ACTION ON THE GREENS

Last Saturday was round eight of Murray Bowls for the Cobram Tigers, which saw the division one side record a wash-out game against Numurkah.

Numurkah deemed their greens unplayable following a heavy downpour on Friday evening, so the points were shared.

Cobram Division Two travelled to Picola. Cobram’s Marj McDonald skipped a rink against Picola’s Bruce Agnew.

After scoring five shots on end five to almost balance the ledger, McDonald lacked firepower for the remainder of the game, conceding multiple scores on several occasions. Cobram 17, Picola 29.

Cobram’s Ron Dean was aided by Colin McDonald (third), Paul McKay (second) and Darryl O’Connor (lead) when they took on Picola’s Archie West.

Dean held sway early with the score 12-3 after 12 ends. West fought back strongly, but the Tigers were able to get the job done, winning the rink points 17-14.

Greg Dunn (skip), Keith Faulkner (third), Mick Stephens (second) and Laurie Vinecombe (lead) from Cobram, did enough to be in front after 14 ends (12-11).

Dunn and his team then headed for home with a wet sail, leaving Picola’s Keith Berger’s team in their wake.

Cobram scored on the remaining seven ends to grab the rink points, 26-11. Overall, Cobram triumphed 26-11.

In division three, Cobram was second on the ladder going into this round and ventured across the river to take on seventh-placed Barooga.

No matter what level of bowls or the ladder positions of either team, the contest between these two clubs is earnest. This game was no different.

Cobram’s Brenda Smethurst took on Barooga’s Liz Ewing. Barooga was up by the narrowest of margins after eight ends, but dominated the next five to record 13 shots, scoring 19-5 in favour of the home side.

The rest of their game was pretty even, but the damage had been done with Barooga taking the rink points 27-11. Cobram’s Carol Doherty was well down early in her game against Barooga’s Graeme Hickey.

After scoring a single on the first end, Cobram found itself the back markers with scores 1-10 after seven ends.

Doherty then rallied there side, Barry Walker (third), Adrian Lindsay (second) and Koby Madgwick (lead) to level the score at 10-all after 10 ends.

The game was an even tussle for the remainder, with Cobram scoring on the final two ends to take the lead at the right time of the game.

Final rink scores, Cobram 22, Barooga 19.

Cobram legend Geoff Williams was up against an experienced Barooga combination in Graeme Ashcroft (skip), Karen Bruce (third), Carol Wigg (second) and Archie Ellis (lead).

After 14 ends, Cobram was in charge with the score of 15-9. Williams, with Trevor Wood (third), Sue Carter (second) and Annette Temple (lead) were able to stave off a late Barooga challenge to win the rink, 18-16.

Cobram was unsuccessful on this occasion despite getting two rinks up, going down 51-62.

Back at the Tigers’ den, Cobram’s Division Four and Five outfits played hosts. Division four met Tocumwal Golf. Andrew Rushby (skip) with Cobram’s illustrious Don Collie (third), Jeanette Liersch (second) and Colin Rankin (lead) put the writing on the wall early, leading 21-nil after eight ends.

Toc began to challenge but was swatted away when Cobram scored six shots on end 13 to make the score 28-4. Final rink score was Cobram 32 to Tocumwal Golf 10.

The rink of Alan Temple (skip), Joy Mynard (third), Tracey Emery (second) and Steve Paganoni (lead) were in a struggle with Toc Golf’s Bob Adams and co.

After five ends the scores were five-all. Then Toc began to pull away. With the score 11-17 after 16 ends, in favour of the visitors, Cobram was not to be denied.

In a valiant display, Cobram won the remaining five ends and eclipsed Toc on the final end, scoring two shots. Cobram 18, Tocumwal Golf 17. Overall, Cobram won the day, 50 to Tocumwal Golf 27.

In division five, Cobram was on its home deck against a spirited Numurkah side. Cobram’s Brian “Porky” Bacon and his charges were troubled early and never recovered in their outing with Numurkah’s Helen Brache, going down 17-26.

Cobram’s Barb Turner skipped a rink with John Taylor (third), Donna Bacon (second) and Denise Stanbridge (lead).

In what was a hard-fought contest with John Wright from Numurkah, the scores were close for most of the day. After 16 ends, scores were locked at 18-all. Numurkah lifted and, with one end to play, found itself four shots ahead.

Cobram was tenacious on that final end and scored four shots to salvage a rink point. Final rink scores, Cobram 24, Numurkah 24. Overall, Cobram 41, Numurkah 50.