Scotty’s Shot: Lower Great Bowling Zone gears up for thrilling final round of men’s pennant season

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

A thrilling final round is in store for the Lower Great Southern Bowling League 2023-24 men’s pennant season.

There will be familiar hosts of the men’s division finals, as ladder leaders and reigning champions Emu Point Red are confirmed as the favourites for the pennant with a round 13, 5 (66) to 1 (55) victory over the bottom-placed Mt Barker.

The vital point Mt Barker claimed in this game could be crucial for their quest to remain in the top division as they are now equal at the foot of the ladder, with Middleton Beach Black after Emu Point Purple handed Black a 40-shot drubbing 5 (82) to 1 (42).

Mt Barker and Black will face off in a final round high-stakes contest with the winner to remain in division one for next season and the loser to be relegated.

Albany Gold were far too good at home for Middleton Beach Green 5 (87) to 1 (48) while Middleton Beach Gold defeated Denmark 5.5 (64) to 0.5 (49).

These results see the two Gold teams only separated by percentage in the battle for the precious double chance in the finals, as each face difficult away games in the final round.

The men’s division two ladder leaders Mt Barker Golf Red, suffered their second loss of the season as Albany Green hung on to win a two-shot thriller 4.5 (62) to 1.5 (60).

This result leaves Green only one point behind Red in the race for promotion, although Red have a game in hand to play, against the bottom-ranked Walpole.

Third-placed Albany Brown were upset at home by local rivals Albany Grey 6 (61) to 1 (47) while Emu Point White hosted Cranbrook and came away with the 4.5 (54) to 1.5 (46) win.

In the final game, Walpole were beaten at home by Mt Barker Golf White 4.5(57) to 1.5(46).

Ladder leaders Middleton Beach White have claimed the pennant in men’s division three after they won the local derby against Middleton Beach Lime 5 (63) to 1 (49).

This now gives White an unassailable lead of 8.5 points over second-placed Denmark and confirms their promotion for next season.

Denmark had a massive win over Mt Barker 6 (88) to 0 (37) while Green Range bounced back to form with a strong 6 (71) to 0 (42) triumph over Emu Point Blue.

In the final game, Frankland easily took care of Albany White winning 6 (77) to 0 (43).

Division one and two finals will be held on April 6 and 7 while Emu Point will host their highly popular mixed fours carnival on Easter Saturday.

Club Championship Results

Middleton Beach Ladies Championship Singles

Winner: Gladys Richardson, R/U: Gwenda Andrews