Ocean Grove Bowling Club became state champions, a decade to the day after they claimed the title in 2013.
In what was a rollercoaster two days on the green at the Victorian State Championships in Moama, the Grovers returned home victorious.
Game one saw Ocean Grove kick off the tournament with a bang thanks to a massive 54-28 victory against Frankston.
Game two was similar with a 20-shot victory over Aradale.
It set up an epic game three encounter against the undefeated Bendigo.
Ocean Grove jumped out of the blocks early and set up a nice lead and it was at about the halfway mark where Bendigo put its foot down to eventually win on the final end.
Defeating Cohuna and Newborough with ease in games four and five meant Ocean Grove had to hope for a massive upset to progress through to the final. Frankston defeated the highly fancied Bendigo on the final end which put Ocean Grove through to the final on shots up.
It set up a mouthwatering match against Deer Park.
Clearly there was plenty riding on the match with a couple of added rivalries including a few former Geelong players playing for Deer Park, former Australian teammates Mark Casey and Matt Flapper going toe to toe and a Cromie vs Cromie battle set up a final for the ages.
In what was a neck and neck final between the two sides, the match certainly could have gone either way.
But the true Grovers spirit shone through as they fought until the final bowl. With a large group of amazing supporters cheering them on and some sheer determination they proved that their trust, care and respect for each other as a team anything was possible.
Claiming victory on the final end of the match, there was pure elation as the group celebrated their hard work and effort.
Working as one ‘Proud and United’ they brought the title of 2022/23 Victorian Champions of State Pennant back to Ocean Grove Bowling Club.
FINAL RESULTS: Ocean Grove 43 defeated Deer Park 39
Glenn Baudinette, Cheyne Verrier, Chris Price, Peter Loe (s) 14-12
Craig Rippon, Wayne Frith, Tyson Cromie, Brad Pavey (s) 20-10
Andrew Gower, Owen Clark, Michael Sloper, Matt Flapper (s) 9-17
Manager: Casper John. Emergencies: David Meeny and Cal Hanna.
Pavey crowned Victorian Open Men’s Singles Champion
In an impressive hard-fought battle Brad Pavey secured his maiden Victorian State Title taking out the 2023 Victorian Open Men’s Singles.
Pavey’s performance throughout the championship was nothing short of exceptional.
The Victorian Open was played for the first time in the Latrobe Valley region and attracted players from all over Australia which saw approximately 350 participants enter the blue-ribbon men’s singles.
Throughout the competition Pavey showed a level of skill and composure across all eight singles games which included a quarter-final thriller against fellow club mate and coach Matt Flapper and then a semi-final nail biter against Traralgon star Vincent McIlwain.
Pavey’s time to shine was the main event where he would take on former Australian representative Chris Young from Chalambar Golf Bowls Club.
Pavey dominated the final 21-13, which was a testament to his skill, dedication, and passion for the game.
Queens of the green
Maddie Jacobs and Jen Le Cerf are also state champions.
Maddie won the Victorian U18 Girls Pairs alongside her partner, Chloe Scherger from Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club, while Jen emerged victorious in the Victorian Ladies State Novice Singles.
Maddie’s win was a remarkable achievement, with an extra incentive for the 17-year-old, who now finishes her U18 career before transitioning into the senior ranks.
The perfect pair formed a duo about three years ago and had their sights set on achieving the goal of taking out a state title.
Their 20-10 win in the final was a testament to their commitment and passion.
Jen’s win was equally impressive and thrilling, with both Jen and her opponent Kathy exhibiting outstanding skill for players that have been playing the sport for less than two years.
The final had the OGBC supporters on the edge of their seats. Jen got off to a flyer to lead early and looked like she was headed for a convincing win before Hampton’s Kathy Walker mounted a comeback.
Jen held her nerve and even came back from game down herself to take the championship 21-19.
Ocean Grove featured in three other events at state champions week with both the Men’s Singles and Mens Champion of Champions contested by Tyson Cromie, losing to the eventual winner Brenton Coad in the Champion of Champions.
Cromie was joined by Michael Sloper, Owen Clark and Zak Abro in the Men’s Fours where they did well to reach the final of the event, losing on the last bowl of the match.
