Sport
13 August, 2025
Clean sweep for Mepunga
THE Simpson Hall was a hive of activity last Wednesday with Heytesbury Indoor Bias Bowls Association’s grand final matches.
In division three, Cobden 3 (Doreen Coverdale, Kath Spokes, Glenn Cain and Colin Spokes) played Mepunga 4 (Julie Shiels, Gayle MacPherson, Sally Madden and Gerard Madden).
The match started off pretty sedate with Cobden 3 picking up one shot to Mepunga 4’s two shots in the first two ends.
Cobden 3 then enjoyed a scoring flurry, picking up three shots on ends four and five to take a two-shot lead.
Over the next three ends Mepunga 4 replied with four shots of their own, before a see-saw battle for the remainder of the game.
Despite Cobden 3’s best efforts they went down to Mepunga 4, 14-16.
Division two was a semi-final replay, with a battle of the Mepungas.
Mepunga 3 (Yvonne Lenehan, Clarrie Matthews, Frank Harney and Peter Baker) faced Mepunga 2 (Karl Keegan, Les Lenehan, Doug Byron and Barb Draffen).
Mepunga 3 got away to a strong start and managed to hold on for the win, despite Mepunga 2 picking up eight shots towards the end.
Final scores were Mepunga 3 defeated Mepunga 2, 32-17.
In the division one pennant grand final, Glenormiston 1 (Scott Pierce, Danielle Gilchrist, Ash Quick and Allen Armistead) played Mepunga 1 (Rob McCrabb, Helen Harney, Ian Swain and George Draffen).
The match started off one-sided with Glenormiston 1 on the back foot picking up one solitary shot to Mepunga 1’s 14 shots in the first seven ends.
Glenormiston 1 picked up 10 shots of their own on ends eight through 12, bridging the gap to three with six ends to play.
Mepunga 1 put up a last ditch effort to stop Glenormiston 1’s run and did so, picking up four valuable shots on ends 14 through 16 to extend their lead to eight.
Glenormiston 1 couldn’t claw back the lead, going down to Mepunga 1, 14-20.
It was a clean sweep of all divisions for Mepunga, which hasn’t been seen since 2018 when Timboon Lawn claimed the clean sweep.
Prior to that, Cobrico performed the same feat in 1998.
Congratulations to all the teams who played throughout the season and in finals.
Special thanks to Joyce, those who brought supper throughout the series, Simpson, Laang-Ecklin and Timboon Lawn for use of their mats and equipment, and pennant secretary Kathryn for the results every week.
Last Sunday, one of the last matches to be played at Sunshine was the VIBBA (state) Champion of Champions.
Heytesbury’s Champions of Champions Pam Dwyer and Noah Mungean headed to Melbourne to compete.
Noah had the bye in the first round and played Scott Plater in the second round.
Unfortunately for Noah, that is where his journey ended.
Pam also had a bye in the first round and played Warrnambool’s Maureen Drennan in the semi-finals.
After 21 ends, Pam booked her place in the final with Karen Brodie (South Group).
After a slow start from Karen, Pam was leading 10-4 in the first nine ends of the match.
Pam extended her lead to 15-7 by end 15 and with three ends to go, this lead was back to seven shots.
Congratulations to the VIBBA Ladies Champion of Champions, Pam Dwyer on her 21-12 victory.
This is Pam’s second consecutive HIBBA Champion of Champions victory and her maiden VIBBA (state) Champion of Champions title.
The HIBBA Drawn Pairs Championship was also played (where players are put into roles and names drawn out of a hat to level the playing field).
It was pleasing to see Mepunga join the fray after a long absence.
Congratulations to the Club Drawn Pairs Champions:
Camperdown – Gerard Noonan and Ron Simcox.
Cobden – Pam Savage and David Childs.
Glenormiston – Allen Armistead (sub) and Deb Noonan.
Laang-Ecklin – Max Wines and Ken Buck.
Mepunga – Gayle MacPherson and Frank Harney.
Scotts Creek – Harry Gilchrist and Joan Laing.
Timboon Lawn – Val Blake and Noah Mungean.
The HIBBA Drawn Pairs will be held at Timboon Lawn tonight (Wednesday, August 13) at 7pm for all teams except Camperdown that have the bye this time.
Congratulations to the following players who will represent Victoria at the national championships to be held in Warrnambool later this month:
Allen Armistead, Pam Dwyer, Arthur Finch, Noah Mungean, Brett Mungean, Lara Mungean and Pam Wines.
A reminder the HIBBA presentation night has been moved forward to Wednesday, September 3 at Cobden Golf Club.
Names are to be with club secretaries (or to Scott) no later than Wednesday, August 27.
Entries will also be taken for the triples tournament at Simpson Hall on Wednesday, August 27.
Names are to be sent to Joyce Roberts as soon as possible please.
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