General News
28 November, 2025
Golf Bowls hold second on pennant ladder
WARRACKNABEAL Golf Bowls White were successful in the Division One Pennant round eight last Saturday against a competitive Rupanyup contingent, scraping in by eight shots overall, with two rinks up and a drawn game in warm and fly infested conditions on their home track.
Apparently, flies only live for three days, so where are all the bodies?
Rupanyup put up a big fight, and with three of their main top players away, the result was pleasing for their selectors, sitting in third position with Golf’s win elevating them to second, just two points ahead. Warracknabeal still head the field without a loss.
Rupanyup’s Tassie Matheson skippered a rink, bringing some past form back into his game, having some lovely draw shots when needed. Mick Marchment was his opposition Skipper, and a terrific battle was had all afternoon.
James Thomas was not at his best early, with Rup’s leader Rob Williams showing his talents, backed up by third Russell Dunlop.
Golf started well when Terry Sanders and Bruce Wilson found the line and length, thus having a lead of 15 shots to nine at the bell after 13 ends. Eight ends to five won by golf as they filled their stomachs with a lovely afternoon tea.
Picking up a six after the break Golf shot away to be 23 shots to 10 up, until Rup decided enough is enough. Leader Rob picked up the pace again, and with Robert Eelman, Russell Dunlop and Skipper Tassie Matheson, they forced their way back into the game with top bowls, scoring 11 shots to Golf one shot only, with the margin now a mere three shots down.
Golf leader James wasn’t finished with his day, getting his length back, helping golf score a five late, with three ends to play. Final score to a great competitive rink went to Golf on 30 shots with Rupanyup on 23 shots. Good bowls from both sides made this a close contest. Golf won 13 ends.
Draws seem to be the norm this season, with another contest without a winner. Rup’s Barry Bywaters and Golf’s Warren Perris battled out a thriller, with both sides being in front on several occasions.
Jenny Webb and Rocky Holland both had an input to their sides result, whilst Margaret Lingham for Rupanyup, and Golf’s Gary Bellis went toe to toe most of the day. Russell Miller played his usual honest game with bowls in the head, putting pressure on Rup third Graeme Mathews.
All square as the bell tolled at nine all, it was golf who reacted to the lovely sandwiches and cakes, to lead by two shots after the next two ends, alas dropping a three on the next. Tit for tat over the final seven ends, as Rup got a three shot lead with three to play. Golf battled hard to gain four shots from two ends, it was a one shot difference in Golf’s favor with one to play. Rupanyup managed to gain the shot for a draw.
Barry Bywaters played some excellent draw shots to pick up vital end wins during the whole game and was best for Rup, with Perris also saving the day on many occasions. Golf won just eleven ends, but a five early in the game was the only major score for the whole day as the rest were ones and twos in a tight battle.
The other matchup went to Roger Perris against Rupanyup’s Jan Arnold, in another tightly contested duel throughout the day. A three shot end was the most scored all day, which went to Golf on end 11, the other 24 ends resulted in a one or two shot score.
Lunch after 13 ends had Golf on 11 shots to Rup’s eight shots, and again the break does tend to change the dynamics of the contest, with Rup coming back to be all square on 13 all after 18 ends. Rup hit the front with a three shot lead after 20 ends, and the pressure was on for someone to take the game by the short and curlies, this being Golf who drew the game at 17 all with one end to play.
A very tight head was in front of the skippers as they played their last bowls, Perris showing his draw capability with a ripper to gain the shot. Jan was not to be denied, playing a lovely draw to be just out of the shot, but with last bowl, had confidence plus to do the job.
Roger played his bowl to be in the area, with Jan having to pull off a best of day draw to get the result.
Golf hung on to the one shot win, scoring 13 ends and the two points needed to add to the total.
Clayto and Rob McQueen battled for honors as leaders, whilst Clicker Clarke and Fred Zolj were both involved in close bowls in the head. Booza Gunn and John Arnold were evenly matched at times, with Booza drawing the occasional shot to win ends. Roger and Jan had a very good dual in a tight match, with Rup performing well away from home with a depleted team. Well done to the Rupanyup players that stood up in the higher division.
James Thomas won the daily raffle, with the bar turnover a healthy contribution to the club funds. Golf scored 66 shots to 58, adding 15 points on the ladder.
Golf White travel to Murtoa tomorrow with another early start of 10am.
Golf Blue were at home to Rainbow, with early scores looking good for the Golfers.
John Barbetti and his team played well most of the day, having a lead of four shots by halfway, then picking up speed after the bell with six shots to nil at 17 shots to eight on end 17. A little lack of concentration set in, with Rainbow having a second wind thrust, picking up 10 shots to two shots over the last seven ends, therefore only going down by one shot to Golf. John’s team won 12 ends of all played in a spirited performance. Golf 19 shots to Rainbow 18 shots. Ian Bibby, Brian McFarlane, Judy Gove and Barbetti all played well, with two valuable points to the table ladder.
Jim Gibson and Andy Martian were competitive in their matchup, with Jim’s team having a good start, 10 shots to three after nine ends. That was soon pegged back when Rainbow won two ends with fives on each to hit the front at 13 to 11 and was never headed after that.
Joan Clarke, Maurie Parsons and Mary Ginnane tried hard to give their skipper a chance of a comeback, but Rainbow were too competitive. The losing score of 17 shots to 22 had Golf a little short, but they won 13 ends on the day which was pleasing.
The two big numbers from Rainbow was the difference in the result.
Wayne Gove, Alison Fischer, Frosty Gunn and Graeme White started their game with promising shots, being seven all after seven ends against Wayne Nitschke, Deb Lowe, Stuart Cocks and leader Ann Thomas.
Lunch couldn’t come quick enough after 13 ends with Rainbow shooting away to a 10 shot lead at 19 to nine as the break started. Golf got back to be only seven shots down, but then lost some big numbers as the game got to the pressure ends.
Rainbow won the last nine ends picking up three fours and on end 21 an eight, finishing the day at 41 shots to Golf 17 shots. Golf had 11 ends won but no more than a two was recorded.
Golf Blue will travel to Rupanyup tomorrow for a big test after their loss last week.
Midweek at Golf with Rainbow the visiting side last Tuesday, and a great contest was seen from both sides.
Rainbow have two wins on the board so far, with Golf yet to strike, and strike they nearly did, having one rink up by seven, one down by seven, and the final rink being nine shots up with two ends to play.
Rainbow somehow dug deep to win six shots on the second last end, picking up a three on the last to declare a draw and a level score overall of 75 shots each. That’s good competitive bowls.
The Golf girls are headed in the right direction with a bit of self belief and confidence in themselves to get the job done, they can perform well against any opposition.
Rainbow had top games across the three rinks from Elaine Fuller, Colleen Cook, Teresa Gould, Trig Mellington, Col Drendel, Col Gebert and skipper Rod McLean, whilst Golf were well supported by Sal McKenzie, Alison Fischer, Gaylene Clayton, Judy Smith, Judy Gove, Maree Walker, Chris Gunn, Lorraine Penny and Mary Ginnane. Ann Thomas had a win, taking home the daily raffle.
The team are away next Tuesday at Minyip or Murtoa.
Good bowling and good luck.
