Dolphins turn tables to claim pennant

THE Lorne Bowls Club has claimed the Weekend Pennant division 2 championship in the West Coast Bowls league, defeating a strong Camperdown Magpies outfit in last month’s grand final.

After falling short in the 2025 decider, the Dolphins turned the tables this season, securing a 26-shot victory to claim the title.

President Jeff Reddie said the result was particularly satisfying given the strength of the opposition.

“There were two Camperdown sides up until this year and they amalgamated which made them very strong,” he said.

“It made the win even more credible given we were up against a very strong opposition.”

Reddie said the disappointment of the previous year’s grand final loss had provided extra motivation. It made the win even more enjoyable.

“We got rolled last year in the grand final, so we had a bit to make up, a bit of payback, albeit a different opposition.

“The whole club and the team were all keen to make amends. Having said that, it was a credible performance and they really fought it out with a desire to win.”

The victory means the Dolphins will be promoted to division 1 in 2027, with the club hopeful the step up will attract some former players back to the green.

“We’re hoping to get some of the younger brigade back involved again,” Reddie said

“And we’ll need to do that to be competitive; division 1 is very strong.

Reddie said the club’s welcoming culture was one of its strengths.

“We’re a diverse club, we have diverse interests. It’s a tourist town and we have people who live elsewhere but have holiday homes down here,” he said.

“We seem to all just get on really well, and the proof is in the pudding.”

Players interested in joining the Dolphins can phone Jeff Reddie on 0404 572 085.