Ocean Grove bowlers Craig Rippon, Callum Hanna, Mick West and skipper Matt Flapper have laid claim to their own piece of the ‘Awesome Foursome’ title by claiming the Victorian Men’s Fours State Championship in Bendigo last week.
In a final that swung dramatically throughout the match, the Grovers started strong to lead 8-2 before dropping a seven on end seven to trail 8-9.
Their opponents from the eastern ranges side of Melbourne, skipped by Jay Bye Norris, took control and after 13 of the 18-end final led 17-9.
The 14th end saw a single to the Grovers, followed by a two on the 15th end before Flapper was able to execute the perfect shot to remove two opposition bowls to card a seven on the 16th.
All of a sudden the tide had turned and the Ocean Grove foursome had regained the lead 19-17.
The 17th end resulted in four more shots to the Grovers and a lead of six was taken into the final end. Flapper’s four were able to defend the lead and take away the state championship title with a 23-18 win and, in doing so, earn the right to compete later in the year at Broadbeach in the Australian Championships.
The Grover girls of Muriel Williams, Patricia Virtue and Faye Richardson took out the 2020 Victorian Ladies Triples Championships and on Sunday, May 23 will commence their quest to bring home a national gold medal.
Five sectional rounds will be played over two days at the Dandenong Bowls Club in Melbourne with the first match at 6.30pm against Tasmania.
