The metropolitan pennant season is once again coming to an end. Sectional play is complete and just one of our five sides has made finals – congratulations to weekend pennant Side 1. See our competitions page for links to the final standings for each of our sides. Midweek sides struggled this season following the loss of several top players but both narrowly avoided relegation and achieved some notable wins along the way. With newer players refreshing their ranks, the weekend sides fared better and all had at least some chance of making finals with a couple of rounds to go. The highlight was Side 1 who were in the four for most of the season. Some results, however, did not go as hoped and our fourth place finish leaves us facing an away semi-final at Bentleigh. Strong support at the away venue could make all the difference so members are encouraged to make the trip to Bentleigh on Saturday to support our players.
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Championship Winners
Congratulations to all of this year’s Champions and Runners-Up, as shown in the table below, and especially to Ben Mantynen, Club Champion and Kylie Murphy, Ladies’ Champion.
| Championship | Champion(s) | Runner(s)-Up |
| Club Singles | B. Mantynen | A. Singh |
| Ladies Singles | K. Murphy | M. Rolls |
| Club Pairs | M. Stevenson & W. Gill | B. Mantynen & R. Oakley |
| Ladies’ Pairs | C. Rafferty & M. Keenan | B. Beedle & C. Greenhatch |
| Mixed Pairs | R. Oakley & J. Tesoriero | C. Rafferty & M. Pelzer |
| Club Triples | M. Stevenson, M.Scriven & W. Gill | S. Gill, R. Oakley & G. Atkins |
| President’s Handicap | B. Toll | T. Edmonds |
| Club Proportional | J. Kibblewhite | K. Edgar |
| Ladies’ Proportional | J. Kibblewhite | M. Keenan |
| Club Minor | B. Toll | R. Magnusson |
| Club Novice | R. Magnusson | L. Chaloner |
Our resources page links to a list of open and ladies’ champions dating back to the 19th century as well as a list of all singles and pairs champions since 2000.
Ladies’ Champion of Champions
This year we have an opportunity to support two club members in the final eight of the Sandbelt Ladies’ Champion of Champions competition. These quarter finals will take place at 9:00am on Sunday Feb 16 at Hampton Bowls Club. Both Kylie Murphy, our Ladies’ Champion, and Heather Brodie, Ladies’ Champion at RMGC but a dual member at our club, have reached the quarter final stage. Unfortunately the opportunity to support both players will be somewhat limited as they are playing each other! That does mean, however, that one of them will still be competing at the semi-final stage, which is scheduled for 12:00 noon at the same venue. Congratulations to both for their success so far.
Roll Out The New
It’s finally installed and ready to play on. Our long awaited replacement carpet promises to guide your bowls inerringly towards the jack, or maybe not – it’s up to you. We bid a not too regretful farewell to our worn, faded and quirky old carpet and look forward to bowling on a fresh looking surface that runs true. We’ve yet to receive images of the new carpet in use but our newsletter has been chronicling its installation over the last few weeks.
Tea On The Green?
The very latest edition of our Parkers newsletter can be accessed here. Read about the upcoming tea party in support of the Cancer Council where you can say farewell to a stalwart of our club. ‘Who is that stalwart?’ you might ask – none other than our quirky fading carpet. Some might say, ‘good riddance’, but be advised, there will be no prize for the first person to say ‘I miss our old carpet’. Also in this edition is a fascinating timeline of our club’s history, an introduction to Albert and notification of a sale of succulents in the Spring. Succulents? – is that what’s been growing on our old carpet?
A Close Measure
You know it’s a close measure between two bowls when the marker can’t call it, the players can’t agree it and a string measure can’t determine it. This was what happened on the very last end of this year’s Ladies’ Singles Championship final. Sal Rayner clearly had shot but needed two for the win, while Chris Greenhatch was hoping that she held second shot in order to keep her hopes of a comeback alive. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts by the marker to measure for second shot the umpire was called. He duly arrived at the head with trammel and calipers in hand. After much careful positioning and adjustment of the measurement tools the spectators’ patience was rewarded – the closer bowl was indicated and it was Sal’s. We therefore congratulate her on becoming this year’s Ladies’ Singles Champion.
Rain Delay
Sometimes you just have to accept that bowling isn’t going to happen! The advantage of a fast-draining synthetic green, however, is that you probably won’t have to wait long before bowling is possible. This snap was taken after a deluge late on Friday afternoon and the green was perfectly usable for a pennant match the following day.
2018 Club Champion
This year’s Club Singles Championship saw a final of the highest quality played between Wayne Gill and Athi Singh. Spectators were treated to an entertaining and hard fought contest of high quality draw bowling. The win could easily have gone either way up until the very last end. Congratulations, however, go to Wayne Gill, our new Club Champion, who finally prevailed after a gripping 27 ends.
2018 Vic Open
It’s that time of the year again, when the Stellar Victorian Open causes a hiatus in pennant competition. Many members take the opportunity to enjoy a break but three of our members joined over 1800 other bowlers in entering the Vic Open, playing in both singles and pairs. Well done particularly to Jimmy on his fine run in the singles against top class opponents. He won both his sectional matches, one subsequent knockout match and was close in losing the match to determine who would progress to the last 64.
Winter Pennant Finals
Good luck on Saturday to our only Winter Pennant semifinal representatives. Side 2 have been able to secure a semifinal place as a result of 3 consecutive wins. Our Div 1 and Div 4 sides both finished in seventh place on their respective ladders and will see no finals action.