The Lower South East Bowls Association Pennant finals rolled into action last weekend with teams desperately trying to keep their respective seasons alive. Mount Gambier RSL’s ladies’ Red team travelled to Port MacDonnell to face Millicent Red in a do or die Division 1 Elimination Final.
The reigning Pennant holders did not disappoint in their quest to reach the Grand Final registering an impressive 50 shots to 31 shots victory to arrange a date with Port MacDonnell. Both rinks were successful with Joy Bilney, Veronica Opie, Jenny Waugh, Jane Crowder, Jennifer Bowering, Kym Franklin, Beryl Messenger and Nancye Wilson the successful players.
All three of Mount Gambier RSL’s Open Pennant teams were in action on Saturday to see if they could reach grand final positions. Division 1 Red faced Mount Gambier at Millicent to book a spot in the decider and defend its title.
The game was close all day and the result was not decided until the last bowl was bowled with Mount Gambier gaining an overall 67-64 shot victory and ending the RSL’s season. Deane Wilkinson (21/14) and Michael Fox (21/19) both skippered their rinks to victory, but a 12-shot defeat for Neil Tobin’s rink forced Mount Gambier RSL to pack its bags.
Division 2 met Naracoorte RSL at Penola and enjoyed a blistering start. All of the RSL’s rinks flew from the outset which produced an early lead which was never headed as they went on to record a 96-49 shot victory.
A match-winning performance from Graeme Smith, Craig Pearson, John Robinson and Harry Childs saw them blow their opposition out of the water with a resounding 48/11 victory. Wayne Legutko, John Spehr, Garry Fox and Fleur Roachock edged ahead by one shot, while
Ian Moulden, John Schoder, Brenton Wittwer and Les James also registered a good wins to guide the team into the Grand Final where they will meet Mount Gambier Red.
Mount Gambier RSL had already eased into the Division 3 Grand Final and will meet Luncindale. Mount Gambier RSL took full advantage of its second chance at a Division 4 grand final berth.
The side travelled to Millicent to face Beachport Red, a side with previous success over RSL. However, this did not stop Mount Gambier RSL from raising its game and winning 82 shots to 59.
Garry Burke, Alan Coulson, Leon Fox and Dave Beaman led the charge with an impressive 38-10 win. This was supported by Ron Cook, Lindsay Moyle, Bob Solly and Rick Chirgwin who registered a 24-20 victory.
Tony Freeman, Eileen Cruise, Bob Milligan and Geoff James went down by nine shots, but will return in this week’s Grand Final re-match with Robe.
