The semi finals and finals of the Gippsland Bowls Region state pairs titles were finalised at the Bairnsdale Bowling Club last Sunday in difficult conditions.
The highly skilled players battled atrociously windy conditions, particularly during the grand final in the afternoon when the swirling wind was at its worst.
In the ladies’ event, Paynesville’s Marge Nathan (skip) and Jenny Easton went into the finale in red hot form having defeated Maffra’s Julie Orchard (skip) and Orbost’s Lyn O’Brien in the morning semi final emphatically 20-18.
Their grand final opponent, Stratford’s Lucy Dalli (skip) and Sale’s Ros Brown were successful in the semi-final on the final end, gaining two shots for a 13-11 win over the sisters Lindenow’s Kathy Richards (skip) and Lakes Entrance’s Sharon Hall.
In an enthralling grand final, Nathan and Easton prevailed by a shot after an extra end was required to split the combinations who traded shots over 16 hard fought ends.
In the men’s semi finals, Lakes Entrance star Bradley Lancaster (skip) and son Hayden, who plays for Orbost, won the first semi final, defeating Lindenow’s Martin Van Elst (skip) and Phillip Manning 16-7.
Sale’s Andrew Bell (skip) and Shane Dove defeated Metung’s Ronald McDonald (skip) and Maurie Carroll in the other semi final, 18-11.
Bell and Dove ran out easy winners in the finale, 19-8.
Both the men’s and ladies’ winners will represent the region at the state championships in Bendigo in April 2026.
