THE semi-final of the Murray Valley state fours was played at Tooleybuc on Sunday, with Bryan Smith, Lynden Shadbolt, Mick Holyoak and Matt O’Bree from Nyah District playing Moulamein’s Peter Arthur, Aaron Worboyes, David Thomas and Pud Stephens.
Nyah was in red hot form early, leading 10-0 after only three ends. Moulamein’s players must have had too much Christmas cheer at the races on Saturday, as they forgot to bring their normal good form with them. Nyah went on to win 27-4 with two ends to go.
Nyah played Racecourse in the final after lunch. Kevin Rowe, Ray Halligan, Arthur Threadgold and Norm Smith comprised the Racecourse side.
In the final Nyah won two shots on the first end, before Racecourse won the next four ends to go out to a 10-2 lead on the fifth end.
Racecourse continued in good form, extending its lead by the 11th end to 16-5.
The 12th end looked like being a game changer, with Nyah holding seven shots with Rowe’s last bowl to come.
Rowe sent down a ripper to gain second shot. Nyah’s Bryan Smith had one bowl to go, and an attempt to remove the Racecourse bowl failed.
Nyah only got one shot, with Racecourse leading 16-6. Racecourse managed to keep Nyah to only one shot on each end thereafter, and went on to win the Murray Valley fours title 17/12.
Racecourse Bowls Club has now won the Murray Valley state men’s singles, pairs and fours this season.
The Murray Valley Bowls Division still has two events to play. The State Mixed Pairs is to be held at the Lake Boga Bowling Club on Sunday, January 11. Entries close for this event on Monday, January 5.
The Murray Valley Champion of Champion singles for both men and ladies will be played on January 18 at the Murray Downs Bowling Club.
Hopefully all clubs will be represented by both men’s and ladies’ champions.
The Murray Mallee Regional Finals will commence on the first Sunday in February.
