Cohuna
THERE were 12 bowls tragics who braved the heat, humidity and increasing wind to play 16 ends last Tuesday.
All survived, and the only two-game winning team was Jeff Gruar, Marian Smith and a travelling visitor, G. Smyth.
Unfortunately, Division 1 went down to Barham at Pyramid Hill last Wednesday in the Midweek Pennant semi-final. They have another chance, though, so good luck with this week’s game.
On Sunday, Kerang hosted the semi-finals and grand final of the Northern District Champion of Champions.
Cohuna’s men’s singles winner, Peter Van der Zan, was unable to take part.
However, our ladies singles winner, Rhonda Ballard, played very determinedly in her semi-final but went down to Jean Fairchild, from Barham. There was a great turnout of supporters from our club and everyone congratulates Rhonda on a huge effort.
Congratulations to the overall winners, Champion of Champions, Roma Opie from Leitchville and Brody Harker from Barham.
We are hosting the Saturday Pennant grand final on Saturday.
Club members will be working hard to ensure all goes smoothly for this major calendar event.
We wish all players the best of luck in their quest for the Pennant.
Kerang
KERANG Bowling Club had two teams vying for grand final berth out at the well-presented Kerang Golf Bowling Club and came up short in both campaigns.
Kerang 1 went down to a resurgent Kerang Golf outfit by two shots after leading for the lion’s share.
Kerang 2 had a close tussle for the duration and succumbed to the pressure applied by Cohuna Golf 2 by nine shots.
Kerang 1 had the lead for 95 per cent of the day and at one stage were up by 21 shots, but were still not on the podium after play. Tells an unadorned story, doesn’t it?
Team Wilson had a nine-shot win over Murray with team Hancock playing out a draw after leading by nine at one stage.
Team Pocock had a day they’d rather forget going down by 12 shots to Ritchie.
This puts a halt on the Kerang 1 season after showing a lot of promise during it. Just goes to show the ends after the break are just as important, if not more than the ones preceding it. A season of what-ifs.
Kerang 2 had a play date with the Cohuna Golf 2 side and came out of it to the negative by nine shots.
The match seesawed for much of the afternoon with the experienced campaigners of Couna Golf 2 getting the job done over our much beloved unit.
Team Pascoe was the lone ranger with a win in their rink with teams Frantz and Hein both down by nine and five shots respectively.
Kerang 2 had a good season with many players swinging in and out of the team, but still managed a level of consistency to be a threat to the premiership.
So all our attention is now focused on Kerang 3, who make the trek to the Cohuna Bowling Club for a shot at premiership glory.
We need to support this team with everything we have as they are our only team in the big dance.
There will be a grand final celebration at the clubrooms after play as always.
So I am calling on all members to attend this function to celebrate what has been the 2023-24 season and hopefully a premiership for the Kerang 3 team and the club.
In the Midweek Pennant semi-finals last week at Pyramid Hill, our Division 1 team was defeated by Cohuna Golf so it’s all over for them this year.
In the other games Cohuna 1 were defeated by Barham 1. In Division 2, Kerang Golf had a good win over Barham 3 while Leitchville were defeated by Cohuna Golf.
On Wednesday at Cohuna Golf, the preliminary finals will be held. In Division 1, Cohuna 1 vs Cohuna Golf and in Division 2, Barham 3 vs Cohuna Golf. Good bowling everyone.
As stated in the notes last week, the Champion of Champions was held at Kerang Bowling Club on Sunday with great bowling witnessed by all who attended.
Roma Opie defeated Som Pascoe, Frank Trezise defeated Lionel Mann, Jean Fairchild defeated Rhonda Ballard and Brodie Harker defeated John Hogan.
Those who witnessed the grand final after lunch appreciated the calibre of bowlers that we have in our area.
Roma Opie had a resounding win over Jean Fairchild, while Brodie Harker defeated Frank Tresize in a display of great shots played by both players. Congratulations to both Roma and Brodie on their wins.
Again many thanks to everyone who helped set up the greens, the morning cuppa, marking, scoring or umpiring.
On February 28, the Midweek Pennant grand final will be held at Kerang Bowling Club.
On February 27, at 5.30pm, there will be a working bee to prepare the grounds for this important day.
Your help and support is needed so please come along, many hands make light work!
Kerang Golf
WHAT a busy week at Kerang Golf Bowls, with the hosting of the playing area Saturday preliminary finals in all three divisions.
With our Division 1 team playing against town rivals Kerang, club members pitched in and made the day a roaring success.
On the greens, the Division 1 team showed their metal with a come-from-behind win, with the team only getting to an overall lead on the second-last end.
