By Rodney Bates
Pennant Flags are a rare commodity in Lawn Bowls, and the club has had an exceptional year, with four out of five sides making finals, and three sides in the running for section pennant flags this week.
After finishing fourth after the home and away season, and winning the elimination and preliminary final, Yarra Glen’s Division 1 Side played section favourite Lalor in the weekend pennant section final at
Heathmont.
A steady start over the first 30 ends saw scores very close with less than five shots separating the teams after 30 ends.
Lalor then started to pull in front gradually over the next 30 ends, and despite some spirited fightback and great support from Yarra Glen’s spectators, Lalor proved too strong to win the section flag.
Final score 62-83. C. Carswell 23/18; S. Manifold 10/19; Beau Simmons 15/19; B. Simmons 14/27.
On Sunday, Lalor were successful in winning a divisional semi-final, and promotion to Premier Reserve Division next season.
Side 2, having been on top for most of the year, played their Division 4 section final against Ringwood, also at Heathmont.
Having two sides at Heathmont was a great experience for the entire club, with the many supporters able to watch both teams play.
Yarra Glen jumped out of the gates at a hectic pace, and by the time the break came, had a lead of over 30 shots.
The second half saw a spirited fightback by Ringwood, with one Yarra Glen rink pegged back from an 18 shot lead to be behind with a few ends to play, and scores within 10 shots on the overall board.
The Shane Smith led rink held a commanding lead all day, and they formed the foundation of the win, continuing to gain shots, and a late rally across the board saw a pennant flag coming back on the bus to Yarra Glen, winning 98-74. S. Smith 36/10; A. Thurkle 17/19; R. Thurkle 19/21; M. Ramage 26/24.
Yarra Glen will contest the Division 4 quarter final on Sunday 9 March, delayed due to the impact of previous weeks Total Fire Bans impacting other teams completing their section finals.
Midweek Pennant Finals.
Having secured a home final last week, Yarra Glen hosted Healesville for the second week in a row, this time in the elimination final.
Yarra Glen’s home surface can take some time to get used to, and the team were able to take advantage early on.
With a strong lead at the break, all teams continued to win ends, and eventually ran out winners 81-46.
P.Leonard 23/18; P. Tirant 27/11; A. Skillern 31/17.
Yarra Glen then had to back up on Thursday with a preliminary final at Warburton.
Warburton have had the wood over us this year, and so it proved once again.
The game was very close at the break with only three shots separating the sides, but a second half blitz on a couple of rinks were too much.
Despite a solid win by Ash Skillern’s rink, Yarra Glen went down overall 40-59.
P. Leonard 11/25; A. Skillern 21/11; P. Tirant 8/23.
Warburton go on to play Heathmont in the section final next Tuesday.
For Yarra Glen, that ends their midweek pennant season.
