Both Ocean Grove top division sides are off to the perfect start with a clean slate after five rounds of the Geelong Ballarat Premier Division and the midweek competition.
The reigning state champions of the Victorian Midweek Pennant competition look ahead to a match up with St Leonards next Thursday after getting over the line against Queenscliff last week.
Playing at home the Faye Richardson rink of Carol Howarth, Jeff Howarth and Rod Brehaut controlled the day when they carded a win by 11 which was enough to secure the overall margin of the match by a single shot. The win, the team’s fifth in a row sees it well on track heading towards the Christmas break and five points ahead on the ladder against second placed Torquay.
Hosting the reigning premiers Queenscliff on the greens at Ocean Grove in round five the match of the round did not disappoint. The break came at the right time for the home side
trailing by eight shots but the sandwiches provided the fuel required for the Grover’s to step it up and gain the momentum in the second half.
Will Collihole skipping his first game in the Grove colours stood tall and led his team of Brian Boyle also in his debut match, Terry Brady and Ken Thomas to an eigh- shot win
whilst Craig Rippon, Cal Hanna, Chris Price and Matt Flapper ensured the majority of the match points stayed with the home side with their rink’s 30-17 margin.
Five wins from five matches a perfect start as the side hosts Highton next week.
Top of the ladder has a ring to it at present for not only the first division midweek side but also in three others.
A clean sweep of points for the Division Three side in round six against Geelong RSL with Terri Rudge carding the biggest score of 33-16 kept the undefeated record intact as the
Grover’s had the better of their opposition on their home green. The win kept the three’s on top and eight points clear of Anglesea in second.
Mavis Harling, Peter Corcoran, Brian ‘Father’ Ryan and Joyce Fraser adapted to the Geelong surface from end one to dominate their game and record a match winning 39-7 win which was also supported by Skippers Lizzy Braley plus 6 and Nutsy Almond plus 11 as the Division Four side won their third game of the season to sit atop the ladder five points ahead of Geelong Cement.
Torquay proved the happy hunting ground for Maureen Brooks, Peter Maishman, Robyn Cary and Marene Turnley as they guided the Grovers to their fourth win on the trot in the
Division Five side. A win to Lyn Stonehouse by four and a narrow loss to Kerri Simpson kept the fives in first place four points ahead of Bannockburn who we come up against next
Thursday in round six.
John Forde, Sandra O’Keefe, Graeme Constable and Heather Quilty earned themselves the drink vouchers when they equalled the winning margin of 32 set by Joyce Fraser. The win equally the biggest of the round five midweek competition in the Geelong region and good enough to register the match points and their second win in Division Six.
The clean sweep of points at Belmont resulted in third place on the ladder after five games in the Division One competition. The slow start to the season now behind them three on the trot and gaining momentum as they look forward to their round six clash with Highton 2. Owen Clark displayed his brilliance to guide his team to the biggest win of the day 31-19. Michael Allen turned around a 16-shot difference to register a one shot win whilst Alan Callows team continued their run of good form with a four shot win. Elaine Price, Luke Benson, Gary Burkett and Rod Brehaut capitalising on a good day out with their 11-shot win.
Greg Carbines, Cheyne Verrier, Geoff Fry and Rod Swan kept the unbeaten Division Threes on track when they were too good for Bareena at home 33-15 and the tag of king of the rinks good enough to provide the platform for the other three rinks to relax and play good bowls to collect all points on offer for the day.
Wins to Division three/four against Highton stepped them into the top four whilst Trevor Mcpherson skipped his team of Peter Eberle, Marene Turnley and David Hurford to the
match winning margin of 31-14 against Lara in Division Six.
Two rink wins both by the same margins of 37-18 to skips Albert Touwslager and Bob Brook against Anglesea was enough to steer the sevens to a winning score whilst Martin Van
Doren plus seven earned the 10 match points in the Division Ten side against Geelong RSL.
State Selection for Mcilvenny Ocean Grove recruit and skipper Leigh McIlvenny earned selection into the Victorian men’s state team to play Tasmania in December.
Mcilvenny has impressed at all levels over the last 18 months with consistent performances in Victorian Opens and Master Singles events.
State trials in early October provided the opportunity for McIlvenny to impress and he will make his debut playing second for Ocean Grove’s Matt Flapper.
Under 18 star Kira Bourke will also debut in the ladies state team the same week.
Minors and 21 up champs
Two club championships have been decided and it was a family affair in the 21up event.
In the ladies event Carol Howarth was successful against Faye Bowyer whilst the men’s champion was Jeff Howarth who was able to overcome Gary Bowyer.
The minor champions for season 2018-19 survived what proved to be two epic finals played in challenging conditions.
Dan Goodall went head to head with Dave Stonehouse and a 21-17 win to Goodall saw him take the title while Betty Wilding was the winner of a cliffhanger with Lorraine Oliver 21-19.
