Minor singles final decided in 'sensational' game
The Umina Beach Men's Bowling Club's 2025 Minor Singles Championship final played on Sunday, May 25, has been called "a sensational game" between Kody Rickit and Larry Johnston.
"On one hand we had a young dude, who was full of exuberence, but hadn't had much experience in pressure games," said club secretary Mr Peter Springett.
"On the other hand we had an older, more experienced player, who had mastered the art of the bowling arm."
Mr Springett said: "Larry skipped out to an early 5-1 lead and was looking the more comfortable.
"Kody picked up three singles, but was 10-4 down after 12 ends.
"Kody settled down and picked up the next six shots, to make 10-all after 16 ends."
The quality of the bowls was good, said Mr Springett.
However, the weather cooled, the grass stood up and the green slowed at about the 17th end.
"Neither bowler picked this up and there were a few ends of short bowls by both players.
"Larry picked up a two and Kody picked up the next seven shots to make it 17-12 to Kody at the 20th end.
"Larry started to find his range and picked up the next four shots, to reduce the margin to 17-16.
Kody picked up the next three shots to make the score 20-16 in his favour.
"Larry won the mat and shortened the ends.
"As a result, he picked up the next seven shots, to take the lead, 23-20.
"He only needed two shots to close the championship out.
"The real pressure was now on for both players.
"Kody stayed calm and won the next two ends to reduce the deficit to 22-23.
"Larry won a tight measure and picked up one shot to go 24-22 up.
"Kody picked up the next shot and the score was now 24-23 to Larry.
"Larry only needed one shot and Kody needed two shots for the championship.
"Kody rolled a 3/4 length jack and drew two bowls just behind the jack and one to the side.
"Larry's first two bowls were short.
"Kody was holding game.
"Then Larry delivered his third bowl.
"It went under his short bowls and inside Kody's jack-high bowl and drew a resting toucher to hold championship shot - a sensational bowl, especially under such pressure.
"Kody looked a bit dejected and delivered his last bowl to save the championship.
"It looked a bit tight, but had decent weight.
"It too ducked under the short bowls and just moved the jack off Larry's shot bowl, to his waiting two bowls behind.
"Kody had produced an absolute pearler and took the game from being match down to be two shots up and took the championship.
"The crowd went wild.
"Larry had one more bowl to save the day.
"Unfortunately, he didn't have any bowls behind the head, so his options were limited and he was wide with his on-shot."
SOURCE:.
Social media, 25 May 2025
Peter Springett, UBMBC