Bowls News
West Dubbo Roos win the No.2 State Pennant Flag for 2011!!
Before we begin, I think it's best we take a stroll down memory lane and head back to the 2008 State No.5 Pennant finals
Picture this ... Your playing in a State Pennant Semi Final, your standing on the mat with just one bowl to play and your not holding the shot. To make matters worse, it's all square on the masterboard. You know that if you miss the dream is over and you head back home without the flag. Heath 'Round Man' McGuire found himself in this situation back at Tuncurry, but do you think he let the pressure get to him? Ohh no, Heath let his bowl go, chased it down the green, watched it sit out the opposition bowl and gain a State final birth for West Dubbo Bowling Club.
West Dubbo proved far too convincing in the final, winning the first ever State Pennant Flag for West Dubbo Bowling club since it's humble beginnings back in 1957.
Fast foward to 2011
A majority of the same team find themselves competing in the No.2 grade, with a few handy inclusions from the clubs other grades. The boys headed into the local pennant season quietly confident, especially after 7 out of the 12 players were victorious in the NSW Club challenge, taking out the silver division.
After coming out on top in the Zone Pennant the boys switched into state finals mode, with some practicing 3 - 4 days a week plus the many Pennant trials that were organised.
The first round in sectional play against Halekulani was always going to be a tough match. Every team wants that first win on the board to help settle the nerves and set the team on the right path to finals glory. Heath McGuire and his side ended up with a hard fought 19 all draw against Wayne Hesling. Ted Cassidy and co opened up a nice margin towards the end of the game, winning their rink 21 - 13 against Steven Bambury. Josh Andriske and his boys got the team off to the right start with a very convincing 36 - 16 win over Kennth Filsell
Round two against Greenlees Park was an excellent display of bowls from all members of the team with all three rinks getting up. Heath and his side had another hard fought battle, this time coming out on top 22 - 21. Teddy's rink recorded a 26 - 10 win whilst Josh's rink won 28 - 13
Round Three against Tuncurry was a must win, with both sides recording wins in their first two rounds. The game was very close early on with the lead on the masterboard switching regularly. Josh held a nice margin over his opponent, while Heath once again battled out a close scoreline. Tuncurry was holding onto the masterboard with their middle rink, holding Ted and his boys down 17 - 7
The boys needed something special to pull them over the line and Ted Cassidy's rink decided to stand up and deliver just what they needed. Teddy and his boys fought back to record a 22 - 19 win, scoring 15 shots to Tuncurry's 2 in the final half of the match. Heath McGuire recorded a 20 - 18 win whilst Josh made sure Tuncurry stayed out of reach winning 25 - 7
The boys drew Gladesville in the Semi Final and once again found themselves in a situation similar to the one back in 2008. Each rink had one end to play with the masterboard reading 49 - 50 in favour of West Dubbo. Teddy's rink were three down when Trevor Porch stepped onto the mat. Trevor was asked to put the jack in the ditch, however he narrowly missed with his first. Porchy's second attempt was right on the money, swallowing the jack and securing a shot for the end, giving West Dubbo a 51 - 49 lead with the other two rinks to go.
Heath's rink held two shots with only Heath's bowl to come, making the overall score 53 - 49. Gladesville's last rink held two shots, however their skip was forced to try and make 4 with his last bowl to force and extra end. His bowl ran into the traffic at the front and was unsuccessful. The score finished up 53 - 51 after 63 ends in favour of West Dubbo.
Grand Final time!!
All the hard work had paid off for the boys, they were in the final and just one game away from a State Pennant title. Raymond Terrace were just as determined to take the flag home after they defeated a very strong Oak Flats outfit in their Semi Final. Both teams wanted it, question was, who was going to get it?
Josh Andriske and his rink held the team together for the first part of the match with a handy lead, whilst Heath and Teddy's boys battled hard to keep it close. West Dubbo held a 8 shot margin for most of the game, but it didnt take long for the boys to fire up and really get stuck into their opponents from the Hunter. Teddy and his boys slowly crept infront and punished their opponents every chance they could, eventually winning their rink 24 - 14. Heath and his boys held Shane Evans to a 17 all draw, whilst Josh won his rink 18 - 14, with the masterboard reading 59 - 45 after 63 ends.
The crowd errupted when the final bowl was played and the boys ran into the middle of the green, tackling Josh in the process.
It took 51 years for West Dubbo to win a State Pennant Flag, the boys have now made it two. A truly fantastic achievement by the mighty two grade! Go the Roos!!
