What a final!
Margaret River win a Leeuwin League thriller Dunsborough and Margaret River recently played out a thrilling final to see who would be crowned the Men’s Division 1 Pennant champions in the Leeuwin League.
Only two bowls were left to play with Margaret River holding two shots on the head and a one shot aggregate lead, amazingly after 64 ends the final was to be decided on the last two bowls.
Ed Holmberg, Skipper for Dunsborough leaves the head and walks to the mat, picks up his last bowl and delivers on a perfect line. The bank is filled by players from both teams and supporters waiting in anticipation as the bowl approaches the head approximately 28 meters from the mat. With less than a metre to travel Dunsborough players leap for joy as the bowl touches the jack and rests on the two Margaret River bowls, a brilliant shot under extreme pressure to level the aggregate.
Margaret River applauds the efforts but feel somewhat demoralised as it appears another pennant flag could be slipping away in a close struggle.
Mick Pepper, Skipper for Margaret River examines the head and walks to the mat thinking this is the most important bowl that I will deliver all season. Mick delivers his bowl on a perfect line and after fifteen metres the third Peter “Bags” Bayliss shouts loudly “I like it Mickey.” As the bowl travels another five metre Bags shout even louder “I really like it Mickey”, and as it get closer to the head Bags shouts even louder, so much so that he could now be heard on the other side of town “I really, really like it Mickey”.
As the bowl rests on the shot bowl delivered by Dunsborough’s skipper the Margaret River players and spectators leap for joy on a brilliant bowl delivered under enormous pressure to secure a two shot aggregate win for Margaret River and claim their first pennant flag for a decade.
Main Photo: Margaret River players and spectators celebrate as the winning bowl comes to rest
The final rink scores as follows (Dunsborough mentioned first) Geoff Benn 28 def Leith Bussell 10, Mike Brown 17 def by David Head 22, Ed Hoemburg 11 def by Mick Pepper 26.
Photo: The winning Margaret River side
A great final played with wonderful sportsmanship displayed by both teams as they congratulated each other with handshakes, hugs and even kisses! The game of Lawn Bowls was definitely the overall winner.
In Division 2 Dunsborough were able to come away with a Pennant and some revenge over Margaret River. The Dunsborough White team won 44-26. The rink scores were Norman Gage 24 def Barry Coffey 13, Brian Buttsworth 20 def Don Page 13.
To view the full Leeuwin League Pennant Results click here
Information and photos supplied by Rob Scott (Margaret River) and Lyn Colmer (Leeuwin League Secretary/Treasurer).
