KERANG GOLF
APOLOGIES for the wrong notes in last week’s paper – blame the gremlins in the system. Hopefully, these notes will bring you up to date.
The Ladies Club Championship has been completed with a tremendous game between Carol Pay and Lorraine Ritchie.
It was close most of the game and climaxed on the last end, with both ladies on 24 shots and Lorraine holding shot, until the very last bowl from Carol, which drew the absolute shot and therefore, the win in the Club Championship. This is her fourth time. Congratulations Carol and well done to Lorraine.
Also, the Ladies Pairs was completed last Thursday, with Marlene Orr and Carol Pay defeating Judy McKerrow and Marlene Rawson.
Our new format Club Fours event was also completed on Sunday, January 12, with four teams, selected from those members who entered as single entries and were then randomly drawn by the selectors and match committee into teams and played a knock-out format.
Semi-final winners were Laurie Gray’s team, over Andrew Charles’ combination, and Dallas Mathers team over Lloyd Murray’s combo on an extra end, after scores were tied after the regulation 15 ends.
The winners played off in the afternoon to find our champion Fours Team for 2025.
Laurie’s team lead 10/2 after six ends, but after 11 ends, Dallas’ team had drawn level at 11/11. Three shots to Laurie on end 12, was followed by three winning ends to Dallas’ group and they ran out winners 21/14.
Congratulations to Dallas, Howard McClelland, Peter Niall and Neil Paul. Commiserations to Laurie, Rob Fisher, Judy McKerrow and Alan Hird.
Our Ian “Squizzy” Taylor Barefoot Bowls will start Wednesday evening, at 6 pm. As usual the BBQ will be running and there are twelve teams entered at this stage for this fun and enjoyable evening of bowls. If you would like to play, please contact Aldo (0407 310762) or Jimmy McLeish (0429 346418).
Club matches have stalled a bit over the break, but the quarter finals of the Men’s Championship have now been completed, with Lloyd Murrays to play Rob Fisher and Jimmy McLeish is up against Dallas Mathers in the semi-finals.
These games need to be played by January 26.
The 100 Up games have been completed and are down to the last eight.
Midweek Pennant recommenced after the break. Division 1 went down to the strong Kerang team by 15 shots overall. The Frank Ritchie rink was the shining light with a 10 shot win. In Division 2, both rinks won at Pyramid Hill and now this team finds itself on top of the ladder.
Saturday Pennant commenced as well and a busy day at Kerang Golf with all teams at home and the Ian Westland green being used for the first time after the lasering on December 10.
Division 1 hosted Kerang and the bottom side (Kerang Golf) nearly pulled off the upset of the year against the second placed team. With four ends to play on all three rinks, the Golfers held a slender lead, but Kerang won nearly all of the remaining ends to finish seven shots in front.
The Golf team won on two rinks, with Dallas Mathers team having an eight shot win, against Dale Hancock, after being as much as 14 shots in front during the game. Frank Ritchie’s rink also won 27/22, against Ashley Bates, but Kerang were saved by the Jason Wilson combination who recorded a 20 shot win. Final scores 75/68.
Playing on the newly lasered Ian Westland green, Division 2 and 3 both recorded wins, to enhance their chances of playing finals. Division 2 welcomed Cohuna Golf 3 and won on all rinks as the Cohuna Golfers had trouble adjusting to the slower, heavier (some call it quicker) green.
An amazing scoreline in the Graeme Hayes led rink with a half time score of 26/0, and with a start like that, they went on to win the Royal Hotel vouchers for this week.
Well done to Graeme, Sid Hutchinson, Ken Pay and Marlene Orr. Other winners were David Randell by nine shots and Laurie Gray by seven, with the 12 points gained, placing this team second on the ladder with three rounds remaining.
Division 3 also played on the Ian Westland green and came away with a win against Leitchville, with both the Noel Robertson and Howard McClelland skipped rinks winning by 10 shots and “stand-in” skipper, Robert “Fonzy” Taylor finishing one shot behind after losing the last end. A great result for this team as well, and also second place on the ladder, although only by one point.
Social bowls last Thursday, as well as the club games being played, saw both greens being used. Winners were Dale Spinks, Rob “Curly” Curtis and Laurie Gray. Chocolates to Neil Paul, Noel Robertson and David Randell.
