Garfield takes heart

INCLEMENT weather again wreaked havoc on Gippsland bowling greens on the weekend, disrupting finals and ruining the chances of some clubs still in the hunt.
Just a week earlier, hot temperatures caused the Division 2 semi-final’s cancellation and fourth-placed Garfield’s automatic elimination.
But this week the heavens opened up right across Gippsland and play was abandoned after just a few ends.
Some venue changes were needed to resume play on Sunday. After a poor start on grass at Trafalgar, Garfield’s Division 5 side’s match was moved to Yinnar’s synthetic green on Sunday.
Going into the weekend’s play the Garfield side felt it had a real chance against Neerim District, following a close second semi-final the previous week where each side won one rink and drew the other.
The move to Yinnar’s synthetic green proved an uphill battle for the Garfield side, which was already down after the ends played at Trafalgar.
Neerim District outplayed Garfield on all rinks and ran out 42-shot winners, 97-55.
R. James, J. Lenders, L. Shatwell and R. Hopes (skip) lost 18-32. A. Helmuth, D. Humphries, S. Gemmill and W. Charles (skip) lost 15-30, and B. Sainsbery, K. Sainsbery, D. Knight and G. Asquith (skip) lost 22-35.
Playing at Yallourn in the grand final against Morwell, the Division 6 side was only a handful of shots behind when play was abandoned. But after play resumed on Sunday it could not hold the opposition and eventually went down 38 to 59.
P. Humphreys, W. Docherty, L. Asquith, and M. Lamport (skip) lost 24-32, and W. Rowlands, J. Pocklington, and P. Marriot (skip) lost 14-27.
After all the promise of recent weeks Garfield’s pennant season ended on a low note, but the small club should take heart from its ability to reach three grand finals from only four teams playing.
The season will continue for another month at Garfield with a special combined charity and twilight bowls night on Friday 16 March, with donations to Kidsafe.
Anyone interested in taking up bowls can try their hand at the club at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
President’s Day will be held on Sunday 1 April, and the final three-bowl triples tournaments on 7 and 21 March and 4 April. For more information check out www.garfieldbowlingclub.com.