FINAL; Quinlan V Emerton

QUINLAN WINS 25-20


3.10pm

Three bowls each played and Quinlan holds 2 chose shots but Emerton has two back bowls.  To use her favoured backhand a drive or weighted shot appears unlikely with a short bowl in the way so it's draw only on the backhand.  More options on the forehand and she goes there with weight.....way way narrow and she concedes to Quinlan.  Great match, credit to both ladies.

Quinlan WINS 25-20

3.05pm

Quinlan sensing victory puts her first two 6 and 8 inches front/back of the kitty while Emerton has two back.  Will Quinlan will look to cover the back bowls with her third?  No, goes to her forehand but falls short.  It's in the count but what about the cover?  Ooh, Emerton goes the trail to her back bowls and just misses as her bowls sails between the kitty and Quinlan's bowl.

Quinlan puts her last back as cover.  All on Emerton to save now.  On the forehand, crash into Quinlan's bowl and kitty and Emerton claims the shot  but Quinlan wants a measure.  No, Quinlan concedes the shot.  Big save by Emerton.

Quinlan leads 24-20.

3pm

Have to admire Emerton's resolve.  Puts her first inches back from kitty before Quinlan's second gives it a nudge to take back the advantage.  Emerton's 3rd with weight is narrow and unfortunately for her bumps Quinlan's short 3rd into contention.  Looks like 1 to Quinlan and a measure for 2.

Quinlan's last is back and right of kitty for cover while Emerton again goes to her backhand.  Just misses the kitty and goes through beyond the count.  Look out, 2 to Quinlan.  All but there.

Quinlan leads 24-19.

2.55pm

It's tense.  Emerton taking her time on the mat and is distracted by a couple of stragglers off to the side of the green.  Uncharacteristic scrappy end here from Emerton with a bowl left each and 3 to Quinlan.  A definite 3 now to Quinlan with 1 left for Emerton.  If ever Emerton needed that brilliant saving last bowl this is it.

On her favoured backhand with weight it's a mile wide and a big 3 to Quinlan.

Quinlan leads 22-19 as we hear the 2 hour mark.

2.50pm

Pressure back on Quinlan; 2 bowls each played and Emerton holding 2.   With Emerton possibly holding 3 and the backhand blocked, Quinlan goes with weight on the forehand but sails a bowl width wide of the jack into the sand.  Quinlan will not want to drop multiple shots here.

Emerton piles on the pressure with a toucher sitting in front of the kitty.  Is she holding 4?

 Pressure last bowl here for Quinlan.  Ouch.  Narrow on the drive but takes a wick back in off an Emerton bowl, moves the shot bowl and kitty to her advantage.  2 somewhat lucky shots to Quinlan.  That said, things like that happen in bowls!

19 all.  Classic.

2.42pm

With Emerton 1 to play it's a toss up to who has shot but there's room for Emerton's favoured backhand draw.  Is it short or...?  It's in and it's 2 to Emerton.  Quinlan looks a tad frustrated, unable to take further advantage after the 3 at the previous.

Emerton leads 19-17.

2.38pm

3 to Quinlan after Emerton's attacking drive goes awry.  Game on.

17 all

2.35pm

For those like me that like the odd statistic, here's a few numbers up to the finals;

Beth Quinlan undefeated with 3/3 sectional, 3/3 post sectional and 1/1 semi final wins
Won 94/165 ends at 57% and has played 739 minutes or 12hrs 19 mins

Marilyn Emerton won 2/3 sectional, 2/3 post sectional and 1/1 semi finals
Won 95/172 ends at 55% and has played 892 minutes or 14 hrs 52 mins (didn't tally number of walks to the head!  Sorry Marilyn only kidding :)  )

2.30pm

Superb drawing here.  Quinlan's 4th a cracker, just edging the kitty off Emerton's shot bowl.  Emerton goes with weight on her last and makes contact but puts the kitty out of bounds.  

2.25pm

A draw for 1 to Quinlan as the sky darkens again.  Full credit to both ladies in challenging conditions.  Light rain intermittently falling and temperature changes adding to the natural pressure felt in a final.

Emerton leads 17-14.

