Scotty’s Shot: Emu Point Red and Purple jostle for top spot in ladies first division

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

There is a wonderful and thrilling battle taking place in the ladies first division of the Lower Great Southern Bowling League, with the top two sides equal and the third-placed team a further two points behind.

The two Emu Point teams Red and Purple find themselves occupying the lead for the pennant with one round remaining, with Middleton Beach White currently occupying third place.

Meanwhile at the other end of the ladder there is a titanic battle taking place to avoid the dreaded relegation, as the bottom three teams Denmark Aqua, Albany Gold and Green are also only separated by two points.

In round 13 Denmark Aqua caused a major upset defeating top-ranked Emu Point Red 4 (44) to 0 (31) while Emu Point Purple had a massive and vital win over Middleton Beach White 4 (59) to 0 (27).

Middleton Beach White will now have to rely on other results going their way in the final round to have any chance to snatch the pennant.

Albany Gold won a thriller against local rival Albany Green 3 (42) to 1 (40) as Middleton Beach Green lost a close tussle to Mt Barker Golf 3 (42) to 1 (39).

In the ladies second division Cranbrook proved to be the dominant team throughout the season and secured their promotion back into the top division after a dominant round 13 win over Denmark Orange 4 (57) to 0 (32).

Cranbrook now has an unassailable lead over second-placed Mt Barker Golf who easily defeated Emu Point Blue 4 (42) to 0 (30).

Ladies pennants will now take a recess for the annual round-robin series with the final round to be played on February 24.

The wind-up and trophy presentations will be hosted by Mt Barker Golf after the final round.

Another wonderful contest is playing out in the men’s third division with top two sides Middleton Beach White and Denmark separated by only two points after the conclusion of round 10.

Mt Barker Golf Blue defeated Frankland 4 (63) to 2 (54), while Middleton Beach Lime and Mt Barker fought out a one-shot thriller with Lime getting the win 4 (58) to 2 (57).

Denmark had a comprehensive triumph over Albany White 6 (94) to 0 (36) as Middleton Beach White took care of Emu Point Blue 5 (66) to 1 (42).

The men’s Country All Stars squad has been named to take on the metro team at Osborne Park preceding men’s country week.

Emu Point’s Matt Mitchell and Doug Wright join Albany’s Jon Davidson and former Middleton Beach player Matt Hudson in the squad.

Meanwhile, Wagin’s Warren Holt lost a close-fought men’s State singles final against the reigning Australian singles champion, Manning’s Cody Packer at Joondalup Bowling Club.

The win for Packer gives him back-to-back titles, becoming the first player since 1929 to achieve this feat.

Club Championship Results

Cranbrook Men’s Championship Singles

Winner: Barry Rendell, R/U: John Turner

Mt Barker Gold Ladies Championship Triples

Winners: Karen Wright, Carol Chilcott and Judi Downing, R/U: Karen Miller, Margo Young and Sharon Kiddle

Mt Barker Golf Men’s Championship Triples

Winners: Shane Anderson, Matt Steinhoff and Geoff Jones, R/U: Ron Wiese, Derek Gorman and Harry Matthews

Albany Ladies Championship Triples

Winners: Dianne Bevilaqua, Jill Swain and Nancy Sharpe. R/U: Margaret Happe, Heather Mackenzie and Dianne Byatt

Albany Men’s Championship Singles

Winner: Craig Hitchcock, R/U: Rick Rodgers

Denmark Men’s Championship Triples

Winners: Dave Douglas, Trevor Parks and John Kenyon

Middleton Beach Men’s Championship Singles

Winner: Kim Thompson, R/U: Les Holt