Familiar view: Shepparton Golf’s Brad Orr once again delivered a capable top placing.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The Goulburn Valley bowls calendar is off to a hot start with the Byers Electrical Invitational Pairs Tournament ringing in the new year at Shepparton Golf Bowling Club.
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The competition was hotly-contested, with 28 pairs featuring many of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area’s top names as well as travellers from across Victoria ― and even a former Scotland representative.
In the end, Brad Orr would fulfil the mission he outlined in last week’s News preview of the event, improving on a bronze-medal placing in 2023 by reaching the pinnacle on his home greens.
His pair, skipped by Bowls Victoria senior committee chair Anthony Flapper, scooped the $5000 top prize in the second running of the event that has come to serve as a staple of the post-Christmas bowls scene.
Orr and Flapper were simply sublime at taking points off the board, only conceding double figures in the first of their six games across the weekend en route to a perfect record.
Finishing runners-up would be a fellow Bowls Victoria chair in Garry Ball alongside Thor Shannon after the team also posted a 6-0 ledger, but fell back on points difference, while 2021 Bowls Victoria Club Coach of the Year Brad Holland paired with GVPA Hall of Famer Matt Robertson to round out the podium.
Nathan Wilson skipped the fourth-placed pair with Bryce Young, while another pair of Bendigo natives in premiership duo Luke Hoskin and Mitch Hocking completed the top five places.
Orr revelled in the success of his club’s event for another year ― though his own triumph certainly didn’t do much harm to the mood either.
Steady as he goes: Hill Top's Nick Boyd.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Release point: Hill Top's Brendan Boyd.
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Megan Fisher
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Among the greens: Bowlers lining up in numbers.
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Megan Fisher
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See the Bomber fly up: Essendon's Anthony Flapper.
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Megan Fisher
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Got the position: Golden Square's Andrew Brown.
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Megan Fisher
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All over it: Tallygaroopna's David Daws.
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Megan Fisher
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Let it go: Kyabram's David Cartwright.
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Megan Fisher
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Set the stage: Barham's Brian Manbridge.
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Megan Fisher
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Enjoying the atmosphere: Shepparton Golf's John Stokes.
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Megan Fisher
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Total precision: Barham's Brody Harker.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“There was quite a bit of talent on offer and quite a few spectators got down to have a look,” Orr said.
“It was another successful event, and it’s probably the best tournament around here.
“There are big names travelling around for the big tournaments with plenty of cash on offer and the hospitality on the greens hopefully keeps them coming back.”
In a high-calibre field and with his 2023 partner unavailable, Orr’s partnership with Flapper became far too formidable to contain.
Even with the quality on offer, a shared history in representative bowls saw the pair through in comfort.
“We were quietly confident we would go okay in the field, because we’ve played together in the Vic side, so we know each other’s games,” Orr said.
“As it progressed, we found ourselves in a pretty good situation and it was nice to walk away with the win.”
The day was not about individual triumphs in Orr’s eyes, though.
Hosting the second edition of a tournament that already possesses such prestige is the reason he celebrates.
“Good greens are conducive to good bowls and we were lucky with the weather holding off,” Orr said.
“If the hospitality’s good, the greens are good and it’s well-run, they’ll keep coming back.
“It’s all about the players at the end of the day.”
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