YMGCR Bowls Club.
Mid – Week Pennant Report.
The A1s final home and away game for the season was a home fixture against Benalla. The final scores saw YMGCR 64 shots and 10 points defeat Benalla 49 shots and 4 points. On paper it looked like a comfortable win, but it was something of pyrrhic victory for the home side with 2 YMGCR rinks going down to Benalla and one rink enjoying a huge win that ultimately saw the A1s over the line. So, it’s hats off to Laureen Smith (L), Ian Febey (2), Michael Vaughan (3), and Anne Miles (S), who downed their Benalla opponents 36 shots to Benalla 11 shots. The A1s enter the finals in second place with 9 wins and 127 points. Their first finals match is a qualifying final against Corowa RSL, at Corowa Civic Bowling Club. Corowa RSL ended the season with 10 wins and 147 points to their account. This should be a closely fought game and will be a compelling watch.
The A2s entertained Dederang at the Golf Club for their final home and away hit out for the 2025 / 2026 season. And in a pre finals tune up the A2s showed Dederang no mercy. The final scores saw YMGCR 99 shots and 14 points defeat Dederang 33 shots and 0 points. Steamrolling their Dederang opponents were David Irvine (L), Robyn Moore (2), Caroline Reilly (3), and Allan Goudge (S), who bested their opponents 39 shots to Dederang 9 shots. The A2s season has eerily mirrored the A1s season, and if you’re looking for evidence, the A2s ended the year in second place on 9 wins and 126 points. They play first placed Club Mulwala at Wangaratta in a qualifying final. Club Mulwala have had a stellar season and enter the finals in first place with 12 wins and 164 points. This will be another terrific game to watch.
The B2s travelled to Howlong for their final home and away game, and after the 63rd end it was the home side that won the day. The final scores saw Howlong 79 shots and 14 points defeat YMGCR 51 shots and 0 points. Pushing their Dederang opposition all through the game were Bruce Davie (L), Gavin Borwick (2), Gary Hart (3), and Vic Brincat (S), who went down 16 shots to Dederang 23 shots. The B2s end the home and away season in 4th place with 7 wins and 95 points in the bag. They play an elimination final against Tungamah at Corowa RSL. Tungamah won one less game that the B2s but amazingly finished on place above YMGCR in third place with 6 wins and 96 points to their name.
Thursday Social Bowls.
Last Thursday saw 24 players turn out for the weekly game of nominated 3 bowl pairs played over 22 ends. Games were played on the recently renovated east green which is coming back into play nicely. Enjoying the conditions were Barb Tennyson and Mick Reilly who won the day and shared first prize of $80.00 and a drink card each. The winners’ runners up prize was shared by Sue Evans and Chris Horne who won $40.00. The lucky losing rink consolation prize of $30.00 was won by Kerry Kinnane and Peter Lidgerwood. The first Lucky Number prize of $10.00 was won by Mick Reilly. The second Lucky Number prize, also $10.00 was won by Ron Lamson.
Weekend Pennant Report.
The A1s entered the finals series with an elimination final essay against Rutherglen at Wangaratta Bowling Club. Wangaratta’s greens have well and truly undergone something of a renaissance and on Saturday they were an absolute pleasure on which to play bowls. Regrettably for the A1s it was not to be their day. The final scores saw Rutherglen 84 shots and 16 points defeat the YMGCR 75 shots and 2 points. As the scoreline attests, there was only one winning rink for YMGCR. Laureen Smith (L), Colin Withers (2), Anne Miles (3), and Ian Brimblecombe (S), who won 28 shots to 10 shots. In retrospect there was only 14 points difference between 5th placed Wangaratta, who won 6 matches for the year, with 124 points, and YMGCR, who finished the season in 3rd place, on 138 points, also with 6 wins. Wedged between Wangaratta and YMGCR was Rutherglen, in 4th place also with 6 wins and 127 points to their account. With three sides so close to each other at the end of the home and away season, it was always going to be case of who out of the three sides who qualified and put their best foot forward in the elimination final, and for the 2025 / 2026 season that was Rutherglen. Congratulations to the A1s on a creditable season, and onward and upward for next season.
The B2s have been the YMGCR weekend pennant quiet achievers for the 2025 / 2026 season, finishing the season in 3rd place on 5 wins and 116 points. With a number of new bowlers in the side their season takes on even more of a lustre. The B2s met 4th placed Myrtleford, who ended the year with 6 wins and 114 points to their credit. In an elimination final at Howlong Golf Club, that was always going to be a closely fought affair, it was YMGCR 66 shots and 12 points defeating Myrtleford 55 shots and 2 points. Winning in fine style for YMGCR were Neville Coleman (L), Tom Kindred (2), Noel Loft (3), and David Irvine (S), who defeated the Myrtleford opponents 21 shots to 10 shots. The B2s now shape up to Corowa Civic in a preliminary final. Civic finished the season in 3rd place on 11 wins and 164 points and will be worthy opponents for YMGCR.
YMGCR / Mercy Health Barefoot Charity Challenge.
Week two of the YMGCR / Mercy Health Charity Challenge saw 114 bowlers turn out, with about 50 supporters and spectators enjoying the action. Winning sides on the night were, Hill Billies, Mercy Health, Garden Lovers, Rich Glen, Men’s Shed, Bushies, Limestone Jacks, Greenkeepers, Fab Four, Yarrawonga SES, Jimmies, Bare Minimum, Grass Kickers, Mick’s Mob and the Bundalong Bandits. We’ll provide a progress ladder in next week’s edition of the Chronicle. Until, next week, good bowling.