Berkeley Records First Victory over San Francisco in Annual Challenge

The Bay Bridge Challenge between Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club and San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club started in 2013. San Francisco won the tournament four years in a row. On Sunday, September 10, Berkeley put an end to the SFLBC dynasty!

All three BLBC teams won their matches in the morning:

Team Jim Corr, Giulia Gallo and Xian Zhi Luo defeated Mo Shooer, Aaron Rezendez, and John Grimes (21 to 12).

Team John Hooper, Cathy Dinnean (subbing at the last minute for Gordon Wilson) and Laile Giansetto bested Andy Vevers, Ginger Harris and Rod Arriaga (14 to 6).

Team John Luster, Frankie Napoli and Annie Brillhart came out on top against Larry Collaco, Oscar Collaco and Sebastian Sciacca (12 to 11).

A tip ‘o the hat to John Luster. With his team down three points on the last end, and both teams having two bowls each within 6 inches of the jack, John put in three perfect bowls, creating a situation of three and a measure. After some very careful measuring, SF agreed that Berkeley were holding four for the win. A wonderful finish to a hard-fought game.

Whatever the SF bowlers had for lunch, it worked, as they came storming back in the afternoon, with two substantial wins. Fortunately, for Berkeley the last result of the day was a victory for John Hooper’s team over the SF team skipped by Aaron Mendez.

With that afternoon win, Berkeley triumphed 4 games to 2 on the day.

Left to right. San Francisco LBC: Front: Larry, Sebastian, Oscar, Rod, Ginger. Back: John, Andy, Mo, Aaron.
Berkeley LBC: Front: Cathy, Jim, Giulia, John, Luo. Back: John L, Frankie, Annie, Laile.
Jim Corr and Rod Arriaga shake hands… the Bay Bridge Challenge will stay in Berkeley this year!!!