2017-18 State of Pennant 2
Aberfeldie – the little club with a big heart
The 108-year-old Aberfeldie Bowls Club is one of the minnows of Bowls Victoria’s Metropolitan Pennant competitions.
Boasting just 40 members, the Club fields two Saturday Pennant teams, two Midweek Pennant Division 1 (6-a-side) teams, and a Night Pennant team in the Northern Gateway Night Pennant Competition.
The Club prides itself on the welcoming and tight knit nature of its membership and has members travelling from as far away as Riddells Creek, Point Cook and Truganina to play. 93 year old Life Member, multiple Club Champion and Club legend, Fred Sinclair, is the soul of the Club, having played in excess of 1000 Pennant games in 53 Seasons at Aberfeldie – and is still skipping on Saturdays.
While Saturday Pennant this season produced only ordinary results for the Club, the reverse was true for its two Midweek Pennant teams.
With both Division 1 (6 a side) teams playing in Section 1, the Club finished first and second on the ladder at the end of the Sectional round, and then hosted two home Sectional semi-finals.
Coming out on top in each (one semi-final by just 1 shot against Moonee Ponds), the Club’s two teams played off for the Section Premiership – and of course earned the distinction of being both Section Premiers (Aberfeldie 1) & Runners-Up (Aberfeldie 2).
Advancing to the Divisional quarter-finals, Aberfeldie 1 had the closest of wins (a single shot on the last end of the game) against a gallant Diamond Creek at Preston Reservoir Bowls Club. The Divisional semi-final was far less tense, with Aberfeldie 1 taking a strong lead late in the game to defeat a resolute Hampton Park at Burwood Districts Bowls Club.
On then to the Divisional Grand Final played at the MCC Bowls Club against a gritty Bennettswood. A solid fight back by Bennettswood threatened Aberfeldie’s mid-game lead, but re-grouping after the break, Aberfeldie finished the game strongly to take the 2017-2018 Metropolitan Pennant Midweek Open Division 1 (6 a Side) Championship.
At the end of the game, the Club and its players were thrilled to be presented with the Premiership flag and individual winner medallions by Bowls Victoria – tangible evidence of an outstanding season, and proof that the minnow can bring home the catch!
Kilmore Bowls Club wins three premierships
Kilmore Bowls Club has secured three Central Bowls Division premierships for season 2017-18. The Division 1 game was played against Alexandra and resulted in Kilmore winning 103-79.
The clubs met two weeks earlier at Wallan in the Qualifying final which Kilmore won comfortably. Playing again at Wallan on a very good and even paced green the Kilmore team started well and soon established a handy lead. Both teams were playing some excellent bowls and at the afternoon tea break Kilmore had maintained its early lead. In the closing stages Kilmore managed to extend its lead and at the end of play the 24 shot margin was a true reflection of the game. The 1st Division win is its first since 2010 after making the grand finals on a number of occasions in previous years.
The 2nd Division final was a much tougher game against the Seymour team that won their preliminary final last week against Wallan on the Kilmore green that gave them the chance to challenge Kilmore for the flag.
Seymour started strongly and established what looked like a commanding lead by the afternoon tea break. The Kilmore players rallied after the break and by the three-quarter stage of the game had reduced the margin to within a few shots but from this point started playing the better bowls that gave them a winning break and finished over the top of a gallant Seymour side winning 77-58. The 2nd Division side were defeated last year in the Grand Final by Wallan. They previously won the Premiership back in 2010 in company with the 1st Division and 3rd Division sides.
Tuesday Pennant 1st Division: Kilmore defeated Seymour VRI in the Grand-Final of the CBD Tuesday pennant on an excellent green at Seymour Bowls Club.
After 12 ends Kilmore had opened up a handy lead and by the lunch break were in a strong position overall. After the break Kilmore consolidated its lead and maintained its advantage to close out comfortable winners 82-41. Kilmore and Seymour VRI have played in the grand final for the past 3 years with Kilmore winning by 1 shot 2 years ago and Seymour VRI turning the tables last year.
It’s the Kilmore club’s 3rd Tuesday Premiership in the Central Bowls Division and in 2014 won the Central Goulburn Murray Regional Championship.
Croydon Bowls Club
Croydon Bowls Club won the Midweek Div 1 white flag against a gallant Bundoora at Ashburton. It has been a remarkable performance from the Croydon Club which is nestled at the base of the Dandenong Ranges. It is the club’s 3rd white flag in the last four years.
This is a fantastic effort given the team just made it into the section finals. Wins against Heathmont and Hurstbridge resulted in winning their section. They then played and defeated the Mulgrave Country Club bowls team.
A vocal and excited crowd cheered the team on and happily joined the team in the post game celebrations back at the club.
The team has also won the right to represent Melbourne Metro in the Champion of State Pennant Midweek titles at Moama from May 8 to 10, with their subsequent win over Taylor Bowls Premier Division winners Werribee in a playoff match.
Hawthorn win Div 4 Saturday Metro Pennant – Progress Leader
City Red v Warrnambool Gold grand final – The Standard
Eaglehawk secures Bendigo Bowls Division thriller – Bendigo Advertiser
Seymour back in top flight – Shepparton News
Shepparton Park midweek win CGM title – Shepparton News
Golf make it three-peat – Shepparton News
