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<pstyle:2 – Body Text>It was a great finish to Gippsland Bowls Region Weekend Pennant Superleague for Orbost, pulling off a huge upset, defeating premiership contender Sale 1 at the Orbost Bowling Club.
Sale 1 made the trip east, sitting second on ladder, likely to be a recipient of one of the three double chance spots, but left in fourth place, set to face Paynesville in a sudden death eliminator this week.
The Green Machine played inspired bowls, making a mockery of their 12th place finishing on the table, scoring an impressive 63-54 clean sweep over the stunned Sale 1 outfit.
The pressure was intense in all three rinks, but Ron Hatcher, Scott Farnell, Robyn Kellow, Bradley Lancaster (21-16), Beryl Dyce, Bruce Kneebone, Karen Chenney, Geoff Aitken (22-20) and Geoff Lynn, Maurice Frank, Geoff Robinson and Peter Coulton (20-18) all finished the season on a winning note.
Unfortunately it was Orbost’s lowest ranking in many years, however the club is mindful of the amount of travelling now required, with more than 1700 kilometres travelled to play just seven away games.
In midweek pennant, division two lost their away game against Bairnsdale 2, 52-69.
Only Gwen Hatcher’s team of Kneebone, Lyn Broersen and Lyn O’Brien won their match with a score of 23-17.
With just the one team winning, they gained only two match points, which means they have slipped to third on their ladder.
With only two games left in their season, they will need to either win both matches or at least gain enough points to remain in the top four, if they want to play in the final series.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS
The finals of the champion pairs were staged last Thursday in cool overcast conditions.
In the men’s match, Ron Hatcher and Farnell defeated Kneebone and Trevor Hawkey, while in the ladies, Dyce and O’Brien proved too good for Chenney and Kellow.
The next round of championship games will be the men’s and ladies handicap singles, which will be played on February 20 and 27.
STATE MIXED PAIRS
Last weekend, Orbost had two pairs competing in the Gippsland Bowls Region, State Mixed Pairs finals at the Lakes Entrance Bowls Club.
In a large field of 38 pairs, Chenney and Lynn unfortunately lost in the second round, however Brad Lancaster and Robyn Kellow went through to the grand final, where they lost to Joanne Martin (Lakes Entrance) who teamed up with Paynesville’s Simon Kiss.
SOCIAL
Due to a private barefoot bowls function on Thursday, social bowls was played on Wednesday afternoon instead, in warm overcast conditions.
The match committee decided on two games of 10 ends in the fours format, with the winning team for the afternoon was Coulton (skip), Des Edwards, Farnell and at one game each, Vanessa Frank and Sue Robinson, who everyone was delighted to see back on the green.
Sunday’s session was held as a friendly roll up as a lot of the usual attendees were either in Lakes Entrance supporting Lancaster and Kellow or were put off by the high temperature.
The next afternoon of social bowls will be on Thursday, if you intend to play, please be at the club no later than 12.30pm.
BAREFOOT/TWILIGHT
Twilight bowls was a quiet event last Friday, however this was more than made up by the Marlo Hotel’s private barefoot session on Thursday evening, a belated Christmas function.
The bowlers spent several fun hours on the green enjoying the club’s facilities which include the licensed bar.
