14/06/2026
GREAT PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE GREATEST
By Warren Beeby
Orazio Alessi, representing the minnow Seaforth Bowling Club, scored more points than anyone else against Cory Wedlock in the knock-out matches at the Australian Open at Robina yesterday. Wedlock had to win three games to progress to the third round of the Open and the two other players he met couldn’t get as close as Orazio’s 14-21. This followed son Marc’s 16-21 performance against Wedlock the previous Saturday.
The match started in typical Orazio fashion. Cory won the toss and graciously handed the mat to Orazio, who returned the favour by immediately rolling the Jack out of bounds.
After that, he had the Champ perplexed, winning the first five ends for a 6-0 lead.
The greens were fast and true and running at about 16 seconds. It was a good match played in a good spirit. At one point Corey’s Aunty came across and told Orazio how well she thought he was playing. He did bowl well but wasn’t able to keep it up for the whole match. He was happy when he got past the magical 10 shots (below which nobody likes to finish) and then lost a little focus.
The World Number One singles player never faltered. He didn’t bowl a bad shot. In fact, the better Orazio played the more inventive and precise Cory became. Twice Orazio was holding “resting touchers” and Cory came in with delicately weighted shots, spilled the Jack into the open and scored three shots both times. On another end Cory drove the jack out of play and when it was re-spotted on the T, Orazio was down another three.
The match went to 22 ends, and the score card (above) shows Orazio and Wedlock each won 11. Great effort by Orazio. Unfortunately, Cory Wedlock’s 11 ends included four threes.
Orazio was more than happy with himself because he only rolled the Jack out of bounds three times compared with six last Sunday. Jack-rolling lessons can be arranged at Seaforth.
