Young Bowlers make final four

Fifteen-year old Leah Waygood is the youngest of the semi-finalists in the Open Indoor Singles Competition at Wellington Bowling Club. Martin Speakman reached his last-four spot after a tight battle with newcomer Rod Troake.

Leah faced star bowler Ian Stewart so it looked as though she might find it hard to get any further in the competition. She was not fazed by the opposition however and set off at great pace leading 9 – 0 after just six ends and going on to take it comfortably 21 – 6 to take her into the semi-final.

Leah was not the youngest competitor however. 12 year old Cameron Jones who has been bowling for less than a year bravely entered the competition taking on Diana Dagg in the first round and winning it in style. He went on to play Liz May in the second round and won that one too to carry him forward into the quarter finals.

Cameron was unlucky enough to run into last year’s Open Champion John Lister in the quarter-final and John was just too good on the day so Cameron had to take a back seat this time around. John Lister enjoyed the game with the youngster and goes through into the semi-final.

The third semi-finalist is Nick Channon who had a massive hurdle to overcome in the first round. He took on the highly skilled Ian Thomson who had been the winner the last time the two met.

The first half was very close and by the twelfth there was only a two shot difference in Nick’s favour but then the wheels came off for Ian who only managed two more shots in the final ends giving Nick Channon a 23 – 12 victory.

In the quarter-final, Nick played Ernie Windsor. Ernie had a very good start leading 6 – 5 after eight ends. Things were fairly level for a time but from the fourteenth Channon began to take control picking up ten shots to win it 21 – 10 to through into the semi-final.

The last of the semi-finalists, Martin Speakman came through from the second round after a tight battle with Ken Foweraker to take on the talented and keen new bowler Rod Troake.

The match was very close to begin with but by the eleventh Troake had taken the lead 9 – 6 and looked to have the winning of it. But then the game began to swing the other way.

Speakman put up some short jacks which put Rod off his game sufficiently for Martin to overtake and win the match 21 – 12.