Last end decides thriller
Neerim District lost another thriller after its division two side played at home against Garfield on Saturday.
A large gallery watched on as the tense last end was played out.
It was one of two thrillers on the day. Division five had a three-shot win at home against Morwell.
Division two: Neerim District lost to Garfield 95/98.
Peter Throup (skip), Peter Brooks, Gerry Engelstad and Colin McKay defeated Stephen Whyte’s team 28/17 with the Neerim skip putting in a superb game.
The game was in the balance all the way up to the 12th end with Neerim trailing 7/9. A five on the 13th saw Neerim hit the lead before a five on the 18th gave a nine-shot break. Garfield picked up four over the next two ends before Neerim steadied finished off with a three for an 11-shot win.
Shane Hogan (skip), Tony Thornton, Rob Cook and Karen Sheers lost to Tom Cleary’s team 22/24.
In another even game, Neerim hit the front on the eighth end with a four and then extended the lead to five. The two teams alternated the mat over several ends, but Neerim eased ahead to lead by seven shots with two ends remaining.
Garfield picked up a three to trail by four with one end remaining and then picked up a six on the last end to win by two shots.
Angus McGillivray (skip), Pat FraserAurisch, Stephen Halligan and John Rochford defeated Shane Oliver’s team 25/23.
Scoring was even but by the 12th end, Garfield had eased out to a fourshot lead. Neerim came back strongly, picking up eight shots over the next three ends to lead by four.
Garfield responded by winning the next five ends, including a five and a three to lead by eight at the 20th end. In yet another turnaround, Neerim picked up 10 shots over the remaining ends without Garfield scoring and ran out two-shot winners.
Ray Watts (skip), Jim Fallon, Billie Cook and Greg Bond lost to Peter Lieshout’s team 20/34.
Neerim got off to a good start and led by five after the fifth end. Garfield claimed eight shots over the next four ends to get in front, only for Neerim to pick up a four and regain the lead.
Garfield won six of the next eight ends, including a five, and jumped out to a 13-shot lead. Neerim dropped another five shortly after and were down 18 shots on the 21st end.
Neerim won the next three ends and cut the lead to 13.
With the last end of the day to be played and Neerim down by two shots overall, a large gallery looked on as all players from both teams put down great bowls.
At one stage, Neerim was holding two only to have the jack trailed back to give Garfield four. Neerim skip Ray Watts played onto a Neerim bowl, forcing it up to cut the deficit to one. On his second bowl, Watts hit the jack only to see it rebound off adjacent bowls and Garfield retain the shot and a 14-shot win on the rink and a three-shot win overall.
Division five: Neerim District (2) defeated Morwell (3) 66/63.
Tom Goodwin (skip), Gerald Winter, George Rymer and Di Tame defeated T. Curtis’ team 27/20.
Neerim got off to a good start, but Morwell clawed their way back and hit the lead with a three on the 13th end. Neerim rebounded and won the next four ends, picking up 10 shots along the way to lead by eight.
Morwell cut the lead to three over the next two ends, but Neerim responded to win five of the last six ends for a seven-shot win.
Bruce Mironow (skip), Thelma Schroeder, Wes Ellis and Neville Cousins drew with J. Turner’s team 21/21.
Neerim started well and led by nine shots by the ninth end. Morwell got a four before scoring became even. A series of ones saw Neerim extend the lead back out to nine on the 16th end.
Morwell won the next six ends, picking up 12 shots to lead by three. However, Neerim picked up four shots to lead by one with only the last end to play. Morwell got one to draw the game.
Russell Meehan (skip), Jim Schroeder, Kay Cousins and Cookie Halligan lost to J. Kuhne’s team 18/22.
Neerim had a good start, but Morwell pegged them back. They continued one by winning nine of the next 10 ends to lead by eight on the 17th end.
Neerim responded, winning the next five ends to level on the 22nd end. However, Morwell steadied and won the last three ends to be four-shot winners.