Our singles men’s and women’s Club Championship finals were played off early on Saturday morning to beat the heat.
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Craig Taylor, who was runner-up last season, and has a string of titles to his name, played off against Niels Hilton.
Hilton only has one full pennant season and a grand final win on his CV.
It was bound to be a great game. A crowd gathered to watch some brilliant bowls in the fight for the title.
Taylor broke away several times, only to have Hilton bridge the gap again.
After playing 26 ends, the score was even at 22-all.
Taylor managed a three on the next end, and finally took the honours at 25-22.
Congratulations to both players on a brilliant game.
It was a show of great skill and great sportsmanship between two highly respected club members.
The ladies singles final commenced a little earlier, but ran alongside the men’s final.
Spectators watched on as Chris Frampton and Jo Chick started off on a rather heavy green due to the overnight rainfall.
Frampton got a head start, throwing long ends, which Chick struggled with.
The greens dried as the wind picked up, and Chick took the lead playing shorter ends.
Frampton couldn’t win the mat back, and Chick won the next seven ends to bring the score to 25-5.
The ladies were then more than happy to settle in under the shade, as the mercury climbed, to watch the men finish their game.
Thanks go to Rod Reid and Archie Webster for marking the games, and good luck to Taylor and Chick who will be playing the Champion of Champions in the new year.
Pennant
The RSL Diggers hosted Kyabram Tuesday last week in round 10, which was the Charity Round and the last game before the Christmas break in the Midweek competition.
Both club presidents called for a minute of silence in respect for the victims of the Bondi terror attack, and the families, before play started.
Miro Peterman led for Chris Frampton, Neville Austin and Niels Hilton.
Kyabram got the jump on them in the first four ends and the Diggers were down five before they got on the card.
By the 6th end they were all square on five shots each, but the Diggers couldn’t do enough thereafter to get in front.
Kyabram’s Geoff Coad and Hilton had a good tousle, but Kyabram were too good and won the rink 24-15.
Craig Taylor’s rink had a similar fight on their hands.
Allan Hodges, John Wilson, Archie Webster and Taylor got in front on the 6th end, and scores were level again by the 9th.
Kyabram slowly drew away from them by scoring 11 to RSL’s seven.
After 21 ends, Kyabram were seven in front to finish with 23-16.
Best rink for the day was Rod Reid’s team of Lyn Hardcastle, Jim Jennings and Ron Marchetti.
They had a steady start, and it was neck-and-neck until the 9th end.
At 10-9, Kyabram changed gears and picked up six over the next three ends then after Diggers taking a ‘2’, Kyabram followed up with five more over the next three ends.
RSL were down 21-11 and knew they had to dig deep.
Over the remaining five ends they did just that, and piled nine onto their card while Kyabram were only able to pick up a ‘1’ on one end.
It was a brilliant come back to being only two shots down, but unfortunately Kyabram won their third rink at 22-20.
Overall score was 69-51.
Kyabram picked up 16 points to finish with 118 points, and second place on the Division 2 ladder.
Deni RSL finished fourth with 81 points.
The charity round is held this time each year in our region, and we were called upon to dress ‘Christmas’ to raise money.
Kyabram wore their new bowls uniforms, and along with the Diggers brightness of their Christmas outfits, the RSL greens were a sea of colour.
As our Weekend Pennant charity round game wasn’t played due to Ky Valley forfeiting, it was decided we will continue our fundraising on social bowls days over the break to boost our donation in January.
Enjoy the break Diggers. Weekend Pennant resumes on January 17 and Midweek Pennant on January 20.
Social bowls
Social Bowls wasn’t played on Thursday, with the weather being around 42 degrees, however the Christmas ham giveaway was drawn after a very busy private function was held at our club.
Club members and social bowlers were in attendance and ready to barefoot bowl with anyone who was game.
The lucky winners of the last two hams were Sandra Hill and Jim Jennings.
Congratulations to you both, and thanks to everyone who has supported our Social Bowls thus far.
Social Bowls will recommence early in January. Contact the Deni RSL Club reception for more information.