On Sunday the club held its annual Ethel Younger Memorial game. This is the seventh running of the event and the Younger family thanked the c;ub for honouring its mother/grandmother at this annual event. Ethel was a much loved life member of the club and was held in the highest regard by all the members and friends. The winner this year was a rink skipped by Joe Chant with Noreen Earl, John Bailey and Lee Chant, John Firmer and Graeme Hubble received the runner-up award. A great fun day was had by all players and family members.
Our Tuesday pennant team had a great tussle with Shepparton Park at Merrigum and won by a solitary shot on the last end of the match. Lee Chant, Wayne Shepherd, Neil Gardiner and Peter Hoare played E. Cameron and won by three shots. This was a close game, but Merrigum managed to win the last two ends to gain its three-shot margin.
Kerry and Rob Dennis, Graeme Hubble and Maureen Shepherd met Joy O’Donnell and won by one shot. At the start of the “championship ends” Merrigum led by one shot. Both sides scored six shots over these final ends to give Merrigum the narrowest of wins. This match was hard-fought and the win is a real bonus to new skip Kerry Dennis. In the final game, Noreen Earl went down to M. Smith by three shots which was just enough to save the day for the home side.
Our Saturday pennant players played in a historic match against East Shepparton which was the first game of pennant to be played in the new complex at East Shepparton. The venue is truly magnificent, but it has a few problems to be ironed out. Looking northward it was impossible to see the colours of the bowls, everything just seemed a shade of grey or black.
This was no excuse as we lost by 28 shots. The new rink of Joe Chant, Glen Denham, John Gilbert and Graeme Hubble beat Gino Cervi by nine shots. After seven ends Merrigum led by three shots, but on the next two ends dropped nine shots and it took another seven ends to make up the leeway. This was the only time this combination was in trouble. A good effort by all the players. Well done!
David Pettifer, Peter Hoare, Stan Coldwell and Chris French were up against C. Johnson and got home by a single shot. It is hard to believe but the only time the Merrigum boys were in front was the time the last bowl was played. At the start of the last end Merrigum was down by one shot, it managed to hold two shots with one bowl of the opposition to play; there was huge sigh of relief when the East Shepp skipper missed with his last bowl.
Jim Arthur played Mick Italia and lost by 18 shots and Rob Dennis and his rink had a bad day also to go down by 20 shots to Ivan Hall.
On Sunday we go to Mulwala Ski Club for our pokie trip. It is not too late to reserve your seat, just ring Betty on 5853 1864, Meryl on 5852 1449 or Joe on 0428 552 466. Bus leaves Kyabram at 9 am and Merrigum at 9.15 am.
If you are going to join the caravaners on their holiday at Myrtleford, please let Joe know as soon as possible. Deposits have to be paid soon to ensure our sites are kept for us. If you wish to have a cabin contact Joe as he has the prices and they are limited.
— Young Joe
