OCEAN GROVE BOWLS
Two club champions have been crowned over the Christmas break and in the Ladies it was a nailbiter.
Defending champion Joan Tennent went head to head with previous winner Faye Richardson.
Nothing could split the pair and with scores locked at 24 all and in front of a large crowd of bowlers and enthusiastic visitors it was a championship to remember with the first to 25 claiming the glory.
Richardson played her best end for the match with a first bowl toucher which was enough to hold on to claim the one shot and receive the honour of Club Champion.
Two of the Grover’s new recruits this year, Chris Price and Callum Hanna, survived the cull and made it to the final dance. Hanna won his semi-final against Luke Benson 25-11 whilst Price overcame a determined Gary Burkett 25-23.
The former Colac champion and Australian Indoor Bowls representative started the final in style and had the better of Hanna. Callum was battling to stay in touch and when it looked like he would hold shot Price had the answer to hit back.
Leading 20-6 Price was well on track to claim his maiden Ocean Grove title. Hanna had different ideas and started to make his way back into the contest and was able to put together 13 shots to Price’s one to get back in the game 19-21.
Something clicked and the Price was right as he carded the maximum four shots to close out the match 25-19.
Pennant:
Saturday Pennant resumed with a top of the table clash in the Geelong Ballarat Premier Division between Ocean Grove and Sebastopol.
Sebastopol, top of the ladder and in red hot form over the past five weeks, against the Grover’s who were coming off a loss to Queenscliff in their last outing in a Friday night match prior to Xmas.
Grove hit the scoreboard early and took control with Mick West celebrating his birthday dominating the contest to lead 12-0 against Sebastopol’s Scott Roberts.
Matt Flapper with Ken Thomas dominating at third had the better of the dangerous Rob Baker and the scoreboard favoured the Grover’s at the halfway mark.
The momentum lifted a gear in the second half and the OG team were on a mission to get the major points. West with Owen Clark, Luke Benson and Chris Price kept control of their match to come away 33-17 winners whilst Brett Irvine, Shaun Myers, Thomas and Flapper finished 37-16. Tony Joel led his team to an important two shot win 25-23 against the inform Josh Barry to ensure the Grovers claimed the 16 points.
Winning form is good form and for the Ones, Threes and Fives and Eights that’s the situation as all three teams continue to climb the ladder.
Alan Callow, Chris Deppeler, John Gibcus and Peter Lewis made sure the ten match points returned to OG against Highton. Winners 37-15, along with the Warren Davis team were able step up to the task and Davis in the skipper’s role showed what he is capable of with his 27-15 result.
Barry Hair, Ian Donald, Steve Parry and Trevor Turnley 39-13 put on a clinic against City Of Geelong to ensure the team stayed in touch with the top four.
Sixteen points and locked in second place the fives stole the show at home against Bannockburn. Jim Rogan continues to lead the way and plus 13 shots produced the margin the side needed to finish ahead on the major scoreboard.
Pamela Smith, John Forde, Sandra Murphy and Marianne Rogan took King of the rink honours with their 29-16 win in the eights and equally as good the Robin Brache foursomes 37-25 result to lock into 3rd on the big board.
Ocean Grove’s Midweek Division One side continue their march to finals with back to back wins against Queenscliff and Lara.
Positioned 7th but only 12 points from fourth another couple of wins will see the team challenge for the top four. Joan Tennent’s side were red hot as they carded a 33-15 margin and Lorraine Kirk’s four recorded the important two points with their 24-22 win.
Division Two sees our teams at either end of the leader board. Side 2 entrenched in top spot and flying along with a run of great form however the battle continues for our side three team.The finals are approaching and the 4s and 6s are running into contention. Sitting fourth and third respectively things are going along well for these teams. Two wins back to back for the sevens have narrowed the gap between teams above them and with a couple more they will find themselves climb off the bottom rung. Shelley Westlake Skipping her side have experienced a run of form and again led the way with their 29-18 rink result.
JACK ATTACK
Are you interested in trying bowls?
Have you got two or three friends you would like to have a night out with?
Do you enjoy a beverage?
What do you do on Wednesday nights 6pm to 8.30pm?
Jack Attack is for you. It’s social, it’s quick, it’s relaxing but most of all it’s fun.
Enter with your mates, novice bowlers, power plays, beers and bowls and $1000 prize money.
Sponsored by Evolucion Constructions, call Matt on 5255 1540 for more information for the event which commences Wednesday 25 January at 6pm
