Lucky Rub Decides Thrilling Champion of Champions Final

GERALDINE — The Temuka trio of Sam Morton, Dave Carey, and Dave Wood may have left the Geraldine greens on Sunday feeling a touch of fortune on their side. In a dramatic South Canterbury Champion of Champions triples final, a "lucky rub" shifted the momentum of the match, ultimately securing the O’Neill and Stowell trophy for Temuka and denying Kia Toa’s Michael Goodger and Craig Ridden their maiden centre titles.

The Kia Toa side, skipped by Mick Goodger and supported by Craig Ridden and Dick Bennett, exploded out of the blocks. They established an early 5–2 lead, with Goodger setting a high standard from the opening ends.

Temuka looked poised to strike back on the next end when Wood and Carey plastered the kitty to hold four shots. However, Ridden responded with a brilliant draw to take the shot. When Morton’s two-yard runner missed the mark, Kia Toa extended their lead to 6–2.

Temuka showed their championship pedigree over the middle stages, clawing back to level the scores at 7-all with seven ends remaining. The 12th end saw a tactical battle: Bennett nailed the kitty, Carey replied with a great bowl, and Goodger produced an outstanding trail. Fortune, however, began to turn; Goodger’s trail left them one down, giving Temuka their first lead of the day.

The match reached its fever pitch on the 13th end. Kia Toa appeared to have the game in a stranglehold; Bennett and Ridden played superbly to hold three, and Goodger sat out a Temuka bowl to sit four shots up.

With the final bowl of the end, Sam Morton sent a wide delivery. Expecting a miss, Morton threw his hands in the air in frustration—only for his bowl to strike a wide stationary bowl and cut across the green. The deflected bowl moved the jack back to give Temuka two shots instead of dropping four.

The "heartbreaking" turn of events shifted the score to 9–8 in favor of Temuka. Despite the shock, Kia Toa remained resilient. On the penultimate end, they held two shots until Morton sneaked in next to the kitty. Goodger narrowly missed with his final effort, leaving Temuka ahead 12–8 going into the final stages.

While Kia Toa fought to the last—with Goodger playing a toucher to get within two shots—Temuka closed the door on the final end to secure a 14–10 victory.

It was an outstanding final with all six bowlers playing their best and it was played with fun, laughter and everyone was enjoying themselves. Goodger, also known as Tyres - and they were pumped up in the final - played cool as ever and was man of the match. Morton was playing his best bowls and showed magnificent weight control in the Pairs on Saturday and also in the  Triples.

Sam's team will now represent South Canterbury in the National final in Counties in July. I believe that this 

Given Lead Dave Wood's consistent performance—he is always close at hand—and Carey, whom I consider the best second in South Canterbury, along with Sam Morton's excellent bowls, they have a strong chance of winning the silverware at the National finals.   

The win marks significant milestones for the Temuka stalwarts:

• Sam Morton claimed his 14th South Canterbury title.

• Dave Wood moved his tally to 8 titles.

• Dave Carey celebrated his 5th title, earning him a prestigious Gold Star, which will be presented at the South Canterbury closing.

Results:

Kia Toa - Michael Goodger, Craig Ridden, and Dick Bennett 23; Pleasant Point - Grant Shaw, Terry Nally, Colin Kerry 5

West End - Adrian Robins, Garry Ford, and Andrew Bell 23; Waimate - Trevor Marshall, Bernie Morton, and Ron Law 7

Timaru - Graham Sangster, Dave Agnew, and Blair McConie 20; Dave Vujcich, Daniel Rooney, and Dave Curtis 13

Temuka - Sam Morton, Dave Carey, and Dave Wood 24;  Farlie - John Cassif, Alan Ward, and Terry O'Conner 6

Semi Final 

Kia Toa 20 - West End 17 

Temuka 20 - Timaru 8

Final

Temuka 14 - Kia Toa 10

- Richie Kerr