Mercy dash to play state final

by admin on October 22, 2017

Paradise Point’s Allan Brough, Wayne Krohn, Sam Granata and Eric Johannes are state MEN’S FOURS champ of champs. By Naomi Cescotto
(Pictured left, State Champions Eric Johannes, Allan Brough, Wayne Krohn and Sam Granata from Paradise Point.)
Paradise Point has enjoyed a brilliant Champion of Club Champions season, undefeated at club level, district level, group level and now at state level.
The team of Allan Brough, Wayne Krohn, Sam Granata and Eric Johannes representing Group 1 (Gold Coast Tweed & Cunningham Districts) are Bowls QLD’s latest state champions, in the fours.
The boys were singing the praises of their skip, retired South African international Eric Johannes.
“He just got off a plane from South Africa, he hasn’t slept since last Thursday, he flew into the Gold Coast at 7.20am on Saturday and he was ready to bowl on time at 8.30am!” Sam Granata said.
“He’s been integral to our success, we can put bowls in the head but he’s got to steer us.”
“And get us out of trouble!” Wayne Krohn quipped (adding “he’s done that for four games!”)
The Dolphins were the only men’s team to go through to the state final with three wins in Section 1, to face Greenslopes, the winners of Section 2.
The Geckos team representing Group 2 (Brisbane & Gateway Districts) of Michael Bermingham, William Ashworth, Mitchell Cameron and Scott McLachlan were highly fancied and never stopped poking back at Johannes time and time again.
By the 19th end they were within strike, having narrowed the margin to two shots, 21-23, with two ends to go.
But it was the Dolphins who twisted the knife, taking three more shots to post a 26-21 final result, accelerating towards rather than ‘holding on’ for their first state title win.
As painful as it was, the consolation prize of a silver medal for the Geckos was well deserved for a worthy finals opponent.
 “We’re ecstatic!” skip Scott McLachlan said.
“Eric’s a champion, it was fantastic to play against him.”
The Paradise Point team thanked two ‘extras’ who helped them to their state title win, Robbie Dobbins who was on standby as a ‘sub’ in case Johannes flight from Capetown didn’t arrive on time, and Ray Glasser who was on transport duties, waiting for the skip’s arrival into Coolangatta airport and delivering him to Mermaid Beach on time.
Johannes played for South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, winning a bronze medal in the triples.
“But this win was more important!” Alan Brough said.
“Yes, it was very important!” Johannes agreed.
In the bronze medal playoff, Townsville Suburban representing Group 8 (NQ, TFNQ, NW QLD Districts) defeated Bribie Island representing Group 4 (Caboolture & Brisbane North Districts), 25-16.
The Suburban team of Mark Edwards, Ian Crichton, Mathew Clark and David Whiting were consistent, a win by 8 and a loss by 8 on Day 1, blasting Round 3 with a 25-7 win, and punishing Bribie for dropping six on the opening end in the battle for bronze by never letting them back into serious contention, despite the valiant attempts of the Bribe fourth place getters, Anthony Hughes, Bill Hosie, Chris Geddes and skip Peter Hughes.
“We’re very happy!” Dunn Cup 2017 Player of the Final Mark Edwards said of his first state medal with the Townsville Suburban unit.
“It’s brilliant!” Ian Crichton said.
“I’ve made it to State (Champion of Club Champions) a few times before (pairs) but never got anywhere, this is the first time in the medals – it’s a brilliant side.”
The Pairs starts tomorrow (Mon Oct 23) at 8.30am at Mermaid Beach, with the Pairs final on Tuesday after lunch.
The draw and results at the end of each round will be updated on the BQ website under EVENTS, scroll down to October.
Photos from the FOURS are on the BQ Facebook page – simple Google “Bowls QLD Facebook”, click on Photos, Albums, CCC Fours (and if you’re on Facebook, LIKE our page!)