2.18pm

Quinlan had 2 close but Emerton with a lovely draw just bumps the shot bowl a roll or two aside to take shot with her 2nd.  Credit to Emerton as she appears nonplussed about her scoreless recent run.  Her 3rd gives her the 2nd shot and after Quinlan's 4th falls short, Emerton will look for 3.  As with earlier it's a lovely dead draw on the backhand and a momentum stopping 3 to Emerton.

Interesting to see Emerton's positive body language returning as she followed her last bowl down knowing it was good out of the hand.

Emerton leads 17-13. 

2.13pm

Another single to Emerton, her 4th winning end in a row.  Back within a shot.  Tense!

Emerton leads 14-13.

2.06pm

Close bowls around the kitty with Emerton holding 1 before Quinlan's slightly weighted forehand  sliced the kitty to her advantage by 1.  Emerton couldn't beat it with her last.  Another 1 back to Quinlan.  

Talking mindsets earlier, Emerton couldn't fail with her last bowl earlier but now it's not the case.  Quinlan looking more and more settled but it's worth remembering after dropping a critical 4 in her semi against Edna Anderson, Emerton shrugged it off and picked off a single then 4 back at the next.

It's a great contest.

Emerton leads 14-12.

2.02pm

Quinlan holds 2 as Emerton's running last shot is narrow and collects the shorter bowls.  2 more for Quinlan and she's back within 3.  Light rain starting to fall.

Emerton leads 14-11.

1.56pm

Interesting to see Emerton short with her first two and long with her 3rd.  Will she AGAIN convert with a pressure 4th and last bowl?  Quinlan holding 1 maybe 2 as Emerton plays her last and this time it goes through the gap.  Can Quinlan make it 3.....and draws it.  Confidence boosting 3 to Quinlan.

Emerton leads 14-9.

1.51pm

Wouldn't mind a pedometer on Emerton to tally the metres walked with her many trips to the head in a match.  

Playing her last, Quinlan goes with weight to move Emerton's close two, succeeds in separating the bowls but her contact was right of centre and her bowl continued right and away from the count.  2 to Emerton.

Emerton leads 14-6.

1.45pm

In case I didn't mention this before, remember to refresh the page (F5) so you get the latest update.

Meanwhile with 3 each played Quinlan has two shots close, in front and a few inches off centre of kitty.  Quinlan rolls a 3rd and Emerton's options seem limited.  Forehand and drive blocked, either a dead draw backhand or backhand with a bit of weight to her back bowl.  Again Emerton turns 4 down into 1 up.  A brilliant draw to within inches gives 1 to Emerton.

You wonder what this does to Quinlan's mind set, twice in 3 ends she's held 4 only to see Emerton's last bowl take the shot.

Emerton 12-6.


1.40pm

Quinlan picks up a single as it gets a little darker outside....wind barely moving the flags.

Emerton leads 11-6.

1.35pm

That was some save.  With Quinlan holding 4 shots around the kitty and nothing nearby, Emerton played a great weighted shot to not only sit Quinlan's best, but turned the 4 down into a shot for her.  Five shot turnaround.  Brilliant.  Drew a smirk from Quinlan too.

Emerton leads 11-5.


1.30pm

It's been longish ends all the way but Quinlan takes the mat back and it's a metre shy of the maximum distance.  Holding 1 Quinlan's face tells the story as she falls short with her final bowl.  Emerton now looking to counter but draws wide, 1 to Quinlan.

Emerton leads 10-5.  

1.25pm

Emerton again with 3 close but this time Quinlan plays a delightful draw with her 3rd to take shot.  Emerton plays even better to take shot.  Quinlan again, brilliant draw, sits Emerton out to take 2 back.  

Emerton leads 10-4.

1.18pm

Even the bowls are SOO like, Emerton (Qld) with pink bowls and Quinlan (NSW) with the blue speckled bowls.

Quinlan hasn't settled at all, her drawing length is OK but her grass is too wide mostly.  Emerton    has also struggled this end so Quinlan can still pull 1 or 2 back.  Slightly lucky wick in off Quinlan's shot bowl sees Emerton hold 1 maybe 2 as Quinlan's bowl rolls over.  Quinlan again with weight hits the outside of Emerton's bowls but her last doesn't stop another 2 to Emerton.

