THE Garfield Bowls Club’s top side was eliminated from its division two semi-final against Yinnar in controversial fashion at Drouin on Saturday, when the match was abandoned due to excessive heat.
With Garfield slightly ahead after more than 20 ends against Yinnar, it was declared that the ambient temperature on the green had reached 38 degrees and, under the rules, play was abandoned and the lower-placed Garfield was automatically eliminated.
Drouin was the only semi-final venue where play was abandoned due to the heat.
Meanwhile, Garfield’s second side has made it into the grand final via the long route. Having gone down to league leaders Neerim on Saturday, the side outplayed Yinnar on Sunday to set up another clash with Neerim this Saturday at Trafalgar.
Saturday’s clash was close and hard-fought on two rinks, with one drawn and the other won by Garfield by four shots. However, the third rink was all Neerim after they got away to a great start with a five on the first end, and followed up with a seven a few ends later.
The Garfield team, skipped by Geoff Asquith, never recovered from those early setbacks and finally went down 20-36, leading to an overall score of 69-80.
The rink where Bob Hope’s team once again prevailed had a tremendous tussle, with all eight bowlers from both sides delivering a contest worthy of much higher divisions.
A. Helmuth, J. Tomlin, W. Charles and skip K. Tomlin drew 25-25. R. Slaughter, J. Lenders, L. Shatwell and skip R. Hope won 24-19, and B. Sainsbery, K. Sainsbery, D. Knight and skip G. Asquith lost 20-36.
But it was a different story against Yinnar on Sunday. Garfield won its way into the grand final (76-51) and another shot at Neerim in a game that it never looked like losing. All three teams won their matches.
B. Sainsbery, K. Sainsbery, D. Knight and skip G. Asquith won 23-16. R. James, J. Lenders, L. Shatwell and skip R. Hope won 32-15, and A. Helmuth, S. Gemmill, W. Charles and K. Tomlin won 21-20.
The third Garfield side, in Division 6, has also made its grand final. With a series of good wins since Christmas, it secured fourth place on the ladder. In its semi final against Warragul on Saturday it ran out the winner 49-39 and moved forward to meet Trafalgar Park at Moe on Sunday. A good win (54-41) means that this Saturday it will take on Morwell at Yallourn.
W. Rowlands, D. Humphries, J. Pocklington and skip P. Marriot drew 21-21 and P. Humphries, W. Docherty, L. Asquith and skip M. Lamport won 33-20.
Earlier in the week, the Ladies Pennant side had to settle for being runners-up in its grand final, going down to division three champions Moe by 12 shots. At one stage late in the game Garfield looked a real chance but in the last five ends Moe pulled away to win comfortably.
All news and information about Garfield Bowling Club, its activities, tournaments and twilight bowls is available at www.garfieldbowlingclub.com.
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