Burn in shock loss on eve of finals

WEDDERBURN has suffered a two-shot defeat in North Central bowls division one on the eve of finals.

The Burn went down to St Arnaud, its opponent this Saturday in the semi-final to be played St Arnaud Country. Wedderburn finished the home and away season third, eight points ahead of St Arnaud on the ladder.

In division two, Wedderburn meets Donald Golf in the semifinal.

Inglewood

Wow! Where did the division one team come from at the weekend with a performance streets ahead of previous weeks showing what is required to compete in the high standard premier division.

Congratulations to Tim Birthisel on playing his first division one game. Acquitted himself well and sure there will be many more to come.

This week’s against Eaglehawk will be played at North Bendigo due to the Inglewood green not being ready yet.

Bendigo

Division 1 – South Bendigo 65-2 lost to Inglewood 81-16. P Frawley, J Wiffen, B Traill, B Holland (s) lost to V Tierney, J Nevins, W Roberts, M McMcLean (s) 13-25. W Marwood, B Gould, G Conforti, L Crapper (s) lost to D Garrett, J Jackman, D Vanston, L Kelly (s) 15-19. G Ryan, D White, D Rowley, M Robertson (s) d B McClymont, T Birthisel, G Jackson, R Day (s) 22-15. N Rowley, D Oddy, T Zimmer, M Rowley (s) lost to M Chamberlain, D Wilson, G Wilson, I Chamberlain (s) 15-22.

Ladder: Moama 202, Bendigo 188, South Bendigo 172, Golden Square 170, Bendigo East 167, Eaglehawk 161, Kangaroo Flat 91, Castlemaine 91, Inglewood 88. Division 3 – Serpentine 57-2 lost to Bendigo East 87-16. S Rollinson, A Bish, D Walker, D Anset (s) lost to F Pekarsky, S Vowles, K Gloster, D Judge (s) 9-29. K Canfield, L Cadzow, S Rudkins, B Gladman (s) lost to B Bradley, R Miller, C Findlay, D Johnson (s) 13-19. W Gladman, F Maher, B Long, R Gladman (s) lost to L Frank, D Clough, J McDermott, A Clough (s) 17-22. J Collinson, B Tuohey, J Stuart, N Tonkin (s) d R Clough, M Fuller, G Pithie, S Hocking (s) 18-17.

Ladder: North Bendigo 155, Strathfieldsaye 135, South Bendigo 132, Kangaroo Flat 121, Bendigo East 108, Heathcote 89, Serpentine 68, Bendigo 56. Division 5 – Marong 69-4 lost to Calivil 77-14. A Puyo, W Bramley, W Gason, M Corry (s) lost to R Lourie, H Miles, G Ray, G Maxted (s) 13-25. J Addams, B Hayes, M Kelly, N Tate (s) d I Mansbridge, M Dennis, A Dennis, N Dennis (s) 25-10. S Hayes, L Williams, C Coghill, R Williams (s) d K Richards, R Boyd, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) 21-18. D James, J Balkin, B Rumbold, R Wearne

Pups have first training run

PYRAMID Hill was last night holding the first training run for its under 18 football side under coach Bryden Morison.

The Bulldogs will join four other Loddon Valley sides in the new AFL Central Victoria competition starting in two months. They last had a junior side in 2019, winning the premiership.

AFL Central Victoria says it is in talks to attract more clubs to the new competition.

The division five team was again the story of the week and is delighting everyone with its determination and desire to do well.

It was a very impressive win against Strathfieldsaye with all rinks up which keeps them on top of the ladder and 12 points in front of the third team to keep hold of the double chance in the finals, so keep up the good work.

Blake and David Smyth must be thinking how easy is this game with another win in their second pennant game.

In midweek pennant last week, Inglewood found out why Eaglehawk are on top of the ladder in division one as they proved too consistent, especially on their own green which was running quicker than greens we are used to.

Now sitting in sixth spot, on the ladder, and need to win the last two games to have any chance of playing in the finals.

Division five are starting to stall a little, in its quest for another finals appearance, as other

(s) lost to B Meighan, G Lourie, W Miles, A Leech (s) 10-24.

Strathfieldsaye 58-0 lost to Inglewood

79-18. M McCarthy, C Rogister, R Finch, K Toomey (s) lost to P Lyndon, T Schill, H Leech, I Bradley (s) 12-20. A Hingston, N Johnston, M Filan, J Cummins (s) lost to B Smyth, D Smyth, A Noonan, A Harrison (s) 16-24, B Toomey, D Curnow, R Rogister, S Curnow (s) lost to P Kelly, K Stewart, C McEwan, D Rowe (s) 15-19. E Sheen, J Dole, P Hingston, V Sabaliauskas (s) lost to G Sommers, B Moffat, D Whitehead, J McClymont (s) 15-16.

