The Traralgon combination of Vincent McIIwain and Matt Ferrari has take out the 2024 edition of the Bairnsdale Bowls Club Invitational Classic pairs.
The event attracted a full field of 28 quality teams, who were all keen to get a slice of the $5000 prize money on offer.
Players made the trip to Bairnsdale from all over the Gippsland Bowls Region and as far afield as Melbourne and Merimbula to take part in the action, thriving on the comradeship and competitive spirit while matching their skills and wits against some of the state’s best players.
After two days with all combinations partaking in five games of 14 ends, only one team was unbeaten, McIIwain and Ferrari, pocketing $1800 for their efforts.
Five teams finished on four wins, their finishing positions determined by the accumulated points over both days.
Lakes Entrance mistro, Brad Lancaster and Paynesville stalwart, Peter Hardy, narrowly took second place from the Deer Park combination of Anthony Donohue and Paul Lawrence.
The Donohue and Lawrence combination were part of the Deer Park side that captured the Champions of State Pennant title at Moama recently.
Bairnsdale’s Stephen Sroczynski and West Sale’s Wayne Morris finished fourth, the combination most thought would win the event after the conclusion of play on Saturday, faltering on Sunday.
Also among the prize money in fifth and sixth places, were Traralgon’s Adrian Marchioli and Nick Turnbull, and Bairnsdale’s Brad Montant and West Sale’s Dennis O’Keefe.
Despite the cool conditions late in the days, the 2024 Invitational Classic was deemed to be a huge success by the Bairnsdale
Bowls Club and the participants, who praised the hospitality of the organisers and the magnificent facilities that were on offer for the event.
