IT was a very successful week for the Alexandra Bowls Club with both Midweek and Saturday teams winning. Midweek Division Four played Seymour at home and won 78 to 36 with all rinks winning. This keeps Alexandra on top of the ladder. Division Three Saturday Pennant travelled to the ladder-leader Rushworth and had a particularly close game winning 70 to 68. State events have begun across the region and Alexandra’s Ian Harper and Ken Argent have won through to the finals of the GV Playing Area State Pairs. Division Three travelled to Rushworth and many thanks once again to Fallon’s for the bus. There were some changes to the lineup with some players unavailable, but others returned from holidays. It was an extremely close game overall, despite Alexandra winning three out of the four rinks. It came down to the last end on the last rink to finish and could have gone either way. The best winning rink was Greg Gilmore, Larry Scott, Steve Kirby and Lauren Gilchrist. The father daughter combination of Steve and Lauren certainly paid dividends, not to take anything away from the other two players. They won 23 to 13 and won 15 ends. Alexandra led for the entire game and held their opposition scoreless for the first six ends. They won six out of the last seven ends to consolidate the win. Ian Harper (Skip), Graeme Matthews, Ken Argent and Mal Gill played a relatively close game throughout and were last to finish with the overall game in the balance. They were six all on end eight, nine all on twelve, 10 all on 14, 13 all on 16. However, Alexandra won four out of the last five ends to win 20 to 14. A masterful effort when every bowler from both sides is watching the last end and you must win to clinch the game. Mission accomplished. Doug Cooper, Bob Mayfield, Mike Aldenhoven and Ben Gilchrist also had a close game. They trailed six to seven down on end nine but won the next four ends to be 11 to seven up. They led 17 to eight on end 16 but Rushworth won seven shots on the next two ends to claw back to be 15 to 17 down. Fortunately, Alexandra won two out of the next three ends to clinch the game 19 to 16. Tim Langmead (Skip), Andy Tobias, John Blamey and Saxon Langmead had a day to forget. Despite winning only eight shots for the game every shot counts and they contributed to the overall win. Alexandra is now third on the ladder behind Rushworth and Shepparton Golf. It’s a home game next week against Mooroopna Golf who sit fourth. Division Five had a bye and will play Seymour next week at home. With both divisions home it should be a great Saturday of bowling. The Midweek Pennant side won all rinks when it played at home to Seymour. The best winning rink was Ian Harper (Skip), Ken Argent, John Blamey and Mal Gill. They won 13 ends and led the game from end six. Alexandra won seven of the last 10 ends in what was a decisive defeat of their opposition 30 to nine. Doug Cooper (Skip), Clive Murphy, Christine Murphy and Saxon Langmead began their game slowly and were down one to seven on end five but had turned that around to lead 11 to 10 on end 10. Boosted by a handy five shot pick up on end 10. They won 21 to 14, winning 12 ends. Greg Gilmore (Skip), Tim Langmead, Graeme Matthews and Scott Ferrier won 13 ends. They led for the entire game and were 27 to seven on end 18. Seymour put in some winning bowls to win the last three ends but lost 27 to 13. An unbeaten win across all rinks and a solid start to the Midweek season with Alexandra on 32 points, Shepparton Park, Nagambie, Violet Town making up the four. Next week’s game is at Tatura Hilltop who are 11th on the ladder. The state events are well underway. Alexandra’s Ian Harper and Ken Argent were successful in their section of the Over 60’s Men’s Pairs. They defeated the Euroa Pair 13 to 12, Shepparton Park 14 to 13 and Seymour VRI 15 to 13. They play at Tatura Hilltop on Wednesday and the club wish them good bowling.
