Exciting finish to pennant season as Emu Point Red prove a class above on their way to first division title

Passionate Albany bowler TIM SCOTT is writing a fortnightly column for The Extra, keeping our readers up-to-date with the local bowls scene.

The Lower Great Southern Bowling League men’s pennant finals produced everything that was expected and more.

The finals had inclement weather, favourites winning and losing, games going down to the final bowl, and an extremely popular pennant winner.

Emu Point hosted the men’s first division finals, beginning on a wet, windy Saturday afternoon with Middleton Beach Gold defeating Middleton Beach Green in the elimination final, while favourites Emu Point Red accounted for Albany Gold to advance straight to the final.

Middleton Beach Gold and Albany Gold played out a thriller the next morning, with the result in doubt until the last bowl, but Middleton Beach Gold advanced to the final by one shot.

This continued a recent trend of finals heartbreak for Albany Gold, who exited in straight sets.

Emu Point Red then proved their class and depth by proving superior and winning the final, securing the back-to-back pennant wins they so eagerly sought.

They now join their ladies’ first division side as pennant winners in a very successful season for the club.

Emu Point now look forward to hosting their popular men’s fours carnival at Easter, with many sides travelling from far and wide as the event attracts a top-class field of bowlers.

In the men’s second division, Emu Point Purple travelled to Mt Barker and upset the recently promoted hosts and favourites, 6 (60) to 0 (47) to advance to the final, as Mt Barker Golf White defeated Walpole 6 (79) to 0 (42) in the elimination final.

Mt Barker then rebounded to win the preliminary final and account for Mt Barker Golf White 6 (60) to 0 (36) to set up a rematch with Emu Point Purple.

The final was another enthralling high-standard contest as Emu Point ran out pennant winners, 5 (56) to 1 (54).

The most popular pennant winners for the season were Green Range’s third division side as they secured the title after a full day of knockout finals.

Mt Barker easily accounted for Middleton Beach Lime in the first eliminator 5 (65) to 1 (43) while Green Range and Denmark were engaged in a wonderful tussle, which again went down to the final bowl.

Green Range prevailed by one shot, and this set up the final contest between a truly inspired Green Range and Mt Barker.

Green Range then produced one of their best displays of the season to easily win the final, 5 (64) to 1 (45), as “go the range” could regularly be heard coming from the enthusiastic crowd.

This is a tremendous result for the small Green Range outfit, who have had to share facilities with Albany for the last few years.

The ladies’ league singles, which was also affected by rain, were won by Emu Point’s Yvonne Shalders.

I would like to congratulate all the pennant winners and the players, clubs and supporters for a very successful season for the Lower Great Southern Bowling League.

Stay safe, enjoy your travels and hopefully see you all next season.