By Ian Milgate
Preliminary final
What a day it was for the Healesville Bowling Club.
Firstly, it is with sadness to hear the passing of Beryl Ayres.
Not only was she a great club member who won over 50 Championships while bowling for Healesville over many years, but also a beautiful lady who never had a bad word for anyone.
Beryl always welcomed everybody, asked how they were, and gave them that beautiful smile that she had.
The club is feeling the loss and the condolences go out to Robert and the family.
Prior to the two games being played the club held a minutes silence in memory of Beryl, Team 1 played Ringwood in the preliminary round at Ringwood, and although the team was all feeling the sad loss of Beryl,
The team believed she was looking over Robert and the team supporting and saying “Come on Healesville”.
Team 1 got away to a good start and by the half time break it was up by 30 shots.
After the break, the game started to shift a little, but they were not going to give up on this solemn occasion, and eventually ran over Ringwood by 18 shots. This puts the team into the grand final next week against Vermont South.
Team 2 played Mitcham at home, and again there was a lot of sadness after hearing the news of Robert’s mother Beryl passing away overnight.
The team had a reason to win today because Beryl would not had wanted it any other way.
All rinks got off to a good start and by the break Healesville were up by 16 shots, 43/27.
They knew they had to win and win they did beating Mitcham by 29 shots, 72/43. Healesville will play Monbulk next week in the Grand Final with venue to be advised.
Well done all players from both teams and lets go one better next week winning the Grand final.
Tuesday’s Team 2 played Lilydale at home in the Semi Final.
Healesville had to win to go on to the Qualifying Final.
Healesville started off well and at the half time break were up by 7 shots.
After the break the game become a sea sawing exciting game.
Healesville dropped a 5 shotter, but Len Cosson’s rink picked up a seven, which put them back in the game.
For the last seven ends there was only a shot or two in it either way.
With 3 ends to play we were even, then 2 ends to go Lilydale went 2 up.
On the last end Healesville was holding shot, but needed a 2 to draw or 3 to win.
Unfortunately their shot bowl was knocked out to give Lilydale the shot, and the team went down by 3 shots, 58/61.
It was an exciting game to watch, and the players deserve congratulating on their effort under very warm conditions.
Grand final day
Saturday’s Team 1 played Vermont South at Upwey Tecoma on neutral ground.
All rinks started off well and continued to keep the pressure on up until half time when the team had a 3 break shot 36/33.
After the break it started to tighten up a little as both teams were playing good bowls, although Mark Ward’s rink was playing great bowls and keeping the team in the lead.
With only 6 ends to play there were only 2 shots in it but Adrian Beales rink started to get bowls on the head, which held Vermont South at bay.
It came down to the last end and it was crucial to get bowls in the head, and thankfully Bobby Brown dropped 2 on the jack, making it hard for Vermont South to make up shots and finally we beat Vermont South by 4 shots, 72/68.
Saturday’s Team 2 played Monbulk at Upwey Tecoma.
After losing to Monbulk in the semi final, Healesville had a score to settle, and was determined to go one better.
The Healesville side came out of the blocks firing but by the tea break Monbulk had a 3 shot lead, 26/29.
After the tea break, Healesville could see that if it kept close to Monbulk, that it could topple the favourites.
All rinks started to fire up led by John Fitzpatrick and before long started to creep ahead.
Panic struck Monbulk and Healesville finally drew away for a 16 shot win, 68/52.
Congratulations to all players who played exceptionally well and showed how Healesville with its limited number of players in the club can achieve great results.