At the afternoon tea break, Kerang led by 21 shots and looked the likely winner. However, Kerang Golf slowly fought their way back in to the game.
For most of the afternoon, the Frank Ritchie rink was in control over Trevor Pocock and finished with a 12-shot success, after winning the last three ends.
Howard McClelland’s team looked in trouble all day against Dale Hancock, but some brilliant shot making by youngster, Andrew Charles, over the last five ends, with Kerang Golf winning 11 shots to two, the final score had both teams tied at 24 shots apiece.
Ritchie Murray started slowly and was facing a huge deficit at afternoon tea, however the team fought back strongly to go down by 10 shots, after being down 19/2 at the break.
The final score was 69 shots to 67 and a happy Kerang Golf team now gets the chance to play for the ultimate prize at Cohuna this Saturday. Good luck.
The Midweek team played their second semi-final against Barham 3 at Pyramid Hill last Wednesday and what a great win it was. This team now prepares for another premiership tilt in this division.
Judy McKerrow’s rink got away to a great start and went on to win by 18 shots against Wendy Cook. Lorraine Ritchie has a closer tussle against Bev Berry, but won on the crucial final ends to register a seven-shot win. Well done team – good luck in the grand final.
Earlier in the week, the mixed pairs was played on a hot Monday evening and after the three games of 2-4-2 pairs, Judy and Ron McKerrow were victorious, with wins in each game, over runners up, Ken and Carol Pay.
The fifth night of the Ian Taylor Memorial Barefoot Bowls was completed in nice, warm conditions and Lake Charm Boat Club had a big night, winning the Choice Cut Butchers vouchers with 34 points.
Team members Jimmy and Bryce McLeish and Geoff Davey, together with “super sub” Jeff Anderson will enjoy some of the delicious products of the local butcher. Runners-up were Hirdy’s Buslines and Captain Hayley was ecstatic that their team was now threatening the top teams.
Chocolates to the previously invincible team of Taylor Ashton Painting. Have they “peaked” too early? The ladder has Lions going to the top with 114 points, Hayes Real Estate on 113, with Taylor Ashton Painting and Royal Hotel on 112.
Thursday social had a few visitors playing with their teams being involved with the preliminary finals on Saturday.
The winners were Jimmy and Bryce McLeish, who finished 20 shots up in their two wins, only three shots in advance of Frank Ritchie and Dave Randall, who won their two games by 17 shots. Chocolates to John Duckworth and Gary Kennedy (Barham). Social bowls is every Thursday, with names in by 12.45pm for a 1pm start.
Club matches are continuing and it is great to see all the games being played by the end dates.
Members are encouraged to keep up the good work, as presentation day is on Sunday, April 14.
Leitchville
MIDWEEK Pennant semi-final results: Division 2 lost to Cohuna Golf 45 (2 points) to 49 (6 points). Suzanne Bennett lost to Irene Trezise 19/26, Sherylyn Barnes defeated Cheryl Baker 26/23.
Social bowls and barbecue on Thursday at 6.30pm.
Congratulations to Roma Opie winning the Northern District ladies’ singles Champion of Champions.
The club is holding an end-of-season raffle to be drawn presentation night. Raffle books are being issued out and are to be returned to Ken Dehne.
Ladies consistency breakfast fours on Wednesday, March 13 at 8.30am, entries to Tony Cantwell on 0419 369 821.
Dye Brothers three-bowl triples on Sunday, March 17 at 12.30pm, entries also to Tony Cantwell.
Northern District
PRELIMINARY finals results:
Division 1: Kerang Golf 9/69 d Kerang 3/67.
Division 2: Cohuna Golf 10/72 d Kerang 2 2/63.
Division 3: Barham 4 12/79 d Wakool 0/63.
Grand finals on Saturday at Cohuna Bowling Club:
Division 1: Cohuna Golf 1 v Kerang Golf 1.
Division 2: Barham 2 v Cohuna Golf 2.
Division 3: Barham 4 v Kerang 3.
Quambatook
IN a thrilling first semi-final, Quambatook defeated Sea Lake by six shots at Woomelang last Saturday.
At afternoon tea, Sea Lake led by four shots but all Quamby teams improved their position from then on to advance to the preliminary final.
This week, Quamby play Birchip Grey at Sea Lake, after they were defeated by Birchip Maroon in the second semi-final by nine shots.
Results: Quambatook d Sea Lake 63/57. M. Coleman d A. Louttit 27/20, P. Schlitz d R. Stacey 20/19, D. Williams lost to N. Watson 16/18.
