Kerang Golf
THE Club Championships were completed on Friday and both the defending champions were defeated.Congratulations to Carol Pay, who defeated Lorraine Ritchie in the morning, after a titanic battle over 32 ends. The scores were tied at 20-all and Carol got to 24, before Lorraine scored a three.
Carol played a beautiful second bowl on the last end, which sat only inches from the kitty. As good as Lorraine’s next two bowls were, the shot remained and Carol became the Kerang Golf Bowls Club ladies champion for 2022/23.
Well done to both bowlers for entertaining the crowd with some excellent bowling.
In contrast, later in the day, the men’s championship was a somewhat one-sided match, with Frank Ritchie being too steady for Howard McClelland with the score being 25/11.
After a slow start Frank found his range and Aldo wasn’t able to counter Frank’s consistency. A great crowd turned up to witness the game, which was pleasing to see.
Congratulations to the new club champions – it is Carol’s third time and Frank’s seventh as club champion, with Frank’s first title back in 1997/98.
Back to Saturday Pennant this week with the Division 1 team hosting Leitchville. Ritchie led his rink to a comfortable win over Peter Griffiths by nine shots and Lloyd Murray’s team won by eight shots against Tony Cantwell.
A loss to Howard McClelland against Roma Opie by five shots gave Kerang Golf the 10 important points in their quest for a top four position. Games against Kerang and Cohuna Golf over the next two Saturdays will determine the final four in this division.
Division 2 travelled to Barham for their first game at the new complex and although Ronnie McKerrow’s rink had a big win, by 13 shots, and subsequently the winners of the Royal Hotel vouchers for this week, the other two rinks went down, with the Barham 2 team winning overall 76/55. Well done to Ronnie, Mick Pors, Jeff Anderson and Sonia McLeish.
Division 3 were also at home to Kerang 4 and had an interesting game all afternoon, with Kerang Golf having one rink well up and Kerang 4 having a similar situation, with the other rink reasonably close. At the conclusion, Kerang Golf won overall by three shots in a tight finish.
Noel Robertson’s team won by nine shots and Rob Malseed’s rink was four shots up at the finish. For Kerang 4, Gayle Teasdale’s team tried valiantly to overhaul the 13 shot deficit, but could only win by 10 shots in an enthralling contest.
The Midweek Pennant team continued on their winning way against Pyramid Hill, with Lorraine Ritchie winning 39/10 and Judy McKerrow being nine shots up at the finish.
This week’s teams, to play at home, against Barham 2, are Judy McKerrow, Rosie Laughlin, Joyce Tuohey and Lorraine Douglass. Team 2 is Lorraine Ritchie, Sonia Tuohey, Marlene Rawson and Allison Medson.
At a regional level, Allison Medson travelled to Murray Downs on Sunday to compete in the Murray Mallee Novice Singles Final and won in convincing fashion, 21/8 over her Murray Valley opponent. Congratulations to Allison who is only new to the game and is not a novice anymore.
Our first night of the Ian “Squizzy” Taylor Barefoot Bowls was completed last Wednesday evening.
Playing on the recently renovated green saw the current holders of the shield, the Royal Hotel, start their title defence in great fashion, winning both their games for 31 points and the Choice Cut Butchers vouchers. Well done Rob Fisher, Paul Saunders, David Conlan and Richard Murray.
Runners-Up on a countback with 30 points and 10 shots up was the Crackerjacks – Aaron Lancaster, Heath O’Brien, Shane Waddingham and Mick Fisher. Stace’s Mob just missed out, winning their two games, but only seven shots up.
Encouragement chocolates this week to Spinsky Mac, but Dale assures this scribe that he has recruited a secret weapon for next week.
Thursday bowls was enjoyed by 13 players who had the first bowl on the recently top-dressed Westland Green. The winners were Rob Malseed and Marlene Rawson, who were the only two game winners.
The runners-up were Noel Robertson, Rosie Laughlin and Ken Pay, with a draw and a win. The encouragement chocolates to Rob Fisher and Trevor Burmeister.
No Thursday Social this week because of the Australia Day Triples tournament. Thanks to Kerang for postponing their On the Green bowls on this day, in support of our tournament.
It is good to see the club games, especially the B Grade Singles, advancing to the next round. Pairs matches have been given a little grace, but must be completed this week.
The Greenwood Australia Day Triples, sponsored by Arnoldt and Greenwood are on this Thursday. If you wish to play, get in quick to Aldo 0407 310 762 or Frank 0409 439 029.
Coming events include the next Royal Night on Saturday, February 4, the Club Mixed Pairs night on Monday, February 13, followed by the Terry White Triples Day on Thursday, February 16 and our Anzac Day Triples on April 25. There will be info on the noticeboard for all these events.
