Bowls

But then a change came over the game, Pressa led beautifully all day and being well backed up by Sugar and Szab’s and the enthusiastic skip, Scotty Widdison played some magic bowls and suddenly the whole demeanor of not only his rink but it passed onto the other three rinks.

From the 11th end Widdison’s rink won the next seven ends straight and took a commanding lead 16/10. They finished off a great day to win the last 2 ends to win 18/11.

Ryan ‘Disco’ Davies rink led for twenty ends out of the twenty-one. The rink of Disco, Stuart McNeill, Greg Green and Clarie Sanders started out very strong but when you play one of the O&M’s best skips in Mason Bayliss he will always be in the game and you never feel safe.

After the 5th end Wodonga took the lead 3/4 and then Disco’s rink got on top to drew away to lead 11/4.

Then Wodonga picked up a 4 and followed up with another 2 to trail 11/10, but on the 12 end YMGCR broke the game wide open picking up a 6 and Wodonga got a two on the next end. Disco then took the game out of Wodonga’s reach winning the next four ends and winning 22/16.

Claire who had a blinder had bowls in the head all day well supported by Greg who was always around the mark and Stewie and Disco playing telling bowls in very important times of the game.

Jimmy Lefevre’s rink of Rod Jones, Andy Lefevre and Garry Sanders drew world champion Kylie Whitehead and got an early jump but after five ends scores were level with four apiece. The next three ends Jim was holding really good multiple shots only to be denied by the world champ, but they were only picking up singles and they lead 7/4.

Finally the tide started to turn and with Sanders giving the rink a consistent start pegged them back to lead 8/7.

But Wodonga rallied again picking up five over the next two ends, Jim picked up a two to be three shots down. From there each team picked up three each and with great support from Andy and the rink’s best bowler Roddy Jones (the scribe was told that from a reliable source...one Rod Jones) by the way he did bowl very well.

Then Jimmy hit the go button and the rink won three out of the last four to pull off a magnificent win against a top rink and YMGCR won 20/17.

The rink of Les Spencer, Ken Widdison,’Snodger’ Lowrie and the new ‘Golden Child’ Micky Vaughan started slowly and trailed 2/8 after five ends, but they won the next three to trail 7/8 and get back into the game.

On the fourteenth end YMGCR drew level on 13/13 all but Wodonga rallied again and came away to win 23/11.

Thanks to all the supporters from the club and the other Yarrawonga clubs who made the effort to get behind the YMGCR team. The noise and the energy was fantastic and the scribe knows the team really did appreciate it.

This win is not only a triumph to the sixteen bowlers who were on the green representing YMGCR but to all the people behind the scenes. Ian Morffew who not only does the refreshments for all the buses every Saturday morning but with Marie and his merry group of helpers who organise the BBQ’s and any other functions the club have.

To the most popular people in the club who everyone loves... THE SELECTORS. These people are on a hiding to nothing every week and people take it personal when all they try to do is the best for the teams.

To Les Balfour and his group of highly train bus drivers, thanks for getting all of the teammates around the region safely.

Midweek Pennant Preliminary Final produced another top game with the game always in YMGCRs grasp winning 58/51, but with 3 ends to play the game was on a knife edge with Wodonga making there move with 3 ends to go were holding 4 shots.

Miles played the bowl of the season to draw second shot and kept the lead to 6 with two ends to go. Anne Miles rink were in a tight battle and after twelve ends YMGCR led 11/10, they then went on a winning run winning the next 5 ends to go to a 19/10 lead and they won 21/13.

Stuart McNeill jumped out early getting a 5 on the second end and after 7 ends led 11/4. YMGCR got out to a 9 shot lead several times, Wodonga made a late run to close within 4 but the rink settled to win 22/16.

Garry Sanders rink started out slowly and were 2/5 down, picking up a 3 to tie the game but Wodonga won the next 5 ends to lead 5/10.

YMGCR came back to take the lead 13/10 and when they looked like taking control Wodonga went on a scoring rampage to go to a 13/22 lead but the rink won the last two ends to lose 15/22.

Wednesday Social Bowls had 24 players and YMGCR had three 2 game winners. Runners up with +13 were Norm Winderbank and “T-Bone” Tony Durkin.

The winners with a +15 were two of the favourites in ‘Dougie Boy’ McTeir and Billy Butterworth. Les Balfour won the lucky number and Cat got 2nd prize.

