A revised format, a full field of 38 teams, over 30 past or present state representatives all led to another successful RT Edgar Ocean Grove Classic Fours.
The format this year tweaked from previous years due to dwindling numbers saw the competitors compete in seven games of 12 ends with each game carrying a two hour time limit.
The duration of the tournament was also reduced to two days but still carried the enormous prize pool of $18,000.
Peter Condon was back to defend his 2018 crown but this year teamed up with a completely different line up.
Ben Loughlin (Altona), David Donaldson (Glenroy) and skipper Dane Mckinnon (Altona) joined forces with Condon (Glenroy) to finish the best of the best only dropping one match
throughout the event. Justin Short (Moonee Valley) and his side of Danny Dugina and Matt Breasley (both Essendon) and Mark Johnston (Moonee Valley) were in the box seat going into round seven but dropped their final match which cost them first place and they had to settle for runner up.
Once again the Ocean Grove Bowls Club acknowledges the support of RT Edgar in supporting one of the best Men’s Fours events on the calendar, all the volunteers and staff that made the event a huge success.
OCEAN Grove’s Division One midweek team will look for bragging rights this week when they meet second placed Torquay in the final home and away match of the season.
Both Ocean Grove and Torquay are locked into the top two which will see them go head to head in the semi-finals next Tuesday. The top of the table position is up for grabs with the Grovers holding a slight four point advantage.
The reining premiers secured a win on the road last week when they got the better of Highton on their carpet. Carol Howarth, Jeff Howarth, Rod Brehaut and Faye Richardson in total control all day taking the rink win 42-18 which certainly helped set up the overall 24 shot win.
A win last week against RSL at home should nearly be enough to save Division One-2 from relegation. Their last match of the season at Queenscliff will not be an easy task but any points gained will certainly assist in remaining in Division One next year.
Three important rink wins led to an overall clean sweep of points for the Division three team against Highton.
Third on the ladder a chance at finishing top two is alive but the certainty is they are safe and worst case will look forward to an elimination final next Tuesday.
In one of the competitions closest ladders Ocean Grove’s Division Four team could finish second which they currently have a grip on and with a win this week will secure but a loss could see them potentially slip to sixth.
Only six points separate five teams as we head into the round 18 clash with Geelong Cement. Ray Foley, Heather Allan, Bob Brooks and Liz Braley stepped up last week with their rinks 29-19 win which was crucial to the ten match points on offer.
A final round win would see Division Five save themselves from the relegation danger zone whilst the Sixers will carry good form into their final hit out before finals. Second on the ladder and 11 points clear of third placed Barwon Heads.
John Forde, Jenni Morrow, Reg Hungerford and Skipper Lorraine Oliver in fine form with their 30-11 result last week.
The final showdown of the 2018-19 season for our two division seven sides will take place at Ocean Grove when the two meet in the final round. Division 7-7 sit fourth, Division 7-8 sit fifth. As simple as
this – the winner plays finals. Who wants it the most?
NICOLE Shortis has advanced to the final of the GBR Ladies Champion of Champions with two wins at Torquay BC on Sunday.
In the quarter final Shortis defeated Drysdale’s (and part time) Grover Karina Van Weel 25-19 and then went onto to defeat Leopold’s Ebony Gordon 25-8 in the semi final.
The final will be played Sunday 3 rd March at 10am against City of Geelong Veronica Kelly.
Matt Flapper advanced through two matches defeating Steve Lane from Norlane 25-8 and then got the better of GBR President Mick Kelly from Lara 25-14.
Flapper will play the next round on Thursday 28 February at 5pm.
THE current forecast of 41 degrees could play havoc for the final round of the Saturday Pennant competition.
With teams just sitting outside the top four or in third place with a chance of top two the rising temperatures may put an immediate stop to those teams aspirations.
Premier Division v Bareena is a clash of the competitions top two teams and the winner will take the title as ladder leader.
Division One have a chance at top two but must knock over Torquay away from home and hope top side City of Geelong beat second placed Drysdale.
Division Three-3 have wrapped up a top two finish whilst the Division Three-4 side had a great win last week at home against Anglesea which will see them finish midfield on the ladder only one win back from the top four.
A win against bottom side Clifton Springs in Division Five will secure their spot in the same division for next season.
Division Six will be hoping to replicate last week’s effort in their final match to lock in a spot in the finals.
The full count of eighteen points against City of Geelong exactly what was needed ahead of the round 18 fixture with Eastern Park.
The Sevens will play finals but it will only be a question of whether it’s a qualifying final or elimination final. A win this week will cement a qualifying final.
Division Ten took the match points to lock in the double chance and Bob Nicol, Maureen Brooks, John Hoult and Martin VanDoren stole the show with theor 37-17 win.
Division Eleven had their first win which has pushed them up the ladder. Kevin Richards skipping his very first game of pennant in control all day to win his rink 28-22. Heather Quilty chipped in for two points with her team’s 24-22 win.
