WHAT a sensational year the Longford Bowls and Community Club has had. With only one loss for the season the Premier team came out fighting in the state finals on the weekend.
They knew this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park but they were in for a battle and it was one they were determined to win. Day 1 was an early start for many of the players with a drive to Burnie for a 9am game against Devonport.
It was a rough start particularly for Mark Strochnetter’s rink, a late change due to Craig Felmingham suffering from an injury meant that Josh Baker came over to play as a three and they just didn’t get the start that they would want.
This rink was 12 down after 3 ends and Mark wasn’t looking quite so confident but his experience came into play when he knew that once they got on the board the game could be anyone’s, they didn’t give up and kept plugging away getting shots whenever they could, a final margin of 11 – 30 wasn’t pretty but it didn’t matter as the big board is the one the team cares about in the end.
Jarrod Howard’s rink came out from the start and never looked like going down. They continued to play some of their best bowls and Jarrod put on a clinic showing just why he is rated one of the top skips in the north, they finished their game with a margin of 24 – 11.
Daniel Baker had Craig come into the two position after Josh went over to Mark, and despite Craig’s injury he managed to find a stance that worked for him and he proved to all why he was voted the club’s best and fairest for the premier team.
Daniel and the whole team played awesome and though the lead was up and down they came out on top, the big shots were played at just the right time with a final margin of 25 – 18 they did enough to secure the one-shot win over Devonport.
Day 2 was another 9am game and with Devonport beating Kingborough on the Saturday afternoon the team knew they needed to either get a win or a draw to be successful. With the teams the same as the day before they headed out on the rink with determination and the trophy in their sights.
Jarrod’s rink which was featured on the Bowls Tas live stream didn’t have quite the start they hoped for and with results just not going their way it was a tough game. With Alan Gamble and Brodie Howard playing the front end and Joseph Thomas playing some awesome shots as the three, it ensured that it was kept tight, Joseph trailed the jack, took out bowls and opened up the head it meant that when Jarrod came to the mat he had something to play for, a final result of 15 – 21 was nothing to be disappointed about.
Daniel’s rink was up and about from the very first end and kept it going throughout the game. With Ollie Morrison and Craig getting bowls in the head and behind, it meant that Chris Roach and Daniel were able to convert heads where needed, the big bowls came out and Daniel played some awesome shots to secure another great rink win 22 – 18.
Mark’s rink had a much better start and came out firing, with Matthew Jackson and Mikayla Baker setting up the head well it meant that Josh was able to build up the head or clear out bowls ready for Mark to put a few more in there. Josh killed a couple of ends which kept the team out on the rink with 3 ends to play after everyone else was done.
After 61 ends (2 to go) the scores were 66 – 53, with everyone on the bank watching, Mark crossed over two down at the head, but with Kingborough needing to get 14 shots over the last 2 ends Mark knew he was reasonably safe, with the Kingborough skips bowls played and one left for Mark he was only 1 down so he put the bowl in his pocket and the game was over with a margin of 30 – 14 !
No need to play the last end with Kingborough unable to get 13 shots out of 8 bowls they declared the game over, shook hands and then came the celebrations.
The club had a lot to celebrate this year, it has been hugely successful particularly for our premier team, with only losing one game for the season it just shows the strength that they have on and off the green.
The team took out: 16 out of 18 games (1 loss, 1 washout), Rose’s Match (against East Launceston), Bowls North Pennant Grand Final, State Pennant Finals, Our Premier team: Thank you to all the supporters who cheered them on from the sidelines especially at these big games.
At times they were behind but this is when the supporters got louder and this helped to lift them up and get them over the line. Well done to all members at the club, this win is possible because of everyone, and the support doesn’t go unnoticed. Each division is important, each member plays a role, this State Final is won by the whole club and for that we celebrate.
State Finals final scores: Longford vs Devonport: 60 – 59 Longford vs Kingborough: 66 – 53.