BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

WEEKEND PENNANT

By MICHAEL HOLROYD

 

STRZELECKI North Bowls Pennant opened the season on Saturday in lovely weather, allowing for some excellent bowls to be played on free running greens without a lot of wind.

Traralgon hosted a new-look Trafalgar in a replay of last year’s grand final.

Despite Trafalgar recruiting heavily over the winter, Traralgon recorded a strong win with three rinks up and a score of 87 to 59.

Matt Ferrari and his rink of Trevor James, Jason Irvine and Wayne Barnes had a satisfying 24-8 win over their former star player Wayne Lynch.

Michael Yacoub and his rink of Pat Trewin, Julian Wildenberg and Matt Higgins defeated Colin Veenendaal 25-18, while Vin McIlwain and his rink of Michael Better, Ian Hilsley and Matt Eccles defeated Nathan Cook 24-15.

The sole winner for Trafalgar was Matt Schreyer and his rink of Matthew Walker, Gareth Rich and Ian Miles who defeated James Scullin 18-14.

Newborough at home with a number of new players promoted to replace established players who have moved on, battled hard with Drouin before easing to a 92-78 win with three rinks up.

Paul Sherman and his rink of Fran Clark, Barry Daley and Bluey Flanigan defeated Chris Deal 25-16.

Phil Mustoe and his rink of Michael Holroyd, Julie Jackson and Robbert Cook defeated Dennis Throup 28-20.

Scott Jones and his rink of Graham Cocks, Liam Jones and Alan Ryan defeated Mitch Taylor 17-16.

The sole winner for Drouin was Col Jeffrey, who defeated Neale Houston 26-22.

Morwell at home, with an influx of Newborough players, found Longwarry too strong, with the visitors winning 91-73.

Trevor Kitchin and his rink of Hank Metselaar, Craig Coousin and Russell White defeated Kevin Lovett 22-11.

Glenn Pask and his rink of Mark Serong, Dale Weller and Ken White defeated Wayne Arnold 24-13.

Dave Ashby and his rink of Jodie Ashby, Peter Lieshout and Richard Ross defeated Steve Collins 25-18.

The sole winner for Morwell was Brian Kingsley, who defeated Ken Towt 31-20.

Moe, after winning Division 2 last season, travelled to Traralgon RSL and came away with an 85-63 win.

Michael Smogavec and his rink of John Westerlo, Ted Kuklinsky and John Harvey defeated Brian Smith 30-10.

Jayde Leech defeated Dave Hodson 21-19 and Sandy Caines defeated Beau Williamson 18-17.

The lone RSL winner was Ross Sizeland with a 17-16 win over Peter Phillips.

IN Division 2, Boolarra continued its good form from last year, defeating Garfield 96-48, with marquee player Nathan Murray and his rink of Tamara Traill, Jorma Takanen and Stan Williams winning 40-6.

Newly promoted Newborough (2) were too strong for Traralgon (3), winning 103-68. Gerry Van Duin and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Carmel Goss and Alan Luck had a 37-16 win.

Warragul had a 93-63 win over Neerim District, with Gaye Renn and her rink of Belinda Slate, together with Bianca and Daniel Sheehan, winning 30-7.

In a close game at Morwell Club, the home team defeated Traralgon (2) 78-76.