Paul and Mike Walton win as open pairs bowls comp attracts a record turnout at Wonthella

The annual Drennan O’Malley Coastal Wealth Management open pairs drew a record turnout last Sunday at the Wonthella Bowling club as a record 36 sides competed.

Wonthella dad-and-son Paul and Mike Walton were the champions in an exciting final match.

There was strong representation from Geraldton, Denison and Mullewa and several other clubs at the one-day open.

The previous record for attendance at the long-standing event was 32 nominations in 2017.

The competition consists of four games played in different formats, with 10 points allocated for a win and a point for each end. Three of the competing combinations went undefeated on the day.

Mullewa top-liners Vince Knight and Terry Koltasz continued their solid form from recent weeks to claim second place ahead of last season’s winning combination of Kim Cross and Keith Vince, from Wonthella.

Kerry Easton and Mark Adams completed the podium positions with a consistent outing across the four games.

The AM prize for best team in the morning rounds went to last year’s fourth-placed pairing of Dave Melling and Colin O’Brien, who fell in the final round despite leading after the first three.

Geraldton’s Mike Ford and Geoff Ellis followed on from their first-place finish in the Harry Stanton open fours last week, completing the awards for the day with the PM prize for best bowlers in the afternoon.

Next weekend, Denison’s annual open Kaka Threes takes centre stage. Nominations close this Thursday at 5pm.

Premiership titles are on the line for both the men and women, with the Batavia Bowling League pennants season now on.

The first event of the men’s 18-round season will start at 2pm tomorrow.

The second round of the women’s season was due to run yesterday.

Geraldton Gold and Wonthella Gold won their derbies in last week’s season opener.

Northampton beat Denison in the country match-up.