SATURDAY PREMIERSHIPS TO LOBETHAL, URAIDLA, AND WOODSIDE
Saturday Pennant Grand Finals were held in perfect conditions on Saturday 18th March 2023.
Hahndorf Bowling Club hosted the Division I and Division II finals – with Lobethal facing off against Uraidla in both contests.
Uraidla’s Division I side were full of confidence after downing the reigning premiers Hahndorf in their preliminary final match. Skipper Dave Wuttke capped off an impressive season by downing the highly experienced Wayne Zilm 31-13. However competition stalwarts Lobethal were not to be denied – with Darren Stanbury overpowering Mike Guerin’s rink 29-8, and Neville Mansell comfortably accounting for Steve Tarr 23-9. The final score line saw Lobethal take out the match 65-48, picking up their sixth top division premiership in the space of ten seasons.
Lobethal’s Division II side were still smarting from an unexpected defeat earlier in the week in the Wednesday competition – and were keen to assert their authority, having finished the season as clear minor round premiers. However, Uraidla’s Bill Bradshaw downed Glen Sickerdick 16-12, while team mate Steve Dawson got the better of Scott Dienelt 26-18. Peter Oborn survived a late charge by Ron Patterson to hang on 17-16, but it was not enough to prevent Uraidla from taking out their second successive title.
Meadows Bowling Club hosted the Division III Gold and Silver Grand Finals with Woodside featuring in both.
Little separated Woodside #1 and Mt. Barker #1 in the Gold final – with only two shots separating the sides at the mid afternoon break. However Woodside’s Trevor Kretchmer capped off a great season to defeat John Grant 17-11, while Mick Cummins, spurred on by the enthusiastic Woodside supporters, downed Wendy Head 22-11. This saw Woodside collect their second successive Gold premiership.
Woodside were hoping for the double with the Silver final, but Lobethal’s Wally Havriluk saved his best bowls for the big match. Early numbers saw Havriluk well ahead of Jacqui Baker at the mid way break, and his rink powered on to record a 30-10 win. The match between Lobethal’s Graham Rogers and Woodside’s Graham Reynolds was much more closely contested – but Roger’s closed out with shots on the final two ends to edge his opponent out 18-16, leaving Lobethal 48-26 winners – taking home the big prize.
With just one more week left in the season, everyone is encouraged to support the remaining three events.
On Tuesday, the Lobethal Club will host the ladies’ regional singles and pairs play offs – with Robyn Walker and Annette Schubert of Lobethal representing HBA in the pairs, and Sue Maddern of Hahndorf representing HBA in the singles. Play will commence at approximately 9.30am.
Mid week finals will be held next Wednesday at Mt. Barker – with Lobethal and Uraidla facing off in Division I, and Uraidla #1 vs Hahndorf in Division II. Play will commence at 1.30pm.
The final event of the season will be held on Thursday at Uraidla, with Lobethal meeting Woodside in the Ladies Grand Final – playing off for the coveted Rose Bowl. Play gets underway at 9.30am – and whilst there will be no formal high tea – players and spectators are encouraged to stay on after the match to enjoy the hospitality of the host club.