All-Abilities Singles sees familiar faces come out on top
Saturday 18th of May saw the inaugural running of the All-Abilities Singles Tournament at Narre Warren Bowls Club.
An energetic and keen group of bowlers of all abilities, from right across the State, arrived to play four games of sets-play singles under the two dome-covered greens at Narre Warren last month. Unlike the Para-State Championships where bowlers compete in their respective disability classes (physical disability, intellectual disability and vision impaired), the all-abilities event was a chance for players to compete across classifications. The field included nine Para-Intellectual bowlers, twelve Para-Physical bowlers and one Para-Vision bowler, along with on-green directors for those requiring them.
Players competed over two x six-end sets, with a one-end tiebreaker if required. This meant that throughout the day, games were always in the balance with plenty of action happening during the short and sharp, fast-paced sets. With plenty of sets coming down to the last bowl and a good number of tiebreaks required across the day, as play entered the last round, it was still anyone’s tournament to win.
There were a number of prizes up for grabs for the winners and runners-up across Para-physical and Para-intellectual, as well as an overall Champion to declare. As the day neared a close, there were seven competitors in with a chance for the title as the last round commenced.
Joanna Lomagno (Korumburra Bowling Club) was leading the way after 3 rounds, however faced the also undefeated Frank Krslovic (Rosebud Beach Community Bowls Club) in a battle of 1 vs 2 on the standings. Joanna’s Korumburra teammate, Ben Peachey, was right in the mix as well. Hot off his recent Para-ID singles state title, Ben too was undefeated and only out of the top 2 by shot difference.
In the Para-Physical field, Para-State side representative Gwen Fabris (Garfield Bowling Club) was neck and neck with this year’s Berwick Integrated Pairs Champion, Tim Connolly (Brunswick Bowling Club). Newly classified bowler Howard Smith (Clunes Bowling Club) was also undefeated entering the last round, with Glenn Gloury (Heathmont Bowling Club) lurking and ready to pounce if anyone ahead of him slipped up, with only one tiebreak loss to his name.
After the final 80 minutes of the day, some fantastic bowls were played, and even better sportsmanship shown, and it was time to crown our champions. Five players winning all four games meant a countback to sets won and shot difference was required.
2024 All-Abilities Singles Results:
Para-Intellectual Winner: Frank Krslovic (Rosebud Beach Community Bowls Club)
Para-Intellectual Runner Up: Ben Peachey (Korumburra Bowling Club)
Para-Physical Winner: Gwen Fabris (Garfield Bowling Club)
Para-Physical Runner Up: Tim Connolly (Brunswick Bowling Club)
Overall Champion: Frank Krslovic
Full summary of results and games across the day
If you’re interested in getting classified to compete in future Para events, please contact glen@bowlsvic.org.au to discuss how to start the process.
