22-23 BHBR Over 60 Men’s Singles & Women’s Pairs winners take on State’s best at Bendigo
Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Over 60 Men’s Singles winner, Greg Plier (Midlands) and Over 60 Women’s Pairs winners, Deb Gorin and Jill Hopper (Victoria) contested the Over 60 State Championships on Wednesday, 15th March 2023 at Bendigo Bowling Club.
Greg Plier took on Daryl White (Phillip Island) from the Strzelecki region in Round 1 and got the chocolates by just one shot in a nail-biting finish.
After flying the gates, Greg got out to a 10-2 early lead courtesy of some fine draw bowling and looked to have the match in his keeping when up 18-8 and and seemingly in full control.
Whether it was the sweet smell of dinner that got his attention or the upcoming season opener for his beloved Hawthorn football club, the Midlands club champion found himself in a world of hurt when his opponent went on a 12 point scoring spree charging to a 20-18 lead over Greg and with full momentum in his favour.
To Greg’s credit, he kept his composure and dug deep, drawing a clutch shot with his last bowl on the very next end when down match shot and defeat staring him down, taking the score to 19-20, and back in the hunt.
Greg won the next two ends by single shots, advancing to the Quarter Finals with a thoroughly deserved 21-20 victory over a dogged adversary.
In his Quarter Final match, Greg met Michael Wilson (MCC) from the Yarra Region and went down by 11 shots in a high standard clash.
It’s been a big week for Greg, playing in a Midlands Division 2 Grand Final side that went down by a demoralising one shot last Saturday against City Oval at Webbcona, before being part of the victorious Midlands Tuesday Pennant Division 1 team that beat BMS in yesterday’s Grand Final at Sebastopol.
“It’s been a big few days,” Greg said.
“I was ready to throw the bowls in the bin on Sunday morning but what a difference a few days make.”
“I’m rapt to get so far in the Over 60 event and its all been beyond my expectations.”
>>> View State Men’s Over 60 Singles results
Congratulations to Greg on a top performance today in Bendigo.
Over 60 Women’s Pairs
Victoria’s Deb Gorin and Jill Hopper played Noleen Mcglead and Maureen Taylor (Foster), also from the Strzelecki region, in Round 1 of the Over 60 Women’s Pairs event and managed a comfortable 14-7 victory.
It proved to be a tight tussle early before the Victoria duo upped the ante, getting the job done by 7 shots in a solid display of bowling.
“We were really pleased to take out the first game in the end,” Jill said.
“They had the first two or three ends and then we really started to get in the groove and ground out a win.”
Jill was full of praise for the Bendigo green following her first match.
“The greens were beautiful, absolutely beautiful to play on and worth moving to this area to play bowls,” Jill said.
They faced tough opposition in Karen Wiener and Karen Harrington (Torquay Bowls Club) from the Geelong region in their Quarter Final and put up a gallant display before going down by 12 shots in an entertaining match.
>>> View State Women’s Over 60 Pairs results
Congratulations to Deb and Jill on their great effort today in Bendigo.
Victoria’s Deb Gorin getting one away at Bendigo.
Upcoming Over 60 Events
Elizabeth Kierce (City Oval), along with John Evans and David Beardmore (Gisborne & District) compete in the Over 60 Women’s Singles and Over 60 Men’s Pairs events on Thursday, 16th March 2023, also at Bendigo Bowling Club.
Elizabeth plays Mary Tragardh (Myrtleford) from the Ovens & Murray region in Round 1 and is excited by the challenge ahead.
“It will be a tough game against a very experienced State player,” Elizabeth said.
“I will need to keep calm, take deep breaths and enjoy the experience, whatever the outcome.”
>>> View State Women’s Over 60 Singles results
John and David face a talented pairing in Michael Galakos and Andrew Myers (Yarraville/Footscray) from Metro West and will be looking to start strongly in this match.
>>> View State Men’s Over 60 Pairs results
Good luck to Elizabeth, John and David at Bendigo tomorrow.