LAWN BOWLS
WEEKEND PENNANT
By MICHAEL HOLROYD
SATURDAY was forecast to be hot and Strzelecki North Bowls Region declared an early start to try and beat the heat on Grand Final day.
Unfortunately only two games were completed prior to the temperature reaching 36 degrees.
DIVISION 1
When play was abandoned for the day at Newborough Bowls Club, Traralgon held a handy 14-point lead with 11 ends to play in Division 1.
Play resumed on Sunday morning with more hot weather and Traralgon managed to maintain their overnight lead to finally grab a premiership after four runner-up finishes behind Newborough.
Great jubilation from the winning players and Traralgon Player-Manager Michael Yacoub spoke of how relieved the team were to achieve a much deserved win, and thanked Newborough for providing tough opposition and great greens to play on in such hot weather.
Michael Yacoub and his rink of Pat Trewin, Phil Mustoe and Jame McCausland led the way with a 22-9 win over Neale Houston and his rink of Fran Clark, Tony Knipping and Matt Leicester.
Matt Ferrari and his rink of Nick Turnbull, Shane Chapman and Matt Eccles had an 18-15 win over Kevin Lovett and his rink of Barry Daley, Jo-Anne Michaels and Josh Kennedy.
Newborough had winners in Scott Jones and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Alan Ryan and Paul Sherman, who defeated Wayne Lynch and his rink of Michael Morgan, Ian Hilsley and Ian Kirkup 22-18, and Rod Lewis and his rink of Bob Goldie, Debbie Kennedy and Alan Grubb who defeated James Scullin and his rink of Matt Ogilvie, Ron Sherlock and Chris Ward 19-18 leaving Traralgon the winners by 11 shots.
Traralgon 76 defeated Newborough 65.
DIVISION 2
LONGWARRY reversed their semi-final result over Traralgon (2) to book a place in Division 1 next season at the expense of Moe, after holding a narrow lead when play was abandoned and returned on Sunday to complete the win.
Ken Towt and his rink of Craig Cousin, Robert Proctor and Barry White had a defining victory over Austin Gapper and his rink of Dick Glossop, Al Hegarty and Dave Currie 22-13.
John McCarthy and his rink of Ken White, Peter Lieshout and Glenn Pask had a 21-19 win over Abe Roeder and his rink of Clint Jones, Bill Francis and Maurie Sutcliffe.
Trevor Kitchin and his rink of Hank Metselaar, Col Finger and Ian Peterson had a 17-16 win over Kevin Enguell and his rink of Tom Irvine, Bill Kirby and Kathy Smiles.
Traralgon (2) had a winner with Cary Locke and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Ian Bloomfield and Trevor James defeating Jason Lieshout and his rink of Grant Pask, Jasmine O’Shea and Russell White 17-15.
Longwarry 78 defeated Traralgon (2) 66.
DIVISION 3
TRARALGON (3) completed their victory over a valiant Boolarra just as the heat topped 36 degrees.
Brendan Smiles and his rink of Elaine Swan, Ron Baker and Rosie Lorenz had a 19-13 win over Steve Davey.
Roger Davey and his rink of Ian Boyes, Robert Marsh and May Cross defeated Terry Parker 25-18, and Graham Cross and his rink of Gary Bassett, Bill Munday and Paddy Francis had a 19-18 win over Joel Anderson.
For Boolarra, Jorma Takanen and his rink of Bruce Davey, Eddie Dudek and David Caldwell had a 30-17 win over Col Mayman.
Traralgon (3) 79 defeated Boolarra 68.
DIVISION 4
MOE (2) got over the line against Yallourn North at Morwell Bowls Club before the heat stopped play.
Paul Read and his rink of Martin Dyt, Shane Hope and Rod Dixon had a 25-15 win over Greg Maidment.
Jim Lawrence and his rink of Ian Caines, Les Stolarik and Val Griffiths had a 20-15 win over Rob Matthews, and Brian Rodgers and his rink of Robyn Dodd, Val Rodgers and Rex Price defeated Ricky Hearn 18-14.
For Yallourn North, Darren Fry and his rink of Dale Raven, David Hibbert and Craig Speake had a 19-16 win over Lorraine Horton.
Moe (2) 79 defeated Yallourn North 63.
DIVISION 5
LONGWARRY (2) 68 defeated Neerim District 54 with Graham Woolstencroft and his rink of Dale Weller, Debbie Parker and Col Finger defeating Ray Watts 30-16.
Gerard Mitchell and his rink of Natalie Cousin, Sharon Twite and Mark Serong had a 27-16 win over John Rochford.
For Neerim District (2), Jim Schroeder defeated John Majkut 22-11.
DIVISION 6
DROUIN (4) 40 defeated Longwarry (3) 30.
Ian Haughton and his rink of Ada Baxter, Maureen McMillan and Vincent Mancarella had a 19-16 win over Hayden McCarthy, and Merv Appleyard and his rink of Jim Purvis, Louis McDonald and Maria Wans had a 21-14 win over Simon Counsel.
