Around the Greens

Laureen Smith was always in control winning 30/10, Anne Miles also had a comfortable win 27/11. “GG” Green rink was leading 13/12 when the rain came down but once it cleared away they also cleared away winning 25/12. 

That now puts them a clear game on top of the table but with a few key exclusions and playing Benalla at Benalla (who are second on the ladder) YMGCR will be in for a tough game.

The A2’s played Mansfield at home and with Mansfield well in control of the game when the rain came down all the players walked off and went home. That was a strange decision because 15 minutes later the game could have resumed.

The A3’s travelled to Corowa Civic and lost 2/35 to 12/54. Best rink was Marie Whitehead winning 16/8, Doddy lost 9/19 and Eugene Hodson lost 10/27.

Luckily only 50% of the games were played so all teams get 7 points each.

The B1’s played Swanpool at home and that game was also called off due the rain (same as the A2’s).

Wednesday social bowls had 32 players and the winners were Stuart McNeill and Ben Nowell with 2 wins and +15 and the runners up were Greg Fisher and Gavin Borwick also with +15.

Thursday had the Final of the O&M Over 60’s Men Pairs and YMGCR were represented by Doc Martin and Doddy Dodman who played a Wang team of Greg and Laurie McDonald. 

The local boys started well and led 12/6, the Wang team then changed the length and they went on to win 17/15.

Also on Thursday was the final of the YMGCR Ladies singles between Anne Miles and Laureen Smith and how fitting it was that it came down to the best 2 ladies. 

Anne was going for her fourth title and Laureen going for her third championships. 

After 10 ends they were locked at 7/7 and the conditions were pretty tough with gusty winds changing all the time; still after 15 ends the girls were both on 10 all. 

Then Smithy made her move and played some magnificent bowls to win the next 6 ends to move 20/10 and some people thought the game was over but Miles hung in to win the next 4 ends and trailed 17/20. 

The standard jumped to another level as they traded shot for shot and after 28 ends Smithy lead 22/17 but Miles continued to put bowls in the head and after 30 ends she trailed 19/23.

Both girls threw caution to the wind and when Anne trailed the jack for 3, it was 22/23 (game on). On the 34th end with Anne still down by 1 she put her first bowl on and then another and it came down to Laureen’s last bowl.

She played the wide side and when the bowl come to rest it flopped the wrong way only out of the count by inches. 

Anne had won and those who were lucky enough to witness it saw one of the great finals ever contested at the club. 

Congratulations to both girls for reaching the final and playing at that high standard.

Weekend Pennant had the A1’s play bottom side Benalla at home and winning 18/91 to 0/62. Cabbage Spencer lead the charge winning 27/15, “Sugar” Ray Irvine also had a good win 26/16, Junior LeFevre won 22/17 and Szabs won 16/14. This still keeps them second on the ladder.

BUT the big result of the weekend saw the A2’s travel to play Moira and after our big win against Myrtleford the confidence was up. 

But we started off slowly and it was looking grim with a couple of rinks struggling. Thankfully the new glamour rink of Rory, Pricey, Doc and Rowdy kept us in touch.  

Kinnane’s rink then began to make a comeback and flew home to lose 19/22 and Grumpy Loveridge had a tight game all day but lost 22/26. 

Cat’s rink couldn’t get anything going and lost 9/22 but with Rowdy putting on a clinic at lead and magnificently backed up by Doc, Pricey and Rory, they won 33/12 to give YMGCR a victory 12/83 to 6/82. Still have a chance to make the finals, still a game out of the 4.

The A4’s played 2nd side Swanpool at home and lost 3/72 to 15/77. It was a fantastic effort but puts them a game outside the four. 

But the positive thing is that their destiny is in their own hands because they play the other 3 top sides and they proved that on the weekend; they have enough quality players to do it. 

Best rink was Ian Morffew rink who had a good win 20/14.

Steve Gann drew 16/16, Marie Whitehead lost 13/16 and Bob Evans lost 23/31.  

The B2’s travelled to St James and won 12/57 to 2/49. They too are a game outside the 4 and also have to play 3 teams above them. 

Well done to Ross Lloyd rink who won 21/12, good to see “Niffty “Neville Coleman back winning 17/16 and Noel Millar lost 16/21. 

Last week I thought we might try something new with Rink Of the Week (copped a lot of flack over it but thought it had merit and so we will do it again). This week’s team was ........ wait for it........ yes it was Rory Brown, Pricey, Doc Martin and Rowdy Hayes with 21 shots up.

On Sunday we had the YMGCR Men’s Final between Garry Sanders and Andy “Senior” LeFevre and with each play getting multiple scores in the first 10 ends and with Garry leading 9 to 8, the game then tightened up with 6 ends of singles but with Garry leading, Andy then took control peeling of a 2,2, 3 ,1,1 to lead 18/15. 

Garry had won the title 5 times before and dug deep to pull back a 2 and then another 2 (scores 17/18).

Andy then had a measure for 3 but he had to settle for 2, Garry then played 3 beautiful bowls to go to 21. Andy won the next end but Garry won the last 3 ends to win 26/21, well done lads and the small crowd enjoyed the very high quality game. 

Good luck to both Anne and Garry in the O&M Champion of Champions next week.

The club will hold the Ladies Champions of Champions on Sunday, February 7 next week with roll up at 9.15am. This a good chance to see the O&Ms finest women in action.

