J8 duo stand out in making RSA final

The performance by a local duo in a mixed pairs tournament was the highlight of the first event to be completed of the Far North RSA Bowling Club’s new season.

A report from the weekend tournament noted a good field of 13 teams contested the title where the forecast rain did not eventuate while the strong gusty winds on both days were not enough to prevent the event from being completed in the allotted time frame.

At the end of the first day’s play, five teams remained: Mike Reddy and Evelyn Bradley as the only two lifers, alongside one-lifers Barry Allison with Joanne Milich, Cedric Campbell with Marj Milich, Paul and Jean Huxtable, and Peter Dorreen with Liz Muru.

Two close games from round 5 saw Reddy eliminate Allison 18-15, and Huxtable do likewise to Campbell 18-16, while Dorreen had the bye; Round 6 saw Reddy prove too good for Dorreen 18-10 while Huxtable had the bye; and Round 7 as the final/ possible final saw the experienced Huxtable pair beat Reddy to force a deciding round.

The Huxtables eventually emerged triumphant to claim the first domestic title of the RSA’s new 2019/ 20 season.

Organisers singled out the performance by Reddy and Bradley — who are both still J8 players (eg. having only played for eight years or less) — for going through undefeated on the first day and then playing great bowls against last year’s champions in the final.

Also acknowledged were all the volunteers for their help in making the two days a success, along with Katarina in the kitchen.

■ The next tournament at the RSA is the Geard’s Funeral Home Any Combination Pairs.

This event will be held tomorrow.

PICTURE / SUPPLIED Mike Reddy with Evelyn Bradley, and Jean and Paul Huxtable were the runners-up and winners respectively in a mixed pairs event at the Kaitaia RSA recently.