Timothy Hancock skipped a rink win for Stanhope as his side advanced to the grand final. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Stanhope earned itself a measure of revenge for last year’s grand final result, eliminating the defending champion Moama to return to the big dance for a second straight season.
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The two sides returned to Lockington Bowls Club, the location of both the previous week’s semi-finals, which saw Moama downed by Echuca and Stanhope oust Kyabram, and the 2024-25 grand final, which saw the Steamers claim the Campaspe Playing Area weekend pennant by just three shots.
Benjamin Cottier lets loose for Moama.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The result wasn’t anything close to that this time around, Stanhope firing on all cylinders to send Moama packing by a wide margin, 16-77 to 0-37.
The closest the Steamers could come was in Robert Young’s rink, and even then, his squad was well marshalled by Timothy Hancock’s crew 23-16.
Jono Thorne makes an attacking play.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The other rinks were even more lopsided, as Gregory Fitzpatrick skipped a 26-12 victory over Geoffrey Beattie, and Robert Ponton’s squad of Justin Spedding, David Townsend and Ben Fletcher cruised past Rodney Werner’s lineup 28-9.
The result ends a spirited title defence from Moama, the Steamers having been in or around the top two throughout the regular season.
Robert Young’s rink came closest for the Steamers.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Stanhope proved to be a bogey team for the Steamers following last year’s narrow grand final win, beating Moama twice in the regular season before eliminating it here.
Stanhope now moves on to the grand final, where it will take on Echuca at Moama Bowling Club on Saturday.
Mackenzie Parsons looksto help out her Steamers side.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Echuca won the only regular season meeting between the sides 14-63 to 2-56 on December 6.
Lower divisions
In division two, a huge rink almost got Stanhope over the line, but it was Echuca that just barely progressed to the grand final 14-66 to 2-65.
Robyn Thomassen hopes to hit her target.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Bruce Pearson skipped the nearly heroic Stanhope rink, his side getting up 33-17, but Echuca had the quality in the other two contests.
Michelle Cunnington (23-17) and Lee Beattie (26-15) both led Echuca to success, the margins just enough to see their side through.
Brian Davie leads off for the Steamers.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Echuca now battles Moama in the decider.
In division three, the Steamers won their way through in a 14-68 to 2-59 victory over Echuca.
The Russell Kelly-skipped rink was the standout, his team prevailing 31-20, while teammate David Lonnie and Echuca’s Greg Clymo were the other successful skips.
Moama will take on Kyabram in the grand final.
In division four, Kyabram sliced through Echuca, 16-73 to 0-42, to advance to a showdown with Moama in the decider.
The Bombers had strong results in all three rinks, led by Geoffrey Coad’s 27-11 win.
In division five, a derby showdown saw Deniliquin Blue survive against club mates Deniliquin White, moving on 13-49 to 1-36.
While Blue’s John Murray and White’s Wayne Bradley finished tied 19-all, Linda Harris led the winning rink for Deniliquin, getting her side home 30-17.
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