By Rodney Bates
Weekend pennant finals started on Saturday, with two teams playing elimination finals and one with the double chance in a second semi final.
Division 1 travelled to Bundoora on Saturday, having lost both home and away matches to them this season in close finishes.
With a full team to select from, including Yarra Glen’s two Scottish marquee players Chris Carswell and John Sproat, the team went in with a lot of confidence.
In a remarkable turnaround, all four teams played some great bowls, ending in a commanding 90-65 shot win.
C. Carswell 18/18; S. Manifold 34/13; Beau Simmons 19/13; B. Simmons 19/21.
On Sunday, the team headed to Mitcham to play the section preliminary final.
Yarra Glen jumped away to a healthy lead early and held on well against a spirited Mitcham team and the elements with rain at times interrupting play.
Mitcham fought back in the last 20 ends and managed to get one shot ahead with one end to play.
Spida Tirant played a gem to hold shot and level the scores, just losing the measure for second.
An extra end was needed.
With three rinks completed, Mitcham was up 2-1, with Yarra Glen holding one in the head with a bowl in hand.
It couldn’t have been in better hands, with Ben Simmons drawing a second shot within 15cm for a one-shot win and a place in next week’s Section Grand final against Lalor.
Final score 80-79.
C. Carswell 24/19; S. Manifold 18/19; Beau Simmons 19/20; B. Simmons 19/21.
Division 4 Side 2 had a home second semi-final against Heatherdale.
The sides won one each over the home and away season, both by big margins, so there was no clear favourite going into the game.
It was a mix of two rinks well up and two well down into the break, and in the last 20 ends, less than five shots separated the sides.
It seemed to be shot for shot across all rinks over the last 10 ends, eventually Yarra Glen pulling away for a two rink 11 shot win 80-69.
S. Smith 16/20; M. Ramage 14/20; R. Thurkle 31/13; A. Thurkle 19/16.
The win secures promotion of the side to Division 3 next season.
Side 3 were also playing at home against Mitcham, having beaten them last week to secure a finals spot.
Yarra Glen had some big outs from the regular side, and Mitcham had strengthened considerably their team from finals qualified players.
They proved too good on the day with the final score 50-95.
L. Baker 6/30; J Leather 16/16; G. Baker 21/19; D McMenaman 7/30.
This ends the season for side 3.
All in all, a successful season given only a few weeks ago they were in danger of relegation.
Last Home and Away Round for Midweek Pennant.
Midweek Division 2 were holding onto fourth spot, playing third placed Healesville.
A loss would mean missing out on finals.
The game was very tightly contested in this local derby but played in good spirit.
After scores near tied at the lunch break, Yarra Glen secured a series of shots across all rinks in the early afternoon, eventually running out winners 63/49 (14 points).
P. Leonard 26/12; P. Tirant 24/13; M. Creighton 13/24.
Next Tuesday Yarra Glen will again host Healesville in the elimination first semi-final.
Yarra Glen’s second side played Mooroolbark.
Mooroolbark needed a win to play finals and proved too strong for our side with the final score 44-82 (2 Points).
L. Baker 11/29; B. Grund 10/34; D. McMenaman 23/19.
This is the end of a tough season for side 3, who will play in Division 4 next season.
