Jamie Maher and Jamie Woods kicked off the mornings action at the Airlie Beach Bowls Club, with a place in the preliminary final the reward for the winner.
Jamie Maher got out of the blocks early taking a slim 2/0 lead over Woodsy. Woodsy then took the 3rd leg, before Jamie went on a mini run to make it 4/1 at the break.
Woodsy looked a little out of sorts, and was doing all he could to stay in the contest when play resumed, but Jamie took full advantage of the situation, and claimed a spot in the preliminary final by winning the match 8/5.
Woodsy had a second bite of the cherry thanks to his top 4 finish this year, where he took on, and dispatched of, Kameron Reason by 9 legs to 2 in the 1st semi-final of the day.
Woodsy upped his game and had to, hitting a fine 180 to empathise the point, as Kam was putting in some very good performances over the back end of the season.
That win put an end to Kam’s season however, and sets up a mouth-watering clash between Woodsy and Dom Friend in the first prelim final next week, where we will say goodbye to one previous champion.
There was a 180 in the other semi-final also between Joe Wilson and Gary Robbie, which went the way of Gary, but unfortunately for Gaz, that’s all he would be celebrating on the day, as Joe claimed a solid 9/2 victory.
Joe will take on Jamie Maher in the other prelim final in a week’s time, where he will be looking to make his first grand final appearance, whereas Jamie on the other hand, will be looking for back to back grand final appearances, and a chance to go one better than his disappointing runner up finish from 2022.
In the two Hetlock Cup semi finals, Andy Peel defeated Jayden Lloyd by 6 legs to 2, and in the other semi, Hawkeye Rick reached his first final in his debut season, as he defeated Art McMinn by the same 6/2 scoreline. That sets up a Hetlock Cup final between Andy and Hawkeye next week.
The Premier League is sponsored by Mika Airlie, Whitsunday Tattooing Airlie Beach and Master Butchers Whitsunday & MBW On the Barbie.
Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher.
Kam Reason (L) walks away as Jamie Woods (R) sets himself at the oche. Photo supplied
