Rochester has got its division 4A season up and running with its first win of the season on Saturday.
The weekend pennant team was unable to get on the greens against Mathoura in round one due to a washout, but triumphed by nine shots in a home clash against Echuca Blue to move into second place on Saturday.
Skip Jenny Major led her rink to a comprehensive 15-shot win over Echuca, which helped cover a six-shot deficit on Greg Watkins’ rink.
Also playing out of Rochester Bowls Club were the division one and three sides.
Division one lost all three rinks for an overall 26-shot loss to Rich River, with Kelvin Wiffen’s rink the closest to prevailing, 20-22.
Gerard Browne led his rink to a 23-17 shot win over Moama in division three, though the team ultimately lost by 21 shots, with the other two rinks down.
Despite having two rinks up, Rochester’s division two side lost a thrilling two-shot clash against Deniliquin across the NSW border.
Brian Jones and John Weeks skipped their rinks to victory, though Leigh Milgate’s team found itself down, 14-26.
Lockington won just one match overall on Saturday, with its division 4B team prevailing for a six-shot victory over Echuca, 38-31.
Skip Neil Haines lost a thrilling one-shot game, though William Musgrove’s rink got up by seven to secure the overall win. The team moves into third on the premiership ladder.
Division three on the other hand suffered a heartbreaker, going down by two shots against Echuca despite having two rinks up.
Elmore was victorious in division three, getting past Rich River by 11 shots, though its division 4A side suffered a mirror image result to Moama Red, defeated by 11.
In midweek pennant, Rochester continues to work for its first win of the season after failing to topple reigning premier Echuca on Friday.
Kaye Barker got her rink by three shots over Echuca’s Leica Roney, though Rochester’s two other rinks suffered sizeable losses, with the overall score favouring Echuca, 79-46.
Two rink wins and a draw on the third got Rochester’s division two side over the line by 14, with Serena Sholl leading her rink to a comfortable 10-shot win.
Lockington made it a contest with Rich River in division two, with Annette Brereton’s rink getting up.
But losses on the other two rinks saw Rich River walk away with the 22-shot win.
Elmore also lost its division two midweek clash with Echuca, beaten 68 shots to 42.
Rochester
On Wednesday, November 24, the redevelopment committee intends to hold an information night at the clubrooms at 7pm.
The evening will be run by project manager Peter Lawford.
It is imperative that as many members as possible attend, as to be informed of the progress of the redevelopment.
Ladies social bowls was held on Tuesday, November 16, with the winners C. Cakebread, J. Rankin, F. Wolfe and J. Limbrick.
Raffle winner was J. Limbrick.
On Wednesday, November 17, two teams tried their luck at Lockington with J. McCallum, K. Williams, F. Wolfe and J. Murray coming third on a countback.
On Thursday, November 18, there were three three-game winners at Dingee, one of which was a Rochester team of M. Knight, J. Tamburini, J. Limbrick and J. Major. They finished third.
Tuesday, November 23, will be drawn triples and social bowls. Names to be in by 9.15am for a 10am start.
The first round of 21 up will be played on Tuesday, November 30.
Men’s pennant practice continues on Thursday afternoon from 4 pm.
The second round of the men’s singles championship is to be completed by Sunday, November 28.
The 21 up draw is done, with the first round to be completed by Sunday, December 5, with the second round of the men’s 100 up also to be completed by December 5.
Pennant teams will be selected on Monday night. Please check the board as skippers of each team will be in contact with their team members.
All players are encouraged to write down in the diary in the office whenever they are playing an event, the people concerned and starting time for Darren’s attention so he is better able to prepare greens. There should be no play before 10am.
K. Dobson and D. Cameron are on bar duty on Monday, November 22, and Thursday, November 25, with A. Gusak and D. Murray on duty on Monday, November 29, and Thursday, December 2.
Lockington
It was a big week of bowls at Lockington, with plenty of success for members and the club.
On Tuesday, November 16, the women played social rinks with a good roll up.
The winning team was Sue Harris, Anne Lowrie, Margaret Davis and Denise Gilmore (s).
Tuesday evening was the second round of the Sports night bowls.
Though it was only a small attendance, the quality of the bowls made up for that.
Bowlers played pairs, with Steve Pavone and Shane Felmingham (s) proving too consistent for their opposition.
Lockington’s women staged their annual Invitation Fours last Wednesday, with several district clubs supporting the event, with Echuca, Deniliquin, Deniliquin RSL, Moama, Rochester, Rich River, Elmore, and Mathoura in attendance.
Lady president Anne Lowrie welcomed all in attendance and wished all a good day of bowls.
Tournament secretary Lorraine Appleby read Conditions of Play and acknowledged the Campaspe Shire Council’s support for this tournament.
On the green, the Mathoura rink comprising of Pam Limbrick, Marj Cowley, Chris Hampton and Chris Taylor (s) were the only three-game winners and collected the spoils.
In second place was the composite rink of Jenny Tonta, Cheryl Bradley, Linda Harris, Yvonne Smolenmaars (s) from Deniliquin, Deniliquin RSL and Rochester ahead of the Rochester’s Faye Wolfe, Kathy Williams, Judy Murray and Jane McCallum (s) in third.
Denise Gilmore, the greens staff, Bev Brereton and the ladies in the kitchen, Margaret Davis and Pauline Humbert were all thanked for their contributions towards a successful tournament.
On Sunday, November 14, a Lockington team travelled to Pyramid Hill for the Mixed Fours tournament and returned home with the winners' trophies.
Brian Kinnane, Denise Gilmore, Russell Shawcross and Leanne McInnes (s) all bowled well to win the day.
Club championships are in action with a number of tight games.
Round two winners: Phillip Cunnington d. Alan Kauffman 25-23; Frank Chugg d. Neil Haines 25-22.
Round one winners: Brian Kinnane d. Ray Hanson 25-23; Steve Peter d. Russell Shawcross 25-18; Steve Pavone d. Dave Thomas 25-14; Ken Main d. Owen McPhee 25-21; Bill Musgrove had a walkover.
The women have commenced their club championships, with little separating the scores in several games.
Winners were: Leanne McInnes d. Denise Gilmore 25-16; Margaret Dowie d. Kathi Maddison 25-23 in a thriller; Lorraine Appleby d. Lois Chugg 25-22 (in a marathon match of 34 ends).
The club held a barbecue and practice session on Friday with a good crowd. The winning member was not in attendance for the lucky draw.
60 and over
Twenty-eight teams played in the 60 and over competition at Echuca Bowling Club on Wednesday where several Lockington members engaged in the winners’ circle.
Lockington’s Kevin Humbert, Ian Johnson, Graham Turner and Andrew Harris (s) placed seven out of the eight bowls in the yardstick to be outright winners to take home the KIA Shield.
Second place went to Ivan Hick’s Echuca team with six bowls in the area while the Lockington rink of Jim Harris, Owen McPhee, Ray Hanson and Russell Shawcross (s) managed five in the yardstick but no prizes.
The 60 and over competition continues at Lockington on Wednesday, November 24, from 11am.