Weekend pennant
The first week of weekend pennant finals yielded some mixed results for the Yarra Glen Bowls Club. On Saturday all three pennant sides had wins.
The Division 1 side needed to win away at MCC to keep their finals chances alive, and they came home with a solid three rink win 87/72. S. Manifold 22/19; M. O’Brien 26/20; G. Senior 17/22; Ben Simmons 22/11.
In Division 4, they played a home second semi-final against a strong Mitcham outfit. After 1 win apiece during the home and away season, a tough game was expected. Yarra Glen managed to keep their heads in front all day, eventually coming out winners 78/71. R. Bates 15/22; M. Ramage 18/20; S. Smith 18/17; R. Thurkle 27/12.
The win meant going straight through to the Section Final, next Saturday. Once again they will play Mitcham, who bounced back to win the preliminary final on Sunday 89/69 against Croydon.
Regardless of the result, the Yarra Glen side has won promotion to Division 3 for next season.
Division 7 were not sure what to expect against Yarra Junction, who have been hard to beat on their home green.
Saturday was an elimination final at Yarra Glen’s green, and the home ground advantage proved decisive with a comprehensive 128/32 win. D. Batten 32/6; S. Elliot 31/8; G. Rowe 24/9; J. Senior 41/9.
On Sunday at Mooroolbark the team came up against the Cockatoo-Monbulk combination. After they unexpectedly lost their second semi final, they bounced back to defeat Yarra Glen 60/102. D. Batten 23/14; S. Elliot 15/21; G. Rowe 21/24; J. Senior 24/12.
In midweek pennant, the last round of home and away games were played out. Side 1 went to Mitcham, going down 52/69. G. Baker 11/33; R. Bates 26/11; P. Leonard 15/25. Side 2 played Boronia, and had an overall win 61/57. D. Milner 16/21; G. Rowe 19/16; J. Senior 17/19.
Club Championship Singles
On Thursday night a large crowd gathered for the Club Singles Championship Finals.
In the ladies final, Marg Grund played Irene Leonard, marked by local club stalwart Tony Anderson, and two of the Side 1 skips locked horns with Shane (Warnie) Manifold against Matthew (Twisties) O’Brien, with Gordy Baker as marker. For the ladies, Irene jumped to an early lead, which she maintained and won 25-10.
An enthralling game ensued in the Men’s final. At 24 all, including a tied end, Twisties had two drives to try and claim the title.
They just missed and Shane Manifold was crowned the winner. Good luck to Irene and Shane as the Champion of Champion Singles events unfolds in March.
