Even though the weather was good last Tuesday, although perhaps a little on the warm side, it was not a good day for Orbost Bowls Club midweek pennant’s division two, losing to ladder leader, Lakes Entrance 2, 51-65.
Only Greg Rankin, Robyn Kellow, Jennifer Gurney and Jurgen Fichtner managed a win with a score of 20-18.
The other two teams in the side both lost 17-22 and 14-25.
With only one team having a win, the side only gained 2 match points, which saw them slide from fourth to sixth on their ladder.
Fortunately, there is only a very small points difference between third and sixth on the ladder, with still half the season remaining, there is every chance they can regain their position in the top four.
Unfortunately, the weekend weather once again caused havoc, with pennant games having to be cancelled due to several greens needing to be closed due to the heavy rain overnight.
The unplayed games were again treated as draws with divisions one and four both gaining seven points each.
Division one remains second on their ladder going into round eight, where they will play a home game against Bairnsdale 3.
Division four held onto the number one spot on the table and have a decent lead of 14 points over Bairnsdale 8 who are in second place.
Their next game will be a hard one, playing away against Tambo Valley at Swifts Creek.
CLUB SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
The last two knockout rounds of the Men’s Singles Championship were played last Thursday morning with Ron Hatcher and Hayden Lancaster progressing through to the final.
Both the men’s and ladies final matches were held in the afternoon, played in cool, windy weather.
In the ladies match, between Jan Lynn and Beryl Dyce, the later emerged the winner becoming the 2025/26 Ladies Singles Champion.
However, the men’s game proved to be a long, drawn out battle with both players eventually tied on a score of 24 when going into the last end.
Lancaster held his nerve, winning the last end to become this year’s Men’s Singles Champion.
Both winners will be representing the club in the Champion of Champions matches in February 2026.
CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTATIONS
It was decided to hold the overdue championship presentations after Sunday’s planned Scrounger competition, however the weather decided to again interfere, and the players were forced to retreat to the club rooms after only three ends.
When the rain gave no indication of easing, it was agreed to abandon Scroungers and start the presentations.
Although a very informal arrangement, the presentations were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present with Hatcher and Beryl Dyce being involved in a lot of the awards either in their own right or as part of a team, with Hatcher taking out seven awards and Dyce with four.
Awards were presented to Bruce Kneebone, Maurice Frank and Rankin during the afternoon.
Unfortunately, several other club champions, including Geoffrey Robinson, Peter Coulton, Margaret Coulton and Gurney, were unable to attend.
SOCIAL BOWLS
If the weather is kind, and with the current round of club championships paused until January, when the Pairs will be played, the next afternoon of social bowls will be held on Thursday, players please be at the club no later than 12.30pm as games will commence as soon as the teams have been decided.
Bowlers should also note that the following Sunday’s social bowls afternoon will be run in the Russian Roulette format.
As it is necessary to know the number of bowlers well in advance for this game, please fill in the entry form on the club’s notice board.
