Deaf champions strike it lucky for national honours

From: Orange Central Western Daily - Orange,New South Wales,Australia - Apr 12, 2004

By Michelle Cook
Monday, 12 April 2004

ORANGE'S David Hayward came close but just missed out on winning the men's individual title at the National Deaf Championships being held at the Orange Tenpin Bowl this Easter long weekend.

Hayward (pictured) was beaten by Canberra's Roger Ashworth who last won the title in 1997 in Perth.

After 12 qualifying games with handicap Ashworth held the top place with a total pinfall of 2875. Gary Whittaker was second on 2868 and Hayward was third on 2835.

Hayward won the first stepladder final 220 pins over Terry Curler with 208 and Mark Adams with 178.

In the second stepladder Hayward again proved too good winning 184 to Gary Whittaker's 181.

The final between Ashworth and Hayward was expected to be close with both players having won the title once before, Ashworth in 1997 and Hayward in 1996.

Hayward gave himself a good start closing the first five frames while Ashworth opened the third and fourth frames. On the sixth frame Hayward picked up only one pin from the three remaining which gave him an open frame and virtually handed the crown to Ashworth.

In the end Ashworth won 189 to Hayward's 181.

The singles are handicap events so Hayward played off five and every other competitor had more than 15 pins start on him every game.

The ladies' individual event was completed yesterday with Melbourne's Glenda Smeaton the eventual winner.

Smeaton qualified first in the ladies with a total pinfall of 2899.

In the first stepladder Sylvia Gusts scored 221 with handicap to beat Tracy Rogers on 194 and Jina Chapman on 182.

Gusts then lost to second top qualifier Maria Lampard 200 to 199.

The final between Smeaton and Lampard was almost as close but Smeaton managed to win her first National Deaf Championships ladies' individual title bowling 210 to Lampard's 206.

Today the top eight qualifiers from both the men and women will bowl in the masters event.

Hayward is expected to dominate the men's masters event as it is played off scratch rather than handicap.

© Copyright 2000 by Rural Press Ltd