MVPA DIVISION ONE WEEKEND PENNANT
BOWLS PREVIEW
With the heavens having opened this week, it appears as though it will be a damp opening to the 2022-23 Murray Valley Playing Arena Weekend Pennant competition tomorrow.
With the season all set to get underway (weather permitting) The Guardian thought what better way to kick off the new season than by taking a deep dive into the prospects of all six Division 1 teams – starting with their respective presidents and coaches and discussing each clubs chances of success.
LAKE BOGA
PRESIDENT – Ken Hamill
LAST SEASON – Fifth
INS – Danny Kelly (Bannockburn), David Jonkers, Leigh Kingsbury, Jeff Coulter (Racecourse)
OUTS – Ray Wilson, Judy Wilson (Murray Downs)
2021-22 SKIPPERS – Ken Hamill, Peter Philp, Rod Wickham, Danny Kelly
WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
KEN HAMILL
What are your expectations for this season? “We’re going to battle in first division this year but we’ll just do our best and that’s all you can really do. We’d hope to make the top four if we’re able to play at our best – but whatever will be, will be. The main thing for us is that we have a very happy club here, everyone gets along with everyone.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Probably Murray Downs will be the team to beat again this year. It will be out of them, Racecourse or Swan Hill – they’re certainly the three strongest teams.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because…….. “a bit of luck and good bowling – and having our best bowlers all bowling well.”
The Final Word – After finishing outside the finals last season, Lake Boga will be hoping their new recruits can have an immediate impact. The loss of the Wilson’s will hurt – however the addition of potential skipper Danny Kelly should help offset their loss. While they may struggle against the stronger teams, a fourth placed finish is not out of the realms of possibility.
MOULAMEIN
PRESIDENT – Robert Weaver
LAST SEASON – Semi Finalist
INS – Martin Stevens (Returning), Dennis Crompton, Garry Armstrong (Echuca)
OUTS – Nil
2021-22 SKIPPERS – To Be Announced
WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
ROBERT WEAVER
What are your expectations for this season? “We expect to be finishing in the top four across both divisions. The bowlers we’ve picked up are good A Grade bowlers, which means there will be some of last year’s A Grade bowlers who will be dropping back a couple of divisions which will make them stronger too.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Murray Downs are the team to beat – and they’re closely followed by Racecourse then Swan Hill. All three are very strong teams.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because of…….. “good form from our better bowlers. We haven’t won it since 2009-10 and we’d certainly love to win it again.”
The Final Word – Three big name recruits has Moulamein poised to attack the 2022-23 Division 1 weekend pennant competition and potentially challenge the big three Swan Hill teams. Having had a taste of finals last season, the Swans are ready for more – and could very well be the surprise packet this year.
MURRAY DOWNS
PRESIDENT – Garry McCaig
LAST SEASON – Premiers
INS – Ray Wilson (Lake Boga), Peter Brook (Culgoa)
OUTS – Phil Mangano (Swan Hill)
2021-22 SKIPPERS – Josh Thornton, Brian Lehmann, John Caldwell
WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
GARRY McCAIG
What are your expectations for this season? “We’ll be aiming to repeat our form last year and I think we’ll be around the mark again. We’re probably a bit stronger than last year – but in saying that, we don’t go out chasing players, they come to us which is good.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Racecourse is probably going to be our biggest challenger – they’re a strong side and have plenty of numbers.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because of…….. “the strength of our whole teams right through from our leads, seconds, thirds and skips – they all combine very well and they all know each other’s game.”
The Final Word – Having gone through last season undefeated, Murray Downs will once again be the team to beat. Having picked up two very good bowlers in Ray Wilson and Peter Brook, the reigning premiers have only gotten stronger and will be every chance to go through unbeaten again.
NYAH DISTRICT
PRESIDENT – Bryan Smith
LAST SEASON – Sixth
INS – Nil
OUTS – Nil
2021-22 SKIPPERS – Bryan Smith, Rex ‘Kiwi’ Howard, Graham Muir.
WORD FROM THE SECRETARY
BRUCE MACDONALD
What are your expectations for this season? “We’d hope to finish in the top four but it’ll be pretty hard for us to beat the top sides I’d think. We’ll go out and try to win every game and give it our best and as long as we do that we can walk off with our heads held high.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Murray Downs are always the team to beat – but I think Racecourse could be a bit of a surprise packet this season are could cause an upset.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because of…….. “because we play as a team and not as individuals.”
The Final Word – 2022-23 looks as though it could be another long season for the Demons, who finished as wooden spooners in the Division 1 weekend pennant last season. With much the same team as last year, Nyah District will once again rely heavily on their three skippers – with Bryan Smith always a dangerous prospect for any opposing side.
RACECOURSE
PRESIDENT – Norm Smith
LAST SEASON – Preliminary Finalist
INS – Nil
OUTS – David Jonkers (Lake Boga)
2021-22 SKIPPERS – Mick Holyoak, Norm Smith, Mark Snel
WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
NORM SMITH
What are your expectations for this season? “We’d be hoping to be very competitive again and be up there at the pointy end of the season.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Murray Downs will be the one to beat again – they’ve picked up a few players and haven’t lost a home-and-away game for the last three years.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because of…….. “the improvement in our younger bowlers. Half of our A Grade side would be under forty years of age, so the improvement that will hopefully come from them will be the difference.”
The Final Word – Always one of the stronger clubs in the division one competition, Racecourse will once again be one of the teams to beat in season 2022-23. Missed out on last year’s grand final despite finishing second on the ladder – and will be hoping to take the next step over the following six months and at least reach this year’s decider.
SWAN HILL
PRESIDENT – Brian Richardson
LAST SEASON – Runners-Up
INS – Greg Scandolera (Hay), Phil Mangano (Murray Downs), Glenn Evans (Returning)
OUTS – Troy Mansbridge
2021-22 SKIPPERS – Brian Mansbridge, Lyndon Shadbolt, Frank Jacka
WORD FROM THE COACH
BRIAN MANSBRIDGE
What are your expectations for this season? “I’m hoping that we can be around about where we were last year. We think we can play finals and then depending on how we go later in the season when we get our full team on the park then I think we can be big threats again. We’ve picked up a couple of handy inclusions so we’ll be a little bit stronger than last season hopefully.”
Other than yourselves, who is the team to beat? “Murray Downs. Murray Downs will be very hard to beat, along with Racecourse – but it’s certainly Murray Downs’ to lose.”
If we are to win the premiership, it will be because of……. “We have all our players on the park at the business end of the season. If we were to win, then it’ll probably come down to us being able to recruit well and improve our talent and depth from last year’s team.”
The Final Word – Swan Hill will be looking to go one step further this season, after falling at the final hurdle to the ever-dominant Murray Downs last season. With three handy inclusions to their line-up, Swan Hill will be thereabouts again under the continued guidance of Brian Mansbridge – but some early season injuries and absences won’t help their cause.
