Neerim into division five final
Little separated Neerim District and Warragul who faced off for the second week running in yet another nail biter.
Third placed Neerim played against fourth placed Warragul in the division two semi-final at Moe and lost 94/96 to be eliminated from the finals.
With three rinks complete and one with two ends to play (due to two dead ends), the overall score difference was five in favour of Warragul. Neerim picked up a four to close the gap to one-shot with one end to play, but Warragul picked up a one on the last end for an overall two-shot win to keep their finals campaign alive.
Division two: Neerim District lost to Warragul 94/96.
Peter Throup (skip), Peter Brooks, Gerry Engelstad and Colin McKay lost to Bill Clappers’ team 22/27.
Scoring was very tight early with Neerim always managing to get the shot to lead 8/0. Warragul finally won the mat and changed the length to claw back into the game. They surged to the lead and Neerim trailed 10/18 at the half way mark. The sides traded ends until Neerim cut the difference but Warragul ran out five-shot winners.
Angus McGillivray (skip), Pat FraserAurisch, Chris Hogan and Julie Adams defeated Janette Gallasch’s team 31/13.
Neerim was in control for the whole game and led by 12 shots at the break. Continuing its dominance, Neerim led by 17 before scoring became tight. Neerim won by 18 shots.
Shane Hogan (skip), Neil Adams, Trevor Kuhnell and Steve Halligan lost to Graeme Davis’ team 20/26.
Scoring was level pegging with the lead alternating. Neerim went in at the break down by one. The lead continued to seesaw, but Warragul eased ahead to win by six.
Ray Watts (skip), Jim Fallon, Rob Cook, and Karen Sheers lost to Clive Padgham’s team 21/30.
Neerim had a good start in what was a tight game and led by four at the 10th end. Warragul came back and took the lead, only for Neerim to counter and take it back. Warragul came home strongly, picking up 12 shots to Neerim’s two over the last five ends, to take the game by nine shots.
Division five: Neerim District (2) defeated Morwell (3) 76/70.
Second placed Neerim District played against top of the ladder Morwell in the semi-final. The sixshot win puts them straight into the grand final in two weeks.
Tony Thornton (skip), Billie Cook, Thelma Schroeder, and George Rymer lost to Bob Skinner’s team 23/24.
Neerim was shell shocked early as Morwell bowled superbly. Despite good bowls from Neerim, they were 2/17 on the 11th end. Fortunes changed as Neerim won 10 of the last 14 ends to fall agonising short. They lost by one shot in a gutsy never say die effort.
Russell Meehan (skip), Jim Schroeder, Tom Goodwin and John Rochford defeated Trevor Curtis’ team 30/23.
Neerim cleared out to an early lead, picking up a four and several threes to be 22/8 by the 13th end. Scoring became tight until Morwell had a run of four ends. They picked up 12 shots, including a six, to close the gap to three on the 20th end. Neerim steadied, picking up six shots to two over the last five ends, to run out seven-shot winners.
Bruce Mironow (skip), Ross Pollard, Greg Bond and Wes Ellis drew with Jim Tumet’s team 23/23.
Scoring was tight early before Neerim picked up a six on the 10th end to kick ahead. They continued the good form and were up by nine on the 15th end. Morwell was not done with and staged a comeback to be four down on the 20th end. Neerim kicked again to lead by seven with three ends to play but Morwell won those three ends to draw the game.
Tuesday
The last round of the season ended in a washout with only 13 ends being played.
After a poor start to the season, Neerim had a very encouraging second half. Neerim will be relegated to division two, having finished on the bottom of the ladder with two wins and two draws. However, the signs are there for a much better season in 2019/20.