The big news in Gippsland Bowls Region midweek pennant round four was defending champion, Lakes Entrance, suffering
its first defeat for the season, falling to
Bairnsdale (56-58).
The rinks were split at the Bairnsdale Bowling Club with the home side scrambling home after some thrilling latter ends.
Mike McKay, Jenny Dowie, Jim Northe and Kevin Dowie won the last two ends to ensure victory in their 17-14 rink win.
Unfortunately, Wallace Mason, Jack Light, Bill Rowley and Kevin Brown conceded three in the final end, but still escaped with a 26-26 tie.
Jeff Watts, Timothy Kennedy, John Clark and Stewart Pyers won the other for Bairnsdale, 18-13, though the Lakes combination did pick up a vital shot in the big picture on the final end. But a determined Bairnsdale held on, posting its second win for the season.
Despite the loss, Lakes Entrance still maintains its hold on top spot on the ladder.
A great result came in division two with both Lakes Entrance sides victorious, led by Lakes Entrance 2 who remains unbeaten and on top of the ladder.
They made the trip to Bairnsdale and scored a clean sweep against Bairnsdale 2, 67-43, led by a dominant performance by Lynton Rathjen, Stan Short, Rob Norder and Sharon Hall (27-12).
Michael Bratt, Carol Hurren, Peter Alves-Veira, John Hurren (20-14) and David Hocking, Bob Lucas, Peter Spark and Samuel Berlingeri (20-17) ground out solid wins.
Third-ranked Lakes Entrance 3 made it three wins from four rounds, outlasting Orbost at home 62-59 in a thriller.
Ruth McPhee, Frank Detering, Christine Piatek and Boyd McPhee were the only rink winners for the home side, 23-15, but it was enough to see them home, with the other two rinks suffering close losses.
There were mixed results in division three with a win for Lakes Entrance 4 and loss for Lakes Entrance 5.
They sit in contrasting places on the ladder – Lakes 4 unbeaten on top of the table, with
Lakes 5 holding up the rest, still chasing its first victory.
Lakes 4 was challenged by Paynesville 2 in a tough battle of two unbeaten teams at the Paynesville Bowling Club, but went home with all the points after a gritty 42-37 win.
Winners were Max Towan, Ernie Smith, Margo Short, Ian Morris (20-17) and Ian Gray, Kerry Thomas, Stephen Adams and Ross Irvine (22-20).
Lakes 5 is getting close to a win, succumbing to Bairnsdale Golf at home 41-32.
NEXT WEEK
Round 6, Tuesday, November 18
Division one: Sale v Lakes Entrance.
Division two east: Lakes Entrance 2 v Bairnsdale 3; Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 3.
Division three east: Howitt Park v Lakes Entrance 4; Lakes Entrance 5 v Paynesville 3.
