AROUND THE GREENS

Winners – Judi Cummins, Lyn Ryan and Geoff Charlwood.

Runners Up – Tricia Murphy, Fran Smith, Barb Eberle and Dot Shanks.

Encouragement award – Jeanette Davies, Joyce Torpy and Jan White.

Yarrawonga Bowls

Pennant Results –

Midweek (Round 14)

Tuesday March 8 - A1 played Wodonga at home and lost by 15 shots with just the 1 rink getting up. Well done to Richard Hermassoo and team on their 18 shot win. Ladder Position 6th.

B1 played YMGCR at home and won by 9 shots with just the 1 rink getting up. Well done to Paul Kelly and team on their 15 shot win. Ladder Position 3rd.

This was the last game for the season apart from the finals. Congratulations to the B1’s on finishing 3rd.

Good bowling in the Elimination Final which will have been played by the time this goes to print. Results will be published next week.

To the A1’s finishing 6th well done, you never know what next season will bring. Thank you to the selectors for giving their time and endurance throughout the season, it was a very difficult one.

Remember, there wouldn’t be pennant teams if it wasn’t for them. Thank you to all players for making themselves available and thank you to the side captains, emergencies, bar staff, raffle organisers and everyone that was involved in any way.

Weekend Pennant

Saturday March 13 - B2 played in the Elimination Final against St James on the YMGCR greens. Yarrawonga won 63/14 to 35/0 with all 3 rinks getting up. The best winning rink was Paul Kelly’s team getting up by 24 shots and dominating right from the start, a great effort!

Mick Dixon’s team got stuck on 4 for 6 ends and was 7 down after the 11th end. Once they got off the 4 they got back on track and by the last end they had managed to narrow the gap to 1 down. They then got 4 shots to win their rink, well done!

Ted Edwards rink was similar to Mick Dixon’s but the opposite way around with St James getting stuck on 4 for 7 ends.

Once the St James team got off the 4, they made the charge and got to within 1 shot of the win. Well done Ted for stepping up to skip and well one team.

Congratulations to all the players to get through to the Preliminary Final. The Preliminary Final will be played at YMGCR against ClubMulwala on Saturday, March 20 at 1pm.

Thank you to the members that came to support the B2’s, it was great to see.

Social bowls results –

Monday, March 7 - 2-4-2 Winners – Gary Presnall and Ray Irvine. The Jackpot was not claimed and will be carried over to next Monday.

Wednesday, March 9 was the last 2 Bowl Triples Tournament at the club for this season. Thank you to Cellarbrations for sponsoring again this month.

Thank you also to all the sponsors throughout the season, it is very much appreciated.

Winners – L. McDonald, G. Sanders and G. Oakes. 2nd – C. Langdon, G. Goudie and M.Scown. 3rd – Sue and Kim Lefevre and Les Spencer. Best 1st, 2nd, 3rd game winners were the teams of: G McDonald, Rob Tait, and Frank Lieberg.

The best 4th game couldn’t be split and was shared by Ian Woods and Alan Goudge’s teams.

Thursday, March 10 - Twilight/Barefoot Bowls Winners – Heather Gain, Keith Rate and David Smith. Runners Up – Brian Quinn, Leonie Harris and Noeleen Borg.

This week’s games –

Weekend Pennant –

Saturday, March 20 - B2 play in the Preliminary Final.

Social Bowls –

Thursday, March 17 - Twilight/Barefoot bowls. All players must be aged 12 years and older to play and prove they are double

Vaccinated. $5 per player, 6pm Sausage Sizzle for a 6.30pm start. Names need to be down by 5.30pm.

Monday, March 21 - 2-4-2 with a 12.30 pm start. Names need to be down by 11am on the day.

For your diary –

Edinburgh Shield, April 9 and 10. (Salads will be needed for Saturday and helpers for Saturday and Sunday. There is a sheet up for those willing to help out or contact Kay Tait on 0487135489.)

YBC Easter Tournament - April 15, 16, 17 and 18.

