CONTENDER: Bernie Diduszko (pictured) and Gerard Beath are in the running for a fourth Golden Eagle when they tackle the 2013 competition’s semi-finals today. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0227sgeagle2
AFTER winning their section by the skin of their teeth, three-time Konami City of Orange Golden Eagle Pairs Classic champions Bernie Diduszko and Gerard Beath are looming large as the combination to beat.
Heading into the final day of the 2013 Eagle today, Beath and Diduszko take on the North Sydney team of Jamen Lewis and Tomas Nathan in this morning’s semi-final.
But it might never have been.
The champion Molong-Cowra connection needed to win their final section two game while also relying on firm group favourites Barry Lambert and Paul Gonzales to go down.
Unbelievably, it happened.
The three-time winners snuck through courtesy of an 11-shot final game win while Lambert-Gonzales lost by three, resulting in a favourable swing to Beath and Diduszko.
From there, Diduszko and Beath cruised through their quarter-final, winning 22-9.
Today’s semi-final opponents Lewis and Nathan fought hard against Mick Djatschenko and Steve Galvin, scraping through 19-17 after a tense final end.
The Orange City paring of Glen Robinson and Bob Wilson survived a quarter-final scare against Gerard Kebourian and Brandan Brown, winning 19-16 thanks to some vintage bowls from skip Wilson.
They’ll take on section seven winners Glen Raymond and Phil Westcott, from Mount Lewis and Ashfield, in today’s other semi-final after they fended off the challenge from wildcards Graham Barby and Col Hayward 29-9.
The semi-finals of the 2013 Golden Eagle begin from 8.45am today.
The final will start from 1.30pm at the Orange City Bowling Club.