Justin Spedding and Robert Ponton talk it over in Stanhope’s elimination semi-final win over Kyabram. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
The Campaspe Playing Area weekend pennant semi-finals were held on Saturday, and the action didn’t disappoint at Lockington Bowls Club.
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The division one semis saw the top two, Echuca and Moama, face off in a qualifying semi-final, while Kyabram and Stanhope battled in the elimination semi-final.
Scott Donaldson sets himself.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
In its first taste of finals after the off-season move to the playing area, Kyabram wasn’t shown any mercy by Stanhope, the previous year’s runner-up sending the Bombers packing 14-72 to 2-56.
Timothy Hancock’s rink led the way for Stanhope, his team of Glen Smith, David Millard and Jono Thorne earning the biggest margin of the contest, 31-12 over Ky skip Robert George.
Ben Fletcher watches his shot with bated breath.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Robert Ponton was also successful, skipping Stanhope to a 23-17 victory over Paul McInnes.
Kyabram leant on Greg Shilling’s rink, which got up 27-18 over Gregory Fitzpatrick, but the win wasn’t enough to stave off elimination.
Liam McInnes looks to boost Kyabram’s fortunes.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
In the qualifying semi, Echuca shone the brighter to book a ticket to the decider 14-66 to 2-44.
Steve Cunnington led Echuca’s best result, skipping a side featuring George Thornley, John Dinsdale, and James Ferrier to a 32-13 win over the Robert Young-led Moama rink, while Philip Thorn prevailed in a low-scoring affair, 18-9 ahead of Geoffrey Beattie.
David Townsend prepares to let fly.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
Moama pulled back some points in Rodney Werner’s rink as he picked up the win over Ian Page 22-16, but the Steamers will need to do it the hard way as they fell overall.
Echuca now awaits the winner of the preliminary final, a 2024-25 grand final rematch between Moama and Stanhope.
Robert Sceney evaluates his effort.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
That contest will return to Lockington Bowls Club this Saturday, while the grand final is scheduled for Moama Bowling Club on March 7.
Lower divisions
Moama swept Stanhope in division two, winning all three rinks to surge into the grand final 16-56 to 0-45.
Stanhope now takes on Echuca, who dispatched Rich River from the competition 13-75 to 3-58, a huge 36-11 rink led by Michelle Cunnington proving the difference.
Paul McInnes skipped a rink for Ky.
Photo by
Matthew Kappos
In division three, Kyabram is the first team into the decider, winning a down-to-the-wire encounter with Moama 13-59 to 3-57.
The Steamers will look to get past Echuca in the prelim after defeating Lockington comfortably, 16-73 to 0-48.
Division four saw a reverse of the result from the division three clash, the Steamers the ones walking out two-shot winners, 14-57 to 2-55, and into the grand final.
Ky will take on Echuca, who eliminated Deniliquin RSL 14-62 to 2-52.
Moama is also headed to the big dance in division five, after getting the best of Deniliquin Blue 14-56 to 0-31.
It sets up an all-Deni showdown in the preliminary final, after Deniliquin White eliminated Lockington in the elimination semi.
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