MERRIGUM
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On Saturday Merrigum commenced this year’s pennant against Tallygaroopna at the Tally green, but unfortunately failed to win a single point. On the day the bowlers were outplayed by the home team and the need for some more structured practice is very obvious.
Glen Smith played Barry Rutherford but lost by nine shots. If you take out ends 10 and 16 on which they lost nine shots in total you will see that it could have been much closer.
John Firmer drew Bill Conley and also lost by nine shots. They led after four ends but after that they slowly fell behind.
The best rink was skipped by David Pettifer against G. Murphy and they only went down by three shots. They dropped two fives and a four so did a great job to get so close.
In the final game, Gary Mott skipped and lost by an unknown margin.
The club’s evening meal began successfully on last Thursday and will continue each Thursday at 6pm. Please bring a salad and note that the board has set the new price for this season of $10. If you are attending please let Joe know by Wednesday evening on 0428 552 466.
Most players should have their hamper books already but if not you will soon be given a book to sell. All donations for the hampers will be gratefully received.
The club now has three junior members which is very pleasing to all members. Welcome to new members Lane and Clarry Talbot.
TATURA-HILL TOP
Bowlers hit the greens for the first round of Goulburn Valley pennant with limited practice under their belts, and many were eager to demonstrate their talents. Tatura-Hill Top, in their second year of merger for weekend and midweek pennants, is looking to be very competitive in the Goulburn Valley region’s bowls competition.
Taura-Hill Top’s division one came up against the powerhouse of the competition in Shepparton Golf and failed to come away with an overall win, but the narrow seven-shot loss, 88 to 95, provided the group much encouragement for the coming season. Two rinks up and two rinks down and four points to 14 down against last year’s premiers could be considered an encouraging and strong effort.
Division two with two wins and a draw would have to think themselves unlucky not to have an overall win, but the name of the game is a combined team effort of the entire four rinks, and Tatura-Hill Top subsequently lost to Rushworth by four shots 89 to 93, gaining five points to Rushy’s 13.
The only winning division for the weekend was Tatura-Hill Top’s division four who with two rink wins and two losses defeated Euroa in a hard-fought match by just two shots, 84 to 82, and scoring 14 points to four. The win was salvaged by the strong effort of Paul Kerrins (s), Paddy Cummins, Jacob Cartwright and Andrew Crawford who won by 11 shots against the John Pearson rink.
Division five lost to Mooroopna Golf, 83 to 99, and 17 points to one with Rodney Kirby (s), Robert Miller, Roderick Kirby and John Lowe being the sole points scoring rink, with their low-scoring 20-all shot draw.
Tatura Bowls Club members to note: All club event draws will be listed on the noticeboard and with the shortened season entrants need to be active in completing their games. There may well be a need to allocate a specific day for the club championship round to advance to an early completion. There is an urgent requirement for members to keep the selectors informed early of their unavailability for bowls pennant. Late advice is making it extremely difficult for organisers to formulate teams and regular amendments create uncertainty among members.
SHEPPARTON GOLF
Two rounds of the B-grade men’s club singles were played last Sunday, with the semi-finals to be played this Sunday. Les Norton is against Paul Ledger in one semi-final, with Glenn Cartwright against Rob Mackay in the other. The games begin at 9.30am.
Any member who would like one-on-one personal coaching from club coach Brad Orr should write their name in their desired timeslot on the sheet which is located in the glass cabinet located outside the clubrooms.
MOOROOPNA
The new pennant season has begun under some strange weather conditions at Mooroopna, with rain in the offing all day and finally a few drops for the last end.
Mooroopna has started off rather well with a win in both second and third divisions. Division two won by 93 shots to 81, thanks to a very fine effort by Bruce Anselmi (skip) and his team of Jeff Anselmi, Josh Grieve and David Bates winning 35 to12. Darren Kelly’s team also had a close call, winning by four shots, 25 to 21. The other teams lost 16 to 23 and 17 to 25.
Division two travelled to Tallygaroopna and came home with a wonderful win, again thanks to a fine effort by the team of Stewart Florence (skip), I. Ponting, M. Florence and D. Dunkley, winning 35 to 15.
Don Stephens was unlucky losing by only one shot, 22 to 23. Overall shots 90 to 86. Other results were 15 to 24 and 18 to 24.
Midweek: Congratulations to division three on a fine win, thus completing a first-round clean sweep for Mooroopna. Mooroopna played Mooroopna Golf on their home ground, winning on two of three rinks. Final scores were 65 to 58. Winning skippers and teams were L. Thatcher (skip) with S. Florence, M. Jones and D. Blake, 24 to 13; M. Florence (skip) with I. McLean, G. Thomas and G. Wynn 23 to 18.
Well done Mooroopna. Keep up the good work.
The school program has begun with students taking to the greens on Monday, thanks to the club member helpers.
Members and visitors please note, a new phone number at the club; it’s 0491 056 413.
Mooroopna bingo has opened again on each Wednesday evening; eyes down at 7.30pm. Your support can only make it better.
SHEPPARTON PARK
Opening day was finally held last Friday with 72 eager bowlers in attendance and the evening was enjoyed by all.
Best-performing rink on the night were Keith Dudley, Rod Kelley and Moira Smith. Second place went to Ron Litchfield, Bev Cahill and Marie Pedretti. Closest to the ditch prizes went to Maxine Moore and Annette Barkley.
The popular 2x2 pairs re-commenced last Thursday with Glenn Edwards and Ron Holland triumphant on 36 points. Des Sleeth and John Mortimer were second on 34, plus 10, just in front of Kate Bush and Di Hands on 34 +7. The consolation prize went to Ernie Salvemini and Rob Bennett while Geoff Holmes, Phil Boyd, George Chessells, Heath Matthews, Peter Burns and Jim Oliver all recorded resting touchers.
Names on the board or phone Graeme Sinclair on 0418 395 388 to play.