KERANG GOLF
A QUIET week on the Saturday Pennant front with our Division 2 team advancing directly to the Grand Final after winning the second semi-final the previous week.
However, after a NDPA ruling the Division 3 result has been reversed, with Wakool now having their win against our Division 3 team annulled, meaning Kerang Golf have now moved directly to that Grand Final game as well.
After the games on Saturday, Division 2 will play Cohuna Golf 3 and Division 3 will play Wakool 2. Good luck to all teams playing in the Grand Finals this weekend, especially to the Kerang Golf teams.
The Midweek teams both played in the first semi-finals at Pyramid Hill last Wednesday and, unfortunately, both succumbed to stronger teams on the day. Division 1 led by six shots at the break, but lost ground afterwards and lost by 55/74 to Barham. Frank Ritchie’s rink played a tied game at 26 all, Jimmy McLeish’s team was six shots in arrears at completion and Lloyd Murray’s team were over run on the last few ends.
Division 2 faced up to Leitchville and were out gunned from start to finish by a team who have improved markedly from the start of the year. David Randell’s team down by 11 shots and Judy McKerrow’s by 16.
This is the first time Kerang Golf have been represented in both Midweek Divisions and congratulations must go to the players for their commitment to the Midweek Pennant – well done.
Our fifth night of the Ian “Squizzy” Taylor Memorial Barefoot Bowls was completed last Wednesday evening.
The night’s winners were Ian’s Allstars, consisting of Ian and Andrew Charles, Lloyd Murray and Jordon “Bully” Robertson with a fine 34 points. It was great to see a couple of Andrew’s work colleagues joining in and having their first game of bowls.
Runners-up were Hirdy’s Buslines with 31 points. Chocolates to Paul’s Bowlers. Hirdy’s Buslines continue to lead the ladder with 138 points, from Royal Hotel on 126, Hayes Real Estate 122 and Ian’s Allstars on 109. Only three rounds to go, so it is going to be a close tussle to see who will get their name on “Squizzy’s” Shield at the end of the season.
Thursday Social was again played in sunny conditions and the winners were Jim McLeish and Allison Medson on a three way countback from Jeff Anderson and Sonia McLeish. Chocolates to Bryce McLeish and Marie Miller. All bowlers are welcome to play in our Thursday Social – register by 12.45 pm for a 1pm start.
Our club champions, Lloyd Murray and Carol Pay played in the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions on Sunday. Unfortunately, both were defeated in close, high quality games by Guy Treweek from Wakool and Som Pascoe (Kerang). Scores were Lloyd 21/25 and Carol 22/25. Well done to both on your performance in this event. Congratulations to the eventual winners, Brody Harker in the Men’s and Roma Opie in the Ladies.
Men’s Club matches have all progressed to the semi-final stage in the pairs, with both matches being played later this week. The 100 Up has Rob Fisher taking the first finals spot and the other place will be taken by the winner of the Frank Ritchie versus Craig Hicks semi-final.
Our Presentation Day and Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 13.
COHUNA
Ladies Pairs Final
IN an exciting contest that ebbed and flowed to the final one shot victory congratulations to Gaye Simms and Lisa Kerr as they defeated Sue Burgess and Corale Jones on the last bowl of the day.
Well done ladies, especially for the spirit of the game throughout, as Barb Hilderbrand wrote, “it was great to watch”.
Tuesday’s social bowls.(18/2)
While a terrific Social Bowling Day was enjoyed by members and visitors, some may have not noticed that as they arrived they were traversing a serious crime scene.
The final approach from the Island Road to our club has recently been altered with the installation of a new round-about that some, incidentally, have not been overly joyed with.
I for one am not aware of any serious or even minor accident at that point before it was installed. What is it with “Roads People” and their infatuation with roundabouts, is it a throwback from some childhood punishment having one foot nailed to the floor.
Regardless of the civic worth of the roundabout in lessening injuries and accidents it’s outstanding feature (apart from being a traffic hindrance that is) was that, from it’s well designed shrubbery rose up a magnificent artwork of three bold native wooden pillars.
Atop each pillar perched a stately native Ibis bird hand crafted out of Aussie Iron.
The Ibis is the official logo of our bowls club and lives on but those beautiful Ibis atop the native poles do not as they have apparently been stolen or flown away.
