By Chris Mitchell
MILDURA Workers opened the gates on the 2024-25 season with a solid win over the reigning premiers Irymple at home this weekend in round five of Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant.
Workers rink of Neville Mitchell, Peter Mitchell, Eddy Vuik and Richard Clarke took full toll on Matt West, Wayne Gardner, Graham Newey and Mick Legin with a decisive 25-12 win.
The match nearly went pear-shaped for the homeside when Peter Bishop’s rink dropped a sic on end 22 levelling the master score board leaving everything to play for.
Bishop ultimately went down to Graham Lynch 24-27.
Roger Bray promoted to skip for this game and trailing 18-21 on end 22 urged his rink to deliver and collected four shots to regain the lead over The Sun’s Chris Maddigan. Eventually saluting 24-21.
Workers toiled hard all day and ran out deserving winners 73(10) – 60(0).
Next door Mildura were playing host to Merbein.
“Jumbo” Greenhill had his rink of Evan Rice, Jack Anderson and Jamie Knudsen firing after brew.
Trailing 11-20 after 16 ends the Merbein unit scored 16 unanswered shots collecting a 27-20 win over Ian Pollock, Chris Mitchell, Ron O’Neil and Judy Osborne.
A few meters away Mark Eckel was in full control as his rink of Jayden Taylor, Garry Holmes and Bob Deacon powered home against Laurie McLaine 29-15.
Alongside Team Eckel, Keith Sharman enjoyed a solid day at the office with Isaiah Bettess, Lindsay Lynch and concreter Peter Ellis cementing his position on the mat, with Sharman recording a 35-15 win over David Maud and Magic collectively winning 84(10) – 57(2).
At the Tigers Den Maurie Press recorded a 27-22 win over Alan Crook for Red Cliffs.
The Two Blues Mick Donaghy with Norm Latta, Judy Pengelly and Ken Graham were up to the task and squared the ledger against Carolyn Coles winning 27-22.
That left the door open for a matinee performance and Janet Vallance, Rod Poole, Roy Latta and Ning Pitcher saluted with a 28-19 win over Geoff Peter as Ouyen collected the points 77(10) – 68(2).
In Division Two, ladder leaders Coomealla were outpointed by Mildura at the Dome.
Reg Gardner, Bernard McCarthy, Chris Richards and Rod Johnstone were the big winners for the Magic defeating Adrian Barko 34-14.
Cannons Mark Deakin accounted for Bill Hobbs 32-14. Ken Yeowart too good for Brandon Tyers 26-22. Magic up 78(10)-68(2).
Nangiloc went down to Irymple in a close contest 74(2) – 82(10).
Ouyen v Workers had results posted on Bowlslink at the time of writing.
Division 3 results included Wentworth 84(10) beat Euston 46(2), Red Cliffs 76(10) defeat Workers 62(2), Merbein 60(2) down Irymple 75(10) and Mildura 63(3) lose to Underbool 69(9).
Least but not least Division 4 outcomes saw Irymple 45(2) go down to Coomealla 47(6), Euston 3 forfeit to Euston2 0, Mildura 5 34(0) get beaten by to Mildura 4 42(8), and Red Cliffs 3 forfeit to Underbool 2 10(8).
Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant Ladders
Division One: Mildura 38, Irymple 38, Workers 34, Merbein 32, Ouyen 23, Red Cliffs 15.
Division Two: Coomealla 43, Mildura 37, Irymple 36, Nangiloc 29, Workers 16, Ouyen 7.
Division Three: Euston 46, Wentworth 45, Irymple 32, Mildura 27, Underbool 26, Merbein 24, Red Cliffs 24, Workers 16.
Division Four: Coomealla 30, Irymple 26, Mildura(4) 24, Underbool 20, Euston 2 20, Mildura (5) 18, Red Cliffs 14, Euston 3 8.
