MILDURA Magic took the game up to Irymple and ran out seven-shot winners in the Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant semi-finals to qualify for the grand final.
In a game played under testing conditions, the green ran at a tick over 15 seconds in an ideal examination paper for both sides.
Mildura curator Shane Moritz had the green running beautifully, however the swirling breeze made consistent bowls problematic.
Mildura jumped away to a strong start with master magician Mark Eckel delivering early punches against David Gray. At the break the Magic lead comfortably by 18 shots.
Not to be denied the Suns rose to the occasion and started a run led by Matt West that saw the Irymple unit get within a hand full of shots.
Staring down the barrel at five shots down, Mildura skip Ron O’Neil produced a snorter to reduce the shot count to one.
Next door newly appointed skip Isaiah Bettess produced a five-shot collect to give the Magic a 10-shot overall margin with one end to play.
Mildura won 69(9) – 62(3) as Mark Eckel 27 defeated David Gray 16, Ron O’Neil tied with Graeme Lynch 19-all and Isaiah Bettess went down to Matt West 27-24.
Ouyen Two Blues ended Red Cliffs’ finals run when they accounted for the Tigers comfortably.
Bruce Harford fired the first shot for the Tigers accounting for Norm Latta 31-17. The Two Blues army lifted the home side.
Alan Crook delivered a 34 – 8 win over Michael Clifford and Janet Vallance saluted 35-20 over Maurie Press.
The final result seeing Ouyen running out comfortable winners 86(10) to Red Cliffs 59(2).
Ouyen has all to play for on Saturday when they take on Irymple at Coomealla in the preliminary final.
In Second Division top side Coomealla took all the points against Mildura in a tough encounter.
Mark Deakin accounted for Jon Underwood 23-21. Brandon Tyers got over Reg Gardner 27-21 and Adrian Barko produced a 24 -21 win over Ken Yeowart. Coomealla making their way into the grand final winning 74(12) – Mildura 63(0).
Irymple took the points against Nangiloc at the Cauldron with a narrow five-shot win.
Terry Bourke got over Toby Moore 33-16 to get the Suns shining. Ben Mansell, Matt Andrew, Kelvin Cox and Darren Kerslake lifted the Loc back in to the contest with a solid 35-17 win over Ian Kellett’s rink.
With all to play for the Suns Phil Newton (S), Gus Storer, Terry Wright and Chris Scott rose to deliver a 26-20 win over Jamie Forte.
The Suns running out 76(10) – 71(2) victors. They will take on Mildura next week at Coomealla in the preliminary final.
Third Division minor premiers Wentworth steam rolled second side Mildura in a barnstorming, all rinks win; 99 shots to 39.
Jacob Ralph defeated Chris Barry 28-21. Ivan Behsmann was far too good for Alan Jones’s four winning 38-8. Behsmann was ably assisted by Trevor Page, Dianne Pumpa and Rodger Smith. Colin Sherriff accounted for Dennis Lloyd 33-10.
The Steamers have moored for a fortnight and await the results of the preliminary final next week.
Underbool were at home to Euston in the elimination final. The Bandits arrived with pistols loaded and took the points in an all rinks win over a determined home side.
Robert Gloster lost a close one 26 -27 to Anthony Tormey. Howard Crothers rink battled hard all day only to fall behind at the finish going down narrowly 22-24 to Doug Brown.
The big winner for the Bandits was the Phil Cattanach rink of Blake Downie, Tony Scott and Isabella Oliver who comfortably accounted for Col Lockett’s rink 36 – 19.
The Bandits are off to the Thunderdome next week where they will take on Mildura after winning 87(12) – 67(0).
The Fourth Division elimination final produced a ripping encounter between Mildura 5 and Irymple at the Cauldron. After the regulation 50 ends were completed the scores were tied which required a sudden death play-off.
With both rinks back on the green the Magic produced the goods and have made it through to the preliminary final next week where they will take on their nemesis; Mildura 4.
The Mildura 5 side boasts two junior up and coming players Max Pegus and Jace Dunstan both lads still at primary school.
The final scoreline Mildura 5 45(6) defeating Irymple 43(2).
The qualifying final saw top of the table Coomealla comfortably account for Mildura 4 61(8) – 35(0).
Harold Bradley(S), Delwyn Milner, Ron Kuhn and John Terbogt fired the first shot for the Cannons taking out Dale Presley-Barwick 33-14. Ian Gibson collected the points over Gary Smallman 28 – 21.
Coomealla move into the grand final and await the outcome of the matchup between Mildura 4 and 5.
