It was a great result for Lakes Entrance with both Gippsland Bowls Region Weekend Superleague teams successful in vital round 12 fixtures last Saturday.
With just one round remaining on Saturday, February 1, Lakes Entrance 1 currently sits in second place, with finals participation guaranteed, while Lakes Entrance 2, after an outstanding win against Lindenow, now occupies fifth spot, but will need to win in the final round over West Sale to ensure it maintains the finals spot.
Lakes 1 began the weekend in third spot but after defeating Orbost at home 63-49, moved up at the expense of Lakes 2s opponent Lindenow, who dropped to third, just ahead of Sale 1.
Eric Spence, Margaret Brandhoj, Jo Martin and Bracken Edwards ruined the homecoming of the current club champion Bradley Lancaster, who is playing this season for the Green Machine, taking the rink, 21-17.
Julie Simpson, Scott Davidson, Daffy Rawlings and Mick Burge leading the way, with an emphatic 27-11.
Lakes 2 headed to Lindenow knowing that a loss was not negotiable and despite winning just one rink, emerged victorious 63-54, to keep the season dream alive.
Jeff Wilson, Wallace Mason, Lillibeth and Clem Hochkins in sparkling form, sensational winners 31-11.
In division two finals places have been decided, even with two rounds to play.
Top side Bairnsdale 2s 72-53 win over Lakes Entrance 4 saw its 2024/25 finals dream quashed, with Bairnsdale 2 set to be joined in the finals by Paynesville and Lakes 3.
Joseph Hales, Roy Roberts, Geoff Webb and Greg Bertram were the only winners for Lakes 4, 25-24.
Lakes 3 was much too good for the cellar dwelling Cockies, victorious at Lindenow Bowling Club 86-46.
Leading the way with exceptional wins were Ian Morris, Ray Ricca, Bob Lucas, Sam Berlingeri (36-12), and Lynton Rathjen, Stanley Short, Geoffrey Rawlings and Mark Elliott (39-7).
In division three Lakes Entrance 5 kept in finals contention with a hard fought 41-40 win at home over Howitt Park, with Ian Gray, Angelo Alonso, Mervyn Pratt and Charlie Abela starring, convincingly winning 33-11.
With two rounds remaining Lakes 5 currently sit in fifth spot and will need to beat Bairnsdale and Bairnsdale Golf in the final two rounds, and rely on some other results going their way if they are to partake in the finals action this season.
Lakes 6 won’t play finals, languishing in sixth spot after going down to Bairnsdale 4, 50-30.
The Gippsland Bowls Region weekend pennant competition will have a week off due to the Australia Day weekend.
GIPPSLAND BOWLS REGION EVENTS
The busy regional event calendar continued last weekend, with Lancaster defeating Bairnsdale’s Stewart Pyers 25-9 in the men’s state singles championship qualifier.
The date for the women’s final between Paynesville’s Lacey Kiss and Julie Simpson is still yet to be determined.
Metung and Lakes Entrance bowls clubs hosted the early rounds of the state mixed pairs qualifier.
The quarter, semi and grand finals will culminate at Lakes Entrance on February 2.
Martin and Paynesville partner Simon Kiss, and Lancaster coupled with Orbost teammate, Robin Kellow, have qualified for the quarter finals.
