THE pointy end of the Bowls Sunraysia Pennant season has arrived, with an air of expectancy surrounding what looks to be an enthralling weekend of competition.
Ouyen and Irymple loomed on the horizon as early premiership favourites in Division 1.
Mildura started slowly with three straight losses, suggesting a changing of the guard was imminent, while Workers have worked hard to find a balance in their team set-ups.
On Saturday that all gets put to the test.
Mildura finished minor premiers and will host a vocal Irymple Suns at Cureton Avenue.
Results from the three matches played this season give Mildura a slight edge.
Both Keith Sharman and Mark Eckel have been solid performers for the Magic, while Irymple’s shining star has been Tom Hogan, whose rink has been the deciding factor.
The draw of the cards will go a long way to determining the outcome of this match, and both sides will be at full strength and ready to roll.
Mildura have won the last two encounters and will start favourites.
Ouyen have burst onto the scene this year like a breath of fresh air.
Early ladder leaders, the bookies penciled them in for a finals appearance, and the Two Blues have not disappointed.
This weekend they will start with a full side and a home final after finishing third on the ladder.
Janet Vallance and her rink of Norm Latta, Geoff Hahnel and Judy Pengelly have been the standout performers, finishing inside the top 10 on the players’ ladder with 10 wins and plus 47 shots up for the season.
Workers have had a number of players whose individual performances rank highly – Neville Mitchell, Butch Pollock, Fred Bacon and Peter Bishop stand out.
Ouyen will be utilising the wisdom of club great, the late Rob Jay, minimise opposition scoring and maximise opportunities when they arrive.
Ouyen at home to win.
Division 2
Mildura host Nangiloc in what could well be a dress rehearsal for the grand final, with the home side having worked hard to secure top spot.
A good team balance across all three rinks gives the Magic a good base to kick off from.
Bill Hobbs, Peter Ellis and Glenys Yeowart all feature on the players’ ladder.
Nangiloc have the nucleus of a real solid team with both the reigning Sunraysia Champion of Champions Singles and Pairs duo in the side, namely Darren Kerslake, Ben Mansell and Toby Moore.
Nangiloc are to be congratulated.
For a club boasting a playing list of only 17 registered bowlers they have performed admirably and deservedly will contend for a grand final berth.
This will be a ripping final and whoever wins deserves a spot in the grand final.
The first semi-final will be at Irymple where the third-placed Suns host Red Cliffs, and picking a winner here will be tough.
The Tigers have a solid base boasting experience and form, with the district Championship Fours winners all competing today.
The key to the result will be which team settles first.
The Suns at home might just have enough to get the job done.
But the Tigers have a bit in the tank and will be keen to be around next week for a crack at a grand final berth.
Division 3
Underbool have a home final against Mildura in what will be a cracker.
The home side boasts Glosters and Locketts – in fact two thirds of the side.
For the season, Underbool have ticked off a combined 7500km travel for away games.
In the other final Irymple host Ouyen, who will take the game right up to the visitors.
For both teams the loser bows out and the winner gets a crack next week in the preliminary final.
Toss a coin.
Division 4
Top side Coomealla Cannons will be aiming their artillery downstream towards the Wentworth Steamers.
The ladder leaders with a home final will start favourites.
Steamers Skip Ivan Behsmann will be up and about looking to return fire.
The Cannons have a wealth of experience in their side with the likes of Harold Bradley, Rob Nichols and former Mildura Division 1 leader and multiple premiership winner Rob O’Brien in the mix.
The home side to win.
First semi-final will see the Euston Bandits host Red Cliffs at the Carousel.
The home side finished three games clear of the Tigers and will start clear favourites.
The Tigers have a depth of experience and will draw on that to take the game up to the Bandits.
However, with the firepower of Glenn Scott, Doug Brown and Tony Scott the home side will finish the stronger.
