MURRAY DOWNS
SOCIAL bowls last Thursday was well attended with 27 players taking part.
There were several players from other clubs, Lake Boga, Tooleybuc and Racecourse among them.
Congratulations to the winning pair of Ken O’Bree and Edna Borchard. Runners-up were Alex Smith, Bones Smith and Noel Delmenico, well done.
The jackpot was not won so is once again mounting and well worth winning.
No duty members required this Thursday as it is our medley day.
Congratulations to our two grand finalists last Saturday.
Division 1 defeated Racecourse by 25 shots, which was a spectator’s delight to watch.
Also, Division 2 defeated Racecourse by 13 shots in a seesawing match where eventually Murray Downs came out on top.
Fantastic effort by both teams. Photos of the winning teams were published in Tuesday’s Guardian.
The Midweek grand finals were also played on Tuesday.
Murray Downs 1 defeated Murray Downs 2 in a well-fought-out match on what was a beautiful day hosted by Swan Hill Bowls Club.
Congratulations to both teams on making it through to the grand final.
There will be a mixed medley fours tournament held Thursday next week at 10am.
Lunch after the first game. Either bring your own or buy from the club’s cafe.
Team or single entries which close on Wednesday at 5pm.
Phone Dawne on 0402 020 996 or Carl on 0429 855 260.
Good luck to our Murray Downs bowlers this long weekend who are taking part in the region events at Murray Downs.
RACECOURSE
CONGRATULATIONS to our victorious Division 3 side in last Saturday’s grand final.
Alannah Taylor, Fay Devereux, Val Lindsay and Bob McIntosh led the way for Team 4 with a strong win.
Carol Smith, Mary Hooper, Karen McKissack and Helen Frame also won their encounter. Ros Schack, Dawn Doran, Hank Van Der Veen and Kaye Roberts lost, but kept in touch well enough for the team to get over the line by two shots.
One title for Racecourse!
Tuesday’s Midweek comp brought another title, this one guaranteed, when Team 4 played Team 3.
Team 4 won a thriller in an extra end; Alannah Taylor, Rob Rust, Kylie Bailey and Tony Evans won their rink for Team 4 from Lorraine Loats, Kevin Vivian, Jill Threadgold and Clive Power.
Elaine Lawry, Peter Loughran, Ian Lockhart and Marg Smith managed to square the match for Team 3, beating Lyndal Taylor, Doreen Weaver, Liz Renney and Ernie Russell.
However, in the playoff, Team 4 scored an extra shot on both rinks to take the title.
This was a terrific contest and played in an excellent spirit by both sides. Well done everyone!
Wednesday social bowls was won by Ron Wolfe, Graeme Clark and Peter Holland, with two wins and +17 shots.
Runners-up, with one win and +5 shots, were Brian Quaife, Helen Frame and Peter Hooper.
Night bowls was won by Darren Stevenson, Tim Domaille, John White and Kevin Glen.
Doey’s 2x4x2 Pairs Day will be played on Sunday, March 17. Teams or single entry are invited. Play to start at 12.30pm.
The club is presenting an entertaining musical-comedy night on Friday, March 22, with The Hoffmans performing.
Cost $15. Bookings to Kaye Roberts – 0457 917 049.
Early reminder – Racecourse’s Country Care Group Classic Two Bowls Triples will be played on March 26 and 27. Get your team in early.
SWAN HILL
LAST Friday being rather on the warm side, there was a small field of players turn up for Friday Frolic.
This Friday is not looking any better weather-wise, however, Friday Folic will be on at 3pm for those that don’t feel the heat. Enter by 2.30pm to go into the draw.
The clubhouse will be cool, to retreat to after the game, with happy-hour drinks, a light snack and the chance to win a prize in Mick’s raffles.
Come for happy hour and the raffles if you don’t wish to bowl. All welcome.
Stuart and Lee Tompsett’s Barefoot Bowling Banter follows on at 6.15pm for those wishing to give bowls a try.
Entry is $5, bowls available to borrow. Contact Stuart Tompsett by calling 0429 008 386.
Swan Hill Bowls Club hosted the MVPA Midweek Pennant grand finals on Tuesday.
The large crowd of spectators witnessed some excellent bowling from all players aiming to go home with a medal around their neck.
Division 1 had the two Murray Downs teams vying for the flag.
Well into the match it was quite even, with Murray Downs 1 edging out their club mates (or should I say club rivals) Murray Downs 2 on both rinks by a total of 14 shots.
Division 2 also had some club rivalry between Racecourse 3 and Racecourse 4.
These two teams were neck and neck all day and when both rinks completed their 25 ends each, the scoreboards showed a draw.
This resulted in an extra end on each rink having to be played, where Racecourse 4 gained the upper hand by two shots.
Pennant is now completed for the 2023-24 season, except for the regional pennant competition for the top Division 1 sides.
Swan Hill Bowls ladies served refreshments at the end of the game. Thanks to the willing helpers.
