Pennants success for Div 1 Men
October 31, 2016 -
The Browns Bay Division 1 Men’s Pennants team came out victors in a thrilling day of finals play held at the club yesterday.
The team put in a top effort at Birkenhead on Saturday in the final qualifying rounds lifting their placing from 5th to 2nd by winning 8 of their 9 games. This set up a semi final on Sunday against third placed Orewa, while top qualifier Birkenhead played 4th placed Takapuna.
Both semi finals were close and filled with nail biting drama. Browns Bay’s victory was decided when the Scott Cottrell skipped team won their game by a large margin giving the team an overall differential of 1 shot. Birkenhead also won their semi by a slim margin.
The final was very even at the start with scores tied at 35-all and again at 50-all. Browns Bay then went ahead by 10 shots with about 5 ends to play in each game. Birkenhead came back strongly, drew one game and won the second by 2 shots. Playing the second last end in the uncompleted game, Browns Bay was ahead by 5 shots but dropped four on that end.
Playing the last end the scenario was that if Birkenhead won the end they would win the final. A win to Browns Bay by 1 shot would mean a tie, and a win by 2 would give Browns Bay the win.
Lead Bruce Shand drew shot, John Walker playing two drew 2 more shots and the Birkenhead skip narrowly missed cutting the margin with his bowls giving Browns Bay the title by 2 shots. Both sides each had a win/draw/loss.
Browns Bay men have now won the Division A Pennants every year since the competition was introduced 5 years ago. The men’s side was:
Brent Turner, Dave McMurchy, Colin Rogan
Scott Cottrell, John Walker, Bruce Shand
Scott Evans, Rory Soden, Brian Wlison.
On Saturday, Kerry Chapman was in the team but unavailable on Sunday and Scott Cottrell took his place.
Pictured: Back Row (left to right): Colin Rogan, John Walker, Brent Turner, Bruce Shand.
Front Row (left to right): Scott Evans, Brian Wilson, Dave McMurchy.
Absent: Rory Sowden, Scott Cottrell, Kerry Champan.