Ruthless Kingborough victorious at home
Premier Division report by Peter Kirby
18 February 2023 (Round 15)
Highlights of Round 15 of Bowls South’s Derwent Eye Specialists Premier Division was the delivering of a statement of ruthless intent to their nearest rivals for end-of-season honours by the competition leaders and the continuing success of Dover’s battle for survival. Top side Kingborough showed no mercy for an understrength Beltana on their Indoor green on Saturday, giving the visitors a 73 shot, all-rinks drubbing, 127-54. Nic Courto led the way against his former club with a 24 shot victory over Brendan Breen, 36-12. Jason Fowler also had a comfortable 22 shot win against Michael Coppleman, 37-15. After a close tussle early, Brent Forsyth’s team found their range to end 15 shots to the better of Shawn Leitch, 28-13. In the most even of the 4 contests, Ryan Guy prevailed by 12 shots over Gary Richardson, 26-14.
Cremorne and Glenorchy Rodman played out a thrilling, high standard encounter in sometimes tricky conditions at Cremorne, with Rodman prevailing by 1 shot, 81-80. In a seesawing battle, Cremorne fought back hard to take the overall lead with only a few ends remaining. Jack Ellis prevailed over Brad Knight 24 – 19, with Grant Allford playing a brilliant swinging shot to put the jack in the ditch for a 4 and to win this game for Rodmans. Cremorne’s Leigh Munnings was also holding game before Cam Tegg drew the match winner with his last bowl to win, 19–18. Tony Vince won the last 4 ends to defeat Pat Hoffman 24 – 21. Peter Marshall won for Cremorne against Luke Turner, recording a comfortable 22–14 victory, and the only rink win for the home side.
Brighton defeated New Norfolk by 4 shots in a close contest at New Norfolk, 2 rink wins to 1, with the 4th drawn, 72-68. Brighton’s Matt Breward led the way with a decisive win over Barry Bones’ team, 29-12. Grant Wakefield had a great battle with Lauren Banks, Wakefield the eventually winning, 16-15. New Norfolk’s Kerry Hill salvaged a draw with Mick Daniels, 18-18. Chris Chalker outplayed Ricky Limbrick, conceding just 9 shots for the day, for New Norfolk’s sole rink victory, 23-9.
At Dover, in a match that was important for both clubs in their quest to avoid relegation, Dover enjoyed a split rinks, 82-72, victory over Buckingham, to move to 8th on the ladder. For Dover, Chris Norris dominated Barry Nash to win 24-7, while Josh Mazur delivered a number of fine clutch bowls to hold out Grant Chamberlain, 23-21. Buckingham’s Andrew Chamberlain won convincingly, 22-14, over Ricky Ormerod, while Craig Owen was successful, 22-21, in a close tussle with Roger Dale, for Bucks’ other rink win.