THE Northern District Bowls Division held its Midweek Pennant grand finals on Wednesday at Kerang Bowling Club.
The eventual results saw premiership success for the second year in succession for Cohuna (Division 1) and Kerang Golf (Division 2).
It was no cakewalk for either, however, as opponents in both matches, Barham, were ultra competitive all day.
In Division 2, where only two rinks compete, the scores were complete opposites.
Golf’s Lorraine Ritchie matched Wendy Cook for the first 14 ends, but then the Barham combination drew away to win by six.
Similarly, but in reverse, Barham’s Bev Berry was right in her game at the break, but thereafter Joyce McKerrow and team drew away to win by eight. Despite some last end heroics from both Barham rinks, the final margin of just one shot cemented the win, and a premiership, for Kerang Golf after a thrilling battle.
Fortunes in Division 1 were also shared in exciting fashion right through their match.
Neither side could establish a lasting advantage, although a sizeable lead early to Barham’s Paul Clear looked promising.
That, together with all other scores, were soon levelled out, and with five ends remaining the winner was far from evident.
Final scores saw a tie between Frank Tonn and Paul Clear, a win by just three by Wayne Brooks (Cohuna) over Jean Fairchild, and a single shot Barham victory to Nick Jarman over Mike Hofman.
To sustained applause from supporters of both sides, Cohuna were premiers for this season.
To their credit, they had to put in a premiership finish, gaining some nine shots overall in the last three ends to clinch the title.
Barham also would have been more than worthy winners, but on the day lost no admirers after a great performance.
The match was a fitting finale to the season, the standard of bowls and sportsmanship a credit to all sides competing.
Match summaries:
Division 1: Cohuna 72 defeated Barham 70
F. Tonn 27 drew P. Clear 27
W. Brooks 25 d J. Fairchild 22
M. Hofman 20 lost to N. Jarman 21
Division 2: Kerang Golf 37 defeated Barham 36
J. McKerrow 21 d B. Berry 14
L. Ritchie 16 lost to W. Cook 22
