The Tuross teams had mixed fortunes in Saturday’s second round of the 2019 Pennant Season. Both sides played at home with the Grade 5 side grabbing a thrilling last end victory over Malua Bay while the Grade 7 side managed to win two of the three rinks but lost overall to Bodalla.
In the Grade 5 match Malua Bay seemed to have all ten points in the bag, ahead on all rinks and leading on the ‘main board’ by 52 shots to 40 with just three ends to be played on each rink. In a rousing finish Tuross was able to score 16 shots while Malua Bay could only manage 1 to give the home side a 56 – 53 win.
Down 17 – 9 with three ends to play, Balentovic, Bird, Taylor and Monks finished strongly to finish just one shot behind – 17 -16. The 7 shots they collected proved critical in the big picture.
John Fahey’s four were down 15 -12 after 18 ends but hit the lead 16 -12 with an end to play. On the last end they looked in big trouble before Fahey was able to play a great bowl to secure an important 17 – 15 win.
Above: John Fahey
With just the last end to be played on Joel Hilliard’s rink the overall score was locked at 53 all! Hilliard was down 21 – 20 and had to win the end to register a win for the side – 2 or more shots would also secure his team a win. With players from all teams watching the Tuross players were able to dominate the end. They picked up 3 shots to win their rink 23 – 21 and give their side an important overall win.
Tuross won the tie 9 points to 1.
The Grade 7 side looked headed for a very big defeat when they trailed 42 - 23 after 36 ends and 51 – 29 after 45 ends. Though failing to bridge the gap, they were able to cut it back significantly and grab an extra point as Allan Etheredge’s team staged a remarkable comeback.
After a very slow start they were 19 – 4 after 4 ends. Over the next four ends they picked up 11 shots to give themselves a chance at 19 – 15 down. Bodalla steadied to go into the last end leading 20 – 18. The local players held their nerve and played some of their best bowls to grab 4 shots to win 22 – 20.
Ray Downey’s four had a dream start picking up 10 shots on the first two ends before their Bodalla opponents settled in to the conditions. The match then became very tight with Bodalla chipping away at the lead. After 10 ends they had drawn within one shot at 11 – 10 before the locals kicked away again to be ahead 19 -11 after 16 ends. They held on to win 21 – 15.
Stuart Graham’s team found their opponents too good on the day. They held their own earlier but were gradually outplayed to go down 29 – 9.
Bodalla won overall by 64 shots to 52. Etheredge’s comeback allowed the locals to reduce the margin to just 12 shots and salvage an important second point from the match.
Next week there is a general bye in Pennants allowing Tuross to play their Fours Championship. Games will be played on Saturday and Sunday – the draw is on the Board and has been circulated.
