OUYEN have emerged as real premiership contender after their victory over the Irymple Suns in last week’s Bowls Sunraysia pennant preliminary final.
The Two Blues will be making their first grand final appearance since 1999 when they went down narrowly to the Mildura Magic.
Ironically they will face off against Mildura on Saturday at the Irymple Bowls Club.
The draw has been completed by the Bowls Sunraysia Match Committee and there are no surprises.
Isaiah Bettess will take on Alan Crook. Bettess in his first season at the pointy end of the rink has made a promising start to his skipping career. Crook has the capacity to keep things tight and nullify the opposition when required.
Mark Eckel and Janet Vallance will face off. These two did battle in round 7 at Ouyen with Eckel getting home in a close affair. Saturday’s match-up will be a real contest as both Skips are prodigious draw bowlers and will be hunting for shots when the opportunity arises.
Ron O’Neil will have the task of keeping Mick Donaghy’s rink quiet after their match winning performance last week against Irymple.
Donaghy’s secret weapon Norm Latta will be the key to his rinks performance. Latta has been in red-hot form this season and will be looking to take the points for his Skip.
The Ouyen side as selected for the grad final is as follows:
Alan Crook: Runner-up in club championship on a few occasions and a representative in Bowls Sunraysia round robin sides. Very capable skip with great draw bowling.
Sue Kelly: Represented Murray Mallee in the recent regional side’s championships in Ballarat. Has won two club championships. Passionate bowler – gets a bit excited!
Rodney Poole: Has progressed to make Division 1 this season. Capable draw bowler; always about the head with his bowls.
Val Latta: Graduated to Division 1 this season leading for Alan Crook. Plays both sides of the rink and will give Crooky a great start.
Janet “Jammy” Vallance: Seven-times club champion. and regular member of MMBR regional representative sides. Current holder of Bowls Sunraysia State Fours, Runner-up in Sunraysia Champion of Champions in 2025; very competent skip who is always up for the challenge.
Harry Munro: As Jammy’s third makes for a formidable combination; Harry is a dual club champion, former Bowls Sunraysia Champion of Champion’s singles and MMBR Singles Champion.
Geoff Hahnel: Three-times club champion. Geoff uses a bowling arm, which he uses with deadly accuracy. Leading for Janet Vallance. 1997 Premiership side member.
Ning Pitcher: Murray Mallee Region side member; one of the best lead bowlers in Sunraysia. Ning became an Aussie last November; always lots of fun and has won club championship.
Mick Donaghy: A quiet achiever; a club coach; runner-up in club championship; outstanding skipper who is always very encouraging.
Norm Latta: Club champion this season; very consistent draw bowler who is not afraid to take the game on if needed.
Karen Crook: Has risen up to division 1 this season with consistent dedication to her bowls. Plays second for Mick Donaghy.
Ken Graham: Dual club champion; very consistent lead for Mick Donaghy, plays with a bowling arm.
Alan “Sammy” Floyd: A lefty player; passionate bowler; a Vietnam Vet with personalized army insignia bowls; former singles club champion.
The Mildura side boasts a strong line up of experience in finals. The side as selected:
Isaiah Bettess: First year as Skip, already has several district and regional title wins under his belt at 19 years of age. Regular member of the MMBR side. Solid competitor in all facets of the game.
Keith Sharman: Third man to Bettess. Has vast finals experience and numerous club, district and regional titles attached to his resume. Will be the wise owl of the Bettess rink.
Corey Bettess: Playing second fiddle to son Isaiah. Strong draw bowler and will add to the front half of the rink.
Peter Ellis: Finally cracked Division 1 this year after a solid exhibition of leading in Division 2. He will get his rink off to a rock solid start.
Ron O’Neil: First year at Mildura after transferring from the Sturt Bowls Club. Steady on the draw but can play the big shots when required. Has already shown his ability with wins in the district events.
Chris Mitchell: Will turn up ready to play. Has all the shots and has been to the main dance on a few occasions.
Ken Hayes: Returned to Mildura after a successful interlude at the Workers. Has won dual club singles titles. Solid Second with the capacity to play the yard on shot to perfection when required.
Rob Hanns: Lead for O’Neil. Plays with precision and fierce determination. Will have game face on ready to roll. Has won numerous region, district and club titles.
Mark Eckel: Has won just about everything there is to win in the district. Well versed tactician with an array of shots and strong determination to deliver.
Ian “Butch” Pollock: Butch returned to the fold this year after a sabbatical with Workers and has slotted back into the Division 1 side as Number 3 for Eckel. Big on the draw and solid on providing back up when required.
Lindsay Lynch: Number 2 for Eckel. Quality front half player. Has the capacity to keep slotting shots into the zone setting up opportunities for the back end to consolidate or convert as required.
Jayden Taylor: Transferred to Mildura at the start of the season to build his skill sets as a Division 1 leader. Brilliant on the draw. Has the capacity to create chaos for the opposition when on song.
More on the remaining Bowls Sunraysia pennant grand finals in Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily.
