In what has to be classed as one of the greatest finals on South Canterbury soil, West End's Dave McNeill and Garry Ford had to be in outstanding form to beat Geraldine's in form pairing of Roger Glendinning and Jared Trevathan in the Champion of Champions Pairs final at the West End on Saturday.
In this great victory Dave McNeill entered the hall of fame in gaining his gold star for winning five South Canterbury titles. He did it in style, beating Glendinning and Trevathan who were going for a threepeat of this event, which was won on the last end.
The final was the battle of young Dave and older Garry, and neither player gave into each other with outstanding leading. They put on a magnificent show for the spectators, who then were followed by experienced Glendinning and fair to say the newbie McNeill as skip showed their class.
With the scores locked at 2 all after 3 ends Ford played 3 honeys on the next end but Glendinning with his second bowl trailed the kitty close to the ditch for 2 shots. McNeill was so close with the last just dropping into the ditch, Glendinning 4 - Ford 2.
Some great heads by the leads with Trevathan and Ford having a great battle. With Trevathan on fire they took the next four ends to lead 7 to 3.
The next end was the turning point of the game with all 12 bowls within a metre of the kitty, but Ford got the better of Trevathan and held 3 shots and McNeill added 2 shots with Glendinning just missing to score 5 on the end to take the lead 8 to 7.
McNeill then took a 10 to 7 lead but Glendinning and Trevathan then scored on the next 5 ends to lead 13 to 10.
The next end with Trevathan holding 2 great draw shots, McNeill played a beauty sitting on the shot bowl to go one up. McNeill then played his best bowl trailing the kitty a yard for 3 shots to tie the scores 13 all with 2 to play.
On 17th end with 2 to play and measure all round, McNeill played a stunner and sat nearly on top of the kitty to lead going into last end 14 to 13.
In the last end Ford held shot but Glendinning trailed the kitty but went 2 down and had a chance with his last bowl to have an extra end, but just missed to give the West End men the win and a chance to represent South Canterbury in the National finals in Dunedin in July.
This was Garry Ford's 11th South Canterbury title and showed why he is still one of the best in the region.
McNeill to be fair hasn't had much skipping but showed he has ability and played big shots when needed.
For Glendinning and Trevathan it would be fair to say they played their best and left it all on the green. They were outstanding on the green and gracious with the loss and nearly pulled of a three peat which has only been done once before by South Canterbury legend and greatest bowler Robin Milne and Colin Patrick in 1974.
Funnily enough Temuka club home of tablecloths in 1992 won the title 3 times first with the brother in-laws Merv Holland and John Kelman. In 1993 Won by Ken Lemon and Merv Holland and 1994 won by in-laws again Holland and Kelman. Talking to Merv with wife Lois who is one of the best spectators he has ambition to win this with his son Anthony who has just started playing the game.
Results:
Quarter Finals:
Geraldine - Roger Glendinning, Jarod Trevathan 22, Pleasant Point - Grant Shaw, Doug Andrews 11
Fairlie - Stu Barwood, Terry O’Conner 20, Timaru - Russell Botting, John Rankin 14
Temuka - Roger Jackson, Greg Valentine 21, Kia Toa - Sean O'Neill, Jason Browning 9
Semi Final:
Geraldine 22, Fairlie 9
West End 18, Temuka 11
Final:
West End 15, Geraldine 13
Richie Kerr
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