Anyone with information regarding this theft and vandalism, please call Crime Ctoppers or our local police.
Social Bowls – take two
Another perfect day, 19 players on a slick surface prepared by master greenkeeper “Brooksy”.
Winners on 49 points were Michael Carmody, Richard Flinders and again Marian Smith.
Runners-up were Mary Meredith, Alan Cooke and Ursula Kirby. Well done winners and all bowlers
Mid week semi-final (19/2)
DIV1: “Kerang1” 62 shots defeated “Cohuna1” 51 shots. Rick Parr Team won 20 shots to 13. Frank Tonn Team lost 14 shots to 29. Mike Hofman Team lost 17 shots to 20. As secretary, Barbara Hildebrand wrote: “It was a hard-fought match against Kerang today and even though scores were level towards the end, our Div1 Team went down by 11 shots.
They now play in the preliminary final against Barham at Cohuna Golf next Wednesday. Let’s get up and nail it next game then go onto re-match Kerang1 in the final at Barham on March 5.
Friday night casual bowl and budget tea
There was a big crowd on Prelim Friday Eve. Visitors from Cohuna Golf and Kerang having a practice, a few caravaners and potential “Born Again” past members Herman and Marion Borneman enjoyed the night and the company as they chatted to friends old and new.
Sat Prelim Final (22/2) DIV1: “COHUNA1” had a well-earned rest today and look forward to playing Barham2 in the Grand Final at Kerang on March 1st 1.30pm.
DIV2: So close and not so far off. After an exciting campaign with it’s fair share of up and downs, “Cohuna2” gracefully endured a final down to “CohunaGolf3” by 80 shots to our 41.and leaves the Premiership race to be decided between “CGolf3” and “Kerang3”.
Well done to those premiership teams and well done to our team on making the finals series.
Next year we go again, enjoying the competition, friendships and hopefully a GF spot.
All rinks today were soundly defeated by our well selected opponents.
”Doug Marshall’s Team” lost 12 shots against 30. “Noddy’s Team” lost 15 shots against 25“Geoff McIvor’s Team” lost 14 shots against 25.
DIV3: Again, so close and not so far off. A strategic Wakool team won 74 shots to 51 as they peppered the kitty with more accurate bowling “Geoff Gruar’s” Team had an exciting one shot victory 20 shots to 19. “Gail Anderson’s Team” lost by 15 (29 – 14). Good effort by first time Skipper Gail.
“Stephen Clark’s Team lost by 9 shots (26 – 17). A terrific effort by “Cohuna3” with a lot of players new to pennant that will front up again next year a bit wiser and because we have enjoyed the journey, good times and comradeship along the way. The GF will be “Wakool2” and “KerangGolf3” good luck to all.
COHUNA GOLF
ALTHOUGH the warmer weather reduces numbers at Tuesday social bowls, our ladies enjoyed a game of fours before the heat set in. Winners were Margot Henty, Liz Keely, Rhonda Bibby and Mary Rodwell.
Wednesday night bowlers enjoyed the near perfect conditions for their games, with round one of finals play on the program. Winners here were Leigh Johnson, Len Mathers and Mattie Heap, whilst ladder games went the way of Mal Appleby (Second Semi ) and Max Simmonds (First Semi). Second four winners were Margot Henty and Alan Cooke.
This week in preliminary final games, Dave McNamara meets Max Simmonds, with Steve Henty up against Alan Cooke.
Thursday pairs also suffered heat absenteeism, but had enough starters to almost fill a green. Winners here were Gavan Free and John Prout, with Col Anderson and Noelene Brown snatching the repechage cash.
Also on Thursday, Kerang’s Som Pascoe collected a wide ranging team of ladies to attend a fours tournament at Rich River, with our Mary Rodwell among their number. They teamed very well together, managing to snare the runners-up trophies.
Saturday pennant was deemed an early start at Cohuna due to the excessive heat forecast, but the hosts did extra well, having everything in readiness for a 9am start. We had two teams represented, and both did us proud.
Division Two met Cohuna, and from the first end slipped into top gear. All rinks went further ahead as the day went on, with all three recording big victories. Mal Appleby 25-15, Ian Morrison 25-14 and Greg Mathers 30-12 were all right on top of their games. The Bower vouchers for this Division went to Greg, Cheryle Baker, Noelene Brown and Alan Dunne.
