THE opening two ends of Traralgon RSL’s West Gippsland Bowls Division top grade clash against Warragul set the tone for the day, which proved a back and forth battle before RSL scored the knockout.
In perfect weather conditions Warragul won all rinks on the first end before RSL hit back to take the honours across the greens on the second.
Gordon Bakker of RSL and Ian Belling for Warragul were leading consistently and with Daniel Symons playing well in his first division one game, combined with the experience of Terry Hunter and David Morley, Warragul skip Steve Pallot had a torrid time ahead.
David Hodson (RSL) and Clive Padgham were also enjoying a great contest but with Beau Williamson playing on point Padgham had to pull out all his best shots to keep his team ahead.
Maurice Gardiner (RSL) and Gary Johnson’s captivating clash was being won by the former early, who consistently converted shots on nearly every end to keep his team on top.
Rob Marsh and Laurie Innes were leading well and with Alan Kanavan in-form, Rick Lukey and Glen Lockett were having an even contest.
At tea RSL led 62-46.
Mixing up the lengths on each end the even contest continued after the break.
Morley and his team held on to their tea time lead to defeat Pallot 31-15.
Padgham clung to his advantage but a devastating seven shot pick up on the penultimate end by Hodson’s team put them within four shots of the lead.
RSL was holding the four shots required to force a result on the final end but a timely bowl from Padgham sealed the game for Warragul 27-24.
Gardiner continued to turn shots around and held on to win 28-19 against Johnson.
Lukey and Lockett continued their tussle and Warragul went on to win that rink 26-23.
In the wash Traralgon RSL came away with the spoils 106-87.
In other matches Yallourn won a close one with Neerim District 92-86, Traralgon was too strong for Morwell Club 117-56 and Trafalgar edged out Drouin 82-79.
Saturday pennant, Round 6
Div 1: Traralgon RSL 16 106 Warragul 4 87, Yallourn 17 92 Neerim District 3 86, Traralgon 18 117 Morwell Club 2 56, Trafalgar 15 82 Drouin 5 79.
Div 2: Moe 18 104 Garfield 2 75, Longwarry 18 96 Yallourn (3) 2 74, Traralgon (2) 20 102 Moe (2) 0 88, Yallourn (2) 16 103 Morwell 4 88.
Div 3: Traralgon (3) 15 98 Yinnar 5 96, Warragul (3) 18 102 Thorpdale 2 82, Warragul (2) 18 115 Traralgon RSL (2) 2 72, Drouin (2) 18 100 Trafalgar (2) 2 87.
Div 4: Traralgon (4) 16 100 Yallourn North 4 83, Traralgon (5) 18 88 Morwell Club (2) 2 78, Boolarra 18 105 Neerim District (2) 2 84, Morwell (2) 18 124 Yarragon 2 70.
Div 5: Yinnar (2) 12 78 Garfield (2) 4 67, Drouin (3) 16 90 Trafalgar (3) 0 58, Yallourn (4) 14 71 Morwell (3) 2 66, Warragul (4) 14 79 Traralgon RSL (3) 2 56.
Div 6 West: Longwarry (2) 10 56 Drouin (4) 0 42, Warragul (5) 8 49 Moe (3) 2 42, Garfield (3) 10 62 Yarragon (2) 0 45.
Div 6 East: Yallourn (5) 10 6 Yallourn (6) 0 (-6), Traralgon (6) 10 77 Yallourn North (2) 0 23, Boolarra (2) 9 47 Morwell (4) 1 32.
