Hamilton Bowling Club report
ON Saturday, 19 teams in five sections fought out the right to compete in Sunday's finals of the club pairs championship.
After a great day of thrills, spills and upsets, the finals were rewarded.
In the elimination final, Troy Greed and Syd Barnes defeated Gavin Wallis and Graeme Tonissen.
In the first semi-final Richard Martin and Ken Hatherell were too good for Gordon Scott and Graeme Pitman, while Peter Clapham and and Bruce Marks defeated Troy Greed and Syd Barnes by a fingernail.
The final over 15 ends before a large and enthusiastic audience was all a bowling purist could wish for.
Both teams in the pinnacle of form and playing take no prisoner bowls, which often had the crowd gasping in admiration.
In the end the difference was Peter Clapham who played the bowl of the century to remove two touchers, then did it again and again to be declared the winner for the second time.
For Richard and Ken, it was a heartbreak and their second finals loss in a row.
Congratulations to all for a wonderful exhibition which will go down as one of the great matches of all time.
Social bowls on Thursday was played in two separate events.
On the A green, it was the dominator Geoff Woods playing with Rob Baker, Diane Brody with the latter winning, and on B green it was Ken Hatherell and young Normy Schwarz who stole the money.
Saturday's social bowls created a problem.
Having declared Peter Graham the best first year bowler of all time, he was challenged by another of our beautiful ‘try bowlers’.
Playing with the very experienced Cliff Brinkmann, Margaret Graham (yes Peter's wife) played superb bowls to win the day.
To say Cliff was impressed is an understatement.
On Sunday, Peter Graham and Neville Huf travel to Terang to contest the regional novice singles championship - possibly leading to a state final.
Midweek pennant resumed on Tuesday with division one having a strong win against Casterton.
Division two's match has been postponed due to a covid infection in the opposition.
Saturday pennant must wait another week, resuming next weekend.
Grangeburn Bowling Club report
THE Women’s State Fours was played on Monday at Heywood and was won by the composite team of Heather Burgess (Portland), Chick Trotman (Balmoral), Ann Rentsch (Penshurst) and Alison East (Grangeburn).
Grangeburn was also represented by the team of Robyn Thomassen, Leah McCabe, Lesley Moller and Julie Pollock.
The winners will now play in the West Coast Region finals in Warrnambool in February, while the composite team will also represent Far Western Division in the regional championships at Moama in April.
The men’s state pairs will be played this weekend with Grangeburn and Portland hosting games on Saturday.
Stewart Campbell and Fred Hardy will play at the Portland club.
Midweek Pennant resumed on Tuesday, but division one was unable to play Portland, due to Covid cases in the Portland team.
This game will be rescheduled to a later date.
Both our division three sides played at home this week with Grangeburn Red defeating Macarthur 42 to 33 and a rink win.
Grangeburn Blue was defeated by Dartmoor, 30 to 54.
Recently, Max Todd was presented with his Bowls Victoria super veterans badge; well done Max.
On Australia Day we are holding a fun social day of bowls followed by a barbecue lunch.
Dress up will be fun but optional.
For catering purposes, names to be entered on outside noticeboard.
Our successful Try Bowls program will commence on January 31.
Arrive at 6pm for 6.30 start.
Cost is $6 per night with supper provided, so come along and join in the fun with a great supportive team to help you.
Twilight Social Bowls will be played on Wednesday evenings starting on February 2 from 6-8.30pm. Cost $6.
Our invitation day three bowl triples tournament will be held on February 3 with proceeds of the raffle being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
