Second for Pickles

Very close: Gary Dryden and Stephen Pickles after their championship final at Woodend.

Stephen Pickles won his second Woodend Bowling Club singles championship in three seasons in an absorbing final against Gary Dryden last week.


Both players produced a fine display, with the match in the balance throughout.


In the semi-finals, Pickles defeated defending champion Norm Bickerdyke, and Dryden accounted for Mike Dornau.


Fortunes fluctuated in the final, and Pickes reached a 23-17 advantage before his opponent secured six shots over the next three ends.


Two shots on what proved to be the final end gave Pickles a 25-23 victory in what was a very worthy contest.


Umpire-maker Dornau commented that he would have to buy another chalk marker, as there were so many touchers in the final.

WOMEN’S FINAL

This season’s women’s singles final was a case of ‘Judy will win’.


The contestants were Judy Jewell and Judy Carboon, and with scores tied at 12-12 it was anyone’s title.


Jewell opened up a handy lead, but Carboon fought back to trail by one shot.


Eventually Jewell prevailed 25-18, and will now represent the club at regional level in the Champ of Champs.

The two finalists are Gemlife residents at Woodend, and this facility is home to quite a number of keen bowlers.