One of our special events, our Greenwood Australia Day Triples is to be held this coming Sunday, January 26, with the “famous” lamb burgers again being the drawcard. Speak to Aldo (0407 310762) or Frank Ritchie (0409 439029) ASAP, if you want to enter. Generous sponsorship from our local Ford Dealer, Arnoldt and Greenwood, with support from Hayes Real Estate, makes this day a memorable day for all.
COHUNA GOLF
OUR social Tuesdays recommenced this week with a smaller than usual turn out.
Perhaps members had overlooked the starting date. However, fours were played, with Yvonne, Mary, Cheryle and Corrie coming up trumps.
Wednesday night teams also fired up after the break, with a great crowd helping to break in our newly renovated green.
Winners were Mal Appleby, Jameson Melbourne and Jordan Simpson, all of whom handled the conditions with ease.
For those off the bank names in before 7.15 would be a great help.
Midweek pennant saw both sides playing at home, with honours split.
Division Two hosted Barham, and after a promising start fell away over the final few ends.
Ian Morrison went close, but Irene’s rink just couldn’t post a score despite their best efforts.
The Ones took the points on all rinks against Pyramid Hill, despite missing three or four regulars.
Jon Henty and Peter Bibby had big wins, whilst Yvonne Eckhardt scored numbers on the last two ends to also gain victory.
Both groups are a fair way off finals participation at this stage, but a couple more wins might improve their standing.
Kimmy’s vouchers to Jon, Phil McManus, Rhonda Bibby and Noelene Brown.
Thursday pairs participants battled howling wind and a sticky green, with no major injuries to report.
The husband and wife pair of Steve and Noelene Brown teamed with neighbour Mary Rodwell to win the day, while John Pearson and Gavan Free were runners-up.
After a good feed on Friday night, pennant aspirations were on a high.
Unfortunately misfortune followed, and officials are still searching for all the wheels that fell off during most of Saturday’s games.
Our Northern Valley team were the best, winning two of the three rinks against Barham, for an eleven shot victory.
Bluey and Jarred had convincing wins, with Harrison experiencing one of his few defeats.
Division One travelled to Barham, and were shredded by the home team.
Probably too bad to be true, but a real wake-up call at this stage of the season.
Two defeats by twenty plus, and the third by nine wasn’t good.
The Bower vouchers went to the best loser, Peter, Doug, Phil and Gwen who were in their match all day bar the last three ends.
The news was no better at Kerang Golf, who hosted our Twos, both sides chasing top spot on the ladder.
Graham Hayes set the day up for the home side, winning by 31 over Mal Appleby, our other two sides down by seven and nine.
Let’s overlook that result and remain positive for the remainder of the season.
Finally the Gunny Golfers played at the Bower against top opposition in Wakool.
They battled the odds all day, all three rinks going down but by small margins in each case.
This group is much more competitive this year, and deserve to finish with a couple of wins.
On the tournament scene our club was well represented at the Cohuna event on Sunday, with mixed results.
Wakool won the day with Pat Quinn’s rink coming in second.
A further reminder of our Cohuna Car Sales Triples next Monday evening. Plenty of room for entries, single names or teams to Jean please.
COHUNA
THE Cohuna Bowls Club is feeling great to be back in a New Year full of promise and renewing the never ending battle of getting closer to the kitty more often than not.
From our picturesque club we had a birds eye view of the magnificent New Year’s fireworks display our town put on. It was a terrific “Cracker Night” and the feeling is our club is going to have “A Cracker Year” going forward.
TUESDAY SOCIAL BOWLS started last Tuesday 14 with the prize going to the team of Rodney Bannister, Savy, Rob Wilson and Dennis Griffith on 27 points.
The teams of Noddy Hosking (26 points) and Alison Ainger (25 points) unfortunately just a few points behind but equal on wins.
As always we had a number of visitors including brothers’ Ray and Dennis Griffiths from Leitchville with Dennis walking away with the Dollars this time.
Terrific to have our ever popular Social Tuesdays up and running again. New visitors are always welcome and will find contacts on our Cohuna Bowls Club FB page.
Friday 17.
Casual and barefoot bowls with bbq chicken steaks, tasty salad selection, ice cream with fruit salad, Wow! Just another Friday evening roll and budget tea at our Bowlo.