Quinlan needs to break this run of Emerton and to settle into the final.

Emerton leads 10-2.

1.15pm

Emerton is all over the jack with her first 3 while Quinlan fires wide and unsuccessfully with a Kerkow-esque drive while Emerton calmly plants her 4th close.  Quinlan goes again with the drive, takes out 1 Emerton pink bowl but it still down 3.

Emerton leads 8-2.

1.10pm

Quinlan has a drive with her last, when the dust settles it's 2 to Emerton.

Emerton leads 5-2.

1.07pm

Quinlan wins 2 at the first but is a bit wayward at the next allowing Emerton to collect 3.

Emerton leads 3-2.

1pm

Welcome.  The wind has settled and the sky is cloudy but visibility good.  Let's hope it stays that way!

Semi Finals Yvonne Lovelock V Beth Quinlan | Marilyn Emerton V Edna Anderson

11.55am

The final will start at 1pm.  

Beth Quinlan (St John's Park) v Marilyn Emerton (Mooloolaba)

11.50am

Emerton rolls another longish end.  Cannot recall seeing a short end between these two.  Emerton will be hard to beat from here but Anderson has shown consistently a calm demeanour under pressure.  1 bowl left each, looks like Anderson just holds shot.  Six inches to draw for Emerton as a light shower welcomes her to the mat.

Great shot by Emerton.  Moves the kitty back to her advantage and hods match.  Seems nowhere for Anderson to go on the forehand and a drive fraught with danger due to short bowls.  A backhand draw to save the match....unfortunately too heavy and too wide.

GAME to Emerton 25-21.

Congratulations to Marilyn Emerton (Mooloolaba) who will play Beth Quinlan (St John's Park) in the final.

Fantastic effort by Edna Anderson.  We look forward to seeing her for many more Black Douglas appearances.


11.45am

Amazing.  That poor end is long forgotten as Emerton puts her first 3 close behind kitty and now it's Anderson who must counter.  Anderson plays a rare poor one, short and narrow.  1 bowl each to play.  Will Emerton get that 4 back?  Emerton short and wide, Anderson on the forehand (cannot recall seeing her backhand recently) goes long and wide.  Wow.  Is it pressure or a drop in concentration?

Emerton's body language is strong and measuring for 4....it's 4 to Emerton.

Emerton retakes the lead 24-21 and is on the brink.

11.41am

Anderson looking to further capitalise.  Holding 1, Anderson is disappointed that her 3rd falls short and misses the chance to put more pressure on.  Anderson's disappointment is increased as Emerton plays with weight and moves the kitty back with her bowl to take shot.  Anderson's last goes very close to shot....measure....1 to Emerton.  Kudos to Emerton.  Didn't hesistate to attack with her 3rd and was rewarded.

Anderson leads 21-20

11.35am

Big turnaround.  A rare scrappy end for Emerton with bowls splayed and Anderson picks up the maximum 4!  Can Emerton put this behind her?  After many ends of singles and the odd 2 that 4 could well be a turning point.

Anderson leads 21-19

11.27am

Nice to have Australian Coach Steve Glasson following the blog today...although now this (very) occasional bowler/blogger will be watching more closely his descriptions!

Anderson's last on her forehand hits the kitty but this time slices it.  The bowl travels on and it looks like it's 1 to Emerton still and Emerton 1 to play.  Emerton draws short of kitty....1 to Emerton.

Emerton leads 19-17

11.22am

Both ladies consistently short of kitty on this long end.  Hard to tell who is holding shot as this end is played away from the clubhouse.  1 to Anderson

Emerton leads 18-17.

11.15am

Edna Anderson is having a tremendous first Black Douglas outing and remains unbeaten after 3 sectional and 3 post sectional wins.  Back to the match....Emerton has played a cracking 3rd to possibly hold 3.  

Anderson counters and may have cut it down to 2, maybe 1 with Emerton 1 to play.  Emerton with some risk plays with weight and narrow trying to take out Anderson's bowls but misses on the safe outer side.  1 to Emerton.

Emerton leads 18-16.

11.09am

Anderson with 1 bowl in hand, down 2.  As she has done all week Anderson plays a great shot under pressure.  A forehand hits the kitty dead centre to take 2!  

