COBRAM BOWLING CLUB

Division one took on Barooga on its home ground. It was a must-win game for both sides. Jenny Warfe had to contend with an accurate opposition lead in Siggy Rempel, and it took some accurate bowling from Cobram’s third in Alan Vinecombe to minimise the Barooga scores on many ends. But rink points to Barooga.

It was end 17 before Glenda Mann’s four would hit the lead on the scorecard against Ruth Burnett, but Barooga finished strongly with nine shots to three over the final four ends for another rink win.

Meanwhile, the scorecard on the rink where Marj McDonald played Carol Wigg was remarkable. After playing 21 ends there were only a total of 23 shots scored. Each team only scored one end each with two shots.

Barooga won more ends, and so another rink to Barooga.

At the end of the day Cobram remained third on the ladder and Barooga managed to sneak into fourth position, so will meet again on February 28 in the sudden death final.

Division two hosted Berrigan. The scorecard shows that Carol Doherty’s four held the advantage all day over Glenys McKay for a solid 12-shot rink win.

And Barb Turner also kept in front on the scorecard over Evelyn Hawkins all game for a six-shot rink win.

Linda Gallyot stepped up into skip position when the regular skip was poached to play in division one, and with her team kept in touch with Mary Curtin and crew for the first two-thirds of the game — levelling the score at end 14.

But Berrigan ran away over the final seven ends and the deficit could not be covered by the other two rinks. So, this ends the season for division two, but well done to all who played during the year.

When selections for Saturday pennant were done early in the week, the forecast of plus 40℃ temperature for Friday meant that plans were made to ensure that play would proceed on Saturday, in the event that the heat persisted.

Cobram was able to negotiate morning games for divisions one, two and four to be played at Cobram.

Division three played in the afternoon at Numurkah Golf and division five received a forfeit from Finley.

With finals creeping closer, every win is even more important in order to secure that all important second chance. With last week’s loss in division one, Cobram was looking to hold on to a top two position with a win against Berrigan.

While the Curlews may be holding up the ladder, they have been more than competitive this season and a win over Wunghnu a week earlier meant they are more than capable.

The early morning start in pleasant conditions gave no excuse for poor bowling on the flawless greens.

However, John Dixon’s rink found things tricky in an opposition who simply out-drew its combatants.

The whole game was an uphill battle for the Tiger four and Graeme Clements was able to record a healthy 10-shot win.

Things weren’t as easy for the other two Berrigan rinks with their best performing skipper in Paul Glanvill up against a red hot Ray Parks. In fact, he was that hot, the town fire sirens were sounded half-way through the game.

The Parks rink recorded a sound 14-shot win. Steve Tatnall’s rink outplayed their opponents all day with Dave Quinane and Allan McDonald leading well from the front.

A comprehensive 21-shot win has all but helped secure that top two spot the side is looking for. They regained top spot on the ladder and next week will take on fourth placed Numurkah in what is sure to be a close game.

Division two hosted Finley’s number one side — that was also on top of the ladder. In the Colin McDonald versus Tony Turner match up, it was a relatively low scoring game, and while rink points went to Finley, the deficit could have been greater, had Cobram not restricted Finley to scoring five shots to two over the final seven ends.

On the scorecard, Tel Pearce could not match it with Ashleigh Haines, and while Cobram finished with six shots to three over the final four ends, it was rink points again to Finley.

On the third rink it seems it was a stroke of genius on the part of the selectors to team Marj McDonald with Kerry Baldacchino, Jenny Warfe and Joy Mynard.

The score card against Steven Johnson shows a tight first half of the game, but once the Tigresses got in front, they stayed there for the rest of the game and brought home rink points for Cobram. But game points to Finley. Cobram remains third on the ladder.

Division three faced Numurkah Golf which was also one of the four teams fighting for fourth place on the ladder. Phill O’Dwyer’s four shots out of the blocks with a couple of high scoring ends against Robin Hodgkin, but then were pegged back until hitting the lead at end 18 and finished the day two shots up.

With contributions from all players, Laurie Vinecombe’s four dominated the scorecard against Jan Niven for a 12-shot win.

However, Peter Garland was pitted against Mick Kirk with the latter having a day out.

And there was nothing the Tigers could do when Kirk drew shot or converted the head — again and again. Some of us are having nightmares about orange bowls.

The win by Numurkah Golf on this rink was enough to give them game points and fourth spot on the ladder. The final make-up of the four will not be known until all the scores are in next Saturday.

Division four played Numurkah and with the loss, relinquished top spot. Graham Cobban stepped up to skip against Anne Milkens. The first two-thirds of the game belonged to Numurkah, but the hill was too high for the Tigers to climb, so rink points to Numurkah.

On the second rink, Brenda Smethurst’s four played John Wright and crew. The scorecard shows that possession of the mat changed quite regularly.

By end 19 the scores were level and Cobram held on for a two-shot win. But game points to Numurkah.

With the top four sides playing off next week, the final ladder will not be known until the end of the day.

The games to be played on Saturday, February 25 will actually be the games that were scheduled for week two of the season, but were washed out.

After receiving the forfeit, Cobram’s fifth division team remains second on the ladder.

Neighbourhood Challenge

By the time you are reading this, the inaugural Neighbourhood Challenge will have been decided.

But it is reported that there has been much improvement from the beginner bowlers.

Junior bowls registration night

Children between the ages of 10 and 17 are invited to come to Cobram Bowling Club on Friday, February 24 at 5pm to register their interest in playing lawn bowls. Please bring a parent/guardian with you and if there are any questions, please call Haydn on 0428 090 914.

Murray Playing Area Singles Champion of Champions finals

The finals matches were played at Cobram on Sunday in ideal conditions — unlike the blustery wind of last week. The semi-finals were played in the morning to decide who would play off in the afternoon.

Berrigan’s Rick Bradbury came from behind in the semi-final to defeat Starthmerton’s Mick Ryan, while Wunghnu’s Barry Cosgrove defeated Katandra West’s Warren Snow.

In the women’s semi-final matches, Numurkah’s Jenny O’Connor defeated Picola’s Karen Peacock, and Numurkah Golf’s Lidija Patching defeated Finley’s Nan Smith.

There was a good crowd there to watch the finals and they were treated to some excellent bowling. The first end of the men’s game gave an indication that maybe it was to be Cosgrove’s day.

He found himself four shots down with his last bowl to come. He managed to ricochet the jack forwards to finish near his short bowl and take the end. His game was then sprinkled with precision draw bowls, or accurate drives, to take a comfortable win. Best of bowling at the next level Barry.

Meanwhile, the women had settled in for a marathon three-hour match with both Patching and O’Connor playing tight heads, with the exception of one end of four shots for O’Connor, and another of three shots for Patching, there was only ever one or two shots to be had.

It was a fantastic game to watch between two worthy finalists. We wish Patching the best of bowling at the next level.

A special meeting of bowlers will be held on today (February 22) at 7pm to consider and adopt a new constitution.

Club fours will be played Wednesday, March 1 at 4pm (and subsequent Wednesdays).

Friday, February 24 will be the final week of the Bye-Bye Summer raffle. We are looking for a new co-ordinator to start off the next raffle. Be a pity to see this lapse.