Samantha makes state singles final
Drouin Bowling Club member Samantha Atkinson has advanced to the state singles final.
Samantha scored a thrilling win over Korumburra’s Francine Smethurst of Korumburra Bowling Club in the regional state novice singles at Leongatha to advance to the state final to be held at Mulgrave Bowling Club on February 5.
Both Samantha and Francine showed outstanding skills, having only taken up the sport a few months ago, but it was Samantha to advance after winning 21-15.
Drouin’s Matt Eccles finished runner up in the men’s regional state novice singles, also held at Leongatha.
Tony McKiernan from San Remo defeated Matt 21-13 in what was a brilliant competition, with both competitors bowling well beyond their years.
Samantha and Tony will now go on to represent the Strzelecki region at Mulgrave.
In over 60s playoffs at Yarraville-Footscray, West Gippsland’s Bob Cole and John Leighton lost 21 - 17 to eventual runners up Stan Sliwinski and Barry Brady (Hastings) in a close contest.
In the women’s play off Kerrie Currie and Pat Hammond of Warragul won their first match 17 - 16 from Judy Stainton and Sharon Whana Glenroy.
They went on to play Valma Collins and Christine Kool from Lakes Entrance, going down 18-9.
In West Gippsland bowls, state four and pairs finals were played at Yallourn in cold, overcast and windy conditions on Friday.
In the women’s state fours, the Drouin team of Maureen Leighton, Pauline Appleyard, Sheryl Atkinson and Mary Firth were too strong for the team of of Denise Hamilton (Drouin), Pat Fraser Aurisch (Neerim District), Trish Cole and Margaret Ratcliffe (Drouin).
State mixed pairs were played at Drouin yesterday with five Drouin teams remaining in the contest.
The men’s state pairs will be played at Moe on Sunday.