BOWLS
STRZELECKI NORTH
SATURDAY PENNANT
By MICHAEL HOLROYD
SATURDAY was the final round before finals on Strzelecki North.
Several interesting matches involved sides aiming for finals in Round 14.
Division 1
NEWBOROUGH visited top side Traralgon, with the visitors needing a big win to remain second on the ladder for a repeat match this weekend.
It wasn’t to be, with Newborough only winning one rink with Sammy Atkinson winning 29 to 15 which was no match for James Scullin winning 26-7 as Traralgon won 86-75.
Trafalgar was sitting third on the ladder and travelled to Traralgon RSL. The home side won two rinks, with Ross Sizeland 18-16 and George Cargill 21-19.
However, Ian Miles won 25-11 and Nathan Cook 24-18 to give Trafalgar the win 84-68.
Longwarry entered the day in fourth place, and made short work of a weakened Morwell who were ensuring its Division 3 team did not finish bottom of the ladder by dropping their skippers back, allowing Longwarry to win all rinks in an 87-55 win which allowed them to jump up the ladder into second place; with Trafalgar third and Newborough fourth.
In the second semi-final, Traralgon takes on Longwarry at Traralgon, with the visitors hoping to repeat its victory of its last visit.
Newborough travels to Trafalgar who will be confident of defeating the visitors on their blue lagoon.
In the remaining match, cellar dwellers Morwell Club had a big season ending win over Drouin 85-61. Glenn Trembath won 32-12.
Division 2
BOOLARRA retained top spot on the ladder with three rinks up at Traralgon (3) as they won 83-16.
This meant Moe needed to win all four rinks against Garfield which they were unable to do as, Alan White defeated John Westerlo 25-9, leaving Moe the winners 90-67.
Moe will travel to Boolarra for its second semi-final, in a repeat of last week’s match where the home team won well.
Traralgon (2) will host Garfield in the other semi-final after an 80-61 result at Neerim District.
In the remaining match, Warragul defeated Traralgon RSL (2) 103-49 and remained in fifth place and probably ruing their agreement with Garfield not to play their recent match due to the predicted heat.
Division 3
NEWBOROUGH (2) retained top position with a 91-59 win over bottom team Yinnar.
Trafalgar (2) retained second place following a 69-75 loss against Moe (2) at Trafalgar.
Trafalgar (2) travels to Newborough (2) after beating them at Trafalgar in their only loss for the season despite a washout in the match at Newborough.
Longwarry fell to a much-strengthened Morwell (2) 73-84 and will welcome Moe (2) in the other semi-final.
In the remaining match, Drouin defeated Thorpdale 102-64.
Division 4
WARRAGUL (2) remained top after travelling to second-placed Newborough (3) and were soundly beaten 88-49 in a precursor to their semi-final at Warragul this week.
Yarragon had a big win at home over Traralgon (4) 82-60 to jump into third place.
It got worse for Traralgon (4) as Yallourn North won all rinks against Neerim District (2), winning 118-46. This enabled them to rise up the ladder into fourth, as Churchill won all rinks against Traralgon RSL (3) 91-52.
Yarragon welcomes Yallourn North in the remaining semi-final.
Division 5
TRARALGON (5) in second place defeated Garfield in third 61-49, and go on to play top team Morwell (3) who defeated Trafalgar (3) 87-35.
Garfield will play Drouin (3) in the other semi-final following a 63-61 win against Warragul (3).
Division 6
NEWBOROUGH (4) at home lost its first match of the season, 61-44 against Longwarry (3).
They will have a rematch in the semi-final at Newborough this weekend.
In the other semi-final, Morwell Club (2) hosts Morwell (4) after Morwell Club (2) lost to Moe (3) 62-47, but won enough points to remain in third place.
Boolarra (2) finished the season off in winning form 73-64 against Traralgon (6) with all rinks up.
Division 7
BOOLARRA (3) retained fourth place on the ladder following a 33-29 loss to top team Drouin (4).
Churchill won all rinks against Morwell (5) 51-26 and were denied fourth place by Scott Gregor winning 19-18 for Boolarra (3) at Drouin (4).
Thorpdale 46-36 left Traralgon RSL (3) to host Boolarra (3) in the semi-final this week.
