In fine conditions at St Ives on Monday 23 April, the semi-finals and final of the District Singles Championship 2018 were played. Both semi-finals were of very high standard and went down to the wire, with Patricia Tan (Belrose) coming from behind to defeat Michelle Treadwell (also Belrose) 25-24. In the other match, Lou Hamshere (Neutral Bay) defeated her club-mate Jenny Hepburn 25-22.
Lou started the Final in sparkling form and got out to a 9-0 lead, but Patricia slowly clawed her way back, reducing the margin to just one at 9-8. Then the momentum swung back to Lou, who extended her lead to 15-8. Faced with dropping 3 shots on successive ends, Patricia’s last bowl of the end plucked the jack out from very close bowls to take shot and turn the tide again. Winning the next three ends, Patricia had narrowed the margin to trail by only two; then, eventually scores were level at 18-all, and again at 19-all. As long shadows began to draw across the green it was obvious the pace of the green was slowing, which appeared to favour Patricia, who drew out to a lead of 24-19. A close measure all around delivered the shot to Lou, who then opted to keep the jack out in the sun by rolling a shorter length, which suited her perfectly. With Lou holding 3 shots within centimetres of the jack, Patricia played weight but didn’t make contact. Lou covered the back bowls, but this time Patricia didn’t miss and her toucher ran through with the jack, sealing the victory 25-20. The presentation of trophies to the winner and runner-up was made by District Vice Present Bev Piper, in front of a crowd of spectators who had enjoyed a great day of bowls.