Fisher finds fine form to win men’s development final

OAMARU: Graeme Fisher of the Maheno club was too steady in the North Otago men’s development final against Mike McErlane, taking the final 2114 over 22 ends.

Fisher controlled the first six ends, leading 100 going into the seventh end. McErlane found his weight and picked up seven shots on the next four ends to reduce the deficit to three shots before Fisher broke away to pick up five shots on the next three ends to lead 157.

McErlane found difficulty building an end and against the drawing power of Fisher could pick up only singles in the latter ends and Fisher maintained a sevenshot lead to take the final and come through the tournament unbeaten.

In the playoff for third and fourth, Trevor Dalton beat Peter Ross, 2110.

Awamoa’s Rosie Oliver extended her record in local bowls, winning the centre wom en’s development singles title, when she beat Meadowbank’s Barbara Allan 2110 in the final played at the Meadowbank club yesterday afternoon.

Oliver came through the ranks with wins over Carol Behrens (2112), Tasmin Grenfell (217) and Chrisie Cooch (210) to make the final against Allan, who had beaten Bev Ross (216), Marylin Velenski (2115) and Diane Loach (218).

In the final, Oliver held a 60 lead after three ends. Allan got on the board with two shots on the fourth end, but Oliver grabbed the advantage again with 10 unanswered shots over the next four ends to establish a 162 lead before Allan picked up a single.

Oliver then took four shots on the next two ends to lead 203.

Allan refused to give in, coming back with seven shots over the next three ends, before Oliver sealed the win with a single on the final end.

In the minor placings Carol Behrens took third place ahead of Marilyn Velenski.