The new generation of young bowlers are ready to challenge for a number of titles at the first Finals Day of the year, occupying three finals spots in the four premier competitions this Sunday July 7.
In the men’s National Singles, defending champion Ken Chan, a product of the Hong Kong Youth Team, will play his Kowloon Cricket Club teammate Jimmy Chiu in the Final. Chiu won the Singles title twice in 2001 and 2006.
Chan played against Yu Hon Ming of Tuen Mun Sports Club in the Semi-finals. He was 7:1 down after just four ends as he was struggling to get familiar with the green.
However, the situation changed dramatically once Chan adapted to the pace of the green. In a number of ends his last bowl served as a saviour, either cutting down the deficit or turning the head over completely.
It was not much surprise that the final results finished at 21:13.
In the other Semi-final, 2-time champion Jimmy Chiu from KCC defeated 2009 champion Heron Lau from Kowloon Bowling Green Club 21:14.
The other Finals involving young bowlers this weekend are the men’s and women’s National Triples.
For the men’s Final, the team representing Indian Recreation Club consists of three ex-Youth Team members, Howard Poon, Jonathan Law and Desmond Hau. While a girl’s Youth Team of Monica Ho, Andrea Chan and Vivian Yip will be challenging for the women’s Triples title.
The women National Singles will see a battle between two ex-Hong Kong internationals Anna Chan (Kowloon Bowling Green Club) and Elizabeth Cormack from KCC. Both players have never won a HKLBA National Singles before.
A number of other titles will also be decided on the Finals Day, which will be held at Craigengower Cricket Club in Causeway Bay. The morning session starts at 10.00am when the finals of men and women’s Novice Pairs and the Mixed Pairs will be played.
The 2.30 afternoon matches include the men and women National Singles and Triples.
This is the first of the two Finals Day organised by the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association this year, which group together the finals of all major lawn bowls competitions in one venue to attract more spectators.
Claudius Lam is an Officer with the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.
