Glendinning and Gallagher Secure South Canterbury Mixed Pairs Title

In a display of pure precision and tactical composure, Geraldine’s Roger Glendinning and Linda Gallagher claimed the South Canterbury Open Mixed Pairs 2x4x2 title this Sunday at the Timaru Bowling Club.

The road to the final was a test of patience as much as skill. After rain delayed the post-section play for three weeks, a field originally consisting of 44 teams was eventually whittled down to 14 finalists for the knockout stages.

The championship match saw the Geraldine duo face off against Kia Toa’s Shirley Moffatt and Jason Browning. The contest began as a stalemate, with both sides locked at 2 - 2 after two ends of high-quality, "bowl-for-bowl" play.

Browning appeared to take control on the third end, drawing two superb shots followed by a third from Moffatt. However, Gallagher responded with a magnificent delivery to snatch the lead, 3–2.

The momentum shifted firmly toward the Geraldine pair in the middle stages. While Browning and Moffatt continued to draw well, Glendinning—affectionately known on the green as "Beautiful"—lived up to the moniker. He delivered a "bomb" on the fourth end to extend the lead and followed up on the fifth by capitalizing on a sliced kitty to move ahead 7–2.

By the sixth end, Glendinning’s accuracy was undeniable, trailing the jack for three shots to take a commanding 10–2 lead.

Moffatt and Browning refused to concede, clawing back to 11–5 heading into the final end. In a desperate bid for victory, the Kia Toa pair held a possible five shots at the changeover. However, the comeback fell just short. Glendinning secured the fifth shot with his final delivery, sealing the victory and the championship.

Milestone Victories

The win marks a significant milestone for both players:

• Linda Gallagher earned her 9th Centre title.

• Roger Glendinning celebrated his 6th South Canterbury title.

The pair will now set their sights on the national stage, representing South Canterbury at the National Champion of Champions Mixed Pairs final, held at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club this September.

Tournament Results:

Last 16

Judy Keats, Kevin Stewart (Temuka) 17 - Carolyn Darby, Mick Ross (Temuka) 6

Dave Curtis, Carol Fowler (Geraldine) 13 - Ron and Liz Law (Waimate) 2

Roger Glendinning, Linda Gallagher (Geraldine) 11 - Adrian and Julie Robins (Waimate) 8

Brian Rae, Lyn Wilkie (Timaru) won by Default 

Peter Tutton, Lynne Hodges (West End) 13 - Dave Carey, Haley Grant (Temuka) 6

Shirley Moffatt, Jason Browning (Kia Toa) 13 - Aaron Hall, Nicola Clark (Waimate) 8

Sharon Leonard, Michael Leonard won by Default

Ray Christensen, Lyn Payne (Geraldine) 12 - Aaron Segar, Bridget Kitching (West End) 7

Last 8

Keats 11- Curtis 3

Glendinning 7 - Rae 6

Moffatt 8 - Tutton 3

Leonard 18 - Christensen 16

Semi Final

Glendinning 8 - Keats 5

Moffatt 12 - Leonard 9

Final

Glendinning 11 - Moffatt 9

 - Richie Kerr