The Deniliquin Bowling Club conducted a very successful annual Classic Pairs tournament last weekend, with the weather gods certainly playing their part.

Preceding the pairs' competition, there was a knockout singles tournament on Friday, with each match contested over 12 ends.

The final was a great game of quality bowls between two of this country’s best young “up and comers”.

Josh Walker-Davis did just enough to prevail against Tallygaroopna’s Mitch Sidebottom.

Walker-Davis is a Launceston product, but plies his craft in many big tournaments all over Australia, where points are allocated depending on results.

He has such good form that he is currently rated second best in Bowls Australia’s male rankings.

As is customary, the club conducted a Calcutta auction of pairs teams on Friday evening, with some very willing bidding taking place.

The club is indebted to local auctioneers Marc ‘Chuck’ Braybon and Geoff McCallum who always offer their services, and never fail to ply their trade with great aplomb - and a fair bit of humorous banter.

The stage was then set for the club’s biggest tournament of the year, with 66 teams competing in 11 divisions for the coveted Classic Pairs honour.

After five matches, where each team played the others in their group, all divisional winners advanced to the finals.

At the business end of the tournament, it was Brad Orr and Mitch Sidebottom who advanced to the grand final after proving to be too good for Josh Walker-Davis and Jack Ellis.

In the other semi-final, Vinnie McIlwain and Mick ‘Mojo’ Gardner prevailed against Stanhope father-and-son combination, Barry and Ben Fletcher, who had also finished in the final four last year.

McIlwain and Gardner were also attempting to emulate last year’s result when they won the tournament.

But Orr and Sidebottom had other ideas, and played great bowls to take the spoils.

Jackpot Bowls

After having Sunday off due to the final day of the Classic Pairs, Jackpot Bowls resumed at the Deniliquin Bowling Club on Wednesday.

The best performance for the day was put up by the team of Tony King, Bill Young and Craig Hillier, who had a three shot better score than Bruce Clancy, John Murray and Andrew Draffin.

Bill Young then failed to snare the elusive joker, leaving a very juicy $2250 on offer for one fortunate bowler after play on Sunday.

Names are to be in by noon for play to begin at 12.30pm. Phone nominations are available by calling 5881 1348.

~ Rob Daly

Deniliquin Pastoral Times Google News Panels

Saturday, 3rd June 2023

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