Dingee 76-15 d Campbells Creek 68-3. K Pollock, M Grieves, K Murphy, F Grieves (s) lost to R Harding, C Bull, M Rhodes, P McKendry (s) 19-21. A Hay, J Monaghan, R Thompson, B Lawry (s) drew L Leanne, J Harding, M Holland, D Goulding (s) 19-19. T Kavanagh, L Hocking, B West, N Lister (s) d B Van der Horst, C Gallagher, T Woodman, J McMennemin (s) 18-11. G Clarke, A Sproull, Lyn Demeo, Leo Demeo (s) d W Whitehead, B Ellis, K Delmenico, I Brooks (s) 20-17.

Ladder: Inglewood 157, Kangaroo Flat 151, Calivil 145, Marong 136, Castlemaine 85, Dingee 77, Strathfieldsaye 61, Campbells Creek 52. Division 6 – South Bendigo 88-18 d Bridgewater 69-0. S Doull, W Pell, M Kirkpatrick, J Geldart (s) d I Clutton, D Grant, R Broadbent, J Fagan (s) 27-23. A Howe, J Pell, S Bryan, M Poulter (s) d P Gath, C Brooshooft, B McNaught, R Smith (s) 23-16. T Lansdown, B Mott, J Griffin, S Pickering (s) d B Bajada, V Wilson, N Saunders, B Oughtred (s) 21-17. D Kennedy, C Dillon, L Cairncross, T Watson (s) d F Shea, G Catto, R Brown, G Managan (s) 17-13. Midweek - Division 1: South Bendigo 7816 d Inglewood 39-0. S Marsili, J Rooke, M teams are strengthening their line-ups in preparation for the finals.

Bridgewater

The weekend pennant team played South Bendigo, on their main green. It was a terrific tussle.

Three of the teams each went down by four shots. John Fagan’s combination, took the IGA Inglewood incentive vouchers, as they had the highest total score.

The points after round 12 show it is now not possible for Bridgewater to finish on the bottom of the ladder.

Wonderful to see so many new faces at Napier Park twilight bowls opening night last week56 bowlers filled the green, with 14 teams of 4 players.

The usual popular barbecue commenced proceedings, with special effort draws rounding out the night.

River Rats were the round one winners with joint runners-up Browns Plains and Mangos Mayhem.

Pennant Results

Houghton, M Robertson (s) d R Gallagher, B Taig, V Tierney, L Kelly (s) 23-17. S Driesen, L Rowley, D White, B Holland (s) d C McEwan, H Leech, A Caserta, M McLean (s) 30-9. J Adams, D Conley, G Ryan, D Rowley (s) d M Chamberlain, P Lyndon, I Chamberlain, L Witham (s) 25-13. Division 4 – Dingee 51-3 lost to Bendigo VRI 55-13. K Pollock, V Sproull, K Murphy, M Grieves (s) lost to J Dullard, E Wilkinson, V Evans, S Huggard (s) 15-20. S Ellis, T Kavanagh, B West, F Grieves (s) drew J Hawkins, G Allen, M McMahon, B Hawkins (s) 18-18. N Thomas, S Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) d M Thomson, M Gorrie, P Simmons, P Williams 18-17. Calivil Serpentine 38-0 lost to South Bendigo 79-16. J Wiltshire, H Gronow, K Richards, D Walker (s) lost to R Challinor, A Howe, T Doolan, M Kirkpatrick (s) 11-23. L Dennis, L Lister, N Ralphs, C Mitchell (s) lost to W Pell, M Grogan, L Cairncross, S Bryan (s) 12-27. Ladder: South Bendigo 181, White Hills 124, Golden Square 108, Dingee 101, Calivil Serpentine 87, Harcourt 84, Bendigo VRI 75, Campbells Creek 72. Division 5 – Bendigo East 23-0 lost to Inglewood 48-14. E Johnson, J Watts, J Logan, C Findlay (s) lost to J Roberts, K Stewart, A Harrison, P Kelly (s) 12-24. R Clough, M Pysing, R Hoffman, W Schmidt (s) lost to E Patterson, P McEwan, D Garrett, D Whitehead (s) 11-24. Bridgewater 32-0 lost to White Hills 3914. F Shea, B Catto, R Shea, M Wright (s) lost to J Tynan, H Neil, J Stiles, K Churchill (s) 17-20. J Oughtred, B McNaught, J Hosking, R Brown (s) lost to J Austin, N Crothers, B Carter, G Julius (s) 15-19. Ladder: South Bendigo 125, White Hills 114, Inglewood 108, Strathfieldsaye 106,

Indoor push to lift fitness, boost player numbers

A FIVE-WEEK indoor hockey competition in Boort is aiming to lift player numbers ahead of the 2023 North Central season.

Hockey club president Chelsea Challis-Broad says sessions for juniors and seniors would start this month.

“We thought it would be a good way to interest new players in the game, perhaps bring some back from retirement and give opportunities to young people who may not want to play football,” she said.

“The indoor competition will also help with pre-season training and fitness of players. Our field is a few weeks away from being ready so this will certainly help with pre-season.”

The indoor season will be held at Boort District School stadium on Wednesday afternoons for juniors and in the evening for seniors.

“We‘ll see how it goes and it might be that we can start a regular indoor competition,” Challis-Broad said.

