Club News
CROSLAND MOOR OPEN '64' 2022
FINAL RESULTS - FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
by Mark Atkinson An epic finals night saw W&W's finest Greg Smith burn the midnight oil to become this year's Crosland Moor winner and pickup the £600 first prize. Greg was in imperious form all night and ran out a comprehensive winner, but that doesn't tell the full story.
A combination of 31up games and a lightening quick green made for a long old evening, but also compulsive viewing as games reached their climax. The first round of games alone feeling like a tournament in themselves.
Jack Dyson quickly put his stamp on the competition as he flew into a 10 nil lead in his opener with last year's champ Simon Coupe before running out a 31-16 winner. That saw Jack pickup the high break prize for the evening which was kindly donated by Michael Pollard - thanks again Polly.
Meanwhile Baz Holland was showing his qualifying form was here to stay as he pulled out some quality bowls to oust previous winner Graeme Wilson 31-29. Lee Johnstone quietly went about his business as he eeked out a close one against teammate Ian Booth 31-28. That left Greg on the green to complete the first round, who just had too much in the end for a valiant Chris Bly who went down 31-26.
Into the semis and Baz buoyed by a superb opening win managed to find another gear in his matchup with Lee. Roared on by the Penistone massive, Barry played the club edge like a homester as he saw off Lee 31-26 to book his place in the final.
In the other semi, it's hard to do the game justice on paper as Greg and Jack traded blow for blow with some quality bowling. The crucial moment came at around 24-21 to Greg, as Greg struck at two good uns of Jack's. The sound was awful as Jack's bowl exploded right on the pip, leaving Hoover with a second set of broken bowls in just two days unbelievably. The setback fired Jack up however, as he returned to the green with a new set and went up a gear as he pushed Greg all the way to 30-30. Jack tossed the block off looking for new land, so Greg came down into his trusted quick corner. Jack lied up with real un a foot at the back, but it was Greg who found the killer bowl under pressure, tickling one down the hill for a dead un to see him through.
So to the final with Greg taking on Barry looking for his first really big competition win. An early exchange of the jack saw Greg get onto his favoured piece and from there it was one way traffic as Greg hammered the jack to run into a big lead. Barry battled back valiantly, but he'd left himself be too much to do as Greg got home to 20 just before the strike of midnight. A big shoutout to the crowd who stopped to cheer on the lads and give them a good atmosphere to play in despite the late hour.
So that's it for another year. Huge congratulations to Greg as a thoroughly deserved winner and commiserations to Barry. Quick series of thank yous - firstly to my sponsors who continue to do a sterling job for the club (Gary Siswick and Simon Howard). All the club members who've been there throughout, often late into the night with the pace of the green all comp. The lovely ladies in the kitchen for all the fantastic feeds. The greenkeepers for keeping us there all night We'll see you all next year. Maybe back to 21up? Either that or we buy a watering system
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