Sport
Kyabram pips Shepparton Park in division two thriller as weekend pennant continues into second week
Glorious sunshine greeted players across the Goulburn Valley Playing Area on Saturday afternoon as the 2022-23 weekend pennant season continued into its second week.
A host of thrilling contests headlined the action from divisions two to seven, with vibes across all greens at fever pitch as bowlers celebrated finally being able to play for successive weeks.
In division two, Kyabram showed it will be a top contender, taking the points against an impressive Shepparton Park 12-99 to 6-97 in a thrilling match on its home green.
Backing up a spirited triumph over reigning division three champion Tallygaroopna the previous weekend, the Bombers were tested by Park, with the visitor claiming victory in three of the four rinks.
What tipped the scales in Kyabram’s favour was an epic performance by Phillip Denham’s squad in rink one, as it took Gavin Flanagan’s Park group to the cleaners to take a 36-14.
The 22-shot buffer that rink one win created was enough for the Bombers to take the points, with the result boosting them to second on the ladder.
Elsewhere, Shepparton Golf made an emphatic statement, travelling to Mooroopna Golf and recording a dominant 18-130 to 0-61 win.
Everything the Golfers did turned to gold, as they swept all four rinks with John Foley’s 35-12 win in rink one the highlight of the performance.
The victory catapults Shepparton Golf into top spot on the ladder as it prepares for a heavyweight bout with fellow undefeated side Kyabram next week.
Rounding out the division two winners’ list was a classy 114-4 to 4-91 effort by Tallygaroopna over Euroa, and a dominant 16-107 to 2-79 victory by Tatura-Hill Top over East Shepparton.
Division three action was highlighted by a thrilling contest between Nagambie and Stanhope, with the latter recording a 14-84 to 2-82 victory away from home.
A tense battle from start to finish, the clubs split the rinks at two apiece, with a 24-17 win for Brian Stokes in rink three proving to be the difference in the match.
There were similar scenes at Mooroopna Bowls Club, with the Cats falling just short to Shepparton Park in an epic contest.
Splitting the rinks two apiece, Park managed to grind out a 14-94 to 4-92 triumph courtesy of a 33-16 win by Wes Gibbs in rink two, with the 17-shot margin enough to get the visitors over the line.
Elsewhere, Seymour claimed a dominant 18-129 to 0-80 win over Avenel, while Rushworth rounded out the weekend’s action with a clinical 16-102 to 2-77 dismantling of Shepparton Golf.
In division four, Kyabram made it back-to-back wins to begin the season, besting Shepparton Park 14-96 to 4-93 in an epic on the road.
Wayne Chambers’ efforts in rink three would prove the difference, as he orchestrated a whopping 38-11 win.
That 27-shot buffer was vital in the finish, as Barry Semmens put the pressure back on the Bombers with his rink two Park squad coming away with a 40-17 victory.
Elsewhere, Seymour VRI got over cross-town rival Seymour, prevailing 16-98 to 2-86 in a tight match on its home green.
Euroa was far too strong for Tallygaroopna, dominating the entirety of proceedings to come away a 16-126 to 2-77 winner.
While Tatura-Hill Top rounded out the winners’ list with a 14-102 to 4-91 win over East Shepparton.
The only competition into its fourth round of action, division five had a nail-biter between Merrigum and Alexandra, with the latter pulling out a memorable 14-72 to 4-71 victory.
Other division five winners were Eildon, Dookie, Colbinabbin and Tatura-Hill Top.
Division six action had Mooroopna, Dookie, Yea and Shepparton Park record wins.
While in division seven it was Eildon, Rushworth and Violet Town that found their way onto the winners’ list.