To any members that are not well at the moment, we wish you a speedy recovery.

To all, good health, good bowling and enjoy.

YMGCR Bowls

The last round of Midweek Pennant saw the two top teams in the A1’s face each other.

YMGCR versus Wangaratta played at Yarra, with YMGCR winning 10/76 to 4/66.

The positions on the ladder couldn’t change, so the game was a prelude to next week’s Qualifying Final.  Even though YMGCR has won both encounters this game will be tight as both teams have many top bowlers in their teams who on their day can rip the opposition apart.

Stuart McNeill’s rink were dominant all day with the whole team firing and they won 29/7. The other two rinks were in the contest all day but fell away in the last few ends. Sanders losing 23/29 and Miles losing 24/30. The final next week will be played at Benalla.

The A2’s played Benalla at home and won 10/56 to 4/54. Allan Goudge’s rink jumped out of the blocks and led from start to finish winning 23/14. Brown’s rink lost on the last end losing 17/19 and Bob Evans rink was getting a hiding but after a few chosen words of encouragement the team responded to lose 16/21.

Next week YMGCR play Moira at Benalla in the knockout Elimination Final.

The A3’s travelled to Benalla and won 12/78 to 2/48. Rob Hummel’s rink played excellent bowls and they won 36/16 (this score would’ve won them “RINK OF THE WEEK” but due to the Weekend Pennant not playing this highly regard prize cannot be given out this week...sorry).

Les Balfour ‘s rink also recorded a good win scoring 26/13; Danny McNeill lost 16/19, the team finish a very competitive 5th on the ladder.

The B1’s played Yarrawonga at Yarra and lost 4/51 to 10/60. Mary Essex a Yarrawonga synthetic green specialist came away with a good win 18/13 (maybe in the future any YMGCR teams that play Yarrawonga at Yarrawonga, Mary should be the first player picked).

Ross Lloyd’s rink got up in a close game winning 21/20 and YMGCR’s new “golden child” Mick Vaughan lost 12/27.

Overall, it was a good result on the day as many of the YMGCR team had never played there before and we all know it is a very tricky surface.

Weekend Pennant had two sides playing in the finals with the A2’s playing Myrtleford at Corowa Civic but alas they couldn’t get going and trailed all day to lose 57/90.

Best rink was Laureen Smith’s rink who battled on all day to lose 19/20. Their best bowler was Tony Durkin who still found sandwiches in his bag from last weeks game against Yackandandah.

Brown lost 16/23, Cat went down 12/20 and Rob Hummel lost 10/27.

Overall it was a very good season from the A2’s but unfortunately when the team were bad they were BAD and when they were good, they were unbeatable (the proof is in beating top side Corowa Civic twice and beat and drew against Wodonga).

It was the first time the side had played in the finals for many years and let’s hope it is the start of better things to come.

The other team in the finals were the A1’s who defeated Wangaratta for the first time this year to progress straight into the Grand Final in a fortnights time.

Young James Lefevre who was down and out last week came back fighting fit and beat Wang’s top skip 22/14. The rink started slowly and then won 10 shots in a row and then a little time later followed it with another 8 and they were never challenged again.

New skip Les Spencer’s rink jumped out of the blocks to lead after 8/0 after 4 ends, the game settled down until YMGCR got a 7 and that put them out to a 20/5 lead after12 ends.

With “Snodger” Lowrie playing the game of his life and well supported by Mick Szabo and Kenny Widdison, they had a comfortable win, 24/18.

It was the opposite in the ‘Disc’ Davies rink who got off to a slow start trailing 2/10 after 6 ends, but the rink has been in that position before and know how to get back into the contest and they did it again winning the next 8 ends to lead 13/10.

The game then tightened up and finished in a draw 16/16. Scott Widdison’s rink couldn’t get into the game but played it out to the very end when they won 3 out of the last 4 to go down 12/20.

So now the club wait to see who the Grand Final opposition will be. Wangaratta or Wodonga?

