BOWLS
MOE PAIRS
By LIAM DURKIN
IT’S more than a game.
That was the especially the case if the reaction from Moe Bowling Club’s Steve Pallot upon winning his home club’s most prestigious tournament was any indication.
Pallot could not bear to watch the last bowl of the classic pairs final – the very bowl that would determine if his name went on the honour board or not.
In the end, he needed not to worry, as the draw went wide of its target, giving Pallot and his pair, former Moe local Lindsay Meredith the win, 4-1.
The victory marked the first time in six years a Moe bowler had won the club’s classic pairs.
High calibre bowlers made their way to Moe for two days of competition, culminating in last Friday’s final.
Played in idyllic and calm conditions, competitors fought it out to advance across sections.
Semi-finals came down to the wire, while a decisive draw at the end of the third end from Meredith during the decider played a huge hand in the result.
He was able to curl a bowl from left to right, landing right alongside the jack when the game was up for grabs.
“You need a harder game to play Linds,” came a comment from the well-attended crowd.
Pallot too was perhaps playing the game of his life, with one onlooker observing that they’d never seen him appear so focussed.
With a final to win, Pallot delivered when it mattered most, and executed what was described as a “winning bowl” to edge closer to victory against the Cranbourne pair of Chadd Tootell and Stephen Arms.
Some other key moments occurred during the third end, when a cluster of bowls landed short, clearly identifying the matter of degrees players had to adjust.
A cry of “just a casual draw” from Pallot to Meredith during second end also demonstrated the fine margins at stake.
Presentations were made in the clubrooms, with Moe Bowling Club President Michael ‘Mooch’ Muccillo leading formalities, thanking all involved, especially neighbouring Moe Racing Club for its support.
Moe Racing Club committee member Rob Sim presented placegetters with their prizes.
Trafalgar pair Ian Miles and Peter Rosenboom featured on the podium, as did fellow semi-finalists Danny Van Zuylen (Newborough) and Joel Anderson (Boolarra).
An emotional Pallot held back tears during his acceptance speech, and told the Express it was a great honour to win at home alongside his good friend Meredith.
“There wasn’t too many easy games, we only squeezed through with one or two which shows you the calibre of the field this event attracts,” Pallot said.
“(The competition was) as hard as it gets, some really quality people here, really means a lot. Rapt with the result.”
Meredith said he was relieved to land the crucial draw at the end of the third.
“We needed it, I was lucky enough to get it there and it stayed there,” he said.
“Bowls is just line and length, I had my line and just went for it.”
As for Pallot not being able to watch the last delivery: “Whatever was going to happen was out of my control.”
The locals have since returned to pennant for their clubs.
Moe will be aiming to have all teams in Strzelecki North finals, while Meredith’s home club Phillip Island is poised to feature in Strzelecki South finals as well.
Meredith reported Leongatha are among the teams to beat in the south.
Not much changes no matter what sport it is.
