West End's Tom Taiaora was all class in winning his second South Canterbury bowls Singles title in beating his club mate Scott Fisher, in one of the great singles finals played at the Kia Toa club.
With a strong field of 44 entries, section play was played over three greens - Fairlie, Geraldine, and West End. The Fairlie club hosted their first centre event in probably five years and what a show the locals put on for what was called the 'pool of death'.
Mitchell Dunbar, Greenkeeper at Fairlie, had the green running at 18 seconds and every bowler enjoyed the speed of the green. Richie Kerr noted that it was one of best greens he has played on and bowlers had confidence to play all shots. The scenery and lunch the club put on was a credit to them and they can feel proud of the way they hosted section play.
Marshall Stoddart was on fire at Fairlie, with wins against Chisnall, Fisher, and Glendinning, and a cliffhanger loss against Kia Toa's Dean Harper 21 to 20, but with three wins, qualified for Post Section play.
There were 19 bowlers with 3 or more wins to qualify for the knockout section played at Kia Toa.
In the semi finals players were all from the strong West End club. Tom Taiaroa played Shayne Chisnall who was trying to be the first bowler in South Canterbury to win the title three years in a row, and was leading 12 to 7 but dropped 2 three's in a row to the classy Taiaroa, who then went on to cruise to victory 21 to 12.
In the other semi final Fisher, who was showing great form in beating Stoddart in the quarter final, was up against development bowler Nigel Mobberley with Fisher winning 21 to 16.
The final between two players who previously played for Park Bowling Club started, and what a first end they had, with three touches on the first end and all 8 bowls within a yard of the kitty, with Taiaroa scoring one shot leading 1 nil.
On the next, Fisher had a couple of drives just missing the kitty and Taiaroa took a 6 to 3 lead.
In the next end, Fisher had three sensational draw shots covering the kitty. With the crowd expecting a Taiaroa drive, cool as ever (Taiaroa with best delivery in South Canterbury) drew a beauty going one down to make the score 6 to 4.
With the scores locked at 7 all, Taiaroa brings out his best with six sensational draw shots resting near the kitty, and Fisher just misses with three runs and Taiaroa leads 13 to 7.
The next end Taiaroa was one down and has a drive and gets all his bowls and Fisher scores three shots and closes the gap over the next two ends to make it 13 to 12.
Taiaroa then seizes the opportunity and scores three great shots, but Fisher on the next end plays three great shots and Taiaroa saves with his last bowl to make one shot, but Fisher plays a dream shot with his last bowl and trails kitty inch for four great shots to make the score 16 all.
Taiaroa once again smothers the kitty with three awesome shots to lead 19 to 16. Fisher closes the gap with two shots to make the score 19 to 18. Then Taiaroa sniffs victory with a great first bowl and then draws another with his last bowl to win the title 21 to 18.
It was a great win for Taiaroa, and with Sam McAuliffe winning the Women's Singles last week, it was a great moment as both players were members of Park Bowling Club before it closed down approximately 15 years ago.
It was a magnificent day for Taiaroa as he played and won all five games on Sunday to win his 7th South Canterbury title.
Round 1
Adrian Robins 21 to 16, Tom Taiaroa 21, Hans Winkelman 18, Dave Wood 21, Aaron Taylor 14
Last 16
Marshall Stoddart 21 Ricky Ross 15, Scott Fisher 21 Nick Scriggins 6, Nigel Mobberley 21 Ray Christensen 20, Sam Morton 21 Dean Harper 17, Shayne Chisnall 21 Dave Curtis 8, Trev Cloughley 21 Barrie Andrews 16, Adrian Robins 21 Jarod Trevathan 17, Tom Taiaroa 21 Dave Wood 12
Last 8
Fisher 21 Stoddart 19, Mobberley 21 Morton 16, Chisnall 21 Cloughley 14, Taiaroa 21 Robins 12
Semi Final
Fisher 21 Moberley 12, Taiaroa 21 Chisnall 14
Final
Taiaroa 21 Fisher 18
- Richie Kerr
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