Julie Simpson is the winner of the 2024/25 Gippsland Bowls Region (GBR) ladies state singles qualifier, defeating young gun Lacey Kiss in the finale, 25-10.
Kiss got off to flying start leading 3-0, before Simpson found her range, playing some extraordinary bowls as she drew shot after shot, her vast experience too much for the youngster to handle.
The event was played at the Bairnsdale Bowls Club in front of a large and encouraging crowd, who rode every bump with the players, applauding great shots and exceptional drawing.
Simpson will represent the region in Bendigo during April, taking on Australia’s best.
The quarter, semi and grand finals of the prestigious mixed pairs will culminate at Lakes Entrance on Sunday.
Joanne Martin and Paynesville partner Simon Kiss, and Bradley Lancaster coupled with Orbost teammate Robin Kellow, have qualified for the quarter finals.
WEEKEND PENNANT
The final round of the GBR Superleague will be played this Saturday with one Lakes Entrance team safe and the other needing to win to confirm its participation in the 2024/25 finals.
Lakes 1 is currently in third spot on the table and should easily account for the winless Howitt Park, while Lakes 2 is in the hot seat, occupying fifth spot on the table.
To ensure it maintains a place in the top five, it will need to win one rink and the match against West Sale.
If it doesn’t it will come down to the results of the several other games, with Paynesville, Metung, West Sale and even Stratford, Maffra and Heyfield looking for the planets to totally align to sneak into the playoffs.
THIS WEEK
Division 1: Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 1; Lakes Entrance 2 v West Sale.
Division 2: Lakes Entrance 4 v Howitt Park; Lakes Entrance 3 v Paynesville.
Division 3: Bairnsdale Golf 1 v Lakes Entrance 5; Lakes Entrance 6 v Bruthen.
LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
The Lakes Entrance will host a invitation two bowl triples tournament on March 8-9.
The event will consist of five games of 16 ends, with $6000 in prizes up for grabs.
