66 BOWLS INTERNATIONAL November 2017 http://www.bowlsinternational.comTHE FINAL SAY (^) | What's happening this month
WHAT'S ON: NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 4-11:
Co-op Funeralcare Scottish
International Open 2017
Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Perth
NOVEMBER 8-19
Hong Kong International Bowls
Classic
NOVEMBER 11:
EIBA International regional trials
NOVEMBER 19:
Open Singles Circuit
Tye Green Open
NOVEMBER 24-26:
Open Singles Circuit grand final
Potters Resort
NOVEMBER 25:
Women’s Annual Dinner and
Presentation of Prizes
St Johns Hotel, Solihull
WHAT'S ON:
NEXT MONTH’S BOWLSINTERNATIONAL
COMPETITION
WINNERS
The Spot the difference winner
for September is Carol Gaskins
of Aylesbury.
The Call the shot winner is
Lois Hall from Watford.
The Call the shot winner isThe Call the shot winner isThe Call the shot winner is
COMPETITIONCOMPETITION
‘CALL THE SHOT’
SEPTEMBER
SOLUTION –
OPTION 1
The answer was
option 1. It is
arguable that all the
options had value
but the reason this
shot was played was
due to the success
of the previous
block shot on Laura
Daniels' third bowl
attempt.
The perfect blocker was in place then
but Bernie O’Neill’s forth bowl was
just slightly off and left an opening for
Laura, albeit by a very small margin.
It was still a very difficult drive
and had to be executed perfectly to
remove the two-scoring bowls but
that is what happened. Laura’s last
bowl was played to perfection, Bernie’s
bowls disappeared and the Welsh
champion scored two herself. Laura
then continued on to win the match
and the title.
A marvellous performance from the
position she was in and showed the
fighting spirit inherent in all champions.
The crest of the wave for Laura
continues and shows no sign of abating
anytime soon.
Bernie played almost the perfect
match but one bowl cost her the British
Isles title.
That bowl was played by her
opponent and there was little she could
do to prevent it. Was it the right shot
to block?
Considering the previous blocker had
been very effective, then yes. Would I
have played it? Probably, as it created
an obvious problem to her opponent
who needed an absolutely brilliant
bowl to get the result she needed.
The only other option I would have
contemplated was option two. By
playing that shot, even removing the
two bowls would have secured a single,
but it wouldn’t have won the match
and for that reason I think Bernie
played the correct shot.
The decision was based on good
analysis of the situation at the time and
I would have supported it 100 per cent,
I also would have played it. Sometimes
you have to go for the win and on this
occasion, it was the right way to go.
David CORKILL (^)
DIRECTION OF PLAY
COMPETITION
GREEN Bernie O‘Neill
RED Laura DanielsWomen’s British Isles Singles in Llandrindod Wells. This month I am reviewing a situation that occurred this season. It was the final of the
O’Neill. Wales had one of their best in this final- Laura Daniels- and she was facing Ireland’s Bernie
in New Zealand in the World Pairs last December. Laura has been on a tidal wave of success in recent years, the highlight being a gold medal
years, having lost out to Natalie Chestney in 2015. As for Bernie, this was her second appearance in the British Isles singles final in three
had played two very close first bowls to hold a championship and title winning position. Towards the end of the match Bernie, who was enjoying a comfortable lead at this stage,
connecting with Bernie’s block shot with her second effort. Laura had driven with her second and third bowls, missing with the first drive and
drive and a perfect delivery from Laura would see them disappear and she would score with The position of the two shots that Bernie held, whilst very close, were vulnerable to a
her first bowl which was five feet away. I watch a lot of bowls matches, analysing both play and bowlers.
than others, even at the highest level. This situation had me thinking very hard as I sat at Looking for special shot selections from bowlers is a passion of mine and some are better
the end of the rink watching. The nature of the competition, a major final, and holding a winning score
just added to the pressure for Bernie. It may seem strange to say this but in many ways, it could be described
as a difficult position to be in. Laura had only one shot to play so no decision-making
process needed, and she had already had two efforts and missed. The chances were the third drive would be on
target. It is essential to assume a player of Laura’s capabilities will not miss three times. So, what will
Bernie do with her last bowl?
very accurate in her positioning of her last bowl Two things to remember; Bernie has to be
and Laura’s target was to save the match not necessarily remove both bowls, as Bernie was on
19 and needed 21 to win. As usual the options are listed below.process needed, and she had already had two efforts and Laura had only one shot to play so no decision-making
missed. The chances were the third drive would be on SELECT
for the shot and you have the right option
book compiled by the chance to win a bowls England men’s
outdoor team manager John Bell.
Send in your entries by e-mail: [email protected]
by October 6th or by post:(see below for more
details).■ BLOCK SHOT FOUR YARDS AWAY. ■ DRAW BACKHAND INSIDE THE
THIRD SHOT FOR A THREE. ■SCORING. BLOCK SHOT A YARD AWAY BUT ■GOING BACK. BACK BOWL TO COVER THE JACKCALL THE SHOT COMPETITIONDITCH DITCH DITCH
DITCHName: ................................................................ Address: ................
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................................................................................................................Telephone: ........................................................
Call the Shot, Bowls International, Send in entries by October 6th to:
PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ.DITCH65_BI_CalltheShotSept17_cc.indd 55
10/08/2017 14:08CAPTION
COMPETITION
David Rhys
Jones captured the
Netherlands team at the
recent EBU championships
in Jersey offering a
different take on the
standard photo
line up.- Tony Allcock on indoor challenges
- Commonwealth Games six month countdown
- Open Singles Circuit news and grand final preview
66_BI_FINALSAY_Nov17_cc.indd 66 12/10/2017 14:55