2011 Ararat Motor Group Setsplay Singles
Ararat Motor Group representative John Robertson congratulates the 2011 champion Clive Padgham (Warragul) and runner up Geoff Van Vugt (Clayton)
The finals for the 2011 Ararat Motor Group Setsplay Singles championship were concluded at the Ararat Bowls Club over the weekend - despite some very inclement weather on Sunday for the semi finals and grand final On Saturday the 32 sectional winners returned to Ararat to contest the knockout finals and attempt to become the 2011 champion. John Robertson from Ararat Motor Group presented all the sectional winners with a personalised championship cap and bottle of wine before conducting the draw for play. Three rounds of play were conducted on Saturday and the 32 were reduced down to four finalists for Sunday's play. The four finalists remaining at the end of Saturday's play were Geoff Van Vugt from Clayton, Clive Padgham from Warragul, Terry O'Farrell from City Oval Ballarat and the 2010 champion, David Ryan from North Balwyn. All four had to battle hard during Saturday's play and during various matches, all four were extended to the full three sets of play before winning through. Sunday greeted the four contenders with extremely wet weather and no play was possible before lunch. With a break in the weather and after some quick work with squeegees, the semi finals commenced shortly after midday. Geoff Van Vugt faced Terry O'Farrell in one semi final and in a see sawing match Van Vugt took out the third and deciding set 7shots to 6 to win a berth in the grand final. In the other semi final David Ryan and Clive Padgham also waged a three set war but it was Padgham who held his nerve and defeated the reigning champion in three tight sets. With a delayed start to Sunday's play and weather closing in the grand final was reduced to best of three sets instead of the traditional five. It was Padgham who found his line and length immediately and was playing with a great deal of confidence. Van Vugt never settled in the final, was unable to adjust to the conditions and didn't play to the standard he had displayed in reaching the final. In a clinical and ruthless display of bowling Padgham took out the 2011 title winning 7-1, 7-0 in double quick time. In accepting the $1000 prize money and trophy, Padgham acknowledged the sponsors of the event for their continued supported of the Setsplay Singles Championship and thanked the Ararat Bowls Club for the way the tournament was conducted.
Round of 32 Shane Todd def Tom Van Vugt 7-2, 7-0 Andrew Sharp def Bob Frka 6-7, 7-1, 7-0 Bruce Blenhein def Kevin Smith 7-6, 6-7, 7-2 Geoff Van Vugt def Peter Hamilton 7-4, 4-7, 7-1 Craig Bryant def Fred Reus 0-7, 7-2, 7-2 Tony Carra def John Clark 0-7, 7-2, 7-6 Ivan Rechielt def David Pietsch 5-7, 7-2, 7-3 Terry O'Farrell def Brendan Kaczynski 7-0, 7-0 Bill Tory def Greg Brown 7-1, 3-7, 7-3 Clive Padgham def Mike Kaczynski 7-4, 2-7, 7-6 Richard Fisher def Murray Jensen 7-3, 4-7, 7-2 Ron Laird def Shane Briggs 7-4, 7-5 Kevin McInnes def Roy Crawley 7-6, 7-1 Lew Day def geoff Vorwerk 7-0, 4-7, 7-3 David Ryan def Ron Walker 7-1, 1-7, 7-4 Craig Skene def Brett Tory 1-7, 7-5, 7-2 Round of 16
Andrew Sharp def Shane Todd 7-2, 7-3
Geoff Van Vugt def Bruce Blenheim 7-2, 7-6
Craig Bryant def Tony Carra 7-0, 7-5
Terry O'Farrell def Ivan Riechelt 7-3, 1-7, 7-5
Clive Padgham def Bill Tory 7-6, 2-7, 7-2
Ron Laird def Richard Fisher 7-1, 7-4
Kevin McInnes def Lew Day 7-3, 7-5
David Ryan def Craig Skene 7-6, 7-5
Quarter finals
Geoff Van Vugt def Andrew Sharp 7-0, 3-7, 7-6
Terry O'Farrell def Craig Bryant 4-7, 7-2, 7-5
Clive Padgham def Ron Laird 7-4, 7-1
David Ryan def Kevin McInnes 7-5, 7-3
Semi finals
Geoff Van Vugt def Terry O'Farrell 5-7, 7-1, 7-6
Clive Padgham def David Ryan 7-3, 4-7, 7-4
Grand final
Clive Padgham def Geoff Van Vugt 7-1, 7-0