BOWLS

STRZELECKI NORTH

By MICHAEL HOLROYD

 

THE bowls season commenced on Saturday (October 10), with the playing of the McGilton Shield at Trafalgar for Division 1 clubs and the Barry Shield at Warragul for the remaining clubs.

Despite the gusty wind proving difficult at times, a good day’s bowls was enjoyed by everyone on good greens.Each club in the McGilton Shield had three teams playing three rounds of matches.

In the first round, Moe won all three games with John Westrelo and his rink of Janine Williams, Jeff Thompson and Chris Goldsbrough defeating Newborough’s Neale Houston 14 to 13.

Jayde Leech and his team of John Williams, Ted Kuklinsky and John Harvey defeated Chris Deal (Drouin) 17-15. Michael Smogavec and his rink of Billy Nisbet, Tim Phillips and Barry Hawkett defeated Matt Coutts (Trafalgar) 16-7 which was a big win against the favoured locals. In another upset, Brian Smith (Traralgon RSL) defeated last year’s premier Michael Yacoub (Traralgon) 10-9

In Round 2, Moe continued on its winning way, with Westerlo defeating Dave Ashby 9-8 (his second win by one shot). Leech defeated Brian Smith (Traralgon RSL) 11-9 and Smogavec defeated Chris Hunt (Morwell) 15-10 leaving Moe heading the pack with six wins leading Trafalgar on four wins after James Scullin (Traralgon) defeated Coutts 11-8.

Moe struggled in Round 3, with Vin McIlwain (Traralgon) defeating Westerlo 16-7. Leech drew shot on the last end to salvage a 9-all draw with Bluey Flanigan (Newborough), leaving Smogavec to cement the win with an 11-7 win over Col Jeffrey (Drouin).

Moe showed that after winning Division 2 last year, they will be a strong contender in Division 1 bowls this year, as they won a series of close games to win more games than their more fancied opponents, who managed some big wins yet lost other matches. It was Moe’s first win in the McGilton Shield since 2011/12.

IN the Barry Shield at Warragul, nine clubs participated, with each club having two teams playing three rounds of bowls.

Boolarra got out to an early lead, winning the first four games in the morning and holding a handy shots advantage over the other clubs including Warragul and Yallourn North who each had 3 wins.

Things changed dramatically after the lunch break.

Churchill, who had not won a game in the morning, defeated Boolarra with Lorrae Dukes and her team of Heather Moir, Merv Gill and Barry Flanigan defeating Joel Anderson and his team of Dave Stevens, Terry Parker and Joelene Laukens 11-9.

The Warragul team of Robert Renn, together with Matt Draisma, Ian Belling and Gaye Renn meanwhile, defeated Ray De Carli (Yallourn North) 14-10, leaving Warragul and Boolarra with four wins each.

Boolarra’s rink of Damien Barnes, together with Glenn Slater, Jorma Takanen and Steve Davy, were defeated by Graeme Wingrove (Neerim District) and his rink of Kay Cousins, Thelma and Jim Schroeder 12-6.

Gary Ingley and his rink of Adrian Helmuth, Gabrielle Draisma and Chris Thomas defeated Tim Roche (Yinnar) 12-8 to seal the Barry Shield for Warragul.

Pennant begins this weekend.

Trafalgar travels to Traralgon in a replay of last year’s grand final.

Newborough is at home to Drouin, Moe visits Traralgon RSL and Longwarry travels to Morwell.