Echuca Moama and District Sports Notes

Six teams won both games, commencing with Greg Clymo/Jim Harris (+6), Col Delamere/Col Carrington (+8), Keith Robertson/Barry Milne (+10), Philip and Mal Thorn (+13), runners-up John Reidell/Leigh Polkinghorne, Tongala (+20) and the winners Kevin McGreevy and Col Berryman (+29).

Best one game went to Ian Whiting/Dick North (+13).

The jackpot did not go off and is $40 this week.

Just a reminder that to win the jackpot both bowlers must be present.

Friday Scroungers, sponsored by Intersport, had a dozen bowlers competing with Bill Cook successful from Lisa Humphrys.

Weekend Pennant was very successful with Division’s 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Blue winning, with 5 White the only losers.

Division 1 defeated Mathoura at home 69-44, to sit on top of the ladder with one game to go against Rochester who are seventh.

Best result went to Ian Page (s), Stan Barker, Ivan Hicks and Evan Berryman (28-8).

Division 2 hosted second placed Stanhope and had a comfortable seventeen shot win (65-48) to stitch up third place.

Best result went to stand in skipper Kristy Gillingham, Rhonda Gallagher, Trevor Liddell and Ashley French (24-12).

Division 3 had a comfortable 76-39 victory over a depleted Elmore team, winning all three rinks and virtually guaranteeing third place.

Two rinks, Greg Clymo (s), Daniel Vella, Eddie Blampied and Mac Campbell (29-13), along with Tony Deenen (s), John Blair, Lal Whyte and Col Berryman (24-8) won by 16 shots.

Third placed Division 4 travelled to Mathoura and came home with a solid 25 shot victory (76-51) to consolidate their position.

Best went to Mal Thorn (s), June Clifford, Joan Dovaston and Bill Cook (28-7).

Division Five Blue travelled to Stanhope and returned home with an 11 shot win with both rinks up.

Best went to Dennis Smith (s), Erica Mostert, Sue Edwards and Jill Young (22-14).

White lost to second team Deniliquin Blue by three shots at home (42-45) with the best result Kevin Bursill (s), Lisa Humphrys, Linda Ormando and Noel McMaster 25-19.

Both teams are just outside the four.

Blue take on fourth team Lockington who are 9 points ahead, while White, who are one point behind Lockington travel to Rochester hoping they can win and results go their way.

On Sunday last, Steve and Michelle Cunnington along with Rhonda Gallagher and Ivan Hicks travelled to Kyabram for their time honoured honour board four’s event and duly saluted.

Well done to all of you.

Monday night’s social bowls were played on a sultry evening with strong winds, so conditions were tough.

Two teams won both games with Stephen Clydesdale and Chris Campbell (+16) taking home the goodies from Daniel Vella and Kim Bainbridge (+12).

Stephen Clydesdale also took out the singles with (+12).

Congratulations to Rhonda Gallagher our hard working, very efficient tournament secretary, who has been announced as Warramunda Community Care 2025/26 Bowler of the Year Monthly winner.

Well done Ronnie, a very worthy winner.

The last round of midweek pennant was conducted on Tuesday with all four divisions successful.

Division 1 defeated Rich River comfortably at home (64-48) with all three rinks successful to finish in second position behind Moama and well ahead of Kyabram and Stanhope.

Best were Jim Ferrier (s), Roma Opie, Lee Beattie and Rhonda Gallagher 27-16.

Division 2 travelled to Kyabram and came home winners by 25 shots thanks to a powerful display by Ivan Hicks (s), Gordon Slimmon, Tim Fraser and Lorelle Opthoog (31-10).

They finished fourth in a fairly tight competition.

Division 3 travelled to Ky Valley View and managed to win by 14 shots cementing their position in third place.

Best went to Max Clifford (s), Bernie Johns, Lisa Humphrys and Peter Cecil (28-10).

Division 4 went interstate to take on Rich River and managed a 15-shot win with Steve Morgan (s), Steve Campion, Sue Edwards and Cheryl Campion winning 26-13 to be the best.

Unfortunately, they finished in sixth position and will miss finals.

The next tournament is the Echuca Racing Club sponsored mixed medley pairs to be held on Sunday, February 22 commencing at 9.30am.

Entries to Rhonda Gallagher on 0448 400 051.

Mini Bingo, which is capped at $4000 again failed to go off with numbers 5, 2, 1, 6, 7.

Come along to drinks and nibbles between 4 and 6pm tonight (Friday) and your luck may change.

Ian Whiting won the members draw last week but was not present so it jackpots to $60 tonight.

Rochester Bowls Club

Social Bowls

Lots of bowlers took the opportunity to get out on to the greens for a roll before the weather got too warm on Friday, January 6.

Winners for the day were Heather Curnick, along with two new bowlers, David Burdett and Brenda Wilkin.

