MILDURA Bowls Club collected the Bowls Sunraysia Division 1 and 3 flags at Irymple Bowls Club in Saturday’s pennant finals.
In the top division, the Magic stamped their authority early on proceedings when the rinks of Mark Eckel and Isaiah Bettess gained the upper hand.
After 15 ends, Mildura led 19-12.
Standout performances from Eckel as skip and a dominant performance from Eckel’s lead, Jayden Taylor, built the foundation for the Magic to continue the push.
Ouyen counter then attacked and kept things within reach trailing by 10 shots after 30 ends.
Both Alan Crook’s rink and Mick Donaghy were rating well into the head, with Donaghy’s leader Ken Graham setting up opportunities only to be shut down.
Donaghy and Norm Latta both produced several conversions and looked to have gained the upper hand.
Ron O’Neil produced several shot-saving deliveries to keep his rink in the hunt.
After 45 ends, Mildura had stepped out to lead 58-40.
Eckel’s rink continued to pile on the pressure and opened up a 25-8 lead. Bettess had edged ahead to lead 18-13. These two rinks were paramount in setting up the Magic’s win.
Donaghy was doing his best with Norm Latta, Karen Crook and Ken Graham, working hard to open up a four-shot break over O’Neil.
By end 60 the outcome was apparent, as Mildura had broken the shackles to open up a 27-shot lead.
The final scoreline saw the Magic record a 36-shot victory, 98-62.
Mildura’s rink of Mark Eckel (S), Ian Pollock, Lindsay Lynch and Jayden Taylor ran out 41-14 victors over Janet Vallance (S), Harry Munro, Geoff Hahnel and Ning Pitcher.
Isaiah Bettess (S), Keith Sharman, Corey Bettess and Peter Ellis defeated Alan Crook (S), Sue Kelly, Rod Poole and Val Latta 33-24.
Ron O’Neil (S), Chris Mitchell, Ken Hayes and Rob Hanns played out a 24-all draw with Mick Donaghy, Norm Latta, Karen Crook and Ken Graham.
Second Division minor premiers Coomealla started their run to the flag in style when Adrian Barko piloted his quartet of Fred Posgate, Nan Bath and Tania Gust to a solid 26-22 win over Irymple’s Terry Burke, Noel Hiscock, Russell Lynch and Geoff Madigan.
Alongside the Cannons’ Brandon Tyers, Tom Bath, Rob O’Brien and Peter Lambert were held to a 21-all tie with Ian Kellett, Ian McLean, Phil Connell and George Millward.
With everything to play for, the Irymple Suns rink of Phil Newton, Gus Storer, Terry Wright and Chris Scott shone brightly to pull out a barnstorming win 29-12 over Mark Deakin, Brian Tyers, Dinky Nichols and David Gust to guarantee Irymple took the flag.
It was a big effort coming from third spot on the ladder as the Suns recorded a 72-59 win.
Division 3 saw another upset.
After being demolished by 60 shots in the second semi-final, Mildura fought their way back to win a spot in the grand final and another crack at Wentworth.
The final went right down to the wire after Wentworth staged a miraculous comeback.
Trailing by 20 shots midway through the contest the Steamers paddled their way back to be within three shots going into the final end.
Ivan Behsmann, Trevor Page, Dianne Pumpa and Rodger Smith took the points over Chris Barry, Mel Southee, Glenys Yeowart and Peter Russell 29-23.
Col Sherriff also lifted his rink of Hayden Baird, Sue Nichols and Jeremy Pappin to win 31-23 over Allan Jones, Matt Osborne, Fran Richards and Alik Kowalewicz.
Playing the last end, Wentworth needed three shots to force a tie.
On the change over the Steamers held shot and needed two more.
When Jake Ralph couldn’t add to the equation Mildura’s Dennis Lloyd happily conceded one shot giving the Magic a two-shot victory.
Lloyd’s rink of Julia Leeming, Bernie Sharp and Marlene Scheele delivered for their side, recording a 31-15 rink win for the Magic over Ralph, Alan Behsmann, sub and Rod Baird.
Fourth Division’s stand out team of the year Coomealla went all the way, recording a ripping win over Mildura in a solid performance.
Ian Gibson, Rob Nichols, Ian Fraser and Ron McAdam were far too strong for Garry Smallman, Judy Morris, Cecilia Ferdelja and Joe Dimasi, winning 36-9.
Harold Bradley ensured the Cannons’ victory by accounting for Dale Presley-Barwick, 30-19.
Bradley’s rink of Delwyn Milner, Ron Kuhn and John Terbogt were solid all day. Presley-Barwick’s unit of Colin Barber, Mick Powell and Jimmy Presley-Barwick much wiser for the experience. The Cannons winning 66-28.
Special mention for Harold Bradley, who was enticed back to play pennant for the Cannons.
Bradley played 13 games including finals at skip and recorded 12 wins from 13 starts.
The Irymple Bowls Club is to be congratulated for the presentation of their greens and the overall management and running of the day. The greens were excellent running at close to 16 seconds.
