YMGCR BOWLS CLUB
Mid – Week Pennant.
Our last Press Report, prior to the Christmas break, was filed before the last round of Mid – Week was played. Consequently we missed out on reporting on the action from round 10, which was a mixed bag results wise for YMGCR. The A1’s played host to Wodonga and it was a welcome 12 points secured for the home side: YMGCR 57 shots and 12 points to Wodonga 53 shots and 2 points. Winning well for YMGCR were Rhonda Irvine (L), Mal Beer (2), Greg Green (3), and Bob Fiddes (S), who sent their opponents home empty handed with a 21 shot to 14 shot rink win. The A1’s now find themselves in 6th place and the mood amongst the A1 side is such that finals are still a distinct possibility.
The A2’s travelled to Wodonga where the home side were in no mood to extend the compliments of the season, at least not on the green. Wodonga winning well 66 shots and 14 points to YMGCR 39 shots and 0 points. All is not lost though, as the A2’s currently hold 4th place on the ladder.
Our A3 side made the long trip to Yackandandah and the trip home may have seemed all the longer as the home side made a clean sweep of proceedings, 62 shots and 14 points to YMGCR 42 shots and 0 points. Fighting hard for YMGCR all game was the rink of Carolyn Boston (L), Jodi Powell (2), Jan Morton (3), and Bill Jenkins (S), who went down narrowly to their opponents 16 shots to 19 shots. This result leaves the A3’s precariously balanced in 7th place.
Ladies and Men’s Club Championship Singles Finals.
The finals of the Ladies and Men’s Club Singles were held on Sunday the 7th of January. Unfortunately, rain dogged the games throughout adding an additional challenge for the players, and officials. The Ladies Final saw Jan Morton playing Laureen Smith, and it was something of a game of two halves. Jan jumped out of the blocks and after 6 ends led 13 shots while Laureen was yet to open her account. Laureen managed to score a single shot on the 7th end and brought new tactics into play choosing to throw long ends after Jan had been throwing short ends. Laureen won the next 3 ends and after the 10th end was on 8 shots to Jan, who was still anchored to 13 shots. Jan, winning the mat, went back to a shortish end and added another 2 shots placing her on 15 shots to Laureen 8 shots. The next two ends saw the players share the spoils and after the 13th end it was Jan on 16 shots, Laureen 11 shots. A heavy shower of rain brought play to a halt while the players waited for surface water on the green to dissipate. When play resumed Laureen scored 2 shots on the 14th end. The 15th end saw Jan pick up 1 shot with the scores Jan 17 shots to Laureen 13 shots. This was the cue for Laureen to take the game to another level and after the 21st end Laureen had levelled the scores to 17 shots apiece. Things then tightened up over the remaining ends where it was Jan 21 shots to Laureen 20 shots after the 26th end. On the next end Jan played a weighted shot which unfortunately for her saw the jack spring to Laureen’s bowls which then saw the score, Laureen 23 shots to Jan 21 shots. Laureen scored 2 shots on the 28th end to bring an entertaining and hard fought came to close. Congratulations to our new Champion Laureen Smith and a very worthy runner up in Jan Morton.
The Men’s Final was played between Jimmy LeFevre and Mick Vaughan. Befitting a final, the scores after 7 ends, were locked on 6 shots each. The next few ends were equally tightly contested, and after 11 ends the score was Mick 9 shots to Jimmy on 8 shots. A heavy downpour halted proceedings for about 8 minutes. On the resumption of play the ominous weather was of no consequence to Jimmy who made a mockery of the difficult conditions scoring the maximum 4 shots on the next 4 ends giving him a commanding lead, 24 shots to Mick, on 9 shots after 15 ends. Mick through caution to the wind on the next end moving the jack to add another shot to his score now 10 shots to Jimmy on 24. Mick played bravely to add another 6 shots over the next 3 ends, with the score tightening up, 16 shots to Mick 24 shots to Jimmy, after 18 ends. Could this be a comeback of epic proportions? Jimmy answered the question on the next end closing out the game with a single shot, winning the game 25 shots to Mick on 16 shots. Congratulations to Jim on winning the Men’s Singles for this season and well played Mick. A vote of thanks to those who officiated both games. Vicki Withers, marking, and Maire Morffew scoring the Ladies Final, and Gary Presnell, marking, and Ray Brown scoring the Men’s Final. The umpiring duties were capably handled by Carolyn Boston. Until next week, good bowling.