After the conclusion of league competitions representative hit-outs have their turn to take over the bowls landscape and Wednesday marked the seniors’ go.
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Shepparton Park Bowls Club hosted the men’s Over-60 Inter-Association Challenge, which had neighbouring regions Goulburn Valley and Murray competing against each other.
Delightful conditions marked the occasion, with Goulburn Valley Bowls Association secretary Warren Snow a fan of the atmosphere.
“Twenty-eight teams are here, 14 from each region and we compete for a shield that goes to the winning association,” Snow said.
“It’s keenly contested, but in the manner of all over-60 bowls, it’s a friendly competitive environment.
“You can make friends with people in the other association and catch up with them year after year; it’s a good environment.
“There’s no ladder kept over the year and it’s a standalone weekly tournament independent of pennant and all the rest.
“This is the culmination to see which of the two associations is theoretically the best, but the Murray has had the wood on us over the years.”
It was certainly a camaraderie-laden environment on the greens of Shepparton Park where, true to Snow’s word, virtually all in attendance were there to enjoy one another’s company first and foremost.
“It's totally a different environment to the pennant,” Snow said.
“There’s nowhere near as much riding on each game; it’s more of a social outlet to have a beer with mates and catch up with acquaintances.
“The competition is a secondary issue; the socialisation and getting over-60 bowlers out there meeting people and being active comes first.”
For what it is worth, though, the Goulburn Valley contingent took the chocolates over Murray, 399-356, with Katandra West shining one more time as the standout local side.