Ocean Grove 3 saved its best until last to take out the Bellarine Indoor Bias Bowls Division 1 pennant.
The grand finals and presentation night were held at Leopold Bowling Club with the decider being played in Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
Cheyne Verrier, Mark McMahon, Casper John and Matt Flapper (Ocean Grove 3) took centre stage in the Division 1 final against St Leonards 2.
Two weeks earlier the St Leonards foursome of Sharon Hollis, Brendan Ward, Tam Munster and Bill Maloney won the head-to-head battle against OG3 in the final round of the home and away season before a grand final rematch was added to the fixture.
The Grovers took the title 21-11 to claim honours as the Division 1 champions of 2023.
In Division 2, Clifton Springs 1, consisting of Graeme Fisher, Paul Webb, Judy Barras and Ian Robinson, showed age is no barrier in this game to constantly withstand the pressure from their more youthful opponents led by Ocean Grove’s Tyson Cromie.
The battle was neck and neck throughout as the Ocean Grove 5 team of Chris Lapham, Charlie Saunders and Darren Cottier threw everything they could, but Robinson’s foursome to good in the end winning the division two premiership 17-13.
The tightest tussle of the evening came in Division 3 when Leopold 3 battled it out with Ocean Grove 6.
The strong Leopold side had dominated all season and in the early stages of the contest it looked as if they would continue that form.
Ian Donald (OG6) along with Brian Grieve, Barry Hair and Peter Eberle gave it their all and matched their opponent bowl for bowl until the final delivery. Lucas
Cameron, Riley Cameron, Jane McMenaman and skipper Mark Johnson (Leopold 3) held on to claim the premiership 16-15 in what capped off a terrific celebration of the BIBBA season.
BIBBA events that were played throughout the season resulted in the following:
Men’s Champion of Champions – Mark Johnson (Leopold)
Ladies Champion of Champions – Judy Barras (Clifton Springs)
BIBBA open pairs champions – Jane McMenaman and Nicole Shortis
