lisa Smith (Perth & Tatts). As in the other semifinal, both players were locked at 3-3 before Smith started to work away to hold an 8-13 lead after 13 ends. However, when the game finished after 26 ends, the scorecard showed that Mercer had won a huge 11 of the last 13 ends including the last 5. A number of two’s saw Mercer draw level before powering away to a 25-16 win.
The final was a masterful display of consistent bowling from the WA Women’s State Coach, Therese Hastings. With Mercer not able to find her length, Hastings jumped out to a 5-1 and then 10-3 lead. There was a glimmer of a resurgence from Mercer when she was able to collect a three to make it 10-6 but Hastings soon put that to bed with another run of ends to move to 18-6. As in the semifinal, it was Hastings ability to score multiple shots each end that proved the difference. With Mercer scoring one three and the rest singles in her winning ends, Hastings scored six two’s and three three’s and only four singles meaning the total score built quickly and increasing the pressure.
With the ladies trading ends for the last portion of the game, Hastings reached her target comfortably and therefore taking the 2019-20 WA Champion of Champion Singles title with a 25-11 victory.
NOVICE
The Novice Champion of Champions was also run over the weekend, hosted by Morley BC, there were 2 quality days of bowling from both the Men and Women. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and this help set up 2 fabulous days of bowling.
Men’s Winner – Glenn Oakley (Joondalup)
