Held earlier this month at the Timaru Bowling Club, the road to the final was a test of patience as much as skill.
After rain delayed the post-section play for three weeks, a field originally consisting of 44 teams was eventually whittled down to 14 finalists for the knockout stages.
The championship match had the Geraldine duo face off against Kia Toa’s Shirley Moffatt and Jason Browning.
The contest began as a stalemate, with both sides locked at 2-all after two ends of high-quality, bowl-for-bowl play.
Browning appeared to take control on the third end, drawing two superb shots followed by a third from Moffatt.
However, Gallagher responded with a magnificent delivery to snatch the lead, 3-2.
The momentum shifted toward the Geraldine pair in the middle stages.
While Browning and Moffatt continued to draw well, Glendinning delivered a bomb on the fourth end to extend the lead.
He followed up on the fifth by capitalising on a sliced kitty to move ahead 7-2.
By the sixth end, Glendinning’s accuracy was undeniable, trailing the jack for three shots to take a commanding 10-2 lead.
Moffatt and Browning refused to concede, clawing back to 11-5 heading into the final end.
The Kia Toa pair held a possible five shots at the changeover.
However, the comeback fell just short.
Glendinning secured the fifth shot with his final delivery, sealing the victory and the championship.
The win marked a significant milestone for both players with Gallagher earning her ninth centre title and Glendinning celebrating his sixth South Canterbury title.
The pair would now set their sights on the national stage, representing South Canterbury at the New Zealand Champion of Champions Mixed Pairs final, to be held at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan Club this September.
Results:
Last 16:
Judy Keats and Kevin Stewart (Temuka) def. Carolyn Darby and Mick Ross (Temuka) 17-6.
Dave Curtis and Carol Fowler (Geraldine) def. Ron and Liz Law (Waimate) 13-2.
Roger Glendinning and Linda Gallagher (Geraldine) def. Adrian and Julie Robins (Waimate) 11-8.
Brain Rae and Lyn Wilkie Timaru won by default.
Peter Tutton and Lyn Hodges (West End) def. Dave Carey and Haley Grant (Temuka) 13-6.
Shirley Moffatt and Jason Browning (Kia Toa) def. Aaron Hall and Nicola Clark (Waimate) 13-8.
Sharon and Michael Leonard won by default.
Ray Christensen and Lyn Payne (Geraldine) def. Aaron Segar and Bridget Kitching 12-7.
Quarter-final:
Keats def. Curtis 11-3.
Glendinning def. Rae 7-6.
Moffatt def. Tutton 8-3.
Leonard def. Christensen 18-16.
Semifinal:
Glendinning def. Keats 8-5.
Moffatt def. Leonard 12-9.
Final:
Glendinning def. Moffatt 11-9. — Richie Kerr
