IN a thumping Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant Division 1 preliminary final the Ouyen Two Blues have booked their spot in next week’s grand final against Mildura.
From the get go both Irymple and Ouyen looked to stamp their authority on the match.
Irymple’s Matt West had the Vallance rink in his sites while Chris Madigan at third produced some brilliant bowls.
Graham Newey at lead continued to deliver as West’s rink jumped out to a 27 to 7-shot lead and provided the impetus for the Sun’s to charge home.
On the adjoining rink Two Blue’s squad of Mick Donaghy, Norm Latta, Karen Crook and Ken Graham had different ideas.
Crook dominated the second’s spot and set up many opportunities for Latta and Donaghy as the Ouyen quartet jumped out to build a solid lead covering the deficit on the Vallance rink.
Ouyen’s Alan Crook and David Gray were locked in a battle royale.
After 70 ends the ledger saw Ouyen with a two-shot buffer overall.
Trailing 15 to 20 Gray rallied his troops to pick up a five on the penultimate end.
Irymple hit the front overall, if only for a brief minute as Vallance’s rink pulled out four shots to give the Two Blues the cumulative lead once again.
Meanwhile the Donaghy quartet fired off a few salvos and finished off their match with an empowering 36 to 14 win over Graham Lynch, Darren Cass, Anthony Kelly and Trevor Flack.
Gray’s rink fired again collecting three shots to record a 28 to 25 win over Alan Crook.
With the last two ends to play only the West verses Vallance match remained in play.
On the 74th end with the scores locked level over all Westy’s rink held four shots.
With only the last bowl to play Vallance coolly drew the shot to give Ouyen the lead.
Misfortune went against the Irymple rink on the last end as Mick Legin attempted to trail the Jack.
His bowl caught the under edge of the jack and it sliced across to two Ouyen bowls.
Ning Pitcher added a third and the Two Blues had control of the end and ultimately the match.
In an attempt to kill the end West went wide of the head. Ouyen collected four shots and a place in the grand dance next week, 78 (8) to Irymple’s 73 (4).
Second division saw Mildura take on a rampant Irymple who were up and about early.
The destroyer for Irymple was Phil Newton’s rink of Gus Storer, Terry, the Wrecker, Wright and Chris Scott.
They took control of their match early against Jon Underwood, Bill Hobbs, John Simpson and Graeme Young running out comfortable winners 33 to 14.
Ken Yeowart kept the home side in touch as he piloted his rink of Garry Holmes, Russ Kneebone and Chris Richards to a 22 to 16 win over Terry Bourke, Noel Hiscock, Russ Lynch and Geoff Madigan.
That left a deficit in the books for the Magic’s accountant to cover.
Ian Kellett, Ian McLean, Phil Connell and George Millward put the icing on the cake with a 32 to 21 win over Reg Gardner, Judy Osborne, Vic Dolenec and Bernard McCarthy.
Mildura out in straight sets with a scoreline Irymple 81 (10) to 57(2) and 24 shot winners.
Irymple will now line up to play Coomealla in next week’s grand final to be played at Irymple.
Third Division was tagged to be the close encounter of all preliminary finals this weekend.
Mildura had different ideas and took full toll of the Bandits.
Allan Jones rink of Matt Osborne, Fran Richards and Alik Kowalewicz ran out comfortable winners against Phil Cattanach, Blake Downie, Tony Scott and Isabella Oliver 29 to 10.
Dennis Lloyd returned to the winners circle recording a 25 to 15 win over Anthony Tormey, Doug Brown, Tom Lindsay and Jeff Lindsay.
Lloyd was accompanied by Julia Leeming, Bernie Sharp and Marlene Scheele.
Chris Barry, Mel Southey, Glenys Yeowart and Peter Russell collected the chocolates over Glenn Scott, John Bond, Ariana Longmire and Harley Downie 24 to 14.
Mildura winning on all rinks 78 to 39 and now the Magic take on Wentworth at Irymple in next week’s grand final.
The Fourth Division contest was an all Mildura affair with Mildura 4 taking on Mildura 5.
Wal Grembecki’s rink of Fabian Chevlin, Rowan Kolpin and Max Pegus on Mildura 5 put up a good fight against Garry Smallman, Judy Morris, Cecilia Ferdelja and Joe Dimasi but went down 20 to 24.
Dale Presley-Barwick, Colin Barber, Mick Powell and Jimmy Presley-Barwick of Mildura 4 had a bit more in the tank against Nola Mason, Russell Gilbert, Carmel Morrison and Jace Dunstan recording a 32 to 21 win.
The Mildura 4 side will now take on Coomealla in the grand final at Irymple.
