Dramatic finish to Central Open Singles
(left to right) Jim Gryzybowski, Rob Behncke, Max Cavender, Steve Nelson
A field of 10 players competed over two days in the Central Open Singles event held at Milwaukee Lake Park LBC. The finals came down to a duel between Team USA member Steve Nelson and 20-year old Max Cavender, who recently returned from an extended bowls odyssey in Australia.
The lead seesawed back and forth in the 16-point final with Nelson leading at 11-9 before Cavender scored 5 unanswered points. Nelson rebounded to count two and close within 13-14. In the next end Nelson drew a bowl to two inches in front of the jack. Not to be outdone Cavender responded by drawing his third bowl one inch behind the jack. Nelson's fourth bowl reached Cavender's shot bowl and rolled it over once to lie two. Cavender faced a narrow head and missed slightly wide on the forehand. Nelson took the lead 15-14. A dramatic finish was still in store.
Nelson rolled a jack to the 3-meter mark and drew to 12 inches left front of the jack. On his second bowl Cavender's slight over-draw moved the jack a foot and he came to rest a few inches left-front of the jack. Nelson's third bowl reached the jack, moving it a foot but his bowl rolled through to rest 1-1/2 feet behind the jack. Cavender appeared to have shot by an inch or so. Not counting on any close measures, Cavender drew his third bowl within a foot, lying one and likely sitting on game with two shots. Down to his last bowl, Nelson adjusted his weight and drew a toucher with 1/2 the jack explosed left-rear. Cavender had last bowl to play.
Cavender carefully examined his options. An on-target weighted shot would have a good chance to kill the end, or an overdraw could push the jack to the left rear where Cavender had a bowl. Upon delivery it was clear Cavender had opted for the weighted shot, which was well grassed. It struck the shot bowl driving it into the ditch and sprung the jack. The jack went into the ditch a few inches from the boundary line but with enough force to carry out of bounds. The jack hit a support brace in the ditch and rebounded towards Nelson's live bowl in the ditch. One point Nelson. Game 16-14.
Final standings:Championship flight: 1st- Steve Nelson, 2nd- Max Cavender, 3rd- Rob Behncke, 4th- Jim Grzybowski1st Flight: 1st- Ted Bailey; 2nd- Leif Andresen2nd Flight: 1st- Rebecca Nguyen; 2nd- Paul LegwinskiAlso competing: Glorianne Mather and Ken Koenig
