Shepparton Tenpin Bowling Association left no strikes spare as it romped to victory on Monday.
The Victorian Country Senior Shield Over-45 tournament was held at OzTenpin Star Bowl Shepparton on November 2-4 — originally scheduled for November 1, but was changed at the weekend.
The state’s best regional senior tenpin bowlers gave it their all down the lanes, with nine country centres competing.
Shepparton took home the men’s and overall team crowns, while the women’s side secured third place.
OzTenpin Star Bowl Shepparton centre manager Melissa Thompson said the tournament was a success for the association.
“The weekend went really well, everyone bowled really well and the tournament ran well,” Thompson said.
“Overall, the Shepparton association won, so that was a big accomplishment.”
Thompson said the tournament was a perfect mix of a competitive and social environment.
“The atmosphere is always great,” she said.
“We all just love bowling.
“It is serious on the lanes, but off the lanes, we have a lot of laughs because it is a senior event.
“The camaraderie is fantastic and the whole weekend went great.”
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(From left) Women's All-Star team Lisa Garioch (Sunraysia), Paige Rice (Sunraysia), Deb Smith (Shepparton), Tarn Gray (La Trobe Valley). Photo by Liam NashImage 2 of 10
(From left) Men's All-Star team Fred Thompson (Shepparton), Jason McConkey (Shepparton), Craig O'Toole (Ballarat), Ray Martin (Sunraysia). Photo by Liam NashImage 3 of 10
Men's winning team Shepparton. Photo by Liam NashImage 4 of 10
Overall second-placed team Sunraysia. Photo by Liam NashImage 5 of 10
Women's third-placed team Shepparton. Photo by Liam NashImage 6 of 10
Men's third-placed team Sunraysia. Photo by Liam NashImage 7 of 10
Women's winning team Sunraysia. Photo by Liam NashImage 8 of 10
Men's second-placed team Ballarat. Photo by Liam NashImage 9 of 10
Women's second-placed team La Trobe Valley. Photo by Liam NashImage 10 of 10
Overall third-placed team La Trobe Valley. Photo by Liam NashShepparton Tenpin Bowling Association’s next major tournament will be the Country Cup event during the long weekend in March.
Thompson said the association was fortunate enough to have some star players that make the team competitive at every tournament it enters.
“In league bowling competitions, Shepparton has always been very strong,” she said.
“We are blessed to have very loyal and competitive bowlers at our centre.
“(On Monday) we bowled as a team, which is very important when you bowl in these events.
“It was nice to have a couple of individuals make the All-Stars.
“We had Fred (Thompson) and Jason (McConkey) have top two averages for the boys and Debbie Smith, I think she finished third, in the All-Stars.”