Spectators and players try to stay warm and dry during heavy rain and wet weather during the division 1 grand final in which Warrnambool Gold defeated City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
Warrnambool Gold vs City Memorial Red.
WARRNAMBOOL Gold’s top grade grand final win capped off an undefeated season.
Its 117-88 Western District Bowls Division belting of City Memorial Red on Saturday at Dennington erased the memories of its past two grand final losses to the same opposition.
Warrnambool Gold skipper Neil Crisp said the comprehensive four-rink grand final win was satisfying.
“Last year was a bit disappointing. We felt we had the wood on them most of the year and lost the one that counts,” he said.
“It is a yearly event. The two big clubs play most grand finals against each other so you always sort of know you are going to play them unless something out of the ordinary happens.
“To beat them four times during the year — it hasn’t happened for a long time.”
Warrnambool Gold, battling wind and rain, skipped away to an early lead.
Peter Pangrazio’s rink was its biggest winner, crushing Tim Jackway 38-23.
Warrnambool Gold’s other rink winners were Brian Lenehan against Ray Hoy 25-20, Crisp against Vince Moloney 26-21 and Paul O’Donnell against Kevin McMahon 28-24.
“The other rinks were up and down most of the day but once you get a lead of 20 plus, you can defend especially under tough conditions,” Crisp said.
“It was quite windy and damp and very hard for them to get them into the head and threaten.” Crisp said newer bowlers Mark Bowles, Brendan Sheehan and Kellie Bowles had become established players in the club’s premier team and held their own in the decider.
“Our big recruit Peter Pangrazio came to us from City Memorial,” he said.
“He is one of our skippers and is a big plus. He’s a very experienced bowler.
“He had Brendan Sheehan and Bruce Steel leading and playing second to him and they both had exceptional games and made it quite easy for him actually.
“They were probably our two best bowlers for the day.”
Warrnambool Gold was the club’s sole grand final winner after it produced three premiers in 2011-12.
“It’s been a bit quieter this year,” Crisp said.
“We only won one premiership but all went up last year and are small fish in their division but all held their spots which is good and we got ours this year.”
City Memorial chairman of selectors and Red third Gary Smart paid tribute to Warrnambool Gold.
“They were too strong. We trailed them by 10 shots at half-time and kept at them but they were a bit better over the four rinks for the day,” he said.
“There is slight disappointment we didn’t get a pennant in division finals but we’re reasonably satisfied we had five teams represent the club up until preliminary final level and a couple into the grand finals.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au