OCEAN GROVE BOWLS
Uncertainty swept throughout the Ocean Grove Bowling Club last week in Round 4 when the Saturday Pennant teams returned home with an unblemished scorecard.
Experts claimed it was the third time in 40 years that all eight Saturday Pennant teams shared success on the same day.
Whatever history shows, Saturday 28 October will be remembered when all teams shared in the majority of the match points. A great effort by all players.
Often the hardest fought matches are the ones away from home and this round was highlighted by the performance of Division 3, 6, 7 and 8.
Division 3 travelled across to Point Lonsdale and stole the points on the back of a terrific performance by Shane Thorley, Noel Sherwell, Tom Bramwell and Peter Patterson winning 35-17 while in Division 6 the challenging Leopold carpet proved favourable on the day as we returned with 16 match points. Bryan Olsen, Doug Gorwell, Sandra Murphy and Skipper Brian Ryan the biggest winner by 11 shots.
Drysdale landed on the steps of Ocean Grove as the top side in Division 6 but were met with a determined Grover’s outfit that wanted their spot on the ladder. That they did as a terrific team performance enabled them to take 17 match points and a 20 shot victory.
The fourth result in the context of the eight from eight was the Division eight team that travelled to Eastern Park. A clean sweep of match points with the three rinks all getting the advantage over the home side. Two rinks skippered by Graeme Constable and Frank Wheat both plus 16 and Robin Brache plus nine resulted in the win of the day.
Round 5 and Premier Division hosted two-time grand final opponent Victoria. First versus fourth and a chance to consolidate their first four wins of the season.
The home side stood tall on their own green especially in the second half when they were able to get the better of the visitors to run away with 16 points and a plus 23 margin keeping their unbeaten start to the season intact.
Trevor Turnley celebrated his 70th Birthday in style as the threes met with top side Geelong RSL on the grass at Grove. Debbie Wintle, Barry Hair and Ian Donald made sure there was something to celebrate as Turnley led his side to a nine shot win whilst Geoff Fry and Adam Bateup both recorded five shot wins. The result for the Grover’s – Top spot after five games.
Brian D’Elton has enjoyed his first few weeks at the helm of a rink in Division four and with the support of Steve “Specks” Bryant, Adele Ryan and Brendan Carroll led the way to victory with their rinks 39-23 rink win. Jim Rogan plus 7 ensured the result was a positive one which was a great way to celebrate Patricia Virtue’s 500 th pennant game for the club.
Maureen Brooks, Nancy Quinton, Marianne Rogan and Harold Curwood again dominated their opposition 31-15 to lead the 7s to victory over Geelong RSL whilst Ralph Skipper, Doug Wignall, Bob Hunt and Peter Crammond in the Ten’s recorded the win of the day 36-13 to ensure victory over Point Lonsdale.
Five wins from six outings and a narrow four shot loss sees the top side in the Geelong Midweek competition sitting in second place. The reigning premiers bounced back from the round three loss to Queenscliff with a convincing win at home against Portarlington and on the road to Lara. Both games resulting in a clean sweep of match points.
Ray Foley (first game in Div 3) Bryan Olsen, Judith Jenkins and Skipper Terri Rudge (first game skipping for OG) showed no mercy to their opponents Lara last week only conceding six shots for the match. Everything must have clicked on the day as they could do no wrong scoring 33 shots and making sure we were consolidated in the top two on the ladder after seven games.
Harold Curwood is enjoying a run of good form as he continues to rack up the wins in both Pennant competitions. Ably supported by the legend Shirley Trimble, Dot Sutcliffe and Marene Turnley they produced the twenty shot win needed to get the match points against Belmont. The result was jumping up to top three and a great start to the season.
Scores remained locked in the battle between OG and St Leonards in Division 7, nothing could separate the two teams at the 50th end with scores locked at 44 apiece.
Graeme Constable and Marlene Ross both skipped their teams to five shot wins in Division 8 on the grass at home against Geelong Cement resulting in their second win of the season to date.
GBR Triples Winners
Muriel Williams, Patricia Virtue and Skipper Faye Richardson are the first Ocean Grove team entered into State Champions week in Bendigo next year. Last week they battled it out with Highton’s Wendy Ballentine on the carpet at Highton for the crown of Triples Champions. A tough encounter with only two shots separating the teams at the conclusion earned the Grover’s the title.
Saturday 18 November – No Pennant Pairs
Three games of three bowl Open Pairs – $500 Prize money, 12.30pm start. Enter in the Bowls Office.
