Semi-Final Weekend Continues: Weathering the Elements at Gosforth

By The Green-Side Insider & Bev

Saturday marked the continuation of our action-packed semi-finals weekend, featuring no fewer than 10 games throughout the day. While the weather took a turn from the previous evening’s warm sunshine, bringing wind and rain for the first half of the morning, it did nothing to dampen the spirits of the competitors. Conditions remained changeable as the afternoon progressed.

We extend our sincere thanks to the host club, Gosforth, for their hospitality, and to the spectators who braved the conditions to bring such a fantastic atmosphere to the greens. A special note of gratitude is also due to our umpires, Anne-Marie and John, and our markers, Bev, Karen, Paul, and Peter, for their dedication in supporting our semi-finalists through the elements.

Two-Bowl Singles: A Tactical Battle

The Two-Bowl Singles semi-final between A. Johnson Jr and A. Scott proved to be a highly tactical affair. The early stages were competitive, with the score locked at 3-3 by the sixth end. The players continued to trade shots, and the game reached another stalemate at 8-8 by the 12th end.

Johnson Jr then found a pivotal rhythm, picking up five shots over three ends to extend his lead to 15-9 by the 17th end. Despite Scott responding with a two-shot end, Johnson Jr countered with two shots on the 19th. This meant Scott was unable to catch him with two ends remaining, resulting in a final score of 17-11 to Johnson Jr after 19 ends.

Women’s 4 Bowl Champion of Champions 

T. Napier (FH) 23 v D. Tait (FH) 18

Dorothy got off to a commanding lead in this game being 10-0 up after 5 ends. Thelma then stepped up a gear and took 5 out of the next 6 ends to cut her deficit to 10-11. After 15 ends Dorothy was still in the lead 15-11 and after end 18 she had extended it again to 18-13. This included Dorothy trying to play on 2 rinks, causing Bev to make a speedy save on rink 6 to stop the bowl making shot on their rink!! 🫣

Thelma was not phased and she was not giving up as she won the next end with a 3 and changed the mat length, which dramatically changed the course of the game. Thelma kept the mat and took a further 1 & 2×3 to finish the game 23-18, after making a dramatic comeback 🎉

Both players started with determination and after 5 ends they were level 5-5. After 10 ends Amy had a narrow lead of 10-9. Then she stepped up a gear and took the following 6 ends to lead 18-9. Naomi replied with a 3 on the following end but Amy finished the game on the following 2 ends with 1&2 to take the win 21-12 🎉

Women’s 4 Bowl Singles

Kacee was leading 5-1 after 3 ends. Fiona immediately replied by taking a 2&3 on the next 2 ends to take the lead 6-5. Fiona then stalled on 6 for 3 ends as Kacee pushed hard to retake a lead of 11-6. Despite Fiona winning the following end, it was Kacee who stormed ahead taking the last 5 ends, including 2×1, 2 & 2×3 to win the game 21-7 and secure her place at the National Finals 🎉 congratulations 🎉

Women’s Triples 

Gosforth Coxlodge started strongly and were leading 5-2 after 5 ends. After 8 ends they were still leading 7-3. Newbiggin replied with a 4 to level the game 7-7 on end 9. Quickly following up with a 1 on the next end to take a lead of 8-7. Then it was Gosforth Coxlodge’s turn to take a 4 to retake the lead. After 14 ends Gosforth Coxlodge were still in front 12-10. With the bit between their teeth they were not giving up as they took the last 3 ends with 3, 4 & 2 to secure a win of 21-10 and their place at the National Finals 🎉 congratulations 🎉

This game had some tremendous heads where serious tactical play was required! Benfield were leading 6-2 after 5 ends. But Hexham pushed hard and by end 10 they were level 7-7. Hexham took the following end to take a lead of 8-7 but then the wheels fell off! They stalled on 8 for the next 5 ends as Benfield drove on hard, taking a 2, 2×1 and then secured their win including 2×6 on ends 14&15. Game over!

Benfield won with a decisive 23-9 and secured their place at the National Finals 🎉 congratulations 🎉

Women’s Fours

Newbiggin got off to a great start leading 9-1 after 5 ends. Benfield immediately replied taking a 4 on the next end to cut their deficit to 5-9. Newbiggin pushed hard taking 2×3 on ends 7&8 to go ahead 15-5. Newbiggin were not letting up and by end 13 they still had a 10 point lead of 20-10. They finished the game with a 1& 5 after 16 ends to secure their win of 26-12. Newbiggin have secured their place at the National Finals 🎉congratulations 🎉

W&M took an early lead but by end 6 the teams were level 3-3. Forest Hall then pushed ahead taking the next 2 ends with 4&2 to lead 9-3. By end 11 W&M had cut their deficit to 7-10. But Forest Hall replied again taking the next 2 ends to lead 13-7. W&M dug deep and took a 3&1 to again cut their deficit to 11-13! But Forest Hall kept drawing in and extended their lead to 16-11 on end 17. W&M requiring a 5 on the last end was a big ask! They were holding a few but Amy’s last bowl kept that number down to only 2.

So Forest Hall secured their win of 16-13 and their place at the National Finals 🎉congratulations 🎉

Women’s Senior Fours

C. Brodie (P) 14 v F. Charlton (FH) 13

What an exciting game this turned out to be. Both teams starting well and they level 3-3 after 4 ends. After 8 ends they were level again on 5-5. Percy then took the next 2 ends to lead 7-5. They pushed on hard taking a 4 on end 13 and then 1 on end 14 to extend their lead to 14-6.

Forest Hall were not going down without a fight and took the last 4 ends with 2×1, 3&2 but it just wasn’t enough and Percy won 14-13! Apparently on the last end Forest Hall were holding 3 but Carol managed a superb shot to cut it down just to 1! ( Carol paid me to say that!! 😂😂) so it’s Percy who go forward into the final next weekend 🎉

Both teams started well and were level 5-5 after 5 ends. Then Gosforth Coxlodge got in their stride taking the next 4 ends to lead 13-5. Benfield took a 4 on end 12 to cut their deficit to 11-14. Gosforth Coxlodge quickly replied taking the next 2 ends to lead 17-11. Benfield scored 3 on end 15 but Gosforth Coxlodge immediately replied with a 2&3 and they finished the game 22-15 and secured their place in the final next weekend 🎉

Looking Ahead

The quest for a place in the finals reaches its penultimate stage with one last action-packed day. Join us tomorrow, starting at 10:00 AM at Gosforth, followed by the afternoon session at 2:00 PM at Portland.

Note for tomorrow’s players: please use club stickers