Medal haul for bowlers

THE Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association enjoyed its most successful Victorian Inter Group Championships campaign, returning home from Ballarat with two gold medals, one silver medal, and a strong fifth-place finish in the prestigious J & L Clifton Shield.

Competing at the championships for the fifth time, Mount Gambier faced strong opposition from Northern Districts, Ballarat Blue, Ballarat Gold, Warrnambool Orange, Warrnambool Blue, Heytesbury, and South/Eastern. Each region fielded a team of 26 players across 10 disciplines.

To secure medals in three events was a significant achievement given the high calibre of bowlers competing throughout the tournament.

Mount Gambier also finished just 25 points behind the overall shield winners.

Fiona Pearson claimed the gold medal in the Ladies Singles, successfully defending the title she won last year.

Returning to singles competition, Pearson was in outstanding form, winning all seven of her matches.

Heading into the final day, Pearson held a superior percentage over her nearest rival, but removed any doubt by winning her final match to complete an undefeated tournament.

Her results were:

• 20–8 vs Warrnambool Orange

• 26–6 vs Ballarat Blue

• 17–12 vs Northern Districts

• 17–9 vs Warrnambool Blue

• 18–7 vs South/Eastern

• 19–7 vs Ballarat Gold

• 30–6 vs Heytesbury

The Men’s Triples team of Tim Radley, Craig Pearson and Zac Pearson also captured gold after an impressive campaign that produced six wins from seven matches.

The trio had effectively secured the title before the final day, holding a two-game lead over their nearest rivals.

Their results were:

• 21–12 vs Ballarat Gold

• 11–10 vs Heytesbury

• 19–11 vs Warrnambool Orange

• 17–6 vs Ballarat Blue

• 14–12 vs Northern Districts

• 12–8 vs Warrnambool Blue

• 13–18 vs South/Eastern

Jennifer Bowering and Keisha Pearson won the silver medal in the Ladies Pairs.

Entering the final day just half a game outside top spot, the pair needed a victory to secure second place and delivered under pressure.

Their six wins from seven matches were enough to claim the silver medal.

Their results were:

• 13–10 vs Northern Districts

• 14–11 vs Warrnambool Blue

• 17–12 vs South/Eastern

• 21–10 vs Ballarat Gold

• 18–12 vs Heytesbury

• 9–15 vs Warrnambool Orange

• 23–6 vs Ballarat Blue

Several other Mount Gambier teams made valuable contributions toward the association’s overall shield result:

• Men’s Singles: Craig Reynolds – 8th

• Men’s Pairs: Garry Burke and Coehen Keppels – 5th

• Ladies Triples: Tru Franklin, Fiona Rochow and Heather Glynn – 7th

• Ladies Fours: Carolyn Walters, Leonie Wastell, Tanya Burke and Emma Freemantle – 5th

• Men’s Fours: Trevor Williams, Kevin Burn, Gary Walters and Thomas Butler – 5th

• Mixed Pairs: Bronwyn Hill and Josh Ferrazzola – 7th

• Mixed Fours: Nola Spencer, Jo Gogan, Gary Bowering and Stephen Von Duve – 3rd

J & L Clifton Shield Final Standings

1. Heytesbury – 92 points

2. Ballarat Gold – 91

3. Warrnambool Orange – 87

4. Northern Districts – 87

5. Mount Gambier – 72

6. South/Eastern – 59

7. Warrnambool Blue – 46

8. Ballarat Blue – 26

The championship was another major step forward for the Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association, with three medal-winning performances highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the region’s bowlers on the Victorian stage.