Sport
9 February, 2023
Frenetic final round forecast for Saturday
With the final round of the home and away season ap-proaching, seven of the eight finals positions across both Gold-fields Playing Group Saturday divisions are still up for grabs. DIVISION ONE Highland Tartan put one hand on the minor premiership...
With the final round of the home and away season ap-proaching, seven of the eight finals positions across both Gold-fields Playing Group Saturday divisions are still up for grabs.
DIVISION ONE
Highland Tartan put one hand on the minor premiership thanks to a dominant victory over their stablemates at Highland Red, which keeps them rooted to the bottom of the table.
It was a ruthless performance from Tartan as they were able to take all 16 points on offer in their 85-38 win.
Garry Coburn took a 25-13 victory over Paul Gothard, while Michael Fryar scored a 29-15 win over Albert Spencer.
Greg Shay finished off the job with a 31-10 win over Adrian Masterman-Smith.
The headline result of the weekend saw Talbot Gold assume control of their own destiny, almost assuring themselves of the double chance courtesy of a 60-43 victory in an important game over Dunolly Blue.
Talbot Gold won all three rinks on the day, highlighting what an important victory it was for the team.
Peter McLoughlin took a 16-13 win over Peter Waters, while Peter Fletcher won 27-17 over Tony Galofaro. Paul Radstock ensured all points would go to Talbot Gold thanks to a 17-13 win over Alan Weir.
Maryborough Golf Blue almost certainly secured their spot in the finals after a tense victory over Dunolly Gold.
It was Dunolly Gold that won two of the three rinks, but Golf Blue were able to take the third rink by a sufficient enough margin to put themselves 14 points clear of Dunolly Gold.
Aaron Britten took points for Dunolly Gold thanks to a 22-19 win over Kevin Prime, while Barry Mortlock also won 20-18 over Kort Gay. But Harold Patullo’s team performed strongly when it mattered most, winning 25-14 over Jim Haigh to give Golf Blue a 62-56 win.
Avoca Red gave themselves a good platform to end their season on a high, taking a 63-58 victory over Newstead Blue.
It was a tight contest throughout, with Bill Burnett taking first blood for Newstead Blue with a 20-19 win over Graeme Orr, while Brian Daly took a 21-20 win over Ian Proctor. But Daniel Giddings’ 24-17 win over David Cobden gave Avoca Red 12 competition points.
For the final round of matches, it means it will be a showdown between Highland Tartan and Talbot Gold for the minor premiership.
Highland Tartan will not have it easy, coming up against a Dunolly Gold team who will need to win all three rinks to have any chance of playing finals, while also relying on Dunolly Blue to likewise win all three rinks against Maryborough Golf Blue.
Talbot Gold could yet finish as minor premier if they are able to beat Newstead Blue, coupled with a Dunolly Gold win.
Highland Red can avoid the wooden spoon if they can beat Avoca Red, while they can also do so if they take two rinks, and Newstead Blue get swept.
DIVISION TWO
Carisbrook locked in the minor premiership courtesy of a dominant 82-37 victory over Newstead White, coupled with Highland White’s 48-63 loss to Talbot Brown.
Gary Haigh took a 22-14 victory over Mark Leckey, while Ron Baker won 29-14 over Steven Gibson. Eric Symons completed the job with a 31-9 win over Noel Bott.
The loss consigned Newstead White to the wooden spoon as a result.
Talbot Brown kept the slimmest of hopes alive for the double chance courtesy of their win over Highland White, with both teams seperated by 13 points on the ladder.
A 25-15 win by Ray Prentice over Leanne Wallis gave Talbot Brown a great start, while Barb Crossley’s 25-12 win over Alan Muggridge helped Talbot Brown assume complete control. Highland White took two competition points back thanks to Tony Lacey’s 21-13 win over Steven Murray.
Avoca Gold took a big step towards finals qualification thanks to a 66-42 win over Maldon, knocking them out of the finals race.
A 27-12 win to Rebecca Zeuschner over Annette Gillham set Avoca Gold on their way, and further wins to Geoff Loosmore, who defeated Sean Ryan 20-12, and Ann Loosmore, who beat Jim Brookshaw 19-18, ensured that Avoca Gold would take all 16 points.
Maryborough Golf Gold continue to nip at their heels ahead of an important final round, sitting just five points behind courtesy of a 67-49 victory over Dunolly Green.
John Scott took a 32-14 victory over Jill Morse, while Philip Mortlock took a 24-15 win over Sandra Chaplin to seal the tie. Dunolly Green took two points back when Wayne Stephens defeated Gary Chaplin 20-11.
With the minor premiership secured, Carisbrook can look to prepare for the finals when they play Maldon at Maldon.
The remaining three games will shape the final three spots in the finals race.
Highland White and Avoca Gold meet in an important game for both teams for vastly different reasons.
Should Highland White win, they will secure second spot on the ladder and the double-chance. But if Avoca Gold win, they will secure finals, and could yet meet Highland White again if Talbot Brown also take victory by a sufficient margin.
Talbot Brown will be relying on Avoca Gold winning, but will need big wins on both rinks to make up the 13-point differential.
Golf Gold will be relying on Highland White to win, while also defeating Newstead White, in order to play finals.