It was a great result for the Lakes Entrance combination of Jo Martin, Marg Brandhoj and Julie Simpson winning the Gippsland Bowls Region State Triples final at the Heyfield Bowling Club last Sunday.
In a game for the ages, the Lakes team was just team ahead for most of the match against the Paynesville combination of Rhonda Sadovsky, Glynis Bugeja and Margery Nathan.
The Paynesville trio edged ahead on the 16th end after picking up an important five. A see-sawing battle then ensued which resulted in scores being level after 18 ends. In the extra end, with spectators glued to the game, Martin played one of the shots of the day to turn around a potential two-shot loss to a three-shot victory, with the final scores 18-15.
The West Sale combination that was skipped by former Lakes Entrance star, Brendan Addison was successful in the men’s final.
Addison teamed with David Hogan and Russell Lambourn to defeat the defending champions in the final, Paynesville’s Michael Better and Peter Baylis from Lindenow 16-9.
The winners of the men’s and women’s finals will progress to the state championships in Bendigo during April 2025.
MIDWEEK PENNANT
Defending champion Lakes Entrance made it six wins from seven rounds when it made the trek to Maffra and was successful last week in Gippsland Bowls Region midweek pennant.
Maffra was up for the challenge making Lakes work hard for victory, but it was the visitors who played the better in the most important ends, winning 65-59.
Maurice Carroll, Tim Anketell, Bill Rowley and Martin led the way with an impressive 26-18 victory, well backed up by Michael Bratt, Eric Spence, Wallace Mason and Kevin Brown, who pulled off a close win for the second consecutive week, this time 19-17.
Jane Orchard, Grant Smith, Craig Anderson and Ron Orchard were again in great form for Maffra, securing a rink back 24-20.
There were mixed results in division two with Lakes 3 proving too good for Lindenow at home, 72-43, but Lakes 2 went down to Howitt Park in Bairnsdale in a close one 55-50.
Currently sitting in fourth spot on the ladder, Lakes 3 winners were Margaret Simpson, Joseph Hales, Lee Burt, Greg Bertram (24-10) and Max Town, Treen Border, Peter Taylor and Geoffrey Rawlings (26-11).
Angelo Alonso, Faye Cannizzaro, Christine Piatek and Rob Noreder escaped with a gallant draw, 22-22.
Lakes 2 was right in the match to the final ends, but it was the Parkers who played the best when the pressure was on, Dawn Irwin, Jacinta Wilson, David Ramsay and Mark Campbell the only victors, 17-15, the side now in sixth place with plenty of work to do to make the finals.
It was a great result in division three with both sides successful, including Lakes 4, who won the battle for top spot overcoming Paynesville 41-38.
Both sides went into the match full of confidence and unbeaten, Paynesville having the home green advantage but it was Lakes 4 who finished stronger, led by Ian Gray, Robert Wilson, John and Carol Hurren who saluted 22-16.
Not surprisingly given the unbeaten run of their team, that combination is also unbeaten in the current pennant season.
Lakes 5 played right up to its effort against Lakes 4 last week, and proved too good for Bairnsdale Golf 1 at home, winners 41-28.
They were well served by Robyn Auscote, Margo Short, Leslie Gersbach, Ernie Smith (20-13) and Netty Smith, Suzanne Light, Dennis Olivia and Ross Irvine, who prevailed 21-15.
WEEKEND PENNANT
All matches in weekend pennant were washed out last weekend, which will mean the teams will be keen to get out on the greens this week and continue to press for vital finals spots.
This week’s matches include:
Division 1: West Sale v Lakes Entrance 1; Lakes Entrance 2 v Sale 1.
Division 2: Bairnsdale 2 v Lakes Entrance 3; Lakes Entrance 4 bye.
Division 3: Paynesville v Lakes Entrance 5; Lakes Entrance 6 v Bairnsdale .
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Lakes Entrance Bowls Club mixed pairs championship was decided last week, with Beth and Clem Hotchkins successful.
