Sport

Echuca moves on, Ky eliminated

By Matthew Kappos

Feb 23, 2026

Justin Spedding and Robert Ponton talk it over in Stanhope’s elimination semi-final win over Kyabram. Photos: Matthew Kappos. Photo by Matthew Kappos

The Campaspe Playing Area weekend pennant semi-finals were held on Saturday, and the action didn’t disappoint at Lockington Bowls Club.

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The division one semis saw the top two, Echuca and Moama, face off in a qualifying semi-final, while Kyabram and Stanhope battled in the elimination semi-final.

Geoffrey Beattie communicates important information to his team. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In its first taste of finals after the off-season move to the playing area, Kyabram wasn’t shown any mercy by Stanhope, the previous year’s runner-up sending the Bombers packing 14-72 to 2-56.

Timothy Hancock’s rink led the way for Stanhope, his team of Glen Smith, David Millard and Jono Thorne earning the biggest margin of the contest, 31-12 over Ky skip Robert George.

Evan Berryman leads for Echuca. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Robert Ponton was also successful, skipping Stanhope to a 23-17 victory over Paul McInnes.

Kyabram leant on Greg Shilling’s rink, which got up 27-18 over Gregory Fitzpatrick, but the win wasn’t enough to stave off elimination.

Ben Fletcher watches his shot with bated breath. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In the qualifying semi, Echuca shone the brighter to book a ticket to the decider 14-66 to 2-44.

Steve Cunnington led Echuca’s best result, skipping a side featuring George Thornley, John Dinsdale, and James Ferrier to a 32-13 win over the Robert Young-led Moama rink, while Philip Thorn prevailed in a low-scoring affair, 18-9 ahead of Geoffrey Beattie.

Scott Donaldson sets himself. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Moama pulled back some points in Rodney Werner’s rink as he picked up the win over Ian Page 22-16, but the Steamers will need to do it the hard way as they fell overall.

Echuca now awaits the winner of the preliminary final, a 2024-25 grand final rematch between Moama and Stanhope.

Tony Hawley gesticulates during a Moama rink meeting. Photo by Matthew Kappos

That contest will return to Lockington Bowls Club this Saturday, while the grand final is scheduled for Moama Bowling Club on March 7.

Lower divisions

Moama swept Stanhope in division two, winning all three rinks to surge into the grand final 16-56 to 0-45.

Ian Page’s Echuca side is on to the grand final. Photo by Matthew Kappos

Stanhope now takes on Echuca, who dispatched Rich River from the competition 13-75 to 3-58, a huge 36-11 rink led by Michelle Cunnington proving the difference.

In division three, Kyabram is the first team into the decider, winning a down-to-the-wire encounter with Moama 13-59 to 3-57.

Jock Linehan bowls for the Steamers. Photo by Matthew Kappos

The Steamers will look to get past Echuca in the prelim after defeating Lockington comfortably, 16-73 to 0-48.

Division four saw a reverse of the result from the division three clash, the Steamers the ones walking out two-shot winners, 14-57 to 2-55, and into the grand final.