BBC BROADCAST PENNANTS SATURDAY APRIL 26th (Terry Norwood at the desk)
Saturday saw the staging of the final round of the Grade Six Pennants competition with Bowral travelling to Robertson to take on the locals. Prior to play, Bowral was in second position behind the Picton Razorbacks who had parcelled up the Grade Six section three title and led the table by thirteen points. With this one round to play, it was very important for Bowral to defeat Robbo to definitely hold onto second position and avoid being overtaken by Taralga should they manage to knock over Picton. So to the results of the Bowral Vs Robertson clash . . .
Reta South, Chris Forrester, Stephen Day, Ash Lewis 28 Vs Robertson 15
With Bowral in hot form, they won the first three ends to lead 10 – 0. They then advanced this to 14 – 3 after six and looked to be getting the better of the opposition. However, as so often happens in this wonderful game, the opposition lifted and by the eleventh end the margin had been reduced to four shots at 15 – 11. Not a time for the weak hearted, Bowral then answered the challenge with all players digging in and contributing strongly. Bowral went on to dominate the second half of the match conceding only four shots and rattling up thirteen to coast home 28 – 15 victors.
Noel Fraser, Jim Neely, Gail Fraser, Robin Staples 20 Vs Robertson 25
Both Bowral and Robertson got on the scorecard early for the score to be 4 all after four ends. Bowral then edged out to 8 – 4, but when they dropped an awful six shotter on the eighth end followed by a three, they were in trouble at 9 – 15. This became 10 – 19 after the thirteenth and then 11 – 20 after fifteen . . . but then the fight back started! With all Bowral bowlers lifting, they won four of the next five ends to be within one shot with one end to play. Alas, on the last end, the Robbo lead carried the jack to the ditch and try as they might, Bowral couldn’t break through the cordon. Victory went to Robertson in this one.
Peter Flight, Terry Norwood, Dave Coltman, Al McGhee 23 Vs Robertson 15
In a very tight opening, these teams exchanged ends for the score to be locked at 5 all after six ends. As the game progressed, neither side could break free and were still locked after ten at 8 all. Bowral was having the better at setting the ends up, but, more often than not, it was being torn down by Eric Pull the skipper for Robbo. Time and again, he bailed them out of trouble with delicate draws or gentle running shots. However, perseverence prevailed and Bowral achieved a mini break through to lead 15 – 8 after thirteen ends, and then pushed this to 19 – 10 with four ends to play. Robbo clawed back five shots on the next three ends but a very solid four shotter on the last saw Bowral put the icing on the cake.
So, overall, Bowral won the day and collected 9 competition points to the 1 for Robertson. This result ensured that Bowral finished in second position on the competition table. As it happened, top of the table and competition winners Picton were solidly defeated in their final round match, so the win against Robertson was essential to keep Bowral in second position. In the end, Picton topped the table 3 points ahead of Bowral, with Taralga 3.5 points away in third position. What a wonderful competition! Following, is a summary/message from chairman of selectors Robin Staples.
Pennant Season 2024 – 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen Bowlers: The 2024-2025 Pennant season is now completed. Congratulations to the Bowral Pennant participants who finished the season in second position a bare 3 points behind the winning team of Picton and 3.5 points ahead of third placed Taralga. An excellent effort and a credit to all the bowlers.
Just a few words of thanks are due. Firstly, to all our Club members both Ladies and Gentlemen who placed their names on the board and participated in both the trials and the ten matches. Unfortunately, as many of our grade 3 decided to leave the Club for Bargo we had a late withdrawal of the grade 3 team. Had we known the situation earlier we may have been able to field a grade 7 team which would have given all those who wished to play a game. Hopefully next year.
A special thanks to Peter Flight who was not only a selector but took the role of team manager which involved a great deal of behind the scenes work and gaining knowledge of the Nepean District computer entry and results system. Thanks to the other selectors, namely Gail Fraser, Graham Hunt, with assistance from Terry Norwood. The umpires who covered the measuring on home games, Jim Neely and Stephen Della. Also those Club members who came to support the teams during the matches.
Finally to wrap up the competition on a high note it is interesting to look at the Nepean Highlander Players Ladder for grade 6 section 3. While the top player was Kevin Holden of Bundanoon with 9 wins out of 10 games and Isaac Elliot was 8th, every other position at the top of the ladder down to twelfth was filled by Bowral players. Second was Reta South with 8 wins from 9 games and Ash Lewis and Alastair McGhee took third and fourth positions. Players from all three teams were represented in the top twelve. Very well done and thanks again to everyone.
Robin Staples Chair of Selectors.