Russell Sullivan shows fine style. Photos: Supplied
With practice matches completed and final positions jostled for, Pennant Bowls is back in the Murray Playing Area.
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In the off-season Cobram picked up a number of quality bowlers and also organised for a marquee player, Jordan Yates, to represent the club on occasions.
In Division One Cobram had a walk in the park with its opposition, Numurkah, showing little resistance.
Yates skipped Steve Tatnall, Garry Carter and David Quinane to a 17-shot hiding, winning 27-10 over Numurkah’s Ann Milkens.
Young Luke Dunn picked the right day to make his debut in Division One for Cobram when he combined with Geoff Westmore, Luke Quinane and skipper Ray Parks to convincingly triumph over Numurkah’s Don Staggard’s side 27-13.
Things were even better over on the rink skipped by John Dixon. Dixon, with Keith Faulkner, Peter Garland and Allan McDonald, only allowed Numurkah’s Alan Rodgers’ team to score on six ends, taking the rink points 37-14. In total Cobram won 91 shots to 37 and collected all 16 points.
Cobram Division Two travelled to Berrigan to take on last year’s relegated Division One side in what was predicted to be a close battle.
Colin McDonald’s team of John Anders (L), Brian Doyle (2) and Russell Sullivan (3) got off to a slow start against Berrigan’s Roger Reynoldson, but kick-started their scoring with six shots on end five. From then on, the Cobram boys were never headed and took the rink points 28-23.
Cobram’s Ron Dougherty was up against it all day in a tight contest against Berrigan’s Rick Bradbury and went down narrowly, 18-20. The Cobram team of Rebecca Dungan (ex-Tocumwal), Michael Stephens, David Bewley (ex-Hastings) and skipped by Haydn Smith were tested all day against a Berrigan combination helmed by Paul Glanvill. Smith’s side scored a single shot on the final end to claim the rink points. Cobram 18 to Berrigan 17.
Overall Cobram held sway, 64 shots to Berrigan 60, winning 14 points to two.
Colin McDonald sends down a vital bowl late in his Division Two tussle.
Division Three were also drawn to play Berrigan but this game was played at the Tigers’ Den.
Cobram’s Phil O’Dwyer skipped Trevor Wood, Marj McDonald and pennant debutant Jake Madgwick to a four-shot victory over Berrigan’s Val Chisolm (24-20). Tigers Carol Doherty (S), Andrew Giblin, Sue Carter and Annette Temple hit the front for the first time on the 20th end to give Cobram the rink points against Berrigan’s Glenys McKay, winning 21-20.
Julie Cain and ‘Rube’ Madgwick made their pennant debut for Cobram when they combined with skipper Darryl O’Connor and lead Joy Mynard to seal the day by six shots over Berrigan’s Hardy Rennick (21-15). Overall Cobram scored 66 shots to Berrigan 55 and took the points 16 to nil.
In Division Four, Cobram travelled to Finley.
Cobram’s Brenda Smethurst skipped Jeanette Liersch, debutant Alan Cain and stalwart Barry Walker to a six-shot win over Finley’s Brian Anderson despite a second-half fightback by Finley. Smethurst took the chocolates 21-15.
Kevin Saunders was in charge of the Cobram rink of Steve Paganoni (L), Tracey Emery (2) and Adrain Lindsay (3). Saunders had a fight on his hand for most of the day against Finley’s Steve Malone. However, it was Saunders’ crew that was more dominant in the second half to run out winners, 21-16. Overall, Cobram 42 to Finley 21. Fourteen points to nil.
Cobram Division Five travelled to Berrigan to play what would turn out to be an ‘interesting’ game.
Berrigan was unable to field a full squad. As a sporting gesture, Cobram supplied the three players to fill the positions so a game could be played.
Cobram’s Ian Bray lost 24 to 28 against Berrigan’s Steve Gann. On the adjoining rink Cobram’s Brian Bacon and his team opposed Berrigan’s David Fox (L) and Cobram replacement players Donna Bacon (Brian’s wife), Colin Rankin and skipper Linda Gallyot.
With the score 25-11 in favour of the ‘home’ side after 17 ends, Brian Bacon’s team rallied late scoring 2, 1, 1 and 5 on the run home but still went down 20-25. Cobram 44 shots, nil points to Berrigan 53 shots, 14 points.
On Sunday Cobram teams travelled to Berrigan to compete in the Murray Bowls State Fours.
Ron ‘Doc’ Dougherty (S), with Haydn Smith, David Bewley and Phil O’Dwyer, won two rounds to now go into the semi-finals next week against a Numurkah Golf-Berrigan combination.
In the Women’s State Fours, Cobram’s Marj McDonald, Kerry Baldacchino, Rebecca Dungan and Christine Dunne won their rounds and are now in the final against a Tocumwal team skipped by Leigh Hansen. Good luck, Tigers!
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