Jackpot failed to go off, it will be close to $100 next week so get your name down to have a chance.

Friday Social Bowls had 32 bowlers and the winners were “T-Bone” Durkin and Evans and the runners up was Mick Reilly and good old Grumpy Loveridge and third went to Ross Lloyd and Les Wilson.

ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls

Tuesday, March 22 – Club Men’s and Ladies Pairs Championship Finals

The standard of bowls in the club was put on display by all participants in these Club Pairs Championships. Although the Ladies Pairs were easily won by the effervescent Kay Smith and Betty Richmond they did not have it their own way throughout the game.

Mother and daughter team Jan Morton and Jodi Powell tried hard however could not convert as critical times.

Betty Richmond has been bowling beautifully throughout the pennant season and she carried this form into the final putting on a bowling display which the spectators delighted in. Congratulations to all participants who made it to the Championship Grand Final.

Results as follows: Kay Smith and Betty Richmond 26 defeated Jan Morton and Jodi Powell 7.

In the Men’s section the game was very close throughout with both teams not giving an inch and the leader board changing throughout.

Eugene Hodson was probably the standout for this game although his partner Cliff Morton bowled beautifully also.

Daryl Dighton and Peter Humphreys were not giving up easily and put down some great bowls and were only beaten in the last couple of ends.

A great spectator game enjoyed by all those in attendance.

Results as follows: Eugene Hodson and Cliff Morton 17 defeated Dary Dighton and Peter Humphreys 15.

Saturday, March 26 – Weekend Pennant O&M Regions Pennant Grand Final

Division A3 – ClubMulwala 82 (14) defeated Moira 80 (4).

Coming from 4th position at the end of the home and away series to win the Grand Final – does it get any better than that; probably not.

A lot would have pencilled in a win for Moira and quite rightly so. Moira are a great and proud club and have performed exceptionally well throughout the year.

Not only this but they are great people and fellow bowlers are very competitive in their approach to the game; which is how we like it.

The competitive nature of the players who are out there week in and week out playing for the side, the club, their fellow bowlers and themselves shone through on Grand Final Day and ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls deserved their win although it was by one of the narrowest margins in CMOB history.

On the second last end ClubMulwala squandered a good lead having only one bowl in the head which was beautifully dislodged by Moira skipper Peter Merkel scoring four shots for his team with the overall score now at 80 – 81 CMOB way.

It came down to the last end of the last game on the last rink to finish. ClubMulwala was one shot up and the thirds were bowling and were on the brink of defeat being 3 shots down – enter the Dragon Eugene Hodson. He was a good metre or two through with the first of his last bowls and something special was required.

Eugene’s last bowl of the day was a beauty drawn shot and a toucher at that. The only possible way the opposition skipper was to win the end and possibly the match was to dislodge the shot bowl (holding three seconds), or take the kitty into the ditch and possibly scoring two shots.

It was very difficult as there were several short bowls in play and although he tried it wasn’t to be.

Club Mulwala up by two shots.

Two rinks up, two shots up overall and it was a beautiful day. The club thank Ray Tovey who has been the emergency for the final series and also acknowledge the touching gesture by Trevor Loe who presented Ray with his Premiership medallion after the match in appreciation.

Ray was chuffed by this gesture.

This Grand Final win CMOB dedicate to esteemed past member and friend John Thurling. One for you John.

Results as follows:

Mark Smith, Malcolm Miller, Kerry Merrett and Faye Cook 18 lost to Ronald Arendt, Craig Nichols, Therese Alexander and Bernie Evans 19.

Gary Parker, Graeme Arnold, Daryl Richmond and Jan Morton 14 lost to Peter Armstrong, Vickie Armstrong, Harry Daley and Wendy Armstrong 23.

Trevor Loe, Sam Smith, Mick Millsom and Jan Martin 29 defeated Jeffrey Armstrong, Robert Miller, Barry Lewis and Robert Jones 18.

Kay Smith, Eugene Hodson, Betty Richmond and Stephen McPhee 21 defeated Peter Merkel, Wayne Johnson, Chris Nicholls and Robert Armstrong 20.

The club must thank all supporters throughout the year and a special mention must go to the wonderful Helen Thurling who has continued to turn up and support the club after the passing of dear friend; Helen’s husband John.

Another great supporter at the A3 games each week is the lovely Betty Hodson who is there to support her husband Eugene and the rest of the side. Thank you ladies.

