Barooga Sports Bowls Club reflects on successful pennant season

10 years to the day Barooga Sports Midweek Pennant Division 1 got the reward they had waited for, winning the Division 1 grand final against Cobram at Numurkah Golf.

It was always going to be a hard fought battle as it was a one-all hit out in the last two consecutive games played on each other’s turf. Fortunately for Barooga they were able to go straight into the grand final and await to see who they played. Guess what, it was Cobram yet again.

Peter Velardo’s rink got out to a good start against John Dixon’s rink and stayed ahead most of the day, and although they were constantly pegged back, they came out victors in a close finish, 20 to 18.

John Bruce’s rink also got away to a good start, fortunately, as they dropped a four on end nine, putting them behind. They were able rebound, however, a few ends on with a four and a five.

Cobram never managed to get ahead from there with John’s rink coming out victors 21 to 16.

It was a different story on Mal Merrett’s rink. Cobram's Ray Park’s rink got the jump on them getting a five on end four. Mal’s team were never going to let the chance get away and kept plugging away. It was not until the 17th end that their determination paid off, getting a six to put them ahead, and gaining a win 23 to 21 at the 21st end.

With three rinks up, and the overall final score of 64 to 54, the excitement of the win was infectious.

The win for the Murray Playing area placed Barooga in a play-off against Euroa, the winners of Goulburn Valley Playing area, for the Champion of Goulburn Murray playing area. This game was played at Barooga because Murray is the host this year.

Euroa travelled to Barooga on Tuesday, March 17 with a very wet night and drizzle in the morning, although the conditions were fine for playing on Barooga’s carpet.

Peter Velardo’s rink came out with a solid start keeping ahead of their opposition until a slip up saw them record a six on end nine, putting them down one shot. They got a four back the following end, however, only to do a six again on the next end. With grit and determination they fought back again, but did not bridge the gap, going down 21 to 23.

Mal Merrett’s rink again got out to a slow start, but as they knew they would, they warmed up and never looked back, steadily keeping the pressure on to finish up 23 to 13.

It was a different story on John Bruce’s rink though, being down for most of the day. They fought back hard in the later part of the game, however, giving Barooga a sniff of an overall win.

The overall finish was very tense with the game coming down to the last end. Barooga went down by one shot with the overall scoreboard showing 58 to 59. Barooga should not be disappointed putting up such a fight, but next year brings another chance.

Players, ladies and men, now need to get back to finishing off board games as time is running out with the final date of April 26 looming. Please arrange your matches as early as possible to ensure all are completed by this date.

Keith’s Friday had 21 people playing with semi finals and final needing to be played. Winners of the five rinks played were Ray Webb, Ray Wright, John Sullivan, Archie Ellis and Graeme Hickey. These were then grouped into two threes with the winners of the two groups playing in the final. Ray Wright and John Sullivan were the winners and in a three-end shoot out, Ray came out the winner and now incurs the six shot penalty for next week, and John four shots.

Some small changes for Keith’s Friday from next week where we will be introducing a weekly jackpot of $50, but you must be there to win it. A draw will take place via a spinning wheel with every members name on it and if you are there you win.

The winners of each rink played will receive a $10 prize conditional on numbers attending and the penalty for runners up will be four shots, so that the reduction of two shots per week will result in the penalty ending after two weeks.