This Friday we also welcomed a group from Mawsons who are one of our favourite sponsors. There were some fine bowlers amongst them and it was great to see them enjoying the club that they support so generously.
Was a terrific feeling for the members when life member Keith Foreman, still recovering from most serious health issues turned up with the support of his daughter Nicolle. Keith loves the club and the club loves Keith. The bowling community looks forward to his full recovery.
The entertainment for the evening was outstanding and consisted of the CBC Choir presenting a rousing rendition in A cappella unison of “Happy Birthday” to Richard Flinders who turned “Ssshh” years of age.
Marvellous how time flies, to think Richard was only one year old when Melbourne had the Olympics.
MID WEEK PENNANT ROUND 10 (played 15 Jan 15)
DIV 1: “Cohuna1” 54 shots were defeated by “Barham1” 68 shots (12 points). It was a decisive victory by “Barham1” prevailing on all 3 rinks.
THE LADDER: While still sitting No.1, our lead over Kerang and Barham has slipped back from 3 to 2 wins.
As we emerge from the mid season break refreshed and approach the championship end of the season we look forward to our No.1 team representing us with distinction, or as some would say, re focus and … “Bring the Bacon on Home.”
DIV 2: Could there be an intra club battle for “Bragging Rights” going on here as “Cohuna2” and “3” are now equal on wins however for the first time “Cohuna2” has headed “3” on the ladder all be it on percentage only. Interesting times ahead.
Played At Cohuna, “Cohuna2” 54 shots (8 points) defeated “Kerang2” 23 shots. A very strong win with even contribution from both rinks. Noddy Hosking’s team won 33 shots to 13 and Barbara Hildebrands team won 21 to 10.
“Cohuna3” went down to “Barham4” by just five shots being 45 shots (8 points) to 40 shots.
Rodney Bannister’s team lost by just one shot and Norm Walkington’s by only four.
THE LADDER: “KerangGolf2” (6 wins) lead the field but our two teams are very much within striking distance.
“Cohuna2” are fifth, just ahead of “Cohuna3” who are eighth. Both teams are on four wins separated only by percentage.
Since all the teams from first to eighth are only separated by two wins, between now and the end of the season, anything could happen and as always is the case, something will.
Next round (11) the excitement continues as “Cohuna2” plays “Cohuna3” for the “Bragging Rights Cup”
SAT PENNANT ROUND 11 (played Jan 18)
Overview: All our teams performed with pride and purpose to keep us at the business end in all divisions.
DIV 1: Whilst all respect is given to team Barham, our Cohuna1 team representing our club with refocussed spirit were rewarded with a decisive 72 to 39 shot win.
A team of champions, well led, well bowled and well done.
Jeff Read’s team prevailed by 20 shots, Mike Hofman’s by 5 and Wayne Brooks’ by eight.
Ladder
Great to still sit top on 83 points six ahead of “CohunaGolf2” and “10 ahead of Wakool1”
Cohuna1 6-3-2, CohGolf2 7-4-0, Wak1 6-5-0.
Happy days for now.
DIV 2: Enjoying again the hospitality and friendliness of the Pyramid Hill Bowling Club, we were fortunate to skip away with a strongly contested 65 to 55 shot victory over three rinks.
Team 1 of Geoff McIvor, inspired by a (Shhhh) 70th birthday member, garnered a 24 to 18 win.
Team 2 of Doug Marshall in what turned out to be a decisive game in our overall victory, held our on song opponents to just a 10 shot victory. Well done team for toughing it out.
Team 3 of Noddy Hosking, with a 29 to 15 victory, …”Brought Home the Bacon”.
Well done “Cohuna2” all.
Ladder
“Cohuna2” are third but equal on wins (7-3-1) with first and second being “CohunaGolf3” and “KerangGolf2”. “PyramidHill1” are chasing as well.
DIV 3: “Cohuna3”, at home defeated “Kerang4” 74 to 54. A strong win.
President Stephen Clark ‘s team won 27 to 15. Jeff Gruar’s team won 31 to 17 and Barb Hiderbrand’s team fought to the end in a close tussle just going down by six shots, score being 16 against 22.
Ladder
Our important win here popped us up ahead of the day’s opponent “Kerang4”. We now sit third, just half a game behind “KerangGolf3”. After “Wakool2” who are clear leaders the next five positions could all change after any round making the run home very exciting.
