Traralgon pair champions
The final rounds of the West Gippsland Bowls Division champion of champion pairs were held at Yarragon on Sunday. Semi-finals: Terry Sullivan/Paul Simmons of Warragul defeated Charlie Ward/Jim Lawrence of Yallourn 25/11.
Michael Yacoub/Mat Ferrari of Traralgon defeated Steve Barr/Mick Fleming of Drouin 16/15.
In the morning, the Drouin pair of Steve Barr and Mick Fleming were tied 12-all. The Traralgon pair were fortunate to gain two shots on the 16th end as Fleming tried to steal the end with his last bowl, only to nudge another shot in for Traralgon.
In the 17th end, Drouin was holding shot with a number of back bowls. Fleming played into the head, sliced the jack and ended up close to a very wide Ferrari bowl. This gained Traralgon another two.
Needing four to force an extra end, Drouin were held to three to end an entertaining end.
In the other semi-final, the Yallourn pair of Ward and Lawrence started with a four. Sullivan and Simmons fought back to lead 8/4, with the Yallourn pair scoring five on the next end.
The Warragul pair won the next eight ends as they powered to a 25/11 victory. Final: Michael Yacoub/Mat Ferrari of Traralgon defeated Terry Sullivan/Paul Simmons of Warragul 22/19.
Yacoub and Ferrari shot away to a 13/0 lead over Sullivan and Simmons. The Warragul pair got back into the game when Traralgon was holding a few shots and Yacoub moved the jack. This allowed Warragul to add bowls and record four shots to get on the board.
The next few ends were all Warragul as they fought back to be only one shot behind after 16 ends, 16/17. On the 17th end, the Traralgon pair drew five shots and held on to win 22/19 after losing three shots on the last end.
Organisers gave credit to Yarragon’s volunteers who produced a good green on Sunday and maintained an excellent playing surface throughout the season.