AFTER previewing Saturday’s Bowls Sunraysia Saturday Pennant Division 1 grand final on Friday, here’s a closer look at the remaining grades competing for premiership glory on Saturday.
Division 2 – Coomealla v Irymple
THE Coomealla Cannons will have their sights set on collecting the second division premiership when they do battle with Irymple. The Suns have the home ground advantage but have been unable to take the points in any of the three home-and-away games against Coomealla. In their last clash the Cannons recorded a convincing 26 shot win across all rinks.
The draw completed by Bowls Sunraysia Match Committee on Wednesday reveals Brandon Tyers has drawn Ian Kellett. This will be a solid match-up as both rinks contain a wealth of experience and a fair bit of ability.
Robert O’Brien at second brings a vast amount of experience as a Division 1 leader with multiple premiership wins under his belt. He has also topped the players table in Division 2 for the season.
Brandon Tyers experience will add to the mix along with Peter Lambert who has also rated well on the players ladder.
Their opponents in Ian Kellett, Ian McLean, Phil Connell and George Millward as a rink all rate in the top 12 best performers in Division 2. This will be the match to watch.
Alongside, Adrian Barko will do battle with Terry Bourke. The Irymple quartet didn’t have things all their own way last week when Mildura’s Ken Yeowart collected the points. Barko’s unit is well balanced with Fred Posgate at Third, Nan Bath second and Tania Gust on the mat. The Coomealla unit have all been ranked highly on the players ladder and will be up and about. Burke at home at the Cauldron will be looking for a lift from his rink.
Mark Deakin has the job to keep Phil Newton’s unit under wraps. Newton brought the best out of his team last week when they were majorly responsible for ending Mildura’s finals campaign. Newton has Gus Storer, Terry Wright and Chris Scott up front leading the way. Deakin has Brian Tyers, Dinky Nichols and David Gust to lead off their campaign.
Coomealla will start clear favourites after a 3-0 record against Irymple during the home-and-away rounds. But the Sun’s have the home ground advantage and will have trained the house down this week checking every blade of grass on the Irymple deck.
Division 3 – Wentworth v Mildura
THIRD Division sees the Wentworth Steamers taking on Mildura. The Steamers have had a ripping season finishing on top of the table.
Their match-ups with Mildura in the home-and-away games saw them collect the points at home but the Magic clean sheeted them at Cureton Avenue. In the return bout – the second semi final at Wentworth the Steamers returned the favour recording a whopping 60 shot demolition. Played at Irymple the grand final will be on neutral territory. Both sides will need to bring their A games if they are to prevail in what will be a solid shoot out.
The line up sees Ivan Behsmann tackling Chris Barry. Colin Sherriff facing off against Allan Jones and Jacob Ralph doing battle with Dennis Lloyd.
Division 4 – Coomealla v Mildura 4
DIVISION Four has Coomealla starting as hot favourites. Dropping only one game for the season they outpointed Mildura 4 in the second semi-final on all rinks to collect a 26-shot victory and gain direct entry into the final.
Harold Bradley has resumed his pennant career this year skipping for the Cannons. With nine wins from 10 starts he has given Coomealla a rock solid base.
Bradley has drawn Dale Presley-Barwick who is in his second season of pennant. Skipping his rink with son Jimmy leading at 11 years of age. Joan Bunney and Mick Powell filling up the middle.
Ian Gibson will take charge of the other Cannon quartet with Rob Nichols, Ian Fraser and Ron McAdam. Their opponents will be Garry Smallman, Judy Morris, Cecilia Ferdelja and Joe Dimasi.
The Cannons will start favourites after a very solid season. Finals don’t always go according to plan, but the best team on the day will be a deserving winner.
