Mathoura ousts Steamers

By Matthew Kappos

Mar 5, 2025

Mick Humphreys’ Mathoura prevailed in the preliminary final and move on to a grand final matchup with Echuca. Photos: Matthew Kappos.

After a tight battle for second place in the regular season, Moama and Mathoura faced off in the Campaspe Playing Area midweek pennant preliminary final, fighting for the right to take on minor premier Echuca in the decider.

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Having come through the elimination final last week, Mathoura continued its run, eliminating the Steamers in a tight contest 54-49.

Sue Holmes wills her shot to find its target. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Troy Mansbridge’s quartet scored the largest win of the tie, defeating their opponents 24-17, while Peter Pangrazio also skipped a rink win for Mathoura 17-14.

Robyn Thomassen’s rink was the only successful outing for Moama, recording an 18-13 result.

Skip Troy Mansbridge shows his teammate a good area. Photo by Matthew Kappos

After claiming the division one weekend pennant at the weekend, Moama was denied the double, the winner to be decided between Mathoura and Echuca at Deniliquin Bowling Club.

In division two, Echuca earned a second shot at defeating minor premier Mathoura in the finals series, getting past Deniliquin RSL 58-52.

Trevor Eastwell bowls for Moama. Photo by Matthew Kappos

RSL scored the victory in two rinks, skips Tony Tonta (21-19) and Linda Harris (18-14) each recording victories, but it wasn’t enough for their side to earn the overall honours.

Skip Malcolm Thorn and his squad were the heroes for Echuca, scoring a 25-13 win in the remaining rink and getting their side home by six shots overall.

Echuca’s Trevor Nagorcka wants his shot to track more towards his right in division two. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In division three, Elmore crashed out of the finals in straight sets, unlikely underdog Deniliquin RSL punching its ticket to the decider.

RSL came into the finals series as the lowest seed with a losing record of 6-8 but have dispensed with Echuca and now Elmore in consecutive weeks to head into a final clash with Moama.

Gaye Goodwin launches on for Deni RSL in division two. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Rod Reid’s rink was the decisive one for RSL, his side picking up a strong 31-9 win, while Elmore skip Kenneth Wills did what he could in the other rink with a 28-22 victory.

In division four, Echuca is moving on to take on Rich River in the finals after getting past Stanhope 40-35.