Division B2 – ClubMulwala 60 (10) defeated Chiltern 54 (4)

Another Grand Final win by the club. This B2 side is just amazing in their approach to a game of bowls. Their opposition in Chiltern are a great club and were probably expected to win this premiership after having won 9 of their home and away games, with just two losses, one draw and two byes.

A great year by anyones expectations. Except the B2 side that is. They expect to win every time they play regardless of the reputation of their opponent.

They play for each other and they play for a side win as opposed to individual rink wins as it should be.

The overall result is what wins games and brings the results that win Grand Finals. If you are going to lose a rink; lose it by as little as possible and try to cover each other.

This is exactly what happened in this Grand Final. Although they had two rinks down those rinks lost by small numbers and were able to be covered by the rink that won. Congratulations must go to Cliff Morton and his team for a great win on their rink.

Cliff praised his team for their efforts and especially his third Wayne Dowsey.

They were well supported by club members who were not playing which is most appreciated. Thank you.

Results as follows:

Cliff Morton, Wayne Dowsey, Jodi Powell and Graham Albert 32 defeated Neil Martin, John O’Neill, Gerard Burdeu and Desmond Milthorpe 15.

Loris Lochhead, Joan Connor, Barry Martin and Judy Laughlin 17 lost to Allan Hamilton, Colin Glanville, Ray Whybrow and Stephen Woodburne 22.

Liz Murdoch, James Murdoch, Nola Mongor and Anita Albert 11 lost to Linda Dryden, Michelle Hamilton, Leonard Clearson and Barry Rogers 17.

Coming Up

Saturday, 2 and Sunday, April 3 – Club Mixed Pairs – Commencing at 9.30am

Remember the heroes Anzac Day bowls tournament to be held Saturday, April 23

‘Stand To’ at 9.30am sharp

2 Bowl Mixed Triples – 3 x games of 12 ends.

$60 per team entry – includes lunch – Entries close Wednesday, April 20.

Total prize money - $1500.

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

That wraps up what has been a very successful week for the club. Please stay safe and good bowling to all.

ClubMulwala Indoor Bowls

Monday – March 21

Winners – Marna Tomlinson, Lyn Harmer, Sue Stillard and Nanette Meany.

Thursday, March 24

Winners – Judi Cummins, Lyn Harmer, Sue Stillard and Noeline Leary.

Runners Up – Tricia Murphy, Margaret Hill, Joan Wilson and Geoff Charlwood.

Yarrawonga Bowls

Congratulations to Tim, Tyson and Kobie Cromie on being chosen in the Ovens and Murray team for the Bowls Victoria Region Sides Championship.

This is being held at Echuca/Moama over 3 days, April 8, 9 and 10. Good bowling to all.

Now that pennant has finished there is not a lot happening for the moment. The Club Triples and Fours are slowly progressing.

The club are also hoping to get some Social Bowls up and running (if we get names down) so keep an eye on the sheets for what’s on.

There are sheets up for emergencies to play if needed for the Easter Tournament.

Easter raffle/great prizes, have you returned your tickets yet? Plenty more tickets if needed.

The board has been quite proactive this season with a lot of much needed improvements happening around the club.

Some of the improvements being; concreting to even out the walkways on the east and west sides of the clubhouse.

Both the men’s and ladies toilets have been renovated (thanks to a much appreciated grant). New updated bar till, blinds and more.

Congratulations to ClubMulwala on winning both the A3 and B2 Pennant Finals at the weekend.

2 great games well fought out by Moira and Chiltern right to the end.

Congratulations to YMGCR A1 as well on their 7 shot win against Wodonga.

Social Bowls results –

Monday March 21 - 2-4-2 - Winners – Mick Reilly and B Irvine. Runners Up – Rob Tait and Pat O’Kane. The Jackpot was not claimed and will be carried over to next Monday.

Thursday March 24 - Twilight/Barefoot Bowls - Winners – Tony Arceri and Val Kennedy. Runners Up – John Shaw and Dave Claus.

This weeks games -

Thursday March 31 - 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. Theses nights are still getting good numbers and will keep going to the end of April, weather permitting.

Saturday April 2 - Social Bowls (format decided by numbers) 12.30pm start. Names need to be down by 11am on the day.

Monday April 4 - 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. (Salads will be needed for Good Friday and helpers over the 4 days)

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

To all, good health, good bowling and enjoy.