THE Mount Gambier District Indoor Bowls Association returned from the Victorian Inter Group Championships with some impressive results.
It was the first time the association had competed in the event and managed two gold medals and one silver.
While uncertain work commitments meant Zac Pearson was not selected in the Mount Gambier team, he managed to attend and played for Ballarat Blue, where he also claimed a silver medal.
The Mount Gambier Association did not expect many achievements and was overwhelmed with the final placing of fifth in the J & L Clifton Shield, just 10 points behind the winner.
The event was held at Ballarat, with Mount Gambier facing teams from Northern Districts, Ballarat Blue, Warrnambool, Ballarat Gold and Heytesbury, plus South/Eastern and Warrnambool combined.
Each team comprised of 26 players, of which 10 different team disciplines were fielded.
The first Mount Gambier player to win a gold medal was Serena Bourn who won five of her seven games to finish equal on points with two other players.
However, Bourn’s strong percentage to give her the Ladies Singles crown.
The Men’s Pairs team of Daniel Langdon and Tony Bowditch had five wins and a draw to claim the honours.
However, the result went down to the wire, decided on the last bowl of the final day of competition, where Bowditch managed to flick the jack out to a bowl on the side of the carpet to claim the win and the gold medal.
The Men’s Fours team – Kevin Burn, Tim Radley, Thomas Butler and Garry Burke – took home the silver medal.
They went into the last day with three wins and a draw, then won the last game over the favoured Ballarat Gold.
Pearson claimed his silver medal in the Men’s Singles for Ballarat Blue after winning five of his seven games.
Other members of the team also performed well, with their performances contributing to the J & C Clifton Shield results.
Men’s Singles: Brad Errock – four wins; Ladies Pairs: Fiona Rochow and Fiona Pearson – two wins; Men’s Triples: Simon Attiwill, Peter Gregory and Craig Pearson – two wins; Ladies Triples: Bronwyn Hill, Heather Glynn and Keisha Pearson – five wins; Ladies Fours: Chris Carn (Nicola Bowditch), Tanya Burke, Emma Freemantle and Shirley Gifford – three wins; Mixed Pairs: Veronica Opie and Stephen Von Duve – three wins; Mixed Fours: Leonie Wastell, Lorraine VanDen Hoogen, Gary Walters and Coehen Keppels – two wins and one draw.
With all points tallied, the final placings saw Ballarat Gold claim the honours on 83, from Warrnambool 82, Northern District 79, Heytesbury 77, Mount Gambier 73, South/Eastern 66, Ballarat Blue 55 and Warrnambool Combined 45.
