Neerim cheer in classic finish

It was Neerim District who let out a cheer after a classic tight finish against Drouin in division two on Saturday.

Playing away against Drouin, scores were level at 99-all with one end to play. It all came down to a measure with Neerim District getting the win to open the pennant season.

Division two: Neerim District defeated Drouin (2) 100/99.

Trevor Kuhnell (skip), Ross Pollard, Peter Brooks and Ray Watts defeated Denise Hamilton’s team 40/20.

The game was in the balance up to the ninth end, with the score 8/7 in Neerim’s favour. Neerim got a five only for Drouin to counter with a four. By the 13th end, Neerim’s lead was back to one at 14/13, but this proved to be the turning point.

Neerim picked up 15 shots to Drouin’s five over the next six ends, including a six and a four, to lead by 11 on the 19th end. Neerim came home strongly, picking up 11 shots to Drouin’s two shots, to win by 20 shots.

Peter Throup (skip), Pat Fraser-Aurisch, Karren Sheers and Tony Thornton lost to Colin Jeffrey’s team 20/22.

Scoring was tight early with only ones and twos being conceded. By the 10th end, scores were level at seven-all.

After levelling again on the 18th end, teams continued to trade the lead. By the 23rd end, Drouin led by four. A five to Neerim on the penultimate end gave them a two-shot lead but Drouin got a four for a two-shot win.

Angus McGillivray (skip), Chris Hogan, Jim Fallon and Greg Bond lost to David Tayles’ team 17/25.

The game was tight early on with scores three-all after five ends. Drouin eased ahead by four on the ninth end before Neerim levelled at 10-all on the 13th end.

Drouin gained the ascendancy, winning seven of the next eight ends to lead by 12 shots. Neerim responded, winning three of the last four ends, to cut the finishing margin to eight shots.

Neil Adams (skip), Robert Cook, Colin McKay and Ray Throup lost to Phil Jarred’s team 23/32.

Neerim had a great start with a four and two threes to lead 10/2 after four ends. Then came the drought. Drouin picked up 10 shots in three ends, including a five, to lead 12/10. Neerim levelled the scores on the next end only for Drouin to win the next six ends to lead by 12.

Neerim pulled back five shots, but Drouin again won four ends to lead by 14. Neerim won three of the last four ends, including the crucial single on the last end, but went down by nine shots.

Division five: Neerim District (2) lost to Traralgon (5) 62/68.

Roger Till (skip), George Rymer, Maureen “Cookie” Halligan and Gerry Engelstad defeated Muriel Johnson’s team 22/19.

Neerim got a four on the first end but Traralgon settled to level at eight-all on the ninth. A five gave Neerim a buffer on the 13th end and they led 19/13 by the 19th end.

Traralgon won the next four ends to cut the deficit to two. A three to Neerim was followed by a two to Traralgon on the last end, as Neerim earnt a three-shot win.

Stephen Halligan (skip), John Rochford, Neville Cousins and Des Pelly defeated Jan Moody’s team 23/21.

The game was tight early, with Traralgon easing ahead until a three to Neerim levelled the scores at nine-all on the 10th end. Traralgon kicked away to a five-shot lead on the 13th end before Neerim started to win more ends than lose. They hit the lead on the 21st end by two and managed to cling to it through to the end.

Russell Meehan (skip), Thelma Schroeder, Graeme Wingrove and Tom Goodwin lost to Jim Goodwin’s team 17/28.

Yet again, it was a tight game early as both teams picked up ones and twos to see scores level at seven-all on the 11th end.

Neerim led by five on the 13th end but Traralgon quickly turned the game in their favour to lead by six on the 20th end. Traralgon extended the lead, winning three of the last five ends, for an 11-shot win.

Midweek

Neerim District had a win at home to kick off the midweek pennant season.

Division two: Neerim District defeated Newborough (2) 70/56.

Pat Fraser-Aurisch (skip), Di Tame, Kay Cousins and Des Pelly defeated Carmel Gosses team 29/15.

After a five on the second end, Neerim led 7/1. Newborough chipped away and picked up a five to lead 10/8. Neerim picked up eight shots over three ends but Newborough fought to trail 15/16 on the 13th end.

Neerim came home solidly, winning the remaining eight ends, for a 14-shot win.

Maureen “Cookie” Halligan (skip), Thelma Schroeder, Gerald Winter and Neville Cousins defeated Heather Disistos’ team 23/20.

Newborough led early but Neerim hit their straps and picked up 15 shots, including a five and two fours, to lead 16/8 on the eighth end. Scoring was even but Neerim extended the lead to 10 by the 15th end. Newborough won the last six ends but fell three shots short.

Karren Sheers (skip), Marion Willis, Russell Meehan and Stephen Halligan lost to Adrienne Birchall’s team 18/21.

Neerim had a poor start, trailing 5/13 on the ninth end. Neerim won three ends to cut the lead to one shot. Newborough kicked again only for Neerim to come back to within one on the 16th end. Newborough came home slightly better for a three-shot win.