Orbost Bowls Club returned to the winners’ circle in Gippsland Bowls Region midweek pennant last week, defeating Bairnsdale 3, 64-50 at home.
The game started in very cold, damp and overcast conditions, with both sides wondering if the game would be completed.
However, the rain held off and although the Orbost side was slow to start, once the greens began to dry out from the heavy overnight rain, they started to gain on Bairnsdale 3 and eventually overtook them.
Maurice Frank’s team of Ron Hatcher, Bruce Kneebone and Beryl Dyce had the largest winning margin with a score of 30-18, closely followed by Geoff Lynn’s team, which included Trevor Perry, Lynette O’Brien and Gwen Hatcher (23-12).
The overall win gained Orbost a total of 12 match points returning them to fourth place on their ladder, but to retain their position on the ladder, going into the Christmas break, they will need to win their next two games which are both away matches.
Weekend Pennant, however, saw mixed results last weekend for the Green Machine in divisions one and four.
Division one had a home game against Bairnsdale 3, which was played in mainly overcast, sometimes wet weather, with occasional thunder booming in the background.
The three rinks of bowlers persevered until the rain became too heavy; however, as more than 45 ends had been completed, Orbost claimed a comprehensive win 68-28.
All three Orbost teams won their games, with the side gaining the maximum 14 match points for the day and maintaining their second place on their ladder.
Hayden Lancaster, Ron Hatcher, Bruce Kneebone and Maurice Frank had the largest win, scoring 28-6; just as impressive were Karen Chenney, Robyn Kellow, Scott Farnell and Geoff Lynn, victorious, 24-10.
Susan Robinson, Ross O’Brien, Peter Coulton and Geoff Robinson won the third rink, 16-12.
They will play Lakes Entrance 3 this week at the Lakes Entrance Bowling Club.
In division four, Orbost made the long trek to Tambo Valley, where they went down 42-34, with only two ends left to play, lightning was seen.
The teams returned once the storm had passed and finished the game, despite the loss, Orbost still retains the number one spot on their ladder, albeit with a very narrow two-point lead.
Despite their loss, it was a very good effort, as some of the newer bowlers in the side had never bowled on grass before.
Division four’s next game will be a home game against Paynesville 4.
SOCIAL BOWLS
Thursday afternoon provided hot and very windy weather, but there was still a good turnout of bowlers.
Two games of ten ends were organised and completed despite the conditions, with the winners for the afternoon being Ron Hatcher (skip) and Dennis McCann.
There was a smaller than usual attendance at Sunday’s social bowls due to the state pairs being contested at the Bairnsdale Bowling Club, but there were still sufficient numbers to play the promised game of Russian Roulette.
Numbers were assisted by Chris and Loraine, two visitors to Orbost who also like to bowl.
The afternoon consisted of four games of six ends, with the games computer-generated with players playing on a different rink and different players for each game.
While the first game was played in chilly conditions, the afternoon warmed up as it went along, although the breeze never quite let up.
The winners for the afternoon were Jurgen Fichtner in first place, followed by Daryl Jenkins in second and Scott Farnell in third with all three prize winners more than happy with their prize money.
The next Social Bowls afternoon will be on Thursday, players please be at the club no later than 12.30pm.
