BOWLS
STRZELECKI NORTH
SATURDAY PENNANT
By MICHAEL HOLROYD and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
SOME things don’t change that much.
Traralgon claimed back-to-back Strzelecki North Division 1 weekend pennant premierships last Saturday, after defeating Newborough.
Played at the Newborough Bowling Club, the top-seeded Traralgon basked in all that Grand Final days bring and never looked to be under much pressure all day, despite the best efforts of Newborough.
Traralgon was led by James Scullin and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Ron Sherlock and Wayne Barnes, who won won 23 to 16 against Kevin Lovett and his rink of Tony Knipping, Steve Gibcus and Jo-Anne Michaels.
Matt Ferrrari and his rink of Michael Morgan, Shane Chapman and Wayne Lynch defeated Sheryl Atkinson and her rink of Jo Gibcus, Alan Ryan and Alan Grubb 24-12.
For Newborough, Scott Jones and his rink of Fran Clark, Danny Van Zuylen and Wayne Arnold defeated Michael Yacoub and his rink of Pat Trewin, Julian Wildenberg and Ian Kirkup 19-18, and Nathan Lewis and his rink of Lisa Arnold, Rod Lewis and Neale Houston defeated Vin McIlwain and his rink of Tom Irvine, Ian Hilsley and Matt Eccles 22-12 leaving Traralgon the winners by eight shots.
The younger Ladgrove starred for Traralgon, solidifying some important shots during their run home and was made all the more comfortable due to the support of his teammates not just in the thick of battle but by those that had already wrapped up and watched on.
Traralgon were always going to be the team to beat having gone through the season with only two losses to their name and again proved to shine on the biggest stage.
Newborough should be applauded for their efforts in coming from fourth on the ladder to make the big dance for the second year in a row.
Last year, Traralgon prevented Newborough from winning five Division 1 premierships in a row, breaking their run of four-straight flags.
Traralgon go on to play Wonthaggi on March 15 to see who travels to Moama for the State Pennant finals.
Division 2
MORWELL Club continued their good form from the second semi-final, again defeating Moe; this time with all rinks up.
Glenn Trembath and his rink of Duncan Hanlon, Sue Karleusa and Lynne Smith won 23-20 against Sandy Caines and his rink of Dave Wurlod, Stan Myers and John Harvey.
Tara Harle and her rink of Jo Leslie, Vaughan Reimers and Roger Rejmer defeated Steve Pallot and his rink of Fred Martin, Darren Kane and John Westerlo 25-21.
Brett Harle and his rink of Matthew Rogers, David Broadbent and John Woischuk defeated Chris Goldsbrough and his rink of Flynn Pallot, Stuart Caines and Barry Hawkett 17-16, while Neil Whitelaw and his rink of Gail Rejmer, Jody Capp and Alan Campbell defeated Michael Smogavec and his rink of John Williams, Lachlan Sim and Jayde Leech 23-16 leaving Morwell Club the winners by 15 shots and a well-earned return to Division 1.
Division 3
BOOLARRA had a 12-shot win over Newborough (2), with Joel Anderson and his rink of Joelene Laukens, Darren Napier and David Caldwell winning 22-12 against Robbert Cook and his rink of Graham Smith, Phil Marston and Barry Daley.
David Stevens and his rink of Bruce Davey, Janet Napier and Terry Parker won 24-12 against Peter Policha and his rink of Chris Wagstaff, Mary Whelan and Len Middling.
For Newborough (2), Trevor Kennedy and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Carmel Goss and Albert Van Stekelenburg defeated Ron Lyfield and his team of Jack Cleaver, Mark Whiley and Steven Davy 19-18 and Jeff Wetzel and his rink of Michael Holroyd, Julie Jackson and Ed Whelan defeated Chris Ward and his rink of Tony Snell, John Cargill and Jorma Takanen 27-18.
Division 4
LONGWARRY (2) had a 12-shot win against Yarragon, with Graham Woolstencroft and his rink of Dale Hendrik, Pauline Dixon and Simon Counsel winning 20-12 against Sam Mazza and his rink of Kaye McLaren, Gordon Wright and Margaret Arnold.
John Majkut and his rink of Matthew Bail, Ian Charge and Mark Light defeated Kevin McLaren and his rink of Ross McDermott, Harry Langres and Jarrod Grigg 18-17.
John McCarthy and his rink of Colleen Butterworth, Sharon Twite and Geoff Bailey defeated Richard Polmear and his rink of Rhett Galley, Gary Green and Kevin Arnold 22-18.
For Yarragon, Jason Roberts and his rink of Richard Chetland, Bevan Romans and Murray Grigg defeated Gerard Mitchell, Kevin Dixon, Blake Bartrop and Mark Serong 20-19.
Division 5
TRARALGON RSL (3) defeated Traralgon (5) by nine shots with Margaret Gibbins and her rink of Don Wight, Eric Warfe and Ron Osler having a 32-14 win over Joyce Hales and her rink of Megan Harrison, Ingrid Snell and Carolyn Roscholler.
For Traralgon (5), Ron Hales and his rink of Noel Murray, Bill Justin and Mich Reynolds defeated Frank Metcalf and his rink of John Eaton, Lynette Mackintosh and Shirley McKenzie 23-17 and Peter Dobell and his rink of Jim Barling, Bob Lorenz and David Frith defeated John Farquhar and his rink of Donna Street, Greg Inman and Joe Ward 20-17.
Division 6
NEWBOROUGH (4) defeated Moe (3) in a tense match with three extra ends needed to determine a result, with Newborough (4) winning by one shot after Peter Bertoli and his rink of Diane Slayford, Jesse Hebbard and Anne-Mary Ryan defeated Jan Parniak and his team of Bob Essler, Chris O’Reilly and Paul Graham 24-20. For Moe, John Kerr and his rink of Coral Read, Robyn Dodd and Hilda Woods defeated Charlie Amos and his rink of Colin Croot, Don Armstrong and Ron Carwell 19-16.
Division 7
TRARALGON RSL (4) defeated Traralgon (7) by nine shots, with Ian Eddy and his rink of Brian Curtis, Trevor Nelson and Bev Plant defeating Jim Goodwin and his rink of Carolyn Thoonen, Terry Hart and Ken Ford 25-12, whilst for Traralgon (7) Colin Stilburn and his rink of Ines McCausland, Wim Detering and Nadia Curnick defeated Marianne Hodson and her rink of Wendy Inman, Peter Hore and Julie Sutcliffe 19-16.
