Going into the 2024 Weekend Pennant Grand Final with our DIV 1, 2 and 3 teams playing was incredible.
Saturday was forecast to be hot and Strzelecki Bowls Region declared an 11am start to try and beat the heat.
Division 3 Traralgon completed their game over Boolarra just as the heat topped 36 degrees. Brendan Smiles and his rink of Elaine Swan, Ron Baker and Rosie Lorenz had a 19 – 13 win over Steve Davey. Roger Davey and his rink of Ian Boyes, Robert Marsh and May Cross defeated Terry Parker 25 – 18 and Graham Cross and his rink of Gary Bassett, Bill Munday and Paddy Francis had a 19 – 18 win over Joel Anderson. Boolarra Jorma Takanen and his rink of Bruce Davey, Eddie Dudek and David Caldwell had a 30 – 17 win over Col Mayman.
When play was abandoned for the day at Newborough Traralgon held a handy fourteen point lead with 11 ends to play in Division 1. Play resumed Sunday morning with more hot weather and Traralgon managed to maintain their overnight lead to win the premiership. Michael Yacoub, player manager spoke of how relieved the team were to achieve a much deserved win and thanked Newborough for providing tough opposition and great greens to play on in such hot weather.
Michael Yacoub and his rink of Pat Trewin, Phil Mustoe and Jame McCausland led the way with a 22 – 9 win over Neale Houston and his rink of Fran Clark, Tony Knipping and Matt Leicester. Matt Ferrari and his rink of Nick Turnbull, Shane Chapman and Matt Eccles had an 18 – 15 win over Kevin Lovett and his rink of Barry Daley, Jo-Anne Michaels and Josh Kennedy. Newborough had winners in Scott Jones and his rink of Brian Carpenter, Alan Ryan and Paul Sherman who defeated Wayne Lynch and his rink of Michael Morgan, Ian Hilsley and Ian Kirkup 22 – 18 and Rod Lewis and his rink of Bob Goldie, Debbie Kennedy and Alan Grubb who defeated James Scullin and his rink of Matt Ogilvie, Ron Sherlock and Chris Ward 19 – 18 leaving Traralgon the winners by 11 shots.
In Division 2 Longwarry reversed their semi-final result over Traralgon (2) to book a place in Division 1 next season at the expense of Moe after holding a narrow lead when play was abandoned and returned on Sunday to complete the win. Ken Towt and his rink of Craig Cousin, Robert Proctor and Barry White had a victory over Austin Gapper and his rink of Dick Glossop, Al Hegarty and Dave Currie 22 – 13. John McCarthy and his rink of Ken White, Peter Lieshout and Glenn Pask had a 21 – 19 win over Abe Roeder and his rink of Clint Jones, Bill Francis and Maurie Sutcliffe. Trevor Kitchin and his rink of Hank Metselaar, Col Finger and Ian Peterson had a 17 – 16 win over Kevin Enguell and his rink of Tom Irvine, Bill Kirby and Kathy Smiles. Traralgon (2) had a winner with Cary Locke and his rink of Jedd Ladgrove, Ian Bloomfield and Trevor James defeating Jason Lieshout and his rink of Grant Pask, Jasmine O’Shea and Russell White 17 – 15. An incredible season, to back in the running after last season. Well done.