A bit of housekeeping, our annual Barefoot Bowls Charity Challenge ($1200 prize money shared for local charity’s), registration and practice match on Tuesday, February 16 at Yarra Golf from 7pm. Competition starts on Tuesday, February 23 and will run for 5 weeks. 

For more information please contact Greg Fisher: 0498724141 or Danny McNeill on 0427950405.

ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls 

Pennant Results

Midweek Pennant – Tuesday, January 26.

Division A1 – Club Mulwala 33 (0) lost to YMGCR 82 (14).

Peter Humphreys, Malcolm Miller, Bev Norwood and Jack Jarden (10) lost to Laureen Smith, Ian Price, Wayne Lowrie and Claire Sanders (30).

Daryl Dighton, Graeme Arnold, Kerry Merrett and Jan Martin (11) lost to Anne Miles, Peter Velardo, Robyn Moore and Siegfried Rempel (27).

Kaye Smith, Mick Millsom, Daryl Richmond and Sam Smith (12) lost to Greg Green, Ray Brown, Sue Middleton and Gary Sanders (25).

Ladder Position – 8.

Division B1 – Bye

Ladder Position – 4.

Weekend Pennant – Saturday, January 30.

Division A3 – ClubMulwala 93 (14) defeated Benalla 76 (4).

Peter Humphreys, Malcolm Miller, Mick Millsom and Jack Jarden (28) defeated James Hodder, Ian Hobson, Heather Hodder and Rae Sheppard (24).

Darly Dighton, Graeme Arnold, Loris Lochhead and Jan Martin (23) lost to Mervyn Sellars, Ian Brond, Peter Symons and Raymond Bradley (24).

Gary Parker, Kerry Merrett, Daryl Richmond and Stephen McPhee (17) lost to Graham McNutt, Ted Armstrong, Yvonne Capp and Wayne Neylon (20).

Trevor Loe, Sam Smith, Bruce Smith and Kaye Smith (25) defeated Robert Lockwood, Graeme Pitts, Willy Lockwood and Ronald Arnold (8).

Ladder Position – 2.

Division B2 – ClubMulwala – Bye.

Ladder Position – 3.

Coming Up

Thursday, February 4 – Pennant Practice at 9.30am and 4.30pm.

Saturday, February 6 – Weekend Pennant – Division A3 – ClubMulwala v Wodonga (away).

Division B2 – ClubMulwala v Corowa RSL (away).

Sunday, February 7 – Club Mixed Pairs round 1 commencing at 10am.

Tuesday, February 9 – Midweek Pennant – Division A1 - ClubMulwala v Wodonga (away).

Division B1 – ClubMulwala v Myrtleford (away).

Vale – Tom Lang

It is with deep sadness that we are mourning the loss of our esteemed Member Mr Tom Lang.

Tom was a local identity and was involved in many of the local bowling clubs and has been with ClubMulwala Outdoor Bowls for a number of years. 

He enjoyed playing with his beloved wife Edith, his daughter Janice (Jan) and granddaughter Jodi.

Tom played with Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Bowls Club (YMGCR), Yarrawonga Bowls Club and Club Mulwala Bowls Club, winning many Club Championship finals in the Mixed Pairs, Men’s Pairs, Men’s Triples and Men’s Fours at all three clubs. 

He was also a Club Champion at Yarrawonga and participated in and won ten Pennant Premierships during his bowling years.

Tom was a staunch supporter of the bowls club and was known for his tenacity and aggressive bowling capabilities. 

He still holds the record of 17 dead ends in a game of pennant and was a feared opponent when on the greens.

Having said this Tom was a much loved and respected member and we are sure that one of his greatest thrills was to see his daughter Jan Morton become the 2021 Club Mulwala Ladies Club Champion. 

At least the tears in his eyes and joy on his face was testament to his love and pride in her win.

Vale Tommy Lang and thank you for your legacy to bowls, to our club and to the local community.

That wraps up the report for this week. Stay safe, stay healthy. Good bowling and good fellowship to all.

Yarrawonga Bowls Club

Pennant –

Midweek – This round was held on Wednesday, January 27 due to the Australia Day holiday.

A1 played Wangaratta at home and lost with 1 rink getting up; Ladder position 5th.

A3 played Wodonga at Wodonga and lost with 2 of the 3 rinks getting up; Ladder position 8th.

Weekend Pennant – Saturday, January 30.

A1 played Kiewa at Kiewa and lost with 1 rink getting up; Ladder position 6th.

A3 played Wodonga at Wodonga and won with 2 rinks getting up; Ladder position 7th.

B2 played Corowa RSL at home and lost with 1 rink getting up; Ladder position 4th.

Social bowls results –

There was no Social Bowls held last week for various reasons: heat, rain and Australia Day holiday.

This weeks games –

Wednesday, February 3 (today) is the monthly 2 Bowl Triples Tournament, 9.30am start.

Monday, February 8 - 2-4-2.

This game starts at 12.30pm; names need to be down by 11am on the day.

Thursday, February 4 - Twilight/Barefoot Bowls, 6pm sausage sizzle for a 6.30pm start. Names need to be down by 5.30pm on the day. 

To any members that are not well at the moment, we wish you a speedy recovery.

To all, good health, good bowling and good fellowship.