LOBETHAL AND WOODSIDE TAKE OUT THE HBA FOURS AND TRIPLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
After last week’s preliminary rounds of the HBA Fours were postponed due to a lighting failure at Gumeracha, semi final matches resumed at Hahndorf on Sunday 28th January 2024.
Lobethal and Oakbank continued their good form, downing Gumeracha and Lenswood respectively in the morning matches, to reach the final.
An early count of four to Lobethal saw them take a three shot lead after just four ends, and they then picked up numbers on the seventh, eighth, and ninth ends to lead 13-3. Oakbank fought back winning three of the next four ends – but Lobethal closed out strongly to take the championship 16-7. Lobethal’s Joe Conte, Brian Scown, Butch Mik, and skipper Wayne Zilm are all seasoned campaigners – but special mention goes to Oakbank second year players Linda Carter and Wendy Sorrell, who carried their rink through to the grand-final.
The final of the HBA Fours was played at the same time between Hahndorf and Woodside. Hahndorf were hoping that the home ground advantage would make the difference, but Woodside rocketed away to a 13-4 lead after eight ends. Hahndorf bounced back, collecting eight shots over the next five ends – but the experience of the Woodside trio shone through, running out 20-12 winners. Congratulations to Jay Maslen, Andy Alberd, and Scott Pittaway. However the crowd favourite was clearly eleven year old Will Burt, who teamed with dad Jamie to win the Hahndorf Club championship, and represent his club in the HBA final.
Pennant play will be postponed for two weeks while Men’s Country Carnival and Country Round Robin are played out at various metropolitan venues. The championships will resume on Friday 16th February 2024 with Lenswood Bowling Club hosting the men’s and women’s pairs.