MVPA
THE regional finals for Murray Mallee Region were played over the long weekend.
The undisputed star of the show was Brody Harker. He played great bowls throughout his five events and went home with three titles – Men’s Singles, Champion of Champions and Mixed Pairs.
The first event of the weekend, the Champion of Champions Ladies’ Singles, saw Murray Valley’s Mary Hooper (Racecourse) excel with a strong victory over Northern District’s Jean Fairchild (Barham).
Also on the Friday afternoon, Brody Harker and Jenny Laursen (Northern District) were successful in the Mixed Pairs, where they beat Murray Valley’s Ray and Judy Wilson (Murray Downs).
On Saturday, in the Men’s Fours, Murray Valley’s Josh Thornton, Buck Lehmann, John Caldwell and Garry McCaig (Murray Downs) delivered a rare defeat to Brody Harker when he and Charlie Bagg, Steve Arthur and Michael Laursen battled right to the finish but fell just short of victory.
Northern District’s Jean Fairchild, Roma Opie, Lyn Ashton and Jenny Laursen were successful in the Ladies’ Fours. They defeated Murray Valley’s Judy Wilson, Teresa Furnell, Dawne Holland and Connie Rovere (Murray Downs).
Sunday was a massive day, starting with the final of the Men’s Pairs. Sunraysia’s Glen Scott and Isaiah Bettess took out this event from Murray Valley’s Buck Lehmann and Ray Halligan (Murray Downs).
In the Men’s Triples, Sunraysia scored a second victory when Mark Eckel, Wayne Gardner and Peter Mitchell won by a shot on the last end of the match to beat Murray Valley’s Norm Smith, Glenn McIntosh and Graeme Bennett (Racecourse).
The Ladies’ Singles went to Northern District’s Jenny Laursen, who beat Murray Valley’s Mikaela Evans (Racecourse).
Murray Valley’s Judy Wilson, Noelene Weir and Teresa Furnell (Murray Downs) scored a win in the Ladies’ Triples, beating Sunraysia’s Lorraine Millward, Ann Kellett and Tracie Storer.
To round out Sunday’s program, Brody Harker grabbed his second title – Champion of Champions – defeating Murray Downs’ evergreen Buck Lehmann.
On Monday, Brody Harker rounded out his mammoth program of events with his third title – the coveted Men’s Singles. He defeated Murray Valley’s Norm Smith (Racecourse).
Judy Wilson and Lisa Critten (Murray Downs) gave Murray Valley another win, this time in the Ladies’ Pairs.
They beat Northern District’s Jean Fairchild and Jenny Laursen.
RACECOURSE
CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Hooper, who won the Murray Mallee Champion of Champions title last weekend.
She defeated Jean Fairchild in the final. What a great effort.
Norm Smith, Glenn McIntosh and Graeme Bennett went within one shot of delivering a second title when they went down to Sunraysia’s Mark Eckel, Wayne Gardner and Peter Mitchell in the closest result of the four days of bowls.
Norm had a second shot at a title in the men’s singles, where he fell to an all-conquering Brody Harker of Northern District.
Mikaela Evans won her way to the final of the women’s singles, but the experience and consistency of Jenny Laursen proved crucial in this match.
Mikaela, well done on making the final so early in your bowls career.
In Racecourse club events, Mary Hooper and Lois Lockhart won the ladies’ pairs from Val Lindsay and Elizabeth Renney.
Some club events are not yet completed.
If you have matches to play, please get them on the way.
Jackpot bowls on Wednesday were won by Bryan Bice and Bob McIntosh, with two wins and +17 shots.
With one win and +4 shots, Glenn McIntosh, Helen Frame and Peter Hooper were in second place.
The winners of Jack Attack Wednesday night social bowls were Sonya Edwards, Lisa Kimm and Renae Noblet.
Next week is the final night for Jack Attack. There will be a barbecue at 6.30pm, bowls to follow, and cheese and biscuits supper afterwards. Kylie says, “See you there!”
Doey’s Meats 2 x 4 x 2 Any Combo Pairs is on this Sunday, starting at 12.30pm. Names into Kevin Vivian by 11.00am.
The Racecourse Country Care Sun City Classic Triples will be played on March 28 and 29.
There are still a few places on the list for this event, so get your team in quickly.
LAKE BOGA
LAKE Boga Presidents Day Two Bowl Triples will be held on Sunday, March 26, 1pm start.
Please get your entries into Rod Wickham 0447 382 007 or Ken Hamill 0408 591 256, or there is a list on the notice board.
Wednesday’s social bowls winners were Mary Lynas, Ron Atkinson, Brian Fowles and Ken Hamill. Terry Haw is on duty for next week.
Our barefoot bowls will continue for the next two weeks. Thank you to all that made our three-charity night so successful.
Our Pelican Jackpot will not start until Saturday, April 1.
We postponed it until then because of the hot weather forecast for this Saturday.
