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Spanish National Singles Qualifications 9th-10th February 2008- Santa Maria BC Report by Murray Johns |
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Sadly, on this occasion, interest in the Championships has been minimal, probably due to the fact it is now 5 years since this prestigious event has been staged on this Coast. We hope this will be rectified later this year as we have submitted a serious “bid” to host the Tournament in 2009. The Draw had been done during the Belplaya Open and there were many “all Benalmadena” Matches as they are the only Club sending a full Team to compete in all disciplines. However there were many interesting encounters to “wet the appetite” and, as always, a number of upsets. Prior to all Matches commencing, Murray Johns expressed his thanks to Brian & Pamela Murch and Jimmy Chalmers for their help and assistance in staging the event, to Haydn Parker for Umpiring throughout the day and to those Santa Maria Members who marked every game competently and efficiently. LADIES SINGLES :- 13 Ladies “battled it out” with 8 Benalmadena Ladies being joined by two from Belplaya, two from Los Amigos and one from Santa Maria. It was inevitable the first four Ladies in the Draw would seriously contest the one spot available to them. Diane Chambers overcame stubborn resistance from Benalmadena’s Pauline Ball whilst Denise Davis edged out the Andalucian Champion, Dorrien Ives, from Los Amigos 21-18 in a “see-saw” game where both Players held the initiative for short periods. The game between Belplaya Club colleagues Denise and Diane was full of excellent Bowling and was decided on the 27th end. Diane was never in front but fought back several times and closed to 19-17 before losing out. The Losing Finalist in the Andalucian Championships, Kate Morris, was one of those fancied to represent the area but she was convincingly beaten by Teresa Smithson, also from Benalmadena, in the “upset of the day”. Sadly for Teresa she could not repeat her performance in her second game against Susan Walker from Los Amigos and Susan registered a comfortable win. Gwen Ottley was something of a “surprise package”. As someone who dislikes competitive Bowling she battled back bravely from 14-5 down to beat her Benalmadena colleague Marjorie Johns 21-16. She then took on the Coast’s Champion of Champions in her next game when she played Mary Hilton from Santa Maria who had previously beaten Mary Detheridge ( Benalmadena ). On this occasion the roles were reversed and it was Gwen who established an 11-3 lead only to be “hauled back” by Mary who won 21-15 after another 27 end marathon. It is fitting that Mary, as our current Lady Champion, now has the opportunity to pitch her talent and ability against the best from the other three regions. Competing for the last remaining spot were two Ladies from the large Benalmadena entry. Experience was on Wendy Nagle’s side but Julie Eddleston battled all the way and held the lead on the 15th and 17th ends. The last 3 ends were extremely nervous but Wendy scraped the 4 shots she needed and won an excellent game 21-18. LADIES QUALIFIERS Denise Davis ( Belplaya ) Mary Hilton ( Santa Maria ) Wendy Nagle ( Benalmadena ) Susan Walker ( Los Amigos ) GENTS SINGLES :- Unfortunately two of the 14 entrants withdrew at the last minute which meant the entry was 7 from Benalmadena, 2 from Superbowl, 2 from Mijas and one from Santa Maria. Derek Hilton ( Santa Maria ) had a surprisingly comfortable 21-8 win over Alan Turner ( Benalmadena ). He was to compete for one of the 4 places with Paul Brown ( Superbowl ) who also registered a comfortable 21-4 opening win against the experienced John Carr ( Mijas ). Paul quickly established a 19-3 lead but, despite Derek winning 6 ends in a row, he subsequently went down 21-13. Frank Ball, Bill Eddleston, John Howlett ( Superbowl ) and Malcolm Roberts ( Mijas ) contested one of the places and these games always threatened to be close. Bill overcame an early deficit to beat Malcolm and Frank twice pulled back 6 shot deficits to beat John 21-18. In the resultant “all Benalmadena” encounter Frank established a healthy 14-4 lead but Bill, bowling effectively with the Mat up to a short Jack, won 8 of the next 9 ends to win 21-15. The other two Gents matches were contested by Benalmadena Members. Richard Jones, having trailed 12-6 to Norman Smithson, controlled the latter stages of their game to win 21-16 and Michael Detheridge, after a few “minor hiccups” proved too strong for Murray Johns winning an entertaining, and friendly, encounter 21-10. Last year Michael missed out on the qualification process having been admitted to Hospital on the morning of the matches. It is fitting that, on this occasion, he has the opportunity to “stake his claim” as being one of the best Bowlers in Spain.
GENTS QUALIFIERS
Paul Brown ( Superbowl ) Michael Detheridge ( Benalmadena ) Bill Eddleston ( Benalmadena ) Richard Jones ( Benalmadena )
Murray Johns 11 February, 2008 ( Competition Secretary – Federacion Andaluza De Bolos )
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