Schraner rebounds on Day Two
Lee Schraner has made it two wins from two on the second day of the National Champion of Champions held at the Darwin Bowls & Social Club. These wins have put Schraner, from the Rosny Park Bowls Club, right back into the thick of things with only two rounds remaining.
Schraner started the day in 7th after winning one of his first three matches. In Round 4 he was matched up against home town hope Trystan Smallacombe, who was sitting 3rd after winning 2 matches on the first day. With hometown knowledge of the green this was a dangerous encounter for Schraner and a must win if he was to have a chance of a top three finish. And win he would, 21-12 and Schraner had moved up two spots to 5th.
The next match would be against Australian player Wayne Reudiger of South Australia. Reudiger had only one win on the board but with Commonwealth Games selection just around the corner, was keen to show the Australian selectors that he could perform again at this level. And at 8-0 Reudiger was flying and on his way to a second win. But Schraner was never going to simply lie down and what a turnaround it was. Schraner would pick up 21 shots and only lose two more to win 21-10. An amazing comeback that move up to 3rd in the overall standings.
Barrie Lester from Victoria, leads the way on 4 wins, then 4 players Clive Adams (WA), Schraner, Jono Davis (NSW) & Breeze Howard (ACT) are on 3 wins, all with a chance of taking the title. Round 6 sees Lester play Davis, Adams play Reudiger, Schraner vs Queensland’s Kurt Brown & Howard play Smallacombe. A Davis, Reudiger, Schraner win could see Schraner sit 2nd and a Round 7 match against Lester for the title. Well, almost Davis could still catch both of them on shots up, but there’s a chance in such a closely fought event.
Schraner was kind enough to answer some questions after the day’s play. “I’m just happy to be in the mix with two rounds to go. Today’s conditions were not as hot as the first day, which was certainly an advantage for me. The green is running 19 seconds, which is not something I expected”. When asked about the style of play Schraner was aware of what was doing the damage; “The best draw bowlers are the ones on top, the green is suited to their play. The atmosphere has been great, the locals have been very supportive, they are the best. But I’ve also had a lot of support from back home and I felt them behind me today.” When pressed on where he would finish, Schraner who has finished second in this event before was in a jovial mood; “Every cloud has a silver lining, maybe it’s another silver for me hahaha!” We’ll be hoping he can even sneak one place higher!
On the Women’s side of the draw, Tasmania’s Robyn Bassett was unable to play due to injury and its local hopeful Colleen Orr that leads the way. She has matches against Chloe Morrison from the ACT and Pauline Bourne from Western Australia, if she wins both of these she can’t be defeated. That would be a romantic scenario, a Northern Territory player taking the National crown in front of the Darwin faithful. With no Tasmanian representatives, maybe we could get behind the underdog and a win for the ages?
Good luck to all bowlers!
For all results, ladders and fixtures, go here; https://sportsdesq.sportstg.com/portal/index.cfm?fuseaction=competition&competitionID=18283&OrgID=16084&clubOrganisationId=0#fixtures
By David Genford
