Cobram Bowling Club put on show to rival any other

In division five, Cobram was home to Nathalia, and it was clear that there was more than one show in Cobram.

With a welcome return to Barb Turner, she and her team of Ian Bray (third), Marnie Stock (second) and Jack Brand (lead) put on a display.

Cobram was on form early, winning eight of the first 10 ends, scoring 16 to 2.

Even though there was a bump on the 13th end, with Nathalia scoring four shots, the visitors couldn’t “dodge ‘em”.

Turner’s team were doing the “Cha-cha” as they scored on seven of the remaining eight ends.

The final rink score was a “blue ribbon” 39 to 8 in favour of Cobram.

On the adjoining rink, Cobram’s Andrew Rushby skipped his team against Nathalia’s Max Hudson.

This was a “roller-coaster” affair, with Hudson leading 16-3 after eight ends.

Rushby’s team gained momentum and climbed to within two shots to be down 15-17 after 14 ends.

It was downhill again for the Cobram Tigers as Nathalia rallied, but then it was Cobram’s turn to strike back with six shots on ends 19 and 20.

Final rink score, Cobram 22, Nathalia 26.

With the overall score Cobram 59 to Nathalia 34, Cobram was “best in show”.

Cobram’s division three side travelled to Berrigan to take on the Curlews in a close encounter.

Geoff Williams’ Cobram team of Kevin Saunders (third), Carolyn Mathers (second) and Brian Freeman (lead) played Berrigan’s Steve Gann.

Cobram was in charge early but was pegged back by the 11th end with the score of eight shots each.

Williams’ charges then dominated the second half.

The final rink score was 27-12 in favour of the visitors.

Cobram’s Phill O’Dwyer skipped a rink with Jeff Beasley making a cameo appearance as his second.

Although O’Dwyer was down heavily early, being nine shots in arrears on end nine, against Berrigan’s Glenys McKay, Cobram bowlers had their eye on the main board.

Cobram went down by the barest of margins, the final rink score being 24-25.

Cobram’s Carol Doherty took on Berrigan’s Alex Dalgliesh in a fairly even contest.

With the scores locked at 11 each on 13 ends, the scoring went back and forth for both teams, with Berrigan crossing the line in front at 21 ends.

The final rink score was 16-21.

Even though Cobram was down on two rinks, the overall total favoured the visitors, who won 67-58.

In division two, Cobram played Tocumwal Golf at Tocumwal.

Tocumwal had a distinct home advantage and Cobram bowlers found themselves in a bit of a pickle, going down 43-63 overall.

Division one and division four travelled to Katandra West.

Division four found the going tough, losing both rinks and going down 12-59.

Division one was slightly better, winning two of the three rinks, with the rinks skipped by Ray Parks and Steve Tatnall claiming the points for Cobram, each by a shot.

The team skipped by John Dixon had a deficit of 22 shots at the end of the day.

Overall scores: Cobram 55 lost to Katandra West 75.

On Sunday, the opening round of the Murray Bowls Fours Championships was held at Barooga.

Round one saw two Cobram men’s teams drawn against each other.

Unfortunately, Steve Tatnall’s rink of Luke Dunn (lead), Greg Dunn (second), and Andrew Hirst (third) was eliminated by John Dixon’s team of Haydn Smith (lead), Geoff Westmore (second) and Rod Brown from Tocumwal as third.

The score was 13-7.

In the women’s section, the Cobram team of Marj Mc Donald as skip, Kerry Baldacchino as third, Carolyn Mathers as second and Christine Dunne leading had to play an extra end against their Nathalia opponents, as scores were tied on end 15.

Cobram took the extra end and won 16-14.

In the afternoon, play resumed with winning teams going into the quarter-finals.

John Dixon’s team was challenged by a Nathalia Golf side skipped by Brian Stanger.

In an even contest, Cobram went down 13-15.

Marj McDonald’s team did a sterling job against a Numurkah team skipped by Ann Dealy, winning 16 to 11.

McDonald and her side will take on Lydia Patching and her team from Numurkah Golf next Sunday in the semi-final.

Good luck.