Bowls: Ellis wins Adams singles

CLOSE CONTEST: George Adams Men’s Invitation Singles event winner Graham Ellis with runner-up Luke Day.

GRAHAM Ellis claimed the 53rd George Adams Men’s Invitation Singles competition played at Mount Gambier RSL and District Bowling Club last week.

Starting in 1965 as the Masters Singles, the event was renamed the George Adams in 1973 in honour of the club’s first life member.

The highly respected event attracted 36 entries, many returning to the Mount Gambier RSL club for another attempt to win the honours.

After the five games to 25 up of sectional play on Tuesday and Wednesday, tournament director Reg Earl announced the eight finalists.

They were Mount Gambier RSL’s Ellis, Andy Ashby, Greg Whitehead, Robert Corner, Millicent’s Brian Roper and John Scudds, as well as Toorak/Burnside’s Trevor Feast and Grange’s Luke Day.

The knock-out tournament started on Wednesday afternoon, with Day, Ashby, Feast and Ellis winning their way through to the preliminary final.

On Thursday morning Ellis played Feast.

Once Ellis settled, he led Feast all the way from end five to win 31-19.

Day played Ashby and led 24-8 before Ashby could exert his influence on the scorecard.

Ashby bounced back to be within three shots, but Day maintained his form and won 31-25.

After so much bowling, the finalists were able to deliver well-weighted bowls to put on an impressive display.

Ellis dominated the scoring early and led 19-4 on the 13th end.

Day bounced back into the game and was able to gradually reduce the deficit to five shots.

However, Ellis had been the runner-up in 2014 and 2016 and was refused to back down.

In an exciting finish, Day forced two more ends before Ellis drew the ultimate shot bowl to win 31-25.

Men’s Open Pairs

A REDUCED field of 14 pairs played this event which runs concurrently with the final day of the George Adams and caters for the bowlers who have been eliminated from the singles.

This year’s winners were Deane Wilkinson and Tyson Wilson (skip) who finished ahead of Bob Milligan and Noel Miller (skip).

Wilson, from Grange Bowling Club, was the runner-up in the George Adams event last year.