The intensity was high with plenty at stake in the final round of the Gippsland Bowls Region Weekend Pennant Superleague competition last weekend as sides jockeyed for vital final spots and coveted double chances.
It was a round with several upsets, the big losers being Sale 1 and Lakes Entrance 2, the massive winners Lindenow and Paynesville, as nine teams’ campaigns came to an abrupt halt.
Reigning premier Bairnsdale will enjoy the week off after finishing 15 points clear on top of the ladder, but it will go into the finals series with a cloud over its head, succumbing to Metung in a hard-fought final round.
Time will tell if this is the loss they needed or can afford.
Lakes Entrance 1 maintained its recent form, confirming the double chance ticket, joined by Lindenow who seized on Sale 1’s shock loss to Orbost in the far east, while Paynesville’s victory over Stratford saw it claim fifth spot that was offered up when Lakes Entrance 2 found West Sale a task too big.
THE MATCHES
Sale 1 made the trip east sitting second on the ladder, likely to be a recipient of one of the three double chance spots, but left in fourth place and is now set to face Paynesville in a sudden death eliminator this week.
The Green Machine played inspired bowls, making a mockery of its 12th place finish on the table, scoring an impressive 63-54 clean sweep over the stunned Sale 1 outfit.
The pressure was intense in all three rinks, but Ron Hatcher, Scott Farnell, Robyn Kellow, Bradley Lancaster (21-16), Beryl Dyce, Bruce Kneebone, Karen Chenney, Geoff Aitken (22-20) and Geoff Lynn, Maurice Frank, Geoff Robinson and Peter Coulton (20-18) all finished the season on a winning note for Orbost.
Paynesville scored a vital clean sweep at home over Stratford, winning 62-40.
Glynis Bugeja, Rhonda Sadovsky, Simon Kiss and Jack Sharman led the way for Paynesville, 27-12 winners, well supported by Peter Fiske, John Clark, Darren Martin, George Lambos (19-14) and Lacey Kiss, Michael Better, Darren Aurisch and Mark Challman (19-14).
It was 11-year-old Kiss’ first rink victory at premier level in just her second game.
Lakes 2 began the weekend in the all-important fifth position with victory a prerequisite if it was to be part of the finals action in 2024/25.
Unfortunately it went down in a thriller, a contest that fluctuated throughout the afternoon, West Sale prevailing late 56-52.
The loss dropped Lakes 2 to seventh place, missing the finals by seven points, the difference being the eight points on offer for a defeat of their opponent, who interestingly registered their eighth win of the season, more than fifth-ranked Paynesville, but only enough for ninth on the final table.
Winners for West Sale were Timothy Graham, Albert Potter, Chris Hunt, Dennis O’Keefe (22-13) and Josh Tollner, Rowan Wallace, David Hogan and Russell Lambourn (18-16).
The only victors for Lakes 2 were Michael Bratt, Maurice Carroll, Barry Roberts and Harley Johnson, who impressed 23-16.
With Sale 1 faltering it was Lindenow who capitalised, too classy for Sale 2, who also finished the season winless, the Cockies 65-36 victors.
Winners for Lindenow were Donald Banks, David Tong, Lloyd Hammond, Anthony Edwards (24-10), Dick Johnston, Allan Dawson, Phillip Manning, Nigel Plunkett (20-15) and Peter Baylis, Alan Pincott, Raymond Barry and Stephen Brill (21-11).
Lakes Entrance 1 recorded a comprehensive and confidence-boosting victory over Howitt Park in Bairnsdale, improving its final position on the ladder to second, setting up a qualifying final this week against Lindenow at the Bairnsdale Bowling Club.
Lakes 1 was much too good for the Parkers, who were unable to post a win for the season, confirming their position as wooden spooners, Lakes 1 victors 75-48.
Lakes was led brilliantly by Bracken Edwards, Joanne Martin, Eric Spence and Margaret Brandhoj, who were victorious in dominant fashion 36-14, well-supported by Stephen Smith, Daniel Roberts, Bill Rowley, Kevin Brown (18-15) and Julie Simpson, Scott Davidson, Daffy Rawlings and Mick Burge (21-19).
Metung missed the finals, finishing sixth, despite beating premiership favourite Bairnsdale 62-60 at home.
Metung effectively missed the finals by two rink victories, Paynesville’s clean sweep proving decisive.
Chris Wain, Mal Macpherson, Ray Crossley and Ronald McDonald led the way for Metung, well backed up by Adrian Culph, Attila Sofran, David Roberts and Kieran Casey, who played consistently all day in their 22-14 win.
James Clay, Adam Easton, James McCausland and Neil Watts wrestled a rink back for Bairnsdale impressively 26-12.
Heyfield and Maffra both began the round on 80 points, with victory in the match set to separate them on the ladder, but with Maffra clean sweeping (59-39) they climbed to eighth on the ladder, Heyfield finishing the season in 11th.
Victors for Maffra were Glenn Crawford, Jeffrey Wheaton, Lyal and Michael Roberts (18-9), Scott Manson, Geoff Landy, Brett Hodgins, Ron Orchard (21-17) and Glenn Conduit, Geoff Bedggood, Lester Merlo and Craig Anderson (20-13).
