Pipped at the post

KOOWEERUP division two put up a strong performance against Karingal, the strongest team in the Peninsula District, during the last round of the home and away matches for the year.
Even after leading by 12 shots at half time, winning the most ends on all rinks and winning outright on two rinks they were pipped by Karingal by just three shots, 97-100.
Rex Alexander’s team (33-20) started off strongly winning the first seven ends and, though dropping a six on the next end, were still well up by 14 shots at half time. After lunch the next four ends were shared when Karingal put on a burst of four end wins but Kooweerup responded six-shots-to-one on the run home for a well earned 13-shot win.
Brian McNulty’s team (21-18) also got away to a good start and was 10 shots up before Karingal scored, and went to lunch five shots in front. The last half saw Kooweerup maintain the lead even after a desperate effort by Karingal winning the last three one-shot ends.
Ray McMillan’s team (24-32) fought hard during the first half and had won one end more but was one shot behind by half time.
The struggle continued after lunch and Kooweerup was one shot behind at the 17th end, two behind on the 20th and then Karingal shot ahead after they picked up 11 shots on the next three ends to be 13 shots up. Kooweerup replied by winning the last two ends by five shots but could not make up the handy Karingal lead.
Gary Twyford’s team (19-30) fought hard all day winning the most ends in the first half but down six shots after Karingal picked up two five-shot ends. After lunch both teams won the same number of ends but Karingal again picked up two fours and a three to Kooweerup’s ones and twos allowing a comfortable win to the visitors.
In division four, Kooweerup came from behind after being down 10 shots at half time and winning one more end over all rinks to be edged out by Karingal by one shot at the finish, 75-76.
Cliff Kent’s team (26-13) worked hard in the first half to be 10-all at lunch after winning seven ends to six. After lunch Kooweerup then took full control of the game winning 10 ends to two and a well earned 13-shot win.
Pauline Gray’s team (33-30) had an interesting game winning only five ends in the first half to trail by three shots at half time. After lunch Karingal shot further in front after picking up six shots on the next two ends to be nine shots up at the 15th.
Kooweerup replied with 16 shots over the next four ends and jumping to the lead by seven shots. Karingal then answered by winning the next five ends to gain the lead by three at the second last end.
On the last end Karingal were holding shot when skipper Pauline Gray trailed the jack back to Kooweerup’s waiting bowls and picked up six shots for a riotous three-shot victory.
Peter Stevens’ team (16-33) were level pegging at seven-all till the seventh end when Karingal jumped away with nine shots on the next three ends and trailed by seven shots at half time.
Karingal then continued with a strong push and five multiple score ends on the way home for a 17-shot win and getting Karingal’s overall side over the line by one shot.