Seven Campaspe bowlers were involved in the Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields (BCG) runner-up finish in the region sides championship after a final round showdown with metropolitan powerhouse Northern Gateway Region at Moama Bowling Club on Sunday.
The BCG outfit qualified for the the by winning the final match of the seven round sectional play against the Yarra region, leaving it on top of its section with five wins and two losses.
The final of the women’s event ended in an 11 shot Northern Gateway victory, in spite of a Susan Howes rink win for BCG and a tie for Moama’s Mary-Anne Spizer on her rink.
Spizer was bowling with Marilyn Stephenson and Kerryn Evans by her side.
Pam Limbrick and Leica Roney were on another rink and Cass Millerick was third on the remaining rink. An injured Pat Schram was forced to sit out the event, while Kath Wastell was also part of the regional team.
At the completion of the seven qualifying rounds the Yarra and Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields teams were first and second in both men’s and women’s competitions.
Yarra was clearly the most dominant men’s team in the 16-side competition, split into two eight-team sections, having a significant shot differential from its qualifying rounds.
At the completion of the round robin stage the top two teams from the respective men’s and women’s competitions met in the final.
With only Brad Campbell and Brad Tinning from the Campaspe competition among the 15-member squad it was dominated by Bendigo Premier League bowlers.
Campbell led for Aaron Tomkins in the opening two rounds, while Tinning was lead for Brad Holland.
The 5-2 record of the men’s BCG team at the end of seven rounds was the third best return, as both Yarra and Ovens and Murray finished 6-1.
BCG finished third after qualifying and the men’s final was contested between Yarra and the all-conquering Northern Gateway region.