Bowl for the Cure Champions – Oak Bay LBC: David Anderson, Bobbi-Jean Charlton, Brent Jansen, Karen Evans.
Absent: Donna Blackstock.
Before reading this report you should run some triumphal music in the background to capture the mood of our spirited reporter. Skip to the 1:30 mark for the best starting point. Editor
Well, it was a weekend to remember for the team from Oak Bay, Captained by Brent Jansen with supporting crew of Donna Blackstock, Karen Evans, David Anderson and Bobbi-Jean Charlton.
I must say that it was a tale of two different days with one feeling like a beautiful summer’s day and the other more like November on a good day.
The conditions were sublime on Saturday as Team Jansen started with strong games in the Pairs albeit with a couple of fortuitous shots, particularly David Anderson and Donna’s game as they were one down coming home and sitting one for the tie but in a blink of an eye the opposition promoted another bowl into the head to count two and the win for Team Jansen. Who says short bowls aren’t important?
There was no doubt on Sunday’s Pairs match as David Anderson must have had a wee sip of something expensive because I have never seen him on the jack as consistently as our game, truly magnificent exhibition of bowling.
We closed with a truly dominant performance in the Fours with everyone hitting the mark which made the opposition chase and roll prayers in the hopes of cutting us down. All in all, the first day was exceptional as we were one of two teams undefeated and sitting in 2nd place.
Everyone hoped for a repeat of the weather on day two, but alas it was not to be. I am sure Barry Ming did his infamous rain dance to favor his excuses for wayward bowls and we all knew that if the weather was miserable so would be Aussie Smith who thrives in the heat but melts like sugar in the rain — and so it was.
Donna Blackstock, fifth member of the Oak Bay team
Day two opened with cool and drizzly conditions greeting us but being a resilient team of drinkers, we nary felt a drop. We opened with strong performances in the Pairs with Donna and her trademark model of consistency leading the way with her bowls, rooster tails and all, swallowing up the jack like Brent eating one of his veggie dogs at the lunch break.
Unfortunately, due to the damp conditions many players were frustrated and had difficulty adjusting, with some bowls actually being released into the ditch behind the actual delivering player, OH MY, where’s the GRIPPO, or is that Grappa, when you need it ? 😊😊
In any event Team Jansen did not succumb to the elements and as the Triples came up along with the Singles matches, we were well placed to continue our march to victory. I must say that thanks to Karen and her incredible ability to set the head for the Team very little was needed in support except to conserve that which Karen had set.
When all was said and done Team Jansen only had to secure a victory in the Fours to take the overall Championship and once again it was a total team effort with the whole team contributing to build great heads and the Skipper coming through when most needed (signing the official score card at the end of the game….😊.)
In the end Team Jansen was the only undefeated team in the competition. Not only were we the best team but we also took home the 50/50, much to everyone else’s dismay.
I have to say that what took place on the greens at JDFLBC pales compared to the opportunity to be with friends and fellow competitors for such a great cause. It seemed more like a social gathering with long lost friends, and it truly was more than bowling, it was a coming together of community.
A big thank you to Harry, and all the volunteers at JDFLBC, for another amazing weekend of bowls. I am sure Team Jansen will be back to defend next year.
Until next year, fare ye well.
Reporting by Bobbi-Jean Charlton
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Bobbi-Jean modestly fails to mention her own outstanding play. Brent J. tells me he glanced over to the adjacent rink where she was playing Singles to see the jack surrounded by Bobbi’s four bowls completely excluding her hapless opponent. Editor
You can pause the triumphal music now . . .