The Northern Valley clash was a heart stopper. Our lads started well, then were overhauled by Murray Downs, only to fight back and gain the points on two rinks. Jarred Hammond up by ten and Bluey Fletcher home by three. This left Harrison Keely and team out on their own after multiple dead ends, to defend a margin of thirteen. With Josh Thornton drawing well, the gap began to narrow, with another two dead ends needed to stem the northener’s flying finish. Finally the 25 end mark was reached showing Harrison nine down, but more importantly, Cohuna Golf home by four overall.
The Bower vouchers here go to Gavan Free, John Keely, Craig Whittaker and Jarred Hammond.
Next week Division Two meet Kerang Golf at Kerang on Saturday, while the Northern Valley game will be between Golf and Kerang at Cohuna on Sunday. Why all games aren’t on Saturday remains a mystery, but that is what’s scheduled. Good luck to all our players.
We host the midweek preliminary finals on Wednesday, and hopefully will put on a good show. A few more helpers might be needed, see Yvonne if you are free to assist.
Bluey Fletcher met Brodie Harker on Sunday in the semi-final stage of the champion of champions, with Brodie coming up trumps, but only after a great game by both players. Brodie then went on to defeat Guy Treweek in the final, whilst Roma Opie defeated Som Pascoe to claim the ladies’ title.
NDPA
Preliminary Finals reviewed
ALL preliminary finals games were played early at Cohuna, with slick greens, heat and incessant wind making hard work for all participants.
The Northern Valley clash was the best game of the four, with Cohuna Golf sneaking home by four shots, with two rink wins. Play on all other rinks had ceased with the Keely-Thorton rink still needing to complete five ends due to a run of power driving, causing one dead end after another. The big gallery certainly were entertained as fortunes fluctuated wildly, but the end result saw the Golf home by four.
The Division One game was all Barham, continuing their great form from the previous week, this time against Wakool. All three Barham rinks were in good touch, recording double figure wins in each game. Dave Potter 30 to Ian Main 12, Bob Maud 22 to Guy Treweek 14 and Charlie Bagg 25 to Reagan Hamilton 13 summed up the day.
In Division Two Cohuna Golf played the hosts Cohuna, and they too were a class apart. Three big wins set them on a path to the grand final, with the rink of Greg Mathers setting the pace with an 18 shot victory over Doug Marshall. Appleby (+10) and Morrison (+11) rounded out the scorecard.
Cohuna figured again in Division Three, but the all powerful Wakool unit was back to their best after an unfortunate forfeit previously. Jeff Gruar gained early points for Cohuna with a one shot victory, but Steve Chalmers (+15) and Chris Mills (+9) assured a Wakool victory overall. They now meet Kerang Golf for this year’s bragging rights.
Grand Final Reviews:
THE Northern Valley Grand Final will be played separately to all other games, at Cohuna on Sunday at 1.30. Kerang meet Cohuna Golf for the third time in a month, with all honours to date going Kerang’s way. The end result could well be decided by which skippers can dominate their respective games, as position players are very well balanced between the two teams. Look for big games from Dale Hancock (Kerang) and Jarred Hammond (Golf) to set up the day.
Division One spearheads the Saturday program at Kerang, with Cohuna and Barham to duel for a pennant. Cohuna has done little wrong over the season, and must start favourite, but the Barham team has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, and will be well in contention, led by the strong Bob Maud rink. If Cohuna gets big games from skippers Parr and Reade they should sneak home, but on paper Barham have by far the more seasoned group of players.
In Division Two, Cohuna Golf get another crack at Kerang Golf, who turned them over easily on the Barham surface. Despite a cracking Cohuna Golf win this week, it appears that the depth of Kerang Golf, with Hayes, Gray and Beck foremost might repeat the previous result.
However, watch out for Cohuna Golf if their leaders and seconds get their draw game into action.
The final flag between Wakool and Kerang Golf should prove one of the games of the day. Both clubs have been able to bolster teams with ex division one players, lifting both the standard and intensity of play. Popular choices would be the Kerang side, who have had a very lean premiership run, but with both sides appearing equally strong a close finish can be anticipated, with Wakool a big chance to finish a couple of shots to the good.