Easter is only three weeks away, Bill King is taking entries for any-combination pairs on Good Friday.
Easter Saturday and Easter Monday will be any-combination triples.
Each day begins at 12.30pm. Entry is $15 per person and includes afternoon tea each day.
Call Bill on 0428 324 083 or the bowls club on 5032 1772. Entry forms are also available at the bowls club.
LAKE BOGA
CONGRATULATIONS to both our Division 3 team and to the Racecourse Division 3 team, who competed in the Division 3 grand final at Murray Downs last weekend.
It was a game that was fiercely contested all day.
After playing 73 ends of 75 the sides were level, Lake Boga dropped 4 shots on the 74th end.
Lake Boga had two of those shots as the last bowl for the day was played and had every chance with a bit of good bowling from Terry Haw of drawing the game, just missing by millimetres.
A great game and congratulations to Racecourse.
Next week’s barefoot bowls will be our annual fire brigade charity night, come along and support the brigade.
Single and team entries will be accepted by leaving your name on the club phone, 5037 2301.
A strong field of bowlers competed for social bowls on Wednesday it was won by Richard Bruton, Ian Ross and Max Parsons.
Saturday, March 16 will be the return of Pelican Jackpot bowls.
Single entries only and names will be drawn for the game.
Entries can be left on the club answering machine, 5037 2301.
Names need to be in by noon for a 12.30pm start.
MVPA
MIDWEEK pennant concluded on Tuesday, at Swan Hill Bowls Club.
Murray Downs 1 scored a comfortable win over sister team Murray Downs 2 by 18 shots in Division 1.
Judy Wilson skipped for Murray Downs 1, ably assisted by Garry McCaig, Connie Rovere and Ray Wilson.
They defeated Cecilia McCaig, Harry Whitford, Dave Griffin and Dawn Holland 29/15.
In the second rink, Murray Downs 2’s Lisa Critten, Matt O’Bree, Kevin Rowe and Josie Boyd beat Teresa Furnell, Doug Fisher, Noelene Weir and Peter Furnell 22/18.
Murray Downs 1 will now represent Murray Valley Bowls at Euston on Sunday, March 18, in the regional finals against Northern District, Sunraysia and Tyrrell playing areas.
In Division 2, Racecourse 4 and Racecourse 3 could not be separated at the end of their allotted 25 ends, with both sides posting a 39-all scoreline.
After an extra end on each rink, Team 4 prevailed by two shots.
Alannah Taylor, Rob Rust, Kylie Bailey and Tony Evans put Team 4 in front with a strong 23/15 win over Team 3’s Lorraine Loats, Kevin Vivian, Jill Threadgold and Clive Power.
Elaine Lawry’s contingent – Peter Loughran, Ian Lockhart and Marg Smith – brought the scoreline back to equal for Team 3, when they defeated Lyndal Taylor, Doreen Weaver, Elizabeth Renney and Ernie Russell.
In the playoff, the Taylor skipped rinks each scored an extra shot, to give Team 4 the win, after a magnificent final.
Murray Mallee regional finals will be played at Murray Downs bowls club over the long weekend.
Murray Valley will be represented by the following players:
Friday, 1pm
Ladies’ State Singles: Lyndal Taylor.
60 & Over Mixed Fours: Buck Lehmann, Matt O’Bree, Cecilia McCaig, Josie Boyd.
Friday, 4pm
Finals of 1pm matches.
Saturday. 9.30am
Ladies’ State Fours: Kerryn Evans, Kylie Gardner, Doreen Weaver, Jacquie Weaver.
Men’s State Fours: Josh Thornton, Buck Lehmann, John Caldwell, Garry McCaig.
Men’s State Triples: Norm Smith, Glenn McIntosh, Ron Wolfe.
Saturday 12.30pm
Finals of morning matches.
Sunday 9.30am
Ladies’ State Pairs: Kerryn Evans, Jessica Dehne.
Ladies’ State Triples: Trish Armstrong, Dannielle Adams, Pauline Gardner.
Men’s State Singles: Buck Lehmann.
Sunday 12.30pm
Finals of morning matches.
Monday 9.30am.
Men’s Champion of Champions: Josh Thornton.
Ladies’ Champion of Champions: Lisa Critten.
Men’s State Pairs: Buck Lehmann, Matt O’Bree.
Mixed State Pairs: Mark Evans, Kerryn Evans.
Monday 12.30pm
Finals of morning matches.
Good luck everyone.
RESULTS
Saturday Pennant
Grand finals
Division 1: Murray Downs1 10/86 d Racecourse 1 2/61.
Division 2: Murray Downs 2 10/79 d Racecourse 2 2/66.
Division 3: Racecourse 4 10/78 d Lake Boga 2 2/76.
Division 4: Manangatang 2 10/48 d Racecourse 4 0/35.
Midweek Pennant
Grand finals
Division 1: Murray Downs 1 10/51 d Murray Downs 2 0/33.
Division 2: Racecourse 4 8/41 d Racecourse 3 2/39
