Neerim plays through wet and wild weather

Wet weather played havoc for Neerim District on Saturday, while in midweek the club played out a thrilling finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
Round three of weekend pennant for most teams was played in cool and wet conditions. Neerim welcomed Sandy Mackenzie to her first game of weekend pennant, and Ray Throup back to the pennant arena.
Division two: Neerim District lost to Traralgon (3) 57/99
Division two travelled to Traralgon Bowls Club where the contest was played indoors.
The home team were too strong on the day, winning three rinks to one and by 42 shots.
Neerim's only winning rink was Jim Fallon, Gregg Chapple, Peter Brooks and Brent Wilson, who got up 20/12.
Division two are eighth on the ladder.
Division five: Neerim District (2) defeated Boolarra (3) 80/25
Division five hosted Boolarra and it was the home team that got away to a solid lead. When the weather intervened Neerim were three rinks up and 80/25 on the scoreboard.
The best for the home team were Des Pelly, Kay Cousins, Ray Throup and Graeme Wingrove (skip), who held a 26-shot lead when play concluded.
Division five are fourth on the ladder.
Division seven: Neerim District (3) defeated Thorpdale and District 54/13
Division seven hosted Thorpdale and District and when rain stopped play Neerim led the contest 54/13.
Given that the minimum number of ends had been completed, Neerim won the contest and are in second on the ladder.
Best for Neerim were Bronwyn Throup, Linda McCoy (sub), Wendy Olsson and Neville Cousins (skip) with a 33/5 victory.
Midweek
Both teams travelled to Traralgon Bowls Club for round three.
Neerim District welcomed Sandy Mackenzie to Team Neerim for her first game of pennant bowls.
The club also welcomed Traralgon Bowls Club members Ross Smith, Leigh Dodd and Elizabeth Dekrill, who represented Neerim on the day in division four after illness and hospitalisations left them short.
Division two: Neerim District defeated Traralgon (3) 58/56
After Traralgon got away to a solid lead in the early ends of division two, momentum shifted and by the 50th end (of 63) the contest had tightened.
As the third rink stepped on the mat for their last end, the contest was very close at one rink each and Traralgon held a two-shot lead on the scoreboard.
Needing to make two shots to have the scoreboard all tied up, and needing three to half rink, the end began.
Both leads had bowls near the jack, Neerim's were both just behind the jack. When the seconds has completed their two bowls each, Neerim was holding two shots thanks to Sian Clarke, with a measure for the third shot thanks to Glenn Joyner.
There was no change after the thirds played and Traralgon's skip's first bowl. Neerim skip Pat Fraser-Aurisch drew her first bowl onto the Traralgon bowl which was in the measure for third shot, ever so gently moving that bowl away from the jack whilst her bowl travelled past the jack to sit on the shot bowl.
No further change after the Traralgon skip's last bowl, so Pat chose to take the three shots, halve the rink and win the overall contest and not bowl her last.
The thirds got to work, measuring and confirmed three shots. But wait, drama struck as it was revealed it was four shots. It meant another rink to Neerim, ending an exciting and extraordinary finish to a great game.
In the end, Neerim won two rinks to one, the match 58/56 and gaining 14 points to two. Neerim is now placed third on the ladder.
Best for Neerim were Heather Guppy, Gerry Engelstad, Gregg Chapple and Karren Sheers with a five-shot win.
Division four: Neerim District (2) lost to Traralgon (4) 52/80
Both teams won 1.5 rinks each, though Traralgon won the overall contest by 28 shots, giving them 13 points to Neerim's three. Division four are now fifth on the ladder.
Best for Neerim were Dianne Tame, Ross Smith (sub), Kay Cousins and Jim Schroeder (skip) with a six-shot win.
No pennant today on Cup Day so midweek pennant resumes on November 10.