Lower Great Southern Bowling League first division ladies pennant title clinched by Emu Point

Passionate Albany bowler TIM SCOTT is writing a fortnightly column for The Extra, keeping our readers up to date with the local bowls scene.

Emu Point are the Lower Great Southern Bowling League first division ladies pennant champions after a commanding away win in round 13 over Middleton Beach White 4 (43) to 0 (23).

This win sealed Emu Point’s title triumph with one round remaining, now holding an unassailable 5.5-point lead over last year’s winners Mt Barker Golf who lost a thriller to Denmark Aqua 3 (37) to 1 (36).

Albany Green travelled to the new greens of Middleton Beach Green and came away with the points, winning 3 (37) to 0 (26).

Denmark Orange and Albany Gold fought out a close one as the Denmark ladies won, 3 (44) to 1 (42).

Ladies second division is far more intriguing with ladder leaders Emu Point Blue holding a three-point lead over Cranbrook heading into the final round where they have the bye.

Cranbrook, three points behind in second place, will play away against fourth placed Emu Point Purple for a shot at the pennant title but picking up the maximum four points on offer is their only hope.

In round 13, Mt Barker Golf defeated Emu Point Purple 4 (56) to 0 (26) whilst Emu Point Blue finished their season off with a 4 (39) to 0 (31) win over Mt Barker.

Cranbrook grabbed the valuable win away over Middleton Beach Red, 4 (60) to 0 (34).

Ladies will conclude the season with their wind up and presentations after the final round being hosted by Emu Point who will also be hosting the Ladies Inter Zone Round Robin Pairs at the weekend.

In round 10 of the men’s first division pennants, the bottom placed Albany Green had a resounding season-best away win over Middleton Beach Green 6 (72) to 0 (38) while Middleton Beach Black matched them with an impressive victory also away, against Mt Barker Golf 5 (72) to 1 (47).

Ladder leaders Albany Gold won only one rink but still recorded a 4 (69) to 2 (55) triumph against Denmark that helped them maintain an 11.5-point lead over a dangerous second placed Emu Point Red, who came out with the points in a thriller over Middleton Beach Gold 4 (59) to 2 (58).

Two games decided by 15 shots in men’s second division as Mt Barker Golf White beat Albany Grey 5 (65) to 1 (50) while Albany Brown produced the upset of the season to record an impressive 5 (70) to 1 (55) away win over ladder leaders Mt Barker, to hand them their first loss of the season.

Emu Point Purple easily accounted for Cranbrook 6 (83) to 0 (48) as Walpole continued to punch above their weight with a hard-fought win 4 (53) to 2 (50) against Middleton Beach White.

Mt Barker still maintains a 14-point lead over second placed Emu Point Purple and continue to be pennant favourites.

Walpole, Albany Brown and Purple are all contesting the other positions within the four to determine finals opponents.

Top side Denmark produced a dominant display over Albany White 6 (85) to 0 (40) as round 12 in the men’s third division had large margins.

Frankland had a wonderful away win over Mt Barker Golf Blue 6 (78) to 0 (41) and Emu Point White easily accounted for Middleton Beach Lime 6 (83) to 0 (50).

Green range lost at home to Emu Point Black 5 (65) to 1 (50).

Denmark holds a 6.5-point lead over Mt Barker with Emu Point Black a further 1.5 points back.

Southern Zone have finished third in the recent men’s inter zone carnival, held in Busselton in extremely hot and still conditions.

Matt Mitchell, Jon Sharpe and Craig Hitchcock were all selected in the Country All Stars squad to compete in the annual challenge against the WA State side, which is played as the curtain-raiser for the upcoming men’s country week championships.

This has been a dramatic rise through the ranks for Hitchcock, who is only in his third year of bowls.

Albany recently held both their ladies and men’s singles championships with Anne Hunter winning her second title with a win in the ladies’ final against Nancy Sharpe.

In a one-sided affair Don King defeated Jon Davidson in the men’s final.

Middleton Beach men’s singles championship has seen a popular winner as John Radys defeated Keith Manton for the title.

The 8 Badge with Walpole’s Damien Burton

1. Where were you born? Denmark.

2. Sports/interests growing up? Football, cricket, basketball.

3. How did you get/who got you into bowls? Natural progression, grandparents played, then mum and dad, so I thought I would join them.

4. Clubs played for? Walpole.

5. Favourite format? Pennants.

6. Most cherished moment on greens? Playing against “Chips” Woodyard in the men’s league singles final in 2019.

7. Best bowler ever seen/played against? Kim Jones.

8. Why would you recommend bowls as a sport to play? It is a sport which builds character as you rub elbows and listen to the stories from people who always make you feel welcome, and there are not many sports that you get beaten by an 80-year-old and learn from it.