If you were not at the Busselton Bowling Club on Sunday you missed the most exciting and best game of bowls seen at the club for a long time. Thirty Seven pairs nominated for the men’s championship pairs event held over two full days 15 ends by 2x2x2x2 competition.

The major final was a battle between Gerry Gardiner and his partner Howard Lalor against Trevor Beswick and Don Grey. The scores reflected the standard of the game with both teams keeping the huge crowd entertained with their amazing play. No better play could be seen at any state event was how the spectators saw it.

The grouping around the kitty were no further away than a foot most of the time which required both sides to play delicate shots trying not to disturb the head and lose the end. With only three ends to go and only two shots separating them Gray drew his first two bowls to the kitty followed by Beswick to take the lead. The pressure was building and the usual excitable Gardiner breathed a sigh of relief as Lalor drew the shot. With only two end to play the score was 12-10 when the unflappable Gray repeated the exercise on the next end. Two on the kitty and Beswick drew another.

Gardiner put down an exceptional bowl which unfortunately managed to squeeze through a hole to sit behind the jack and not in the count. However, with his last bowl he executed a brilliant drive into the head and dislodged the kitty giving them the shot. On the last end again their opposition had shots around the kitty however maintaining their nerve the final winners survived the battle and deserved their win. Congratulations Gerry and Howard.

Playing in the plate event was Bill and Russell Gardiner against Peter Hodgson and Ron Rushforth. Some great bowls were played by these four with the latter declared the winners.

Four Players competed for the Novice Championship with Lee Burgin the winner and Greg Owens runner-up. Twenty players competed in the veterans singles which was won by Peter Fancote, with runner-up Keith Morris.