EUROA BOWLS CLUB

By GREG BLATCHFORD

OUR Midweek Pennant Division Four team are premiers after a great come-from-behind victory against Shepparton Golf.

The golfers came out firing and surged to an early 28-6 lead, leaving our supporters feeling more than just a tad concerned.

After seven ends, the rink skipped by Margaretha Cerini was down 11-zero but secured a shot on ends eight and nine.

On the 10th end, Margaretha dragged the kitty for five shots, and we were back in the game.

Peter Naughton’s rink held sway for most of the day, only losing four ends, while Richard Noble’s side recovered after dropping six shots early in the game.

Clawing our way back into the game and then pulling ahead in the final few ends showed a lot of character and made the club proud.

It was a fitting end to a great season and proof that small clubs can match it with the Shepparton-based powerhouses.

Division Four defeated Shepparton Golf 68-49.

Peter Naughton, Doug Maconachie, Pauline Naylor, and Buffy McFarlane 25-7.

Margaretha Cerini, Greg Blatchford, Mary Steen, and Dot Lomer 22-20.

Richard Noble, Don Steers, Beryl Harris, and Jan Sheargold 21-22.

On Saturday, our Weekend Division Four Pennant side hoped to repeat the result with a victory over Alexandra.

However, we were out-bowled by a team that were worthy premiers.

They defeated us each time we played them this year, with the closest result being four shots in the final home-and-away game of the year.

Alex Grant’s rink had a strong 10-shot win, and we drew another rink, but the team from across the ranges prevailed in the other two rinks to secure a 15-shot victory.

We were not disgraced, and reaching the grand final for the second successive year is a great achievement.

Division Four lost to Alexandra 70-85.

Peter Naughton, Charmaine Reid, Brian, and Buffy McFarlane 11-29.

Jim Perry, Greg Blatchford, Doug Maconachie, and Noel Moon 19-19.

Richard Noble, Lindsay Cocking, Kerrie Steers, and Margaretha Cerini 13-20.

Alex Grant, Jamie Greasley, Lance Carracher, and Anne Sutcliffe 27-17.

Meanwhile, back at the club, we hosted the Division One and Division Two grand finals and did ourselves, our town and the GV Bowls Division proud with outstanding greens, first-rate facilities, and magnificent catering.

To all our volunteers who have worked hard throughout the year, we again say thanks and well done.

Last Wednesday, our Ladies’ Two-Bowl Triples tournament was held, with 72 bowlers also enjoying our facilities and hospitality.

The team skipped by Di Hands from Shepparton Park prevailed by one shot, and there were only four shots separating first and fourth.

The final of the men’s pairs was played last Friday, and in a high-quality affair, Tony Kingma and Marc Stevens defeated Ken Sutcliffe and Bill Taylor 20-14.

We will look at getting social bowls up and running again this week, so please put your names on the board if you are keen to have a roll.

Lists for the 2025-26 Pennant Season are also up, and it would be great if players intending to participate could get their names up early.

Finally, as we draw the curtain on another big year, we wish to acknowledge our loyal and generous sponsors who continue to support the club.

Let’s make sure we support them in return.

BD North East Electrics, Murphy’s Motors and Tyres, Euroa Pharmacy, MJ Floyd Funerals, ELGAS, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Trotters Mitre 10, Shepparton Orthopaedics, Moama Bowls Club, Kinross Farms, Rodwells Euroa, Elders Rural Services, McCombe Transport, Euroa Hotel, GMCU, NJ Todd Funeral Services, JT Flooring, North Eastern Country Real Estate, Bogie Physiotherapy, Cellar and Harvest.

We would also like to thank Annabelle Cleeland MP for her ongoing support and advice.

All the best, and bowl well.

VIOLET TOWN BOWLS CLUB

By LEANNE RUSSELL-JONES

Weekend Pennant Division Six Grand Final.

AT Shepparton Park on Saturday, we played our third finals game in a row, meeting Nagambie, who finished top of the ladder.

It was lovely to see a group of supporters there for the team.

We were defeated by the better side on the day, with scores 72-43, 14-2.

But we will take the experience and turn things around next season.

Teams Ken Byrne (skip), Chris Raeburn, Ken Stanger, and Travis Wellington lost to M Speck 26-16.

David Underwood (skip), Bill Wood, Bob Fairweather, and Neil Higgins defeated J Sinden 21-15.

Graham Crawford (skip), Toni Down, Tim Heckenberg, and Michael O’Keefe lost to J Goring 6-31.

Our emergency was Ian Chanter.

Jack Attack was the fifth and last night for the 2025 season and was, yet again, extremely warm.

Trophies and first prize were sponsored by Phong Pharmacy.

The Ellen Frances team won, and runners-up on a countback were the Boho Bushrangers.

Thanks again to all who participated, to our raffle ticket sellers and prize donors, to our bar people, and a huge thank you to the Crawfords.