Title Is Within Eric's Reach

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday January 3, 2008

By PAUL ZALUNARDO

A FORMER South African international who now calls Warilla home is three wins away from the Illawarra's most prestigious tournament bowls title.

Eric Johannes enjoyed three strong wins in post-sectional singles play of the South Pacific Carnival yesterday, setting himself up for a run at Saturday's final.

Johannes' quiet nature and his work with young bowlers have made him a well-liked member of the Illawarra bowls community.

He still has work to do to secure the title, but six of the nine wins he needs are out of the way.

After enjoying a stress-free day of sectional play, Johannes started yesterday with a 25-14 win over Wollongong RSL bowler Craig Roberts. A 25-11 win over St Johns Park giant killer Julio Posadas was next, before Johannes completed his day with a 25-14 victory over Wiseman Park-Wollongong City bowls co-ordinator Dave Kelly.

After watching his son Kyle play a fours semi-final today, Johannes will play Cabramatta's Steve Swan when singles resume tomorrow.

Johannes' stress free day was in stark contrast to 2006 winner Matt Sargeant.

Towradgi Park's Brian Harriott beat Sargeant 25-15 in the morning match, opening up the top part of the draw.

Posadas, who eliminated Shane Garvey in sectional play, upset Warilla bowler Paul Woods before meeting his match against Johannes.

The remaining quarter-finalists include Ellem brothers Daniel and Tom, unheralded Wollongong RSL bowler Gordon Young and tournament regular Scott Bateup.

Illawarra bowlers Brian Entwistle and Harriott complete the list from which the event winner will emerge.

Harriott scored a thrilling 25-24 win over Brian Constable in their round of 16 meeting at Bellambi.

Day six results

Post-sectional singles.

Round One.

Brett Pieper (Bomaderry) bt Noel Davis (Towradgi) 25-18.

Brian Harriott (Towradgi Park) bt Matt Sargeant (Thirroul) 25-15.

Trent McMillan (Corrimal) bt John Harriott (Fairy Meadow) 25-15.

Brian Constable (WP-WC) bt Mick Duprez (Albion Park) 25-21.

Wesley Falconer (Shellharbour) bt Mick Chapman (Taren Point) 25-11.

Brad Rossiter (Albion Park) bt Dave Robertson (Thirroul) forfeit.

Scott Bateup (Roselands) bt John Parkinson (St Johns Park) 25-18.

Robin Smith (Wollongong RSL) bt Jim Muir (Bellambi) 25-23.

Tom Ellem (Towradgi Park) bt Alan Thayer (Albion Park) 25-13.

Paul Williams (Halekulani) bt Ken Emura (North Sydney) 25-13.

Peter Delamont (St Johns Park) bt Dave Reilly (Wollongong RSL) 25-9.

Keith Kelton (Bellambi) bt Mick Wolter (Merrylands) 25-13.

Dave Ward (Jamberoo) bt Col Hayward (Parkes) 25-24.

Trevor Gillis (Albion Park) bt Ken Hignett (Mosman) 25-10.

Brian Entwistle (Dapto) bt Bill Fisk (Wollongong RSL) 25-10.

Warren Hamilton (Bulli) bt Don Gillespie (Dapto) 25-7.

Brian Suckley (Dapto) bt Phil Argue (Windang) 25-18.

Steve Swan (Cabramatta) bt William Gorrison (Kiama) 25-14.

Terry Stewart (Bellambi) bt Ross James (Bathurst City) 25-22.

Mark Larsen (Oak Flats) bt Carl Stone (WP-WC) 25-22.

Eric Johannes (Warilla) bt Craig Roberts (Wollongong RSL) 25-14.

Julio Posadas (St Johns Park) bt Paul Woods (Warilla) 25-16.

Graham Hamilton (Dapto Citizens) bt Jim Kambouris (Orb) 25-18.

Dave Kelly (WP-WC) bt Dennis Skinner (Greenwell Point) 25-23.

Anthony Moran (Engadine) bt Chris Brownlie (Kiama) 25-15.

Gordon Young (Wollongong RSL) bt Pedro Rudd (Coolamon) 25-19.

Peter Grubb (Fairy Meadow) bt George Brown (Dapto Citizens) 25-17.

John Ritchie (Warilla) bt Ken Pepper (Kiama) 25-12.

Round Two.

Brian Harriott (Towradgi Park) bt Brett Pieper (Bomaderry) 25-23.

Brian Constable (WP-WC) bt Trent McMillan (Corrimal) 25-23.

Brad Rossiter (Albion Park) bt Wesley Falconer (Shellharbour) 25-7.

Scott Bateup (Roselands) bt Robin Smith (Wollongong RSL) 25-4.

Tom Ellem (Towradgi Park) bt Paul Williams (Halekulani) 25-15.

Peter Delamont (St Johns Park) bt Keith Kelton (Bellambi) 25-21.

Trevor Gillis (Albion Park) bt Dave Ward (Jamberoo) 25-5.

Brian Entwistle (Dapto) bt Warren Hamilton (Bulli) 25-18.

Steve Swan (Cabramatta) bt Brian Suckley (Dapto) 25-22.

Mark Larsen (Oak Flats) bt Terry Stewart (Bellambi) 25-17.

Eric Johannes (Warilla) bt Julio Posadas (St Johns Park) 25-11.

Dave Kelly (WP-WC) bt Graham Hamilton (Dapto Citizens) 25-16.

Gordon Young (Wollongong RSL) bt Anthony Moran (Engadine) 25-20.

Peter Grubb (Fairy Meadow) bt John Ritchie (Warilla) 25-17.

John Mulholland (Warilla) bt Pedro Torres (Wollongong RSL) 25-19.

Daniel Ellem (Merrylands) bt Jesse Noronha (Warilla) 25-17.

Round Three.

Brian Harriott (Towradgi Park) bt Brian Constable (WP-WC) 25-24.

Scott Bateup (Roselands) bt Brad Rossiter (Albion Park) 25-11.

Tom Ellem (Towradgi Park) bt Peter Delamont (St Johns Park) 25-10.

Brian Entwistle (Dapto) bt Trevor Gillis (Albion Park) 25-22.

Steve Swan (Cabramatta) bt Mark Larsen (Oak Flats) 25-19.

Eric Johannes (Warilla) bt Dave Kelly (WP-WC) 25-14.

Gordon Young (Wollongong RSL) bt Peter Grubb (Fairy Meadow) 25-13.

Daniel Ellem (Merrylands) bt John Mulholland (Warilla) 25-14.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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