Congratulations to the team, regular practice is obviously paying off.

The jackpot didn’t go off this week, therefore it rolls over until next week.

Jackpot bowls will be back on next Friday, February 13 at 10am, please ring the office 8.45-9.15am to enter your name.

Ladies meeting will be on Friday, February 20 at 1.30pm

Classic Fours

The tournament committee is looking for more teams for Sunday, February 15.

If you would like to enter a team, give Rob Clayton a call.

Lucky Lotto is back and will commence once the board is filled.

For more details, please contact Brooke Coghill.

60 and over

This last week, the men travelled to Moama for the competition.

This coming week, they are heading over to Kyabram.

Midweek Pennant

Round 13 abandoned due to extreme heat.

This coming round is the last for the season, with divisions one and two travelling interstate to Mathoura and Deniliquin, respectively.

Division three will be at home, hosting Lockington.

Good bowling everyone.

Weekend Pennant

Round 14 results Div One: Rochester 68 shots, 12 points def Tongala 52 shots, 4 points.

Richard Feuk 20 shots def by Brad Tinning 22 shots.

Ian Berry 17 shots def by Matt Liverton 18 shots.

Tim Quinlan 31 shots def Stephen Hammond 12 shots.

Div Three: Rochester 67 shots, 14 points def Tongala 59 shots, 2 points.

Kevin Hall 10 shots def by Bernie Tinning 29 shots.

Jane McCallum 28 shots def Phil Cooper 12 shots.

Graeme Chambers 29 shots def Hayden Crilly 18 shots.

Div Four: Rochester 68, 15 points def Tongala 44 shots, 1 point.

Wes Bertuch 16 shots drew Daryl Reid 16 shots.

Don Gillies 25 shots def Stuart Reid 17 shots.

Jenny Major 27 shots def Jenny Reid 11 shots.

Div Five: Rochester 20 shots, 0 points def by Lockington 42 shots, 14 points.

Herb Wilson 9 shots def by Kalvan Stout 15 shots.

Elaine Hall 11 shots def by Rodney Fiedler 27 shots.

Bar Duty

Monday – Thursday 5 – 6.30pm.

9 – 12 Feb: R. Dennis and F. Keech.

16 – 19 Feb: M. Ellis and Octavia.

23 – 26 Feb: F. Keech and H. Moon.

Thanks to Francis Keech, who has stepped up and is willing to help out behind the bar, to fill a vacancy that had occurred.

Lockington Bowls Club

Some highs and lows in round 14 of the Campaspe Area Weekend pennant competition.

All Divisions played at home, with all striving for victory and a place in the final four.

Division Three met Stanhope and won all rinks in a demolition job over their opponents, winning 84-31 (John Fisher d. K Hoppner 21-9; Kim Ray had all guns firing in her rink to inflict a massive 40-10 wn over P Harris; Steve Pavone d. D Hoye 23-12).

The team is sitting in fourth place on the premiership ladder with a must win its final game.

Division Four lowered their colours to Deniliquin R.S.L. in a dramatic 60-65 loss and lost the chance to participate in the finals, dropping to seventh position (Cindy Felmingham l.t. C Taylor 18-20; Steev Peter drew R Reid 19-all; Dave Thomas l.t. N Hilton 23-26).

Division Five kept their finals hopes alive by playing some quality bowls in defeating Rochester 42-20 and both rinks in front (Rod Fiedler d, E Hall 27-11; Kalvin Stout d. H Wilson 15-9).

The team is listed at fourth place on 89 points, and also face a must win game against Echuca Blue away in the final round.

Echuca White is on 88 points in fifth place, followed by Echuca Blue.

In the midweek pennant, there was a loss and a draw with one round to be completed.

Division Three suffered a 28-47 loss against a strong Moama squad with both rinks losing (John Fisher l.t. P Whitlock 15-20; Phylis MacFarlane l.t. D Lonnie 13-27).

In Division Four, our team had a thrilling 40-all tie with Moama Green to share the points (Russell Shawcross d. D Hogan 24-22; Cindy Felmingham l.t. K Black 16-18).

The team remains on top with one round to play.

On Tuesday evening, the barefoot bowls attracted a respectable field to play bowls.

A far better night for bowls and everyone enjoyed the occasion.

There were two two-game winners on the night to battle for the chocolates.

A countback favoured the trio comprising Peter Standl, Jayden D Wright, Ian Haines (s) two wins plus five shots ahead of Luke Ryan, Jeff Carnie, Mel Freeman (s) two wins +3 shots.

The club thanked the reliable group of members in Cindy Felmingham, Kim Ray, Leanne McInnes and Phillip Cunnington for their input to a successful night on the green.

A great shout for the greens staff involving Lloyd Buchanan and Les Brereton plus the helpers.

The club hosted a wake for our past member Ian Staig who passed away on January 22, just four days after his birthday.