Bendigo East 87, Bendigo 78, Eaglehawk 57, Bridgewater 53.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 1 – St Arnaud 71-10 d Wedderburn 69-2. J Prendegast, P Duncan, C MArchment, P McRae (s) d A Noordennen, L Holt, B Hargreaves, A Caserta (s) 29-20. T Amos, K Dyke, M Wood, G Hancock (s) lost to A Holt, C Mills, R Montebello, A Jackson (s) 17-28. G McNally D Shepherd, S Zsigmond, A Dyke (s) d D Stephenson, L Standfield, I Hall, L Witham (s) 25-21.

Boort 64-2 lost to Donald 68-10. I Merce, G Gardner, T Moresi, K Ritchie (s) lost to H Wingfield, J Aitken, R Collins, W Hegarty (s) 21-22. D Gibson, K Walton, J Gibson, K Depiazza (s) lost to B Brennan, E Adams, W Meyer, I McEwen (s) 20-24. P Waters, J Maxted, L Maxted, S Morris (s) d M Harris, L Kelly, N Barber, N Hollis (s) 23-22.

Ladder: Wycheproof 139, Donald Golf 125, Wedderburn 104, St Arnaud 96, St Arnaud Country 76, Donald 61, Charelton 42, Boort 29.

Division 2 – St Arnaud 64-2 lost to Wedderburn 70-10. A McNally, M McRae, C Cheesman, W Rourke (s) lost to R Ashley, K Griffiths, W Roberts, A Roberts (s) 20-27. F James, T Robertson, G McIntyre, C Coates (s) d H Stepehenson, S Steel, S Standfield, R Hall (s) 30-8. G Smith, D Ostarcevic, S McIntyre, G Shinners (s) lost to R Guelfo, A Benaim, D Mason, G Burnside (s) 14-35. Boort 67-10 d Donald 63-2. R Taylor, J Nelson, A Gould, G Hudson (s) d J Subprom, B Milne, T Farrer, M Hollis (s) 25-23. J Earl, J Hampson, G Tweddle, T Noles (s) lost to J Wood, K Wyllie, M Quick, G Davidson (s) 1720. P Gould, I Allison, Y Cashen, A Matley (s) d F McConville, D Romeo, J Howley, P Wyllie (s) 25-20.

Ladder: Wycheproof 125, St Arnaud Country 108, Donald Golf 106, Wedderburn 92, Donald 82, Boort 75, St Arnaud 60, Charlton 24.

Midweek: Boort 65-10 d Wedderburn 63-2. P Gould, A Matley, D Gibson, T Moresi (s) d S Standfield, R Little, L Standfield, A Roberts (s) 26-14. L Gardner, P Baker, J Maxted, L Maxted (s) d R Witham, G Hunter, J Murnane, L Witham (s) 29-15. Y Cashen, G Tweddle, T Noles, I Merce (s) lost to H Stephenson, S Steel, R Hall, A Jackson (s) 10-34. Ladder: Wedderburn 103, Boort 96, St Arnaud 92, Donald 83, Wycheproof 79, Charlton 72, Donald Golf 58, St Arnaud Country 41.

Northern

Division 2- Barham 73-12 d Pyramid Hill 38-0. M Laursen, G Lake, S Baker, T Keegan (s) d G Tate, J Mann, K Wood, L Mann (s) 29-13. P Madeley, J Goodwin, I Fasham, V Kendell (s) d G Moon, W Boyd, E Carmody, M Scott (s) 18-17. G Archard, J Laursen, K Ashton, C Bragg (s) d R Harris, C Cauchi, M Noelker, I Bartlels (s) 26-8. Midweek – Division 1: Pyramid Hill 6610 d Cohuna 2 49-2. P Coates, M Noelker, M Scott, R Opie (s) d C Jones, M Main, B Main, P Van der Zande (s) 32-14. R Harris, L Dingwell, I Bartels, A Cantwell (s) lost to K Foreman, M Mooney, V Dehne, W Brooks (s) 1518. G Moon, K Wood, E Carmody, M L’Hullier (s) d M Smith, M Maud, N Hosking, T Dehne (s) 19-17.

Division 2: Pyramid Hill 37-0 lost to Barham 47-8. C Cauchi, D Kaye, J Cauchi, T Strobaus (s) lost to J Cunningham, L Mues, M McNeill, H Archard (s) 21-26. A Fidller, R Fidler, W Boyd, D Miller (s) lost to I Bartlett, H Bray, A Larpent, C Gent (s) 16-21.

Club’s ready for return of play on home pitch

CRICKET will make its competitive return to the Boort District School oval.

Boort Yando club on Monday told Upper Loddon Cricket Association its home ground was ready to host games for the first time this season.

The club has installed an irrigation system that president Al Knight says ensures “we will have the best playing surface in the district”.

Boort has played all matches at away grounds but will be at home from February 18 with games against Arnold, Wedderburn and Bridgewater.

Association secretary Michael Rose said: “The league would like to thank the four other clubs for the use of their facilities and understanding over this period so that the season was not affected.”

Knight said a strong relationship with the school had made works possible.