Emerton leads 17-16.

11.07am

Quinlan's 2nd goes bang and away rolls Lovelock's former shot bowl.  With a bowl left Quinlan holds match.  Lovelock one to play and Quinlan holds 2 maybe 3.  Backhand with weight....just misses the kitty and removes one but that is GAME to QUINLAN.

QUINLAN wins 25-17 and is through to the final.  A great tournament for Yvonne Lovelock from Musgrave Hill while Beth Quinlan (St John's Park) is through to her first Black Douglas final.

11.04am

Light rain falls through the sunshine (go figure!) and Lovelock down 1 with a bowl each left.  Quinlan holds 1 and if she can draw under Lovelocks 2nd it will be match.  Quinlan is a bit heavy and wide and collides with Lovelock.  Measure? 1 only!

Quinlan all but....24-17

10.56am

With a back bowl and room to move the kitty, Quinlan plays backhand weight to try and trail for 2 and match but hits the front bowls.  1 back to Lovelock.

Quinlan 23-17.

Emerton again moves the kitty to Anderson's advantage with her 2nd bowl slicing the kitty.  Emerton recovers brilliantly with her 3rd, moving the kitty 1.5m back and holds 3, albeit plenty of room for Anderson to draw and reduce (which she does but).  1 to Emerton but plenty of room to draw a 2nd with her last.  It's a measure to confirm.  It's 2.

Emerton 17-14

10.53am

Lovelock despite starting with short bowls picks up a valuable 1.

Quinlan 23-16.  

Anderson holds 2 early and this looks like it will be a looong match with Emerton spending a lot of time at the head.  Measures out again....single to Anderson.

Emerton leads 15-14.

10.45am

Meanwhile as the sky darkens Club Greenkeeper and amateur weather forecaster Wayne Wilson is in hiding after confidently predicting ongoing bright sunshine earlier in the week only to see it belt down minutes later!

Back to the bowls Emerton was holding two but her third knocks Anderson's short bowl up to shot.  Anderson takes advantage to collect 2 shots.

Emerton leads 15-13.

Lovelock's weighted 3rd shot has split a tight head open leaving both girls plenty of room to draw.  2 to Quinlan and she's within sight of a win.

Quinlan leads 23-15.

10.39am

Unusually Quinlan is short with her first 2 while Lovelock has both behind the kitty holding 1 maybe 2.  Quinlan is short again with her 3rd and Lovelock puts her 3rd behind again and in the mix. Quinlan's last sits Lovelocks  third to make it definitely 2 for now.  Lovelock's last draws alongside Quinlan but just falls in!  3 to Lovelock.

Quinlan 21-15.

Meanwhile next door it's a measure-a-thon....

Emerton 15-11.

10.29am

Quinlan putting the pressure on with her first two very close.  Lovelock is short with her first and her weighted second misses everything.  Lovelock's 3rd is very good and kisses the kitty and it's very close to determine shot with a bowl each to play.  Quinlan's last is not in the count while Lovelock's last look great out of the hand but may have pulled up just short.  1 to Quinlan.

Quinlan 21-12.

For the first time in awhile Emerton's first two are nowhere near the kitty giving Anderson a chance.  Anderson holds two, Emerton one to play.  2 to Anderson.

Emerton leads 14-10.

10.22am

Emerton draws further away.  It's not like Anderson isn't playing well, Emerton is simply drawing more consistently.  

Emerton leads 14-8

Quinlan picks up a single to lead by 8.  Quinlan 20-12 over Lovelock.

10.15am

Emerton picks up 2 with a measure.  Emerton leads 13-8 over Anderson

Lovelock down 1 plays a lovely 2nd to trail the jack to her 1st to make it 2 shots with the bowls 8 inches in front.  Quinlan's 3rd is even better, through the narrow gap and past Lovelock's 2 to hold 1.  Quinlan keeps the single.

Quinlan leads 19-12


10am 

Beth Quinlan led 12-0 early but Yvonne Lovelock has brought it back in recent ends.

Quinlan leads 16-12

Marilyn Emerton also started well but Edna Anderson has also come back.

Emerton leads 11-8