Last week was the final of the YMGCR Ladies Pairs and this year’s winners are Anne Miles and Clarie Sanders who beat last year’s winners Laureen Smuth and Rhonda Irvine.

Hot off the press Anne Miles has won the O&M Mixed Pairs Championship with Ian Brimblecomb (Wangaratta) defeating YMGCR pair of Les Spencer and Laureen Smith in a very high standard game winning 20/18.

Next Friday Social bowls will recommence so if you are looking for a game, a list will be available or ring Marie Morffew 0403371757 or Viki Withers 0429950920.

Also how about the club get Wednesday Social Bowls back up and going again now that Pennant has finished for a lot of members.

The club heard there was an Earthquake tremor on Saturday morning but the scribe has got it from a reliable source that it was actually Robert “Pinkie” Lidgerwood fell out of bed.....thanks for letting us know Kerry.

ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls

Tuesday, March 7 – Midweek Pennant Results – Round 14

Division A1 – ClubMulwala 51 (2) lost to Benalla 72 (12)

It was always going to be an uphill battle to overcome a quality side like Benalla on their home turf in the last game of the home and away season.

Although ClubMulwala had one rink up, the others were comprehensively beaten which made a favourable result impossible.

However, ClubMulwala should be proud of their season with five wins as this is a big improvement over last year. The clubs first season in the competition at this level, where they had just the one win and were lucky to avoid relegation.

The clubs 7th place finish was just a couple of points out of 5th and a single win out of a possible 4th place on the ladder.

Not a bad effort for a small club in comparison to those with large memberships to choose from. Well done for the season to the lads and ladies.

ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls congratulate YMGCR on their first-place finish in the home and away games and wish all the finalist good luck and good bowling in the coming weeks.

Results as follows:

Daryl Dighton, Peter Humphreys, Bev Norwood and Jan Martin 16 lost to Sharon Warfe, Karen Nicholls, Lorna Armstrong and Yvonne Capp 32.

Trevor Loe, Eugene Hodson, Mick Millsom and Kerry Merrett 18 defeated Ian Hobson, Kerri Leask, Ted Armstrong and Bill Armstrong 15.

Kay Smith, Graeme Arnold, Daryl Richmond and Stephen McPhee 17 lost to Peter Brock, David Lindsay, Richard Baulch and Brendan Rettke 25.

Ladder Position – 7.

Division B1 – ClubMulwala 79 (14) defeated Wareena Park 39 (0)

A very good year with the B1 side finishing on top of the ladder in the home and away games winning 12 of their 14 contests. Winning all three rinks comprehensively is a good way to finish off, however the work now gets a little more serious as the other finalists will be out to unseat ClubMulwala from the top position.

Cool heads, supporting each other within both the side and teamwork will see them through. Congratulations to you all, you deserve your chance at the finals. Good luck and good bowling.

Results as follows:

Barry Pitt, Jodi Powell,Anita Albert and Wade McPherson 23 defeated Terry Kirby, Jim Lamb, Gerda Vincent and Anna Allan 17.

Loris Lochhead, Jan Morton, Betty Richmond and Graham Albert 33 defeated Jan Nugent, Alice Dobson, Val Bussell and Neil Reid 12.

Cliff Morton, Malcolm Miller, Faye Cook and Judy Laughlin 23 defeated Walter Brett, Noel Nugent, Lola Clarke and Naome Thorburn 10.

Ladder Position – 1.

Division B2 – ClubMulwala 54 (0) lost to Beechworth 78 (14)

Overall results were shades of the A1 Midweek team from last year with just the one win. Unlike the 2020/2021 A1 Side the B2’s were never allowed to settle as they were used as a feeder side for the teams above them when others were not available.

Added to this ClubMulwala had a number of new players come to the club with varying degrees of experience who were tried out in positions which may have been unfamiliar to them, and also new players who had no previous experience whatsoever – all of whom will benefit greatly from this seasons experience.

This side should never underestimate how vital they are to the successes enjoyed by the club. Well done team.

ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls congratulate Chiltern who finished on top of the ladder in the home and away games and wish all finalists all the best in the coming weeks.

Results as follows:

Don Lockhart, Doug Chessum, Marg Pretty and Nicole McPherson 15 lost to Simon Kelly, Ian Murray, Heather Fitzpatrick and Ted Holman 30.

Wayne Dowsey, Ray Tovey, Barry Martin and Pam Lefevre 19 lost to Eathan Piddington, Tony Chambeyron, Joan Chambeyron and Christine Leentjes 24.

Joan Connor, Nola Mongor, Laurie Leary and Russell Cook 20 lost to Terry Bright, Barry Fitzpatrick, Lesley Smart and Michael O’Flaherty 24.

Ladder Position – 7.

Saturday, March 12 – Weekend Pennant – Elimination Final

Division A3 – ClubMulwala 82 (16) defeated Wangaratta 66 (2)

Obviously, being an Elimination Final, there was a good deal of pressure on both sides to win.

A loss brings to end your season and a win gives the opportunity to progress deeper into the finals.

The A3 side had not had the success they would have hoped for over the skilled Wangaratta bowlers losing by 11 points in round 3 and by a close 8 points in round 10.

In finals it is different and the players went into the game with a positive mindset and a will to win which made the difference on the day. A great side win by a team who were playing for each other.

Congratulations go to Moira who finished on top of the ladder in the home and away games.

Results as follows:

Daryl Dighton, Malcolm Miller, Peter Humphreys and Bev Norwood 24 defeated Gerald Brown, Terry Johnson, Terrence Corrigan and Michael Mackow 16.

Trevor Loe, Kerry Merrett, Mick Millsom and Jan Martin 24 defeated Brian Godfrey, Peter Selwood, Barbara McDonald and Tyson Chivers 12.

Kay Smith, Eugene Hodson, Betty Richmond and Stephen McPhee 16 lost to Gary Chambers, Renee Hill, Lorna Martinelli and Robert McCalman 21.

Mark Smith, Graeme Arnold, Daryl Richmond and Jan Morton 18 defeated Gary Fenlon, Brian Challman, Richard Allan and John Knight 17.

Position – Progress to Preliminary Final.

Division B2 – ClubMulwala 58 (4) lost to Chiltern 59 (10)

With two rinks up and one down it was a great effort by the B2 side who just went down in the last two ends of the game by a single shot overall.

In these last two ends ClubMulwala held shot on both occasions however Chiltern were able to produce two very good bowls to take the win and progress to the Grand Final.

The next finals game is make or break for this side and ClubMulwala must play cohesively as a team to make the most of their chances.

Results as follows:

James Murdoch, Jodi Powell, Faye Cook and Anita Albert 10 lost to Allan Hamilton, Colin Glanville, Ian Bell and Stephen Woodburne 30.

Sam Smith, Loris Lochhead, Bary Martin and Judy Laughlin 26 defeated Neil Martin, Ray Whybrow, Gerard Burdeu and Russell Maher 11.

Cliff Morton, Wayne Dowsey, Nola Mongor and Graham Albert 22 defeated Linda Dryden, Michelle Hamilton, Leonard Clearson and Alan Chick 18.

Position – Play in Preliminary Final.

Coming Up

Saturday, March 19 – Division A3 - Weekend Pennant Preliminary Final – ClubMulwala (away team) v Milawa at Wangaratta

Saturday, March 19 – Division B2 – Weekend Pennant Preliminary Final – ClubMulwala (home team) v Yarrawonga at YMGCR

Sunday, March 20 – Ladies and Men’s Pairs Finals – Commencing at 9.30am

DON’T FORGET

ANZAC – Remember Our Heroes Bowls Tournament – Saturday, April 23

2 x Bowl Mixed Triples – 3 x games of 12 ends – ‘Stand To’ at 9.30am sharp.

Entry - $60.00 per team – includes lunch – entries close Wednesday, April 20

Total prize money - $1500.

All bowlers welcome – contact Graeme Arnold on 0400 959 414.

That completes our bowls wrap for this week. Good days and good bowling to all.