Ocean Grove (1) has booked a Geelong Bowls Region Saturday Pennant grand final berth after defeating Highton in the clubs’ semi-finals match at Belmont Bowls Club on Saturday, March 4.
After beating Highton in the last match of the home and away season the week before to finish on top of the ladder, Ocean Grove defeated Highton 67-47 in the semi, winning two of the match’s three rinks.
While Ocean Grove skip Peter Loe couldn’t overcome Highton’s David Priddle, losing 17-21, Bradley Pavey and Matthew Flapper won their rinks decisively for the minor premiers with scores of 27-11 and 23-15, respectively.
Ocean Grove will enjoy a well-earned week off while Highton will host Eastern Park in the preliminary final this Saturday, March 11.
A hard-fought contest saw Eastern Park secure a narrow three-shot win in its semi-final against Queenscliff, emerging victorious 61-58.
Eastern Park won two rinks, with Adam Martin getting the win against Ray Butler 25-19 and Glenn Slattery defeating Benjamin Russell 22-18.
Queenscliff’s Steve Sullivan’s foursome did its best to overcome the deficit and had a strong 21-14 win against Stephen Young, but it was not enough to claw back the result.
After finishing in fourth place on the ladder, Eastern Park will need to dispel memories of its two previous encounters with Highton this season – a 49-67 loss in round eight and a 49-57 loss in round 17 – to progress to the grand final against Ocean Grove.
