YMGCR Bowls Club.
Mid – Week Pennant Report.
After a Qualifying Final loss to Corowa RSL, played at Corowa Civic, the A1s got their chance at redemption when they took on Wangaratta in a Preliminary Final played last Tuesday. Corowa RSL was the venue for the Preliminary Final. The A1s had finished the home and away season in 2nd place on the ladder with 9 wins and 127 points. Wangaratta’s season saw them finishing the home and away rounds in 4th place on the ladder with 7 wins and 105 points to their credit. With only two home and away wins and 22 points separating YMGCR and Wangaratta the Preliminary Final was always going to be a close run affair. Regrettably for YMGCR the game ended in a narrow loss to Wangaratta. Unfortunately, the Preliminary Final loss brought the A1s finals campaign to a sudden close. The final scores saw Wangaratta 67 shots and 12 points defeat YMGCR 58 shots and 2 points. This meant a straight sets exit for the A1s and an earlier finish to their finals campaign than they would have liked. Waving the flag, as the sole winning rink for YMGCR were, Laureen Smith (L), Ian Febey (2), Michael Vaughan (3), and Anne Miles (S), who won 23 shots to Wangaratta 21 shots. Also representing YMGCR in the Preliminary final were Chris Horne (L), Ray Brown (2), Michael Szabo (3), Ray Irvine (S), Rhonda Irvine (L), Greg Green (2), Gary Presnell (3), and Ian Brimblecombe (S). Our congratulations go to all those players who represented the A1s through a very successful home and away season and the Finals campaign.
After a Qualifying loss to Club Mulwala, the A2s got a second a chance to reach the Grand Final should they win the Preliminary Final, where their opponents would be Kiewa. Kiewa had finished the home and away season in 3rd place on the ladder with 8 wins and 111 points, just one win and 25 points behind the A2s, whose home and away record saw them finish on 9 wins and 126 points. The end of season ladder positions pointed to what would be a very close Preliminary Final outcome. And so it was with YMGCR narrowly prevailing 61 shots and 10 points to Kiewa 58 shots and 4 points. This was one of those games where one rink’s efforts got the whole team over the line. Winning the day for YMGCR were David Irvine (L), Robyn Moore (2), Caroline Reilly (3), and Allan Goudge (S), who defeated Kiewa 23 shots to 16 shots. The A2s now play in a Grand Final at Wangaratta Bowls Club against the side who finished the season on top of the A2 ladder, Club Mulwala. The game was scheduled to be played on Tuesday the 3rd of March, and when this article goes to print we will know the result; here’s hoping it’s victory for the A2s. Players who will be representing YMGCR in the Grand Final are Bruce Davie (L), Liliana Borwick (2), Shirley Hummel (3), Rob Hummel (S), David Irvine (L), Robyn Moore (2), Caroline Reilly (3), Allan Godge (S), Lynne Baxter (L), Vicki Withers (2), Garry Seamer (3), Greg Fisher (S) and Chris Horne (emergency). Good luck to you all.
Thursday Social Bowls.
Due to the annual Bernie Bott tournament being played at the Golf Club there were no Thursday Social Bowls played last week. Thursday Social resumes this Thursday the 5th of March. The game commences at 10.30 am, the format is one game of nominated 3 bowl pairs played over 24 ends. The cost per player is $10.00. There is always terrific prize money on offer, and a chance to win the Lucky Number raffle which will cost you $1.00 per number. The games are played on the best greens in the Ovens and Murray Region. Why not enter a team by placing your names on the entry sheets located on the Bowls Office notice board. Single entries and visitors from other clubs are always welcome. Single entries and visitors please provide a contact telephone number when you place your names on the entry sheets.
YMGCR / Mercy Health Barefoot Charity Challenge.
Bowls have been bedevilled by inclement weather this year, usually the hot weather type. The Barefoot Charity Challenge has not been immune from adverse weather where one game was cancelled due to the heat. Last Tuesday’s games were abandoned due to inclement weather of a different variety; this time it was lightning, thunder and a heavy downpour of rain which brought the evening to a sudden and unwelcome halt. We desperately need the rain, so to curse its arrival would be churlish to say the least. However, it would have been nice if it could have held off until midnight. As there were no results for the evening this an opportunity to thank our major sponsor for the Tournament, Mercy Health Yarrawonga. Our thanks also go to Woolworths Yarrawonga who have generously donated hampers for each evening’s play. Ron and Jill Lamson have also kindly donated raffle prizes. YMGCR bowlers who have given their time to assist with the running of the event are Kerry Kinnane, Jill and Ron Lamson, Peter Lidgerwood, Chris Horne and Ian Febey to mention just a few. Hopefully, the weather gods will allow this week’s games to proceed without interruption. Until next week, good bowling.