Gippsland Bowls Region Midweek Pennant ladder leader and defending champion, Lakes Entrance, went on its winning way last week in Gippsland Bowls Region (GBR) midweek pennant last week, making it 12 wins from 13 matches this season.
But Lakes Entrance certainly didn’t have it all its own way in the match of the round at the Sale Bowling Club, the home side showing it won’t be a walkover for Lakes Entrance in the grand final, if they get through, going down in a thrilling contest by just two shots, 68-66.
Bruce Melrose, Margaret Sceney, Ray Kennedy and Dennis Young (34-15) set Sale on the path to victory, but Michael Bratt, Eric Spence, Wallace Mason, Kevin Brown (21-18) and Mike McKay, Jim Northe, Jenny and Kevin Dowie (32-14) did enough to maintain Lakes’ amazing season record.
In division two, Lakes Entrance 3 were comfortable winners over Paynesville, while Lakes Entrance 2’s match with Orbost didn’t get underway due to the GBR heat policy.
Lakes Entrance 2 will need a positive result in the final match of the season to maintain their grip on fourth spot on the table.
Lakes Entrance 3 sit second on the ladder, after outclassing Paynesville 57-23, dominant performers for Lakes Entrance 2 were Margaret Simpson, Joseph Hales, David Ramsay, Greg Bertram (23-6), and Angelo Alonso, Jeanette Rowley, Sharon Hall and Rob Norder (23-6).
Max Towan, Treen Norder, Bill Gilbert and Geoff Rawlings halved their rink.
In division three, ladder leader, Lakes 4 proved too good for Lakes 5 in the local derby, winning 39-22.
Lakes 4 are unbeaten this season, and are clearly the side to beat for premiership glory.
Despite the loss, Lakes 5 will finish the season in fourth place, hoping to get another shot at Lakes 4 in the finals.
Winners for Lakes 4 were Dianne Scott, Margo Short, Sandra Hudson, Ernie Smith (19-13) and Ian Gray, Charlie Abela, Carol and John Hurren (20-9).
Gray and the Hurrens are yet to concede a rink this season, with just one round to go.