Approximately 90 people attended to pay respect and condolences to family and partner John Dowie.

Ian Staig was a great member of the club and a proficient bowler.

Several people spoke of their association with Staig and his interest in showjumping and involvement with show-horses.

The lady members were acknowledged for their excellent presentation of meals on the day and keen barmen Steve Peters and John van den Bosch to keep the fluids up.

Last Wednesday the Sixty and Over competition was played at Moama and the local rink of Phillip Cunnington, Ray Hanson, Andy Harris, Kevin Humbert (s) finished runner-up with five in the area.

The team just failed to emulate their victory of the previous week.

Elder members would be saddened to learn of the passing of former member Tony Ayres, who passed away recently in Bendigo.

Tony Ayres was a prominent pennant bowler and competed in the local Football and Cricket circles enjoying much success.

60 and over

The Campaspe 60 and over Bowls Group held their Wednesday weekly bowls at Kyabram.

112 bowlers spread across 28 teams all competed for a chook.

There were 3 three game winners that rolled off to the Jack.

Anto Gusak’s team from Rochester missed out with three bowls near the Jack.

Runners up were John Van Den Bosch’s team from Lockington, which had four bowls inside a metre from the jack.

Neil Haines was lead, Graeme Wood second, Van Den Bosch third, and David Thomas as skipper.

The winners on the day was Ivan Hicks’ team from Echuca, with five bowls near the jack.

Kevin Bursill was lead, Tony Deenen second, Trevor Richard third, and Hicks as skipper.

Members from both teams received a chook each.

The next 60 and over Bowls is at Rochester on Wednesday, February 18 at 10am.

Submit entries to David Murray on 0477 520 385 or Francis Keech on 0477 949 700.

Goulburn Valley Veteran Golfers

108 veteran golfers teed up for the GVVGA event at Numurkah Golf Club on Monday, February 9.

The humidity was extreme as the temperature climbed from 22 to 34 degrees through the day.

The course was in excellent condition with very minor damage to fairways by fungus problems, a credit to the staff and volunteers.

A-grade winner was John Mortimer, Shepparton, with 40 stableford points, and the runner-up was Michael Gallivan, Valley View, 38pts.

Both these players featured in our championship presentations for 2025, so are off to a flying start in 2026.

B-grade winner was Jim Geogrgio, Shepparton on 38 pts on a countback from Shane Pollock, Kialla.

C-grade was led home by Joe Labas, Nagambie, 38 points from Greg Collins, Deniliquin, 37 points.

Nearest-the-pin was contested on the 114 metre long 18th hole, with Ron Smith, Numurkah best in A-grade, Wayne Ferguson, Parkland in B-grade; and Lindsay Tatterson, Parkland in C-grade.

Ball winners in A-grade included Kelly Cheong, Rushworth; John Keller, Hill Top; Frank O’Connor (new member); Norm Purtill, Deniliquin; Greg Austin, Mooroopna; and Keith Seeber, Euroa.

B-grade included Wayne Ferguson, Parklands; Neil Parker, Numurkah; Michael Meehan, Mooroopna; Ian Godkin, Kialla; Stephen Dove, Nagambie; Ron Wilkinson, Shepparton; Jim Dean, Kialla; and Syd Roughsedge, Numurkah.

C-grade included Bill Waite, Kialla; Kevin Taylor, Shepparton; Ken Pearse, Deniliquin; Ian Clarke, Kialla; Bill Chilcott, Shepparton; Ian Scurrah, Lockington; Mario Gagliardi, Kialla; Ian Clarke, Kialla; and Phil Cooper, Parklands.

Our next event is a special challenge against Central District to be played at Bendigo Golf Club on March 2.

Each team is limited to 60 players, so booking and prepayment is required.

We are well down on our required numbers at the conclusion of the program at Numurkah.

The competition shield is decided on the aggregate of the team’s stableford points – so we will lose unless we substantially increase our numbers with late entries.

Please contact our secretary, Rolf Weber, before Monday, February 23 to be included in the team.

Text or email is the most reliable way to register and secure your place on the team.

Assembly and tee times are 9.30 and 10am respectively.

Please check the VVGA website for updates to our program.

Rich River Croquet Club

Golf Croquet – Thursday, February 5

12 players enjoyed doubles croquet this morning.

Congratulations to Ian Grant who took out the win and was the only player to win all three games.

The runner-up scoring two games +6 hoops was Helen Brierley who has been playing well lately.

Pat Rice made two jump shots, Lyn Keillor and Jay Grant made one jump shot each.

Golf Croquet –Tuesday, February 10

15 players enjoyed the morning playing croquet on the half courts.

Three players won all three games; Sid Gomes-Vieira, Cherie Lessing, and Bob Barclay.

Congratulations to Sid Gomes-Vieira, scoring three games +11 hoops, and the runner-up Cherie Lessing scoring three games + 8 hoops.