A last minute venue change from Ararat to Aradale didn’t put the Stawell Bowls team off, as it won through to the Grampians Bowls Division midweek grand final with a convincing victory against crosstown rivals Stawell Golf on Monday.
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Angela Hodgetts’ squad got Stawell off to a strong start, as they competed against Dawn Blackman’s group in the first rink.
Hodgett’s group eventually won a close battle 26-23 to give Stawell the early advantage on the first week of finals.
That proved to be the closest Stawell Golf would get on the day, as Stawell continued in its winning ways with Rita Pyke’s rink leading from early on and extending its lead against Annette Dwyer’s group the longer the match-up went.
The Stawell team eventually got the points in a one-sided 32 to 22 shots win to increase the pressure on the Stawell Golf team in the final rink.
It proved to be too much for the team to overcome, as Ellen Werry led the way in the final rink with her team able to notch up the biggest win of the day so far, 35-15 against Dulcie Molan’s group to ensure Stawell would have next week off after the 93 shots to 60 overall win.
Sharolyn Rattray’s group had the tough task of bridging the 18-shot deficit in the final rink
Next time the Stawell team take to the green, it will be in the grand final while Stawell Golf will now have to regroup and hope for a better performance in the preliminary final against Lake Bolac.
The Lake Bolac team won through to the preliminary final after accounting for Ararat VRI Red in the second semi-final at Aradale.
The match started with the Lake Bolac taking an early lead, courtesy of Joan Curnow’s group playing some incredible shots.
Di Taylor’s squad had no answers, as the scoreboard advantage started to blow out for the Lake Bolac team.
The Bolac team ended the rink, comfortable 33-20 winners to go ahead one in the match.
The second rink started as a more evenly balanced contest with Judy Aldous and Lorna Neil’s groups battling it out with neither team able to gain a big advantage early on.
The match was set for a close finish, as both teams were within reach with Aldous’ group holding on to win 24 shots to 19 to put Lake Bolac in a strong position with one rink to play.
Sharolyn Rattray’s group had the tough task of bridging the 18-shot deficit in the final rink against Karen Gleeson’s squad.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Ararat VRI Red players, but the team continued to work hard throughout and accrued an advantage as the rink went on.
The VRI team did its best to claw back the deficit with a big win but it was not to be.
Rattray’s squad won the final rink by six shots but fell short of the overall win, ending the team’s season.
The 75 shots to 63 win means Lake Bolac keeps its season alive with the preliminary final against Stawell Golft set to be played at Chalambar on Monday.
