Heathcote breaks bowls drought

HEATHCOTE is celebrating its first bowls premiership in almost a decade after the division three team won the Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields weekend pennant grand final against Marong.

A 78-69 victory by the Saints on Bendigo East’s greens last Saturday broke Heathcote’s premiership drought which had been on since the 2015-16 season.

The Adam Luxford-skipped rink had a great match against Brian Girvan as scores were level on the 11th, 15th and 18th ends.

The Saints scored three shots on the last end for a 17-16 victory.

Chris Morcom’s rink struggled early and a faced three-shot deficit after 13 ends.

The Saints won just two more ends as the Warren Gretgrix-led Marong won 21-11.

Maurice Lee’s rink scored four shots on the first end and led by 11 shots by the 13th end against Stephen Knight.

After the final bowl Lee led 26-11.

Bill Gardiner’s rink made an even start against Brian Rumbold as scores were tied on the 5th, 9th, 11th and 13th ends.

The Saints scored nine shots on the last two ends to clinch a 24-21 victory.

Heathcote’s division three premiership team of the 2024-25 season:

Peter Cunningham, Glen Wilkie, Brett Kelly, Adam Luxford (s).

David Thomas, Frank Dimauro, Glenn Saunders, Bill Gardiner (s).

Rodney Bond, Eileen O’Brien, Greg Speirs, Chris Morcom (s).

Richard Edwards, Rod Hanson, John McGillivray, Maurice Lee (s).

Stung by a six-shot loss to Marong in the second semi, Heathcote struck back to beat Woodbury and then Marong.

At the committee meeting the club resolved to award life memberships to Eileen O’Brien, Lorraine Speirs, Bill Gardiner, Denis Kilner and Glen Saunders for many years of dedicated service.

Social bowls on March 12 was three games of pairs and triples.

Winners were Chris Morcom (s) and Richard Edwards, two wins, 33 points, +24 shots, from Lorraine Speirs (s) and Daniel Fitton, two wins, 33 points, +5 shots.

Mixed social bowls this Saturday starts at 1pm.

Mixed pairs championships on Saturday, April 5 at 1pm.

Life Members memorial pairs championships on Sunday, April 6 at 1pm.

Roy Tattersall Memorial Triples on